Art and Faith: A Theology of Making

Written by Makoto Fujimura and N. T. Wright

Narrated by David Shih

From a world-renowned painter, an exploration of creativity's quintessential-and often overlooked-role in the spiritual life

Conceived over thirty years of painting and creating in his studio, this book is Makoto Fujimura's broad and deep exploration of creativity and the spiritual aspects of "making." What he does in the studio is theological work as much as it is aesthetic work. In between pouring precious, pulverized minerals onto handmade paper to create the prismatic, refractive surfaces of his art, he comes into the quiet space in the studio, in a discipline of awareness, waiting, prayer, and praise.

Ranging from the Bible to T. S. Eliot, and from Mark Rothko to Japanese Kintsugi technique, he shows how unless we are making something, we cannot know the depth of God's being and God's grace permeating our lives. This poignant and beautiful book offers the perspective of, in Christian Wiman's words, "an accidental theologian," one who comes to spiritual questions always through the prism of art.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ChristianAudio.com
• Release date: Mar 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781545916827

Makoto Fujimura

Makoto Fujimura is an internationally renowned artist, writer, and speaker who serves as the director of Fuller Theological Seminary's Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts. He is also the founder of the International Arts Movement and served as a presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts from 2003 to 2009. His books include Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art and Culture and Silence and Beauty. Recognized worldwide as a cultural shaper, Fujimura's work has been exhibited at galleries including Dillon Gallery in New York, Sato Museum in Tokyo, The Contemporary Museum of Tokyo, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts Museum, Bentley Gallery in Arizona, Taikoo Place in Hong Kong and Vienna's Belvedere Museum. In 2011 the Fujimura Institute was established and launched the Qu4rtets, a collaboration between Fujimura, painter Bruce Herman, Duke theologian/pianist Jeremy Begbie and Yale composer Christopher Theofanidis, based on T. S. Eliot's Four Quartets. A popular speaker, Fujimura has lectured at numerous conferences, universities and museums, including the Aspen Institute, Yale and Princeton Universities, Sato Museum and the Phoenix Art Museum. Among many awards and recognitions, Bucknell University honored him with the Outstanding Alumni Award in 2012, and the American Academy of Religion named him as its 2014 Religion and the Arts award recipient. He has received honorary doctorates from Belhaven University, Biola University, Cairn University and Roanoke College.

Reviews for Art and Faith

[Joey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fujimura expresses some great ideas, but in a disconnected way for most of the book. The final 3 chapters are much better, as he provides clearer vision and teaching on how an artist can have an impact and develop a deep grounding in their art by integrating the realities of suffering and the power of the truth of the resurrection, also telling great stories. His book "Silence and Beauty" is far superior though, and I would recommend it again and again.

[Xander van den berg · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As an artist myself, I really enjoyed the author's understanding and love for God. This has helped me shape the way I approach making.

[Jeremiah · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I think the only problem with this book is that the author tended to make invalidated claims and then quickly moved forward without substantiating them: ie his idea that Mary and the Alabaster Jar was the birth of feminism and that Jesus started it.

[Jim Govatos · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The beauty of all God’s art is seen through creation and creativity. It is a banquet set before all who want to partake of it.

[Luis Sanchez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great book that provides wholesome, thought-out, and pragmatic theology for why we should create and why it matters. Fujimura provides a great basis from other theologians and from the scriptures. It definitely challenges me to keep intentionally pursuing creativity with purpose. Please give it a read. I do wish that there was a book version on Scribd to digest more of his content.