Art and Faith: A Theology of Making
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- Create Date：2021-04-10 11:52:28
- Update Date：2025-09-07
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- Author：Makoto Fujimura
- ISBN：0300254148
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Summary
From a world-renowned painter， an exploration of creativity’s quintessential—and often overlooked—role in the spiritual life
"Makoto Fujimura is the rare artist whose life has something of the same purifying and galvanizing force of his work。 His new book brings those two elements—life and art—even closer together， and is a real tonic for our atomized time。" —Christian Wiman
“A beautiful book。 。 。 。 Art and Faith should be widely read。 Its delightful wisdom and clarity underlines our culture’s desperate need to make things new。”—Susanne Sklar， Arts Fuse
Conceived over thirty years of painting and creating in his studio， this book is Makoto Fujimura’s broad and deep exploration of creativity and the spiritual aspects of “making。” What he does in the studio is theological work as much as it is aesthetic work。 In between pouring precious， pulverized minerals onto handmade paper to create the prismatic， refractive surfaces of his art， he comes into the quiet space in the studio， in a discipline of awareness， waiting， prayer， and praise。
Ranging from the Bible to T。 S。 Eliot， and from Mark Rothko to Japanese Kintsugi technique， he shows how unless we are making something， we cannot know the depth of God’s being and God’s grace permeating our lives。 This poignant and beautiful book offers the perspective of， in Christian Wiman’s words， “an accidental theologian，” one who comes to spiritual questions always through the prism of art。
"Makoto Fujimura is the rare artist whose life has something of the same purifying and galvanizing force of his work。 His new book brings those two elements—life and art—even closer together， and is a real tonic for our atomized time。" —Christian Wiman
“A beautiful book。 。 。 。 Art and Faith should be widely read。 Its delightful wisdom and clarity underlines our culture’s desperate need to make things new。”—Susanne Sklar， Arts Fuse
Conceived over thirty years of painting and creating in his studio， this book is Makoto Fujimura’s broad and deep exploration of creativity and the spiritual aspects of “making。” What he does in the studio is theological work as much as it is aesthetic work。 In between pouring precious， pulverized minerals onto handmade paper to create the prismatic， refractive surfaces of his art， he comes into the quiet space in the studio， in a discipline of awareness， waiting， prayer， and praise。
Ranging from the Bible to T。 S。 Eliot， and from Mark Rothko to Japanese Kintsugi technique， he shows how unless we are making something， we cannot know the depth of God’s being and God’s grace permeating our lives。 This poignant and beautiful book offers the perspective of， in Christian Wiman’s words， “an accidental theologian，” one who comes to spiritual questions always through the prism of art。
Reviews
Lynn
，
Beautiful and thought provoking。 Like being washed with a shower of rain and seeing the world in another way。
katie
，
Beautiful discussion of creative imagination as central to faith experience。 God makes all things new， and we are invited to be makers， co-creators。
Melissa
，
This book was so rich。 I will be coming back again。
Jim Crotty
，
Makoto Fujimara so eloquently and thoughtfully puts into words the faith journey undertaken and expressed through so many artists， in all mediums。 It is something I have always felt， deeply， since first picking-up a camera and venturing off down the path and into the woods。 There was always a feeling of something more; something larger happening， something so beautiful in the expression of the connection。 We are constantly being made new again and it is both the Divine and human nature to outwar Makoto Fujimara so eloquently and thoughtfully puts into words the faith journey undertaken and expressed through so many artists， in all mediums。 It is something I have always felt， deeply， since first picking-up a camera and venturing off down the path and into the woods。 There was always a feeling of something more; something larger happening， something so beautiful in the expression of the connection。 We are constantly being made new again and it is both the Divine and human nature to outwardly express the soul's transcendence through the interaction of creating， mending， healing。 Thank you Makoto Fujimara for bringing a voice to the higher purpose all artists serve， whether they are conscious of it or not。 。。。more
Jake Doberenz
