Beholding Beauty
The following address was adapted from a longer essay written by a PCA student and delivered in the Spring of 2026 as part of her Senior Capstone project.
It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder—a relative experience of the senses. But these ideas neglect the principles that define what is beautiful. We need a foundation of beauty to judge art correctly. Spiritual beauty gives art innate value independent of mankind’s opinion, and true beauty must direct our lives and our art.
God alone defines true Beauty. Anything that inwardly or outwardly reflects the Lord’s character is good, true, and beautiful. Romans 1:20 reminds us that God’s invisible attributes have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. Although fallen, creation testifies to God’s beauty. Christians are called to worship God and illuminate a world blind to this aspect of God’s character. One way we can worship God is through creating art. Our lives and art should ultimately draw all people to the Master Artist.
We can see that God values outward beauty in His creation. Every detail functions for God’s glory, with grace and purpose, and He desires the spiritual and physical flourishing of His children. We were made to labor with joy, create beautifully, and thrive in the Lord’s presence. And finally, at time’s end, God will make all things beautiful, not just in appearance but in essence.
But God also values inward virtue, which surpasses outward beauty. 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us, “For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” While outward beauty is a common grace to be enjoyed, it is secondary to eternal spiritual beauty fully embodied in God.
As image bearers, we should pursue anything God esteems. Philippians 4:8 tells us to meditate on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Training our thoughts toward a beautiful mindset should lead us to harness the treasure of imagination and create beautiful works of art for God’s glory.
There are standards of beautiful art. Shaeffer gives four “intelligible judgments” in his book Art and the Bible. These are technical excellence, validity, intellectual content, and the integration of content and vehicle. Technical excellence allows us to appreciate talent even when we do not agree with the expressed worldview. Validity is being consistent with one’s beliefs. The intellectual content of the art is judged by Scripture. Here we must disapprove of incorrect worldviews and condone Christian doctrines. Lastly, the artist’s presentation should intertwine with the content and communicate the worldview clearly to the audience.
In light of these standards, art can even be called an act of worship. The Lord commanded ancient Israel to craft certain works of art for His glorification. The altar, tabernacle, and furnishings were all functional pieces made intentionally and stunningly beautiful for worship. The Ark of The Covenant was the epitome of their work.
In Exodus 31:1-3, the Lord filled a man named Bezalel with the Spirit of God, “with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship”. This is the first time scripture mentions the Spirit indwelling someone. In this case, The Lord inspired artistic craftsmanship of the tabernacle. In Christ, we are the new temples of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies, minds, and actions should be vessels of worship.
Those without the Holy Spirit center beauty on corrupt standards and faulty mindsets. Modern art often reflects these worldviews. Tragically, sometimes it is just profane. One man placed a crucifix in a jar full of his own urine, visualizing his hatred for God. One lady removed her bed from her room as it was when she suffered from depression. Personal items, trash, and wine bottles chaotically cluttered the bed. The display clearly communicates her struggle and hopeless outlook on life. These modern art pieces hyperfocus on self-expression. This is one aspect of art, but too often spontaneity and unbound emotion replace forethought and intentionality.
This search for purpose and the misdirected ideas of beauty have been realities for millennia. The art of past cultures gives unique insight into their guiding morals. Ancient Greek black figure pottery displays Olympians, philosophers, or heroes, such as Odysseus on “The Siren Vase.” The statue “The Fallen Warrior of Aphaia” is another example that glorifies unbending courage and strength. As a more humanistic society, the Greeks even balanced their architecture, such as the Parthenon, based on ideal human proportions.
Like the Greeks, Christians should pursue excellence in body, mind, and soul. However, their culture idolized human capability. God created humans wonderfully, but sin tempts us to neglect where its true value comes from. God’s people are His artwork made in His image, not limited by human standards, but transformed for His good, true, and beautiful purpose.
Christians should uphold truth, goodness, and beauty in all we do. Artwork is a profound yet accessible way to communicate the Gospel. “We have the privilege of culture making,” says one author, and “God commands all humanity to ‘add adornment to the world God made out of nothing.’” The Lord is working in us and through us to transform our culture’s perspective of art. “God’s creative work is continuing through us as we create artistic works.” In our feeble ways, we can mimic our Maker.
Even the mundane can be beautiful. The Majestic Lord became an ordinary man, a carpenter’s son. Growing up, Jesus carved wood into useful, beautiful creations. As a man, Christ embraced His mission of saving and restoring people. Jesus was not beautiful in the world’s eyes, but the Lord’s character is incomprehensibly so.
The Holy Spirit gives sinful people a restored nature. Ephesians 4:22-24 calls us to put off our old, corrupt selves, and be renewed after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. The present life falls utterly short of heaven. But everything will one day be pure, complete, good, and righteous. Christians will live in joy and eternal worship of God, who will reign over us in truth and goodness. Then we will behold Beauty.
Sarah Gibson
2026 PCA Graduate
