Theology of Art, Part I (continued)

Theology of Art, Part I
Hands and Brains (or Lack of)
Hands and Brains (or Lack of) (continued)

Theology of Art, Part II
The Body - Neither Puritanism nor Pornography
The Body - Neither Puritanism nor Pornography (continued)

Theology of Art, Part III
Nakedness and imago Dei
Nakedness and imago Dei (continued)

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Hands and Brains (or lack of)
(continued)

Do Christians, with their head and hands in balance, even exist? Yes, many.

On the Evangelical, or rather the ecumenical side, one thinks of C. S. Lewis (1898-1963). No one, not even his debunkers, debunks his intelligence. But his writings challenge one to radical action. He even warns his readers that "theology is very practical." Despite his busy academic schedule, things were in balance in his personal life. This is exemplified by his correspondence. Lewis received tens of thousands of letters from people, and replied to each one - by hand.

Karol Wojtyla (1920-2005), or John Paul II as he is better known, is another prime example. He too was exceptionally brilliant. Peter Kreeft, the popular Christian apologist, calls him the "Philosopher King of the 20th century."

However, at the very heart of his Christ-centred philosophy was the theory of the "acting person." Without action, for instance, works of charity ("busybodiness" has nothing to do with it), our human nature amounts to nothing. When not writing, Wojtyla travelled a million kilometers talking to Christians and non-Christians, and helped bring down Communism.

(Inhumane ideologies, like Marxist theses, can be brought down by humane theories, like Christian humanism.)

Let us not feed the juxtaposition of head and hands. The next time we feel tempted to despise the stereotype of our own making, we ought to ask ourselves why. Is it because of an inferiority or a superiority complex? If my hands are stronger than my head, I should train my head; or if my head is usually put to use, I should practice using my hands as well.

The most attractive combination is an intelligent person of action. Like Lewis, Wojtyla, or Michelangelo's David.

(end of part I)