，
I really appreciated the theological exploration of the power and potential of art。 The book， however， was more focused on a general theology of how Christians should like in the world and how the art of Making is a part of that。There were a few times I was confused by the author and I felt like the book could have been organized better。 Yet there were many gems—I saved several quotes from the book to use in things later！
Hilary Forrest
，
I enjoyed reading this book although at times I had trouble following some of the author's thoughts。 As an artist， I did not resonate with all that he said。 I felt like some of his statements regarding artists/makers were sweeping generalizations。 I did pull out some lovely nuggets of truth however。 I enjoyed reading this book although at times I had trouble following some of the author's thoughts。 As an artist， I did not resonate with all that he said。 I felt like some of his statements regarding artists/makers were sweeping generalizations。 I did pull out some lovely nuggets of truth however。 。。。more
Tamara
，
lovely reflections on the intersection of art & faith。 he's an excellent writer and incorporates innovative ideas in a way that seems very natural & feasible。 the last third or so of the book fell a bit flat for me - i didn't realize he was as heavily calvinist as he seems to be in these chapters。 he also seems pretty invulnerable; maybe he saves all his vulnerability for his paintings （which is fine by me - i adore them， they're transformative works）。 i wish there were more of him in this book。 lovely reflections on the intersection of art & faith。 he's an excellent writer and incorporates innovative ideas in a way that seems very natural & feasible。 the last third or so of the book fell a bit flat for me - i didn't realize he was as heavily calvinist as he seems to be in these chapters。 he also seems pretty invulnerable; maybe he saves all his vulnerability for his paintings （which is fine by me - i adore them， they're transformative works）。 i wish there were more of him in this book。 。。。more
Kyle McManamy
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What a beautiful reading - while it focuses on art and creativity， it expands to the whole enterprise of making。 I recently just finished and am about to reread！ Highly recommend。
Kailyn Burch
，
For any creative seeking to better understand the act of creating through the lens of faith， this book is for you！ Fujimura offers insight on the many correlations between art & faith， & gives great perspective on culture making。 “Beauty through brokenness” is a phrase that now greatly influences my view of the world。 I thoroughly enjoyed this read。
Trevor Atwood
，
Excellent。 Thoughtful。 Humble。 Inspiring。 Complex。 Beautiful。 Just like Fujimura’s art。
Beth Anne
，
A fantastic and unique book by a visual artist about the concepts of art （not limited to “artists”， visual or otherwise） and making， and how these relate to theology and New Creation。 I really appreciated how inclusive the idea of making was presented， and I related in many ways as a writer to what was being said。 Grounded in scripture and encouraging， highly recommended。
Grace Brindle
，
This is the book I didn’t know I needed。 Permission to create granted in the submerge of new creation。 Opportunity to join in the goodness of God in the land of the living。 A favorite of this year so far。 I’ll be off to find the audio book now， and podcasts and this book will sit close to me on my shelf。 In order that I can return and remember and submerge myself in the welcoming again。
Jared Abbott
，
This is an amazing little book！ I particularly loved the last few chapters that discuss the account of the raising of Lazarus through the pinhole lens of John 11:35， "Jesus wept。" This is an amazing little book！ I particularly loved the last few chapters that discuss the account of the raising of Lazarus through the pinhole lens of John 11:35， "Jesus wept。" 。。。more
scott meadows
，
