Willard

How Imagination and Artistic Expression Relate to Worship

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When people go to worship, whether in groups or alone, God designed them to need to exercise their imaginal intellect as much as any other dynamic of their being—including their rational intellect. When people worship God alone, they “practice” focusing their faith toward God through the gate of their imagination. As they couple their imagination with their intellect, they will imagine the unseen realities they "know" are true in Scripture.

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The Biblical Definition of Art and Artistic Expression

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Artistic expression, as observed in the biblical record, is essential to life and Christian ministry—especially the worship ministries of the Church. This is because Artistic expression is the essential context wherein humans touch the transcendent realities of life in general, and most importantly, with God. Artistic and “imaginative” expressions—the metaphors, symbols, expressions, rituals, memorials, ceremonies, liturgies—form the amniotic fluid in which life and community grow and mature.

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Biblical Worship Defined

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Worship leaders should clearly note that New Testament Worship is initiated through the will of the Father, the work of the Son, and the agency of the Spirit. It is the Triune God who energizes the human (and human community of worshipers) to worship. He enables worship through the power His Spirit, through the work of Christ. He receives that worship. He is glorified by that worship. He is the beginning, the means, the object, and the end of all true worship. As Paul writes, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Let it be!” (Ro 11:36-12:1). True worship is sourced, energized and culminated in the Triune-God revealed through Jesus Christ and the Holy Christian Scriptures.

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