Jesus Christ has given art its loftiest themes. Many of the greatest masterpieces in the world have had a Christian theme or base. The great cathedrals of Europe are among the finest architectural masterpieces known, and their inspiration comes from Jesus. It was a servant of Christ, Bach (a man who dedicated every note he wrote to the glory of Jesus Christ), who changed Western music for all time.

Had Jesus never been born, art would depict only the finite. The attempt to capture the Infinite on canvas or in stone would never have been introduced. In short, had Jesus never come, the world would be poorer in the realms of art and music.

CHRIST AND ART

The Renaissance was a golden age of art, and biblical themes were among the most predominant motifs. Look at the work of Michelangelo (1475-1564). His great statutes are of biblical characters, such as David, Moses, and the Pieta--the crucified Christ in the arms of His grieving mother. His masterpiece is his work on the ceiling and walls of the Sistine Chapel, which is also biblical in nature. Not only did Michelangelo paint and sculpt great Christian works, but he himself was a devout Christian.

Other great artists of the Renaissance--whether they were Christian or not--painted on Christian themes. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), one of the most versatile human beings who ever lived, pioneered in a variety of fields. He too has left the world with great works of art inspired by Christianity, such as The Last Supper, St. John the Baptist, Annunciation, Madonna and Child, and Adoration of the Magi.

CHRIST AND LITERATURE

Jesus has also had a very positive impact on literature, providing us with some of the greatest themes and ideas. As one writer puts it, 'Literature and the gospel are bosom friends.' From Dante to Chaucer, from John Donne to Fyodor Dostoevsky, the Christian faith has influenced literature, and literature has helped to spread the gospel.

John Bunyan (1628-1688) gave the world one of the greatest novels ever written, Pilgrim's Progress. This parable of the Christian life is one of the all-time most published and widely read books in the history of the world.

Another towering literary giant who was inspired by the Christian faith is John Milton (1608-1674), author of Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. These two masterpieces deal with the first Adam, who brought sin into the world, and Jesus Christ, the second Adam, who was the beginning of a whole new creation. Milton's inspired thought has lifted and enriched the lives of millions.

CHRIST AND MUSIC

Many music critics declare that Bach is the greatest musician that ever lived. His genius is unsurpassed. He is the father of modern music (who) left no musical form as he found it, says one critic.

There can be no doubt that Johann Sebastian Bach was a Christian. He was a Christian to the very core of his life. When he died there were found in his library eighty-three volumes of entirely religious works. Bach believed in the great doctrines of the Christian faith--In fact, several have noted that in his music and in his writings you can see an almost eager desire to depart this world to be with Christ.

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) has (also) ministered to millions with his sacred oratorios, most notably the Messiah. Handel composed this fantastic work in less than twenty-five days.

Kennedy, D. James and Jerry Newcombe. "What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?" Nashville: Nelson Books. 1994. 172-188.