"Let us reclaim creativity and imagination as essential， central， and necessary parts of our faith journey。"I truly think this is one of the best books an evangelical artist can read while processing their calling to the creative world。 Meditative and beautifully written， Makoto's words took some time for me to digest which is why this took almost two months to read。 Leaning into new creation， eternity， knowing God， and preparing for the wedding feast of the lamb between Christ and His church so "Let us reclaim creativity and imagination as essential， central， and necessary parts of our faith journey。"I truly think this is one of the best books an evangelical artist can read while processing their calling to the creative world。 Meditative and beautifully written， Makoto's words took some time for me to digest which is why this took almost two months to read。 Leaning into new creation， eternity， knowing God， and preparing for the wedding feast of the lamb between Christ and His church so does Makoto commission the artist of faith to steward the good gifts God has given them for holiness。 A personal favorite chapter and theme was on the artistic style of Kintsugi; my absolute favorite analogy for the gospel used many times my past testimonial/evangelistic interactions。 This might be making it into my top 10 list of the year。 "Let us remember that we are sons and daughters of God， the only true Artist of the Kingdom of abundance。 We are GOd's heirs， princesses and princes of this infinite land beyond the sea， where heaven will kiss the earth。 May we steward well what the Creator King has given us， and accept God's invitation to sanctify our imagination and creativity， even as we labor hard on this side of eternity。 May our art， what we make， be multiplied into the New Creation。 May our poems， music， and dance be acceptable offerings for the cosmic wedding to come。 May our sandcastles， created in faith， be turned into permanent grand mansions in which we will celebrate the great banquet of the table。Let us come and eat and drink at the supper of the Lamb now so that we might be empowered by this meal to go into the world to create and to make， and return to share what we have learned on this journey toward the New。" 。。。more
Justin Wiggins
，
Art & Faith A Theology of Making by the brilliant Japanese visual artist and writer Makoto Fujimura， is an amazing book about the importance of art to our human tribe， the discipline it takes to be an artist， the healing power of art， a critique of naturalism， rapture theology， and how The Great Artist， Christ， brings healing through our sufferings and struggles， brings us joy， and sustains us with His agape love。I liked Fujimura's conversational writing style， his references to Emily Dickinson， Art & Faith A Theology of Making by the brilliant Japanese visual artist and writer Makoto Fujimura， is an amazing book about the importance of art to our human tribe， the discipline it takes to be an artist， the healing power of art， a critique of naturalism， rapture theology， and how The Great Artist， Christ， brings healing through our sufferings and struggles， brings us joy， and sustains us with His agape love。I liked Fujimura's conversational writing style， his references to Emily Dickinson， T。S。Eliot， N。T。Wright， C。S。Lewis， his moving story of becoming an artist and embracing faith， and there are some valuable truths and moving quotes that I have been reflecting on and incorporating into my life。I finished the book today for the Hugin and Munin read and drink mead book club a friend and I started a few years ago。 A recent conversation we had about the book was quite enriching and spiritually nourishing。I highly recommend it。 。。。more
Alan
，
I enjoyed Makoto Fujimura's meditation on the theology of making and I hope that it will find an audience beyond those who have an interest in "the arts。" While many of his stories draw on artistic practice， particularly traditional Japanese schools of ceramics and painting， there is much here that would be encouraging to a wider range of makers and lowercase "c" creators。 I found one of Fujimura's distinctions very helpful: the difference between "plumbing theology" that focuses on trying to fi I enjoyed Makoto Fujimura's meditation on the theology of making and I hope that it will find an audience beyond those who have an interest in "the arts。" While many of his stories draw on artistic practice， particularly traditional Japanese schools of ceramics and painting， there is much here that would be encouraging to a wider range of makers and lowercase "c" creators。 I found one of Fujimura's distinctions very helpful: the difference between "plumbing theology" that focuses on trying to fix what is wrong in an effort to return to Eden， and a theology of "New Creation" that is oriented in hope toward the future。 And the New Creation is not a repudiation or destruction of creation but its completion， as all that is good not only remains but is raised and perfected。After reading a number of theologians on the arts， it was refreshing to read an artist on theology。 Each has their unique challenge， of course: the theologians tend to write as consumers rather than practitioners， and this artist draws on a fairly small theological pool。 The work of N。T。 Wright gets a lot of play， but after that a lot of the citations go either to T。