How To Be A Christian Artist

A Book Review: Artists at a Shift in Time by Christ John Otto

From the beginning of the I Am Prayerful project I had waking visions of the pictures I felt led to create, and this wasn't just an invitation - it felt like an instruction. Like all instructions it weighed heavy over the next few months. This only eased when I began exploring the 'how to'. Without a fine art degree this was a journey of trial and error and piles of different materials as I searched for ways to achieve what I had seen in my mind's eye.

I was already interested in crafting and art, with interests ranging from painting in acrylics and pastels, through dress making to DIY and gardening. 'Making' has always been one of life's imperatives as I just feel more satisfied in life if I have a creative project to think about. When the I Am Prayerful project began to crystallise, my scattered interests finally coalesced and settled. A close friend called the early output 'crafty making', which sat better with me at the time than 'art', and probably still does!

"A close friend called the early output 'crafty making', which sat better with me than 'art', and probably still does!"

After producing over 50 textile pictures and 100 hand made journals, all created in an atmosphere saturated with worship music, I realised there needed to be an outlet for these things. We ran a few open days at home, and sold work. With my marketing hat on, a web site made sense as a next step. But how to avoid a worldly approach? How to remain honouring of the process of making in partnership with Holy Spirit?

Christ John Otto's book 'Artists at a Shift in Time' was sent to me as a birthday gift in 2024, which was excellent timing. He has an interesting creative and Christian background, and a unique perspective on creativity. He lives by faith in the true sense of the word (you can buy him a coffee here), and carries a word about raising up an army of artists to 'build Jesus a throne in the earth'. His calling has birthed a community of artists known as 'Belonging House'. He has written numerous books including a couple on the Bezalel anointing, which is a term that cropped up on a call with some prophetic friends when my head was full of early inspiration for I Am Prayerful.

The first named Christian Artist in the Bible

The book explains that we have misunderstood and largely misrepresented the word 'charashim', variously translated as 'craftsmen/carpenters' in most English Bibles (Zech 1:20 for example). Its first use in Exodus 35:35 refers to a master artisan and, in spite of the fact that there is usually a nameless army of artisans involved in the creation of spaces that honour God, Bezalel is named. He was also the first person in the Bible to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The book points out that in modern churches artists are often misunderstood. Their remit may be confined to decorating a space, painting a wall or sketching during worship times. People trying to pastor artists struggle because creative people don't fit into traditional church roles. "To the ancient Hebrew there was a relationship between the artisan, quietness, supernatural power, and the priesthood." The creative mantle is prophetic, but not in the typical 'words' way that we expect from prophets in the modern church (perhaps more in the way of a Seer anointing). So after being misunderstood and overlooked for years, artists often leave church.

"To the ancient Hebrew there was a relationship between the artisan, quietness, supernatural power, and the priesthood."

As someone involved in worship, and trained by a pastor in the ways of the ancient Levites, the idea of a priestly gifting was not too much of a stretch. We are all royal priests, after all (1Pe 2:9). There is definitely something supernatural happening when a Christian artist pauses to listen for next steps while working on a piece, and the response of the people who take the pieces of art home can be profound.

Serving the King

In the Bible the skills of artisans always served a larger purpose. And the book reminds us that artistic work was done in the service of a king. The important thing for the Christian artist to remember today is that motive is everything, and the work should always point to the King.

"motive is everything, and the work should always point to the King"

So I double-checked my motives, and changed much of the text on the web site to reflect the larger purpose.

Christ John Otto doesn't believe in 'selling' anything that is created in partnership with Holy Spirit, but this is difficult for a Christian artist. There's no separation between the sacred and the secular if you carry Holy Spirit with you everywhere. And for many of us it's the only way for these works to see the light of day.

That said, Artists at a Shift in Time helped me refocus on keeping right motives by honouring God with the work ,and not allowing a 'commercial' mindset to creep in. I'm so grateful for that input at a crucially important time.

I've only unpacked one or two of the main themes in this post. The book is a substantial read, and packed with ideas. If you see yourself as a Christian creative or want to understand creatives better, it's a must-read. Find it at all good bookshops or here for speed.