The difference between art and craft

Art produces one-of-a-kind objects: a Mona Lisa by da Vinci, a David by Michelangelo, a Ninth Symphony by Beethoven. If I were to paint a Mona Lisa exactly like da Vinci’s, it would not be something to be proud of. In fact, I would be accused of being a plagiarist.

In comparison, a craft repeatedly produces a type: a chair, a basket, a piece of pottery. It is much less important that the craftsperson’s name be known. Many anonymous people make chairs, baskets, pots. These are types, not one-of-a-kind objects. And the craftspersons are not one-of-a-kind persons. They were never meant to be.

It might be something of a niche market to collect crafted pieces by famous people. But this is largely an exception. By the time a craftsperson’s name becomes famous, that is one sure sign that his or her crafted objects have somehow attained to the status of Art.

The cultivation of the Christian life is a craft. If we think of it as an art, we then tend to think of ourselves as one-of-a-kind artists. And this always leads to trouble. It results in an attitude of "Look at me!" And that is not the right direction to look in the economics of Christian living.

God is the only artist. We are the objects of his art, and we are fearfully and wonderfully made according to an artistic vision predating creation.

We, on the other hand, are at best craftspeople, charged with making a particular type. What type? The type of one who is a follower of Jesus. How is this craft to be practiced, and how is this type to be made? The latter half of just about any letter written by Paul contains many tips: Submit to your husbands; love your wives; obey your parents; do not provoke your children; obey your earthly masters; whatever you do, do heartily as unto the Lord.

In these lie the cultivation of the craft of being like Jesus.

Logos2Go:

Psalm 139.14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Ephesians 2.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Colossians 3.18-23 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.