S。 Eliot or C。S。 Lewis。 Fujimura makes no claim to be writing a survey of Christian thinking on art， but it seems a shame not to allude to the deep riches that exist in the Catholic and Reformed traditions。But that may also be a strength of the book: it presents a focused， accessible and meaningful case for the importance of making for all people， not just for artists， not just for Christian artists， or even Christians for that matter。 It is natural that all those created by a loving Creator should participate in creation by being little creators。And if the book could have been longer and provided more scope on the sweep of theological thought on art， I think it could also have been shorter: some themes， such as the tears of Christ， were returned to more often than was necessary to recognize the place of suffering in this life and to avoid any triumphalist impulse。 It could also have been better fact-checked: for example， "kalos" is not a Hebrew word; the medieval origins of the word "gospel" do not contain the sense of a good "spell"; and no sources are offered for the existence of "tear jars" in antiquity （are there any？）。 The author is not an academic theologian but he does have access to enough people who are。I'm glad， though， that a trained， practising and thoughtful artist has taken the time to reflect deeply and faithfully about art， faith and life。 I hope that others will follow and that we will all be able to benefit。Now， let us all go forth and make。 ;-） 。。。more
Annie Nardone
，
Makoto's book was one of my top reads in the past year。 What I particularly liked about the book is the way he brought in other artists like Rothko and authors like T。 S。 Eliot （Four Quartets） and N。 T。 Wright。 We have several writers and artists in my family， but so often culture disregards the arts as a worthwhile pursuit because it's not practical or necessary。 Fujimura replies that "we should not regard the arts as having only utilitarian value。 The arts are use-less but a great gift， and th Makoto's book was one of my top reads in the past year。 What I particularly liked about the book is the way he brought in other artists like Rothko and authors like T。 S。 Eliot （Four Quartets） and N。 T。 Wright。 We have several writers and artists in my family， but so often culture disregards the arts as a worthwhile pursuit because it's not practical or necessary。 Fujimura replies that "we should not regard the arts as having only utilitarian value。 The arts are use-less but a great gift， and therefore indispensable。 This is the central thesis of this book: that God， the Artist， "wastes" time with us to listen to our hearts and to be fully present in our suffering。。。Often， the complaint against the arts is that art is not directly useful to the creation of wealth and does not serve society in a tangible way。" The author builds his case for the arts around that point。 Beauty is necessary and the way God speaks to us deeply。This is a deep read and worth every word。 。。。more
Jeff Learned
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The last third of the book: 5 stars。 The first 2/3 3 stars。
Chris Williams
，
This is a book I'll be revisiting throughout the years。 Some of that is because Mako's writing is so deep and well thought out that I need to grow in my own wisdom to truly plumb the depths of it。 Some of that is because what Mako talks about -- particularly when speaking of "Lazarus Culture" or using the art of kintsugi to explain the beauty of redemption -- is a paradigm shift in my often "practical" theological thinking （or， as Mako would explain， my "plumbing theology"）。 A great， important r This is a book I'll be revisiting throughout the years。 Some of that is because Mako's writing is so deep and well thought out that I need to grow in my own wisdom to truly plumb the depths of it。 Some of that is because what Mako talks about -- particularly when speaking of "Lazarus Culture" or using the art of kintsugi to explain the beauty of redemption -- is a paradigm shift in my often "practical" theological thinking （or， as Mako would explain， my "plumbing theology"）。 A great， important read。 。。。more
Lee Murray
，
