As well as the light of reason and conscience, the loving Creator also works through His Holy Spirit in the gifts and talents He provides to mankind, for “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights649. These gifts are by no means all religious in nature. The Father of lights650 can reveal something of Himself and His all-embracing providence in music, art, poetry and many aspects of human endeavour. An artistic creation or composition that inspires or elevates is likely to have been the result of 643 Rom3:25-26
644 Amos3:2
645 Heb2:3
646 Heb10:29
647 Cf. Rev10:10
648 Eph1:17-18
649 Jam1:17
650 Greek: patros ton photon (plural)
97
its human creator being themselves inspired. Anyone who genuinely admires and appreciates such work is honouring and welcoming something of God into their heart; for everything that is truly worthy, every good and perfect gift has derived from Him. Within the literary arts, any play, book, drama, even comedy that challenges people’s prejudices and encourages a more considered, open-minded or compassionate way of life is a preparation for the gospel. And it was God, not the devil who provided wine to gladden the hearts of men651 for as Paul himself affirmed, our loving Creator wishes His human creation to be happy as well as holy652. An artistic outpouring that creates a sense of longing and wonder that people would not otherwise experience creates the void which ultimately can only be filled by God Himself. Science and learning are also gifts from the God who would not only have all men to be healed and restored but come to know the truth653.
At the natural level of revelation, something of God’s providence and power are seen in the magnificence of creation and in the more wholesome aspects of human talent and industry described above, to which much could be added. The Christian is assuredly not to “despise everything pertaining to the senses” as Augustine had asserted654 for not all that is sensed in the mind merely excites the flesh but can also uplift the spirit. These are gifts to be appreciated and cultivated; albeit not to be embraced as if they themselves were the culmination of beauty or joy. The Christian should discern that their apotheosis is to be perceived through them not in them.