Greenbelt '97 sees the welcome return to the UK of singer, songwriter, producer, executive and thinker CHARLIE PEACOCK. Tony Cummings reports.
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"Also just in terms of being plugged into a community, whether it is going and doing something good for some other person or just getting a gang of people going to see a movie. There's something right about that, as right as it is to use your mind to God's glory."
Vince Ebo's Suicide
"(After it happened) I was
pretty much in denial over it. Lately I've thought of Vince often. My
responses kind of run from, "I miss you Vinny,' to 'You stupid idiot.'
I don't know of any other way to say that. It's not a simple subject
to discuss... Ultimately, he did it because he saw no other way out.
The big question is, 'Out of what?' That's what no one knows... I'll
just have to go to my grave knowing that I'll never know the answer.
It certainly won't be a question that I'll ask when I stand in the
presence of the Lord because it really won't matter anyway. I've just
kind of had to accept that. At some point you have to say it's just
one more sin weaved in the fabric of sin that is draped across the
heart of humanity. Jesus certainly died for that sin as well. I know
that point has been debatable and that's fine. That's a doctrinal and
theological issue, but my position is that Christ died for all sin.
Where suicide assaults the Christian the most is that the Christian
mind comes against all such thoughts that have to do with non-hope.
When the Christian mind is alive and well, it's always holding out
hope."
God's Love
"I'm not afraid of God anymore. I
mean I fear God in terms of the Scripture's fear for God, in terms of
reverence and respect of the awesome holiness of God. But I don't fear
him as my father, and that's really good (laughs). That's really,
really good. I really rest in knowing that there's nothing I can say
or do that will change his love for me because of who I am in Christ."
The Nine Pursuits Of The True Artist
The
artistic journey begins with a simple desire to create. But this is
only the beginning. This seed to create will in time grow into a
full-blown philosophy of artmaking. And like plants themselves, these
philosophies come in all shapes and sizes, from weeds to roses to
lilies. All practicing artists whether Christian or non-Christian are
driven by some philosophy of artmaking whether they are able to
articulate it or not.
In what follows, I've tried to articulate for you nine pursuits of the true artist. Not "true" as defined by degrees of talent, but rather by their close association with the truth - Christ himself. It is out of this association that I offer these nine points, which if pursued with faithfulness, will in my opinion, help the Christian artist develop a philosophy of artmaking that is honouring to the Lord.
1. Excellence In Craft
True artists pursue excellence in
their craft. They purpose to develop skills on par with the talent
given them. They pray for the Holy Spirit of God to fill them with
skill, ability and knowledge. They work hard, for as the Scripture
says: "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to
poverty." They study models to learn why some things work and others
don't. They don't waste their time in reinventing the wheel. They get
on with it. They are productive.
Peter Kreeft in his book Making Choices wrote: "A ballet dancer becomes free to make beautiful moves only by conforming herself to laws and principles in disciplined practice. A scholar becomes free from ignorance only by conforming to truth, to data, to facts." (1)
2. Make The Most Of Every Opportunity
True artists purpose
not to live in a world of "if onlys' but instead make the most of
every opportunity. They do not wait for a national platform to really
apply themselves. They give their best to God in their home, church or
university, being seen as faithful in the little things that they
might be found ready and prepared for the bigger. They recognise that
contemporary tools are nice to have, but are no substitute for
astonishing ideas.
3. Find Balance Between Work And Rest
True artists
purpose to find a balance between work and rest. Foolish is the man
that thinks he's succeeding because of all the talk about how hard he
is working. As the Scripture says, "Better a little with the fear of
the Lord than great wealth with turmoil." Rather than anxiety
regarding basic provisions, true artists memorize and trust God's
promises to provide.
4. Pray For Humility
True artists pray for humility and
don't struggle endlessly against circumstances designed to humble
them. Instead they see difficult circumstances as a provision from God
and an answer to their prayers. They welcome the discipline of the
Lord because it is a testimony of his fatherly love and a sure sign
that he is changing them incrementally into the man or woman he has
designed them to be.
5. Work Against Apathy
True artists work against apathy,
indifference, unconcern and disdain. They purpose in their lives and
their art to do both in such a way as to lead men and women away from
such worthless occupation of the mind and heart.
6. Love The Church
True artists purpose to love the Church
despite indifference or opposition to their work. Though indifference
is their enemy they separate it form the brother or sister who is
seduced by it. They are eager to find their place in the Body and do
not consider themselves exempt from fellowship and church stewardship
responsibilities. They love the Church and do all they can to build it
up, for how can you love Christ and hate his Church?
7. Purpose To Think
True artists purpose to think.
Philippians 4:8 is their text. They meditate on what is lovely and
truthful and desire such things in their art. They never stop
thinking. They are curious to know what makes things work. They know
the power of ideas and pray to use only those whose consequences
produce fruit in keeping with the Spirit of God.
8. Know Mission And Destination
True artists know their
mission and destination. They know where they are going and what they
are called to do along the way. Their panoramic vision keeps their
eyes on the promise ahead. It keeps their eyes on what has gone before
in history. And when they begin to stumble about the road from fatigue
or hunger or loneliness their eyes keep them from falling into
foolishness at either side of the road.