I looked forward with anticipation to reading this book and was not disappointed。I have seldom written a review that will be as detailed as this one。 Makoto Fujimura is a well renowned artist with an international audience。 He is acquainted with and deeply influenced by N。 T。 Wright， the Anglican theologian。 He begins this way “I now consider what I do in the studio to be theological work as much as aesthetic work。 I experience God， my Maker， in the studio。” From there Fujimura begins expounding I looked forward with anticipation to reading this book and was not disappointed。I have seldom written a review that will be as detailed as this one。 Makoto Fujimura is a well renowned artist with an international audience。 He is acquainted with and deeply influenced by N。 T。 Wright， the Anglican theologian。 He begins this way “I now consider what I do in the studio to be theological work as much as aesthetic work。 I experience God， my Maker， in the studio。” From there Fujimura begins expounding his thoughts on Art +Faith。 Fujimura works from Wright’s Surprised by Hope， and the problem of suffering， pain， and restoration。 His basis is Genesis1 and Revelation 21， and he constructs his Theology of Making from two thoughts: God does not need us to fulfill God’s need; The Bible begins with creation and ends with New Creation。 With these two statements in balance， he constructs his argument。Fujimura contrasts the current state of Christianity with his Theology of Making。 Current church structure is inadequate to permit experiencing God through the arts。 This is a “distorted and limited lens。” He then posits “What if the Bible is a work of art？” He compares the current church to “plumbing theology” with its emphasis on salvation over all else， to the exclusion of all else。 He calls this a mechanical view， based in utilitarian thinking about God heavily influenced by American industrial thinking。From these beginning statements， he writes two very dynamic chapters—one on Kitsungi and the other on John 11-12， what he calls the “tears of Christ”。The chapter of Kintsungi is incredible and his explanation of Kintsugi and the ancient art of restoring shattered Japanese tea services。 His comparison to God’s salvation and how He makes us more valuable after we “have been filled with gold in the broken spots，” is one of the highlights of the book。Deeply marked by 9/11， Fujimura deals at length with the concept of brokenness beyond human ability to repair。 He moves into Christ’s tears and John 11-12。The concept of Christ’s tears was difficult for me to understand and I struggled with it。 He does emerge on the other side with Lazarus Culture， a magnificent presentation of a full gospel unlike anything else。 He describes it as “experiencing God when He is silent and we do not sense His presence”。 He gives three criteria for Lazarus Culture: create from the perspective of the feast; integrate the analytical and the intuitive; and be Kintsugi culture， not just mending， repairing， and restoring， but renew and regenerate。We do this through the leadership of art because “makers are experienced at navigating the gap between ideas and reality。”A dynamic read， highly recommended。 It is not an easy read， and will cause you to think deeply， weep often， and wonder what a wonderful and beautiful world this world could be and what the New Creation in Revelation 21 will actually look like。 。。。more
Grant Klinefelter
，
What a masterpiece。 Makoto writes splendidly uniting the beauty of Jesus and the wonder that God the Artist chooses to partner with us （little a-artists） to create in the world。 In our journey toward the telos of creation—New Creation—may we all recognize that God has created each of us to be makers。 And what we make for Him will last into eternity。
Jackson Ford
，
A breath of fresh air for Christian artists and thinkers。 Mako， once again， brings us into the narrative of scripture to illumine our calling to live faithfully in the world as ‘makers’。 With plenty of great personal anecdotes， Mako lands the plane for his readers， demonstrating that the reality of the Kingdom isn’t beyond the horizon， but here with us。 It is such an encouragement to be reminded that our artistry is meant to be used for Christ’s ministry of reconciliation。
Ruth
，
I rarely read books slowly。 Most books don't deserve （or require） that level of attention。 This one does; hence it taking nearly a week to travel 150 pages。 That image of the New Creation breaking through cracks of our current reality （Kintsugi on the grandest scale possible） will stick with me。 I rarely read books slowly。 Most books don't deserve （or require） that level of attention。 This one does; hence it taking nearly a week to travel 150 pages。 That image of the New Creation breaking through cracks of our current reality （Kintsugi on the grandest scale possible） will stick with me。 。。。more
Carolyn
，
I read the whole thing this afternoon。 So I’m a little stunned and processing still。This is a meditative， non-linear discussion of Christ and arts — and the generous abundance of creativity—and it’s erudite and thoughtful and a lot。 He references everyone from Lewis and Sayers and Eliot to Rothko and his Nihonga art tradition and the old tea masters。 Yes， I recommend。
