Recently, an art exhibition in Austria has sparked significant controversy. Titled “You create your own image,” it seems to aim at mocking Christianity, particularly during the Advent season.
One unsettling piece, called “I am a mother too,” features a man dressed as the Virgin Mary, holding a baby Jesus. The caption indicates it’s meant to reflect the fears and challenges faced by the marginalized LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh. Another artwork displays “latex nubs” arranged like maggots, shaped as a crucified figure, potentially altering one of Western culture’s most revered symbols into something overtly erotic.
One of the most provocative pieces depicts a naked woman, positioned suggestively, holding “Christ,” described here as having died from a heroin overdose rather than through crucifixion. Some might brush this off as an immature attempt to break taboos. Yet, it really highlights a growing trend in our society to not just dismiss, but to actively disrupt the concepts of transcendent truth, beauty, and goodness.
Consider how contemporary films often delve into the backgrounds of villains. Sequels and reboots seemingly encourage audiences to rethink characters, painting heroes as imperfect and villains as misunderstood. Should we really cast judgment in such cases?
Take recent adaptations like “Evil: For Good,” which shifts focus onto the Wicked Witch of the West as a heroine. A similar approach was taken with “Maleficent,” which told Sleeping Beauty’s tale from a dark sorceress’s perspective. Now, there’s even a new version of Cinderella where the originally cruel stepsisters are portrayed as kind and misunderstood.
While exploring these themes could be fascinating, it’s become so prevalent that, as Jonathan Pageau remarked regarding the Vienna exhibit, it feels quite tedious. It mirrors how the current Broadway lineup leans on lackluster 90s films, reflecting a broader creative crisis.
Art conveys a culture’s values and worldview. With the Creator being rejected, it’s not surprising that creativity is waning. We’ve lost sight of truth, beauty, and goodness; there’s little left to inspire us away from a moral decline. Ultimately, blasphemy resonates with those who believe the sacred is merely a moral burden.
In contrast, the Christian perspective anchors itself in God as the foundation of meaning and goodness. The controversial representation of Christ in Vienna does nothing to erase the reality of His Incarnation, death, and resurrection; therein lies history’s significance and our hope.
Chuck Colson once described the Christian life as “the good life.” But what truly cultivates such a life? It involves a clear understanding of right and wrong while striving to live in alignment with that understanding—a path toward harmony and joy.
Despite life’s struggles and challenges, the sovereignty of God remains intact. Creation still holds goodness. Recognizing beauty, truth, and morality is essential. Blasphemy, however, seeks to deny this reality.
Christian art and storytelling have an important role, not just in providing an alternative to blasphemy, but in restating reality. Those who grasp the essence of reality can be reminded of the Creator’s world, encompassing truth, beauty, and goodness.
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