London, United Kingdom

Christianity and the Arts

Master's
Language: EnglishStudies in English
Subject area: arts
Qualification: MA
Kind of studies: full-time studies, part-time studies
Master of Arts (MA)
University website: www.kcl.ac.uk
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus of Nazareth, known by Christians as the Christ, or "Messiah", who is the focal point of the Christian faiths. It is the world's largest religion, with over 2.4 billion followers, or 33% of the global population, known as Christians. Christians make up a majority of the population in about two-thirds of the countries and territories in the world. They believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the savior of humanity whose coming as the Messiah (the Christ) was prophesied in the Old Testament. Christianity has played a prominent role in the shaping of Western Civilization.
The arts
The arts refers to the theory and physical expression of creativity found in human societies and cultures. Major constituents of the arts include literature (including poetry, prose and drama), performing arts (among them music, dance, and theatre), and visual arts (including drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, sculpting, and architecture).
Christianity
One hundred years after Christ had died suppose someone had asked a Christian, What hospitals have you built? What asylums have you founded? They would have said "None." Suppose three hundred years after the death of Christ the same questions had been asked the Christian, he would have said "None, not one." Two hundred years more and the answer would have been the same. And at that time the Christian could have told the questioner that the Mohammedans had built asylums before the Christians. He could also have told him that there had been orphan asylums in China for hundreds and hundreds of years, hospitals in India, and hospitals for the sick at Athens.
Robert G. Ingersoll, "What Infidels Have Done", collected in The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll vol. XI (1902)
Christianity
I am not going out of my mind, Your Excellency Festus, but I am speaking words of truth and of a sound mind. For a fact, the king to whom I am speaking so freely well knows about these things .. Do you, King A·grip′pa, believe the Prophets? I know that you believe.” But A·grip′pa said to Paul: “In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian.” At this Paul said: “I wish to God that whether in a short time or in a long time, not only you but also all those who hear me today would become men such as I am ...
Acts 26:25-29, New World Translation
Christianity
Christians, be ye more serious in your movements;
Be ye not like a feather at each wind,
And think not every water washes you.
Ye have the Old and the New Testament,
And the Pastor of the Church who guideth you
Let this suffice you unto your salvation.
If evil appetite cry aught else to you,
Be ye as men, and not as silly sheep,
So that the Jew among you may not mock you.
Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy, Paradiso, Canto V, 73-81 (Translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow).
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