Grace T
，
JSTOR access through one's university to PDFs of books you can't find at your regular library is a delightful thing *grins*I don't think I'd agree with particulars of Fujimura's emphases or theology （for instance， at one point I was getting the distinct impression that he's amill or postmill）， but the general points he makes here about the importance of beauty and making to the Christian's life， and how we are little-a artists co-creating after our Creator （a la Tolkien）， and how our faith allow JSTOR access through one's university to PDFs of books you can't find at your regular library is a delightful thing *grins*I don't think I'd agree with particulars of Fujimura's emphases or theology （for instance， at one point I was getting the distinct impression that he's amill or postmill）， but the general points he makes here about the importance of beauty and making to the Christian's life， and how we are little-a artists co-creating after our Creator （a la Tolkien）， and how our faith allows us to make beauty out of the pain of this fallen world， were well made and something that Christians need to be reminded of， whether in an artistic field or not。 I think there's a deal of value in here， despite some theological differences。 。。。more
Bernie Anderson
，
In the relentlessly insane days in which we live -- I found this book a respite of sanity。 The connections that Fujimura makes between Making， faith， and the New Creation were profound and refreshing。 Highly recommend this -- even if "art" isn't your thing。 This book is a glass of cold water。 In the relentlessly insane days in which we live -- I found this book a respite of sanity。 The connections that Fujimura makes between Making， faith， and the New Creation were profound and refreshing。 Highly recommend this -- even if "art" isn't your thing。 This book is a glass of cold water。 。。。more
Maria Copeland
，
Makoto Fujimura is perhaps my favorite of the authors I discovered last year， and this is a new and necessary text to be shelved alongside spiritual formation classics。 Grateful for his insight as an artist and admirable sub-creator into the nature and theology of creativity。Also， I love that every one of his books are so visually stunning: blues and greens for Culture Care， gold-edged pages for Refractions， a swirling "walking on water" painting by Mako for Art + Faith。 If I ever write a book， Makoto Fujimura is perhaps my favorite of the authors I discovered last year， and this is a new and necessary text to be shelved alongside spiritual formation classics。 Grateful for his insight as an artist and admirable sub-creator into the nature and theology of creativity。Also， I love that every one of his books are so visually stunning: blues and greens for Culture Care， gold-edged pages for Refractions， a swirling "walking on water" painting by Mako for Art + Faith。 If I ever write a book， I'll have to figure out who arranges his cover designs。 。。。more
Jacob Davis
，
Makoto Fujimura has crafted a masterwork， as theologically sharp and spiritually wise as it is beautifully written。 I have read many wonderful volumes on the art and faith relationship over the years， but this may be the best。 Perhaps what we needed all this time were the words not just of artistically-informed theologians， but of a theologically-informed artist。 Mako's unique language of "plumbing theology，" as well as his engagement of pain and redemption pictured through the kintsugi process Makoto Fujimura has crafted a masterwork， as theologically sharp and spiritually wise as it is beautifully written。 I have read many wonderful volumes on the art and faith relationship over the years， but this may be the best。 Perhaps what we needed all this time were the words not just of artistically-informed theologians， but of a theologically-informed artist。 Mako's unique language of "plumbing theology，" as well as his engagement of pain and redemption pictured through the kintsugi process of mending pottery with gold， are but two of the real gems that make this book an inspiring， thought-provoking， and even therapeutic journey。 It is a must-read， and not just for artists or theologians。 。。。more
Bethany Smith
，
One of the most soul-nourishing books I've read this year。 I highly recommend it to all。 Whether you consider yourself an artist or not， Fujimura's words are an encouraging delight。 One of the most soul-nourishing books I've read this year。 I highly recommend it to all。 Whether you consider yourself an artist or not， Fujimura's words are an encouraging delight。 。。。more
April Bumgardner
，