Great read! If you are a writer, composer, poet or musician, you’ll want to read this book by Andrew Peterson on the creative life (and by the way, since we are made in God’s image, we are all creative).
Much of what Peterson has to say resonates with me as a writer and a Christian. He is a man after my own heart. For example:
“One great problem with much art that’s called ‘Christian’ is agenda, which is to say that it’s either didactic or manipulative, or merely pragmatic–in other words the artistic purity of the work tends to take a back seat to the artist’s agenda.
He goes on to say, “God is going to speak through the arts no matter who’s making it.” He “decided early on that I would rather my children listen to a great song by someone who wasn’t a Christian than a bad song by someone who was.” We need to develop “healthy snobbery about the art … (we) consume.” This is discernment, and requires that instead of settling for being entertained, we need to “read the nutritional facts on the back of the box.”
He gives suggestions to budding writers, including the need for discipline. For example:
“The best thing you can do to write your book is to stop not doing it.”
Too often, we put off the hard work of writing or composing, while we wait for inspiration to strike. This doesn’t always happen. It’s also important, especially in the beginning to
“… make something, even if it’s not great. … The only way to get better at something is to practice.”
Christian artists also need community:
“They look you in the eye and remind you who you are in Christ. They reiterate your calling when you forget what it is. They step into the garden and help you weed it, help you grow something beautiful.”
I could go on and on, but I won’t. Just get this book and see for yourself. Here’s the link:
You can also learn more about Andrew Peterson by going to this website:
The Lutheran Ladies received a free copy of this book in return for an honest and fair review – Disclaimer pursuant to FTC 16 CFR Part 255
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