Walking on Water: Reflections on faith and art

Walking on Water: Reflections on faith and art

By: Madeleine L' Engle

Convergent Books, 2016. 206 pages. Nonfiction

In this classic book, Madeleine L' Engle addresses the questions, What makes art Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian artist? What is the relationship between faith and art? Through L' Engle's beautiful and insightful essay, readers will find themselves called to what the author views as the prime tasks of an artist: to listen, to remain aware, and to respond to creation through one's own art.

From the first page, I was gripped by this book. L' Engle has a sharp mind and a feeling heart, and she grapples with many difficult ideas, including: how terrible people can still make transfiguring art; how some "religious" art is more offensive than art made by atheists; how we can BE -- be still and notice the world around us, our feelings, and our connection to that spirit (for L' Engle the spirit of God) which allows the artist (be it writer, painter, etc.) to create their best art. She has a gentle touch with all of these subjects, and champions both the contradictions of life and religion; the power of story in religion; and the beauty of the mystery of religion. I highly recommend this book, which is rich with quotes that L' Engle spent years collecting, as well as her own beautiful and unique wisdom. 

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MGB