When is an Artist like a Prophet?

© Lawrence Klimecki

Among those who write or blog on the topic of theology and the arts; the idea of artist as prophet comes up fairly regularly. This seems to point to a larger issue concerning vocation. Given his (or her) unique gifts, what is the role of the artist?

Is the artist a prophet? It may perhaps be, but is not necessarily so. By virtue of our baptism we all participate in the threefold office of Christ, priest, prophet, and king. The degree to which we participate in these offices will depend upon each individual’s unique gifts and calling. The word ‘prophet’ means one who speaks, usually in the context of speaking for God. So a prophet speaks or interprets for God.

A speaker must have a listener. The prophet serves his community by speaking or interpreting the Word of God to God’s people, even if the people or community disregard the words or actions of the prophet. In our increasingly secular society the most important action of the prophet may be to simply remind his community of their relationship with God.

The view that artists are apart from society and must be left on their own to create whatever they will, even if it is unintelligible to all but the artist himself, is a very modern idea. For most of human history, at least the history we have documented, the artist served his community, usually in connection with the religious beliefs of that community.

When is an artist like a prophet? When he creates work that participates in the role of the prophet, reminding us of our relationship to God and of our status as God’s children. This is but one role an artist may fulfill, there are others such as teacher and storyteller. It is also possible that the artist may serve the community in all of these roles at different times.

There is perhaps a desire on the part of arts writers to conflate the role of the artist, to make it seem much more unique and important than it really is. Artistic ability is a gift. Saint Paul tells us “that there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit; there are varieties of service but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one.” 1Cor 12:4-6

All of us have been given unique gifts and talents. There are no small gifts. Each of us has been given a unique role to fulfill in God’s plan for our salvation. The artist may see God in the beauty of the created world more readily than the mathematician who sees God in the beauty and simplicity of numbers. But one is not more true or more worthy than the other.

The people asked Jesus “what can we do to accomplish the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in the one He sent.’”  John 6:28-29

Everything flows from this belief.

It is human nature to desire to attach labels to everything, but we should be careful that in our zeal to label all the trees, we forget the function of the forest.

For more of my thoughts on the vocation of the artist see the "Theology and the Arts" page

Have a different opinion? Is there an aspect of the idea of artist as prophet that you would like to explore further? Share your thoughts.