The Divine Patron

Exodus 25-31 - Does God care about human artistic excellence? Does He have aesthetic preferences? In Exodus 25-31 we learn much about the answer to these questions through His commissioning of the building of the tabernacle and its associated designs. We learn that He commissions human art, inspires human art, and empowers human art. And while we live in a new era this side of the cross, in many ways God remains the divine patron of the arts. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 2 of our series "Looking the World to Grace: Art, Makers and the Christian Life]
Questions for reflection: 1) Have you ever been moved to humble reverence by a well-designed physical space? What was that like? 2) Cameron alluded to a tension for the church between financing God-glorifying art and financing gospel proclamation. How have you navigated this tension in your own view? 3) How did God operate as a commissioner, inspirer, and empowerer of human art in Exodus 25-31? Why do you think He did this? 4) Discuss the fact that God empowered a major work of human art to facilitate worship to Him. How many artistic mediums were involved? What was the purpose? 5) What is the connection between the tabernacle and the garden of Eden? 6) In what ways does the cross of Jesus change our view of sacred/religious spaces? In what ways does it not?