January 16, 2014
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Attitude
Here’s something I ran across today in a book, Touched By The Light by Thomas Kinkade:
“You and I have the option to choose either light or darkness; joy or despair; a meditative heart bathed in the dazzling light of God’s Son, or the crazy, unredemptive cacophony of a media- saturated world gone mad.” (p. 11)
I know too well how it is that circumstances seem to dictate our attitude, but the truth is, that looking to God, we can see His hand in it all; and that is very reassuring!
Comments (4)
I guess I have to wonder if Kinkade himself was actually choosing the light in his doctrine and practice…
http://biblebeltblogger.com/index.php/religion/thomas-kinkade-inclusive-universalist-christian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Kinkade
I know that a lot has been said about this man…and I don’t doubt that there were many who didn’t see him in a favorable light for one reason or another. This is one of those cases where I am less critical – art. His artwork is inspiring and his words seem to indicate a faith or at least a real sensing of God’s presence. This is not to say that, on being questioned as to his theology, he would have had a correct view of the gospel, but he does know of darkness and light. And he often alludes to the fact of God’s being the creator of all things.
In viewing the artwork of those who are no longer living, we can read into their works whatsoever we think we see (or even fabricate our own interpretation) without fear of wronging the artist. It’s speculation, at best.
I take your caution to heart and appreciate it. My reason for giving credit to the quote is to avoid plagiarism, and as in other things I have quoted, I leave it to the reader to weigh its value for themselves.
On another note: My understanding of this present Xanga is still sketchy…why, when your comment was posted on Thursday afternoon, do I just now on Saturday morning, find it? This delay could cause the commenter (you, in this case) to think that I either don’t pay attention to my own site, or don’t value the comments.
You wrote: “This is one of those cases where I am less critical – art.”
The thing is this: your post wasn’t about Kinkade’s art or your assessment of it. It seemed to me you were using his quote as an example as to how we as Christians can be strengthened from day to day, so our attitudes might be God-glorifying. I saw this because below his quote, you added your own experience to reinforce what Kinkade wrote: “I know too well how it is that circumstances seem to dictate our attitude, but the truth is, that looking to God, we can see His hand in it all; and that is very reassuring!”
I don’t know if you looked at those links, but I’d encourage you to do so. My criticism isn’t about Kinkade’s art, but I am questioning the authenticity of his statement based on what I’ve read about his beliefs and his behaviors. That’s very, very different from my being able appreciate an artist’s works (whether he’s a Christian or not).
You also wrote: “… his words seem to indicate a faith or at least a real sensing of God’s presence. This is not to say that, on being questioned as to his theology, he would have had a correct view of the gospel, but he does know of darkness and light. And he often alludes to the fact of God’s being the creator of all things.”
I’m glad you used the word “seem.” We need to keep in mind that many, many people’s words SEEM to indicate faith or a real sensing of God’s presence, but their faith is not at all Biblical faith and their experience is spurious. Keep in mind that lots of people do know of and speak about darkness and light at some level, but that’s often quite different from how God Himself defines light and darkness in the Bible. And, of course, the devil himself knows of darkness and light! In addition, many other religions besides Christianity do have some concept of darkness and light, and some of those also express a belief in God as the creator. We’re to test all things and hold fast to what is good.