The Artistic Sphere: The Arts in Neo-Calvinist Perspective

Editors Henderson and Hengelaar-Rookmaaker compile essays pondering the conflicted (at times) history between Calvinism and art. Applying the biblical commandment against idolizing graven images to Calvinism—a theological belief system that stresses the rule of God over all things—is not entirely correct as namesake John Calvin was also concerned that artwork could never hope to depict divine creation. Over time, however, reformed or Neo-Calvinists re-embraced art beyond the religion’s original tenets. Famed artists Rembrandt and van Gogh were both Calvinists, who produced riotously vibrant works. This book posits that the fruit of the visual arts are now more widely embraced by those of Calvinist faith in both secular and sacred spaces. The bulk of the treatises approach the question from an artistic or philosophical perspective, not a religious one, but academic analyses span the gamut throughout the collection. In-depth meditations on specific artworks are also included.