Conversation With Meghan Kitchen and Stephen R. Miller
Meghan Kitchen and Stephen R. Miller continue the conversation on art, why we love it, why we do it, and how it impacts people. Part 2 kicks off with a discussion of how different kinds of art highlights truth, and whether Christian artists must be “explicit” in their message in order to point people to the gospel. Then Stephen, Meghan, and Liberty talk about why making art is important even when art doesn’t make money—and why we should all carve out time for creative endeavors. Listen to Part 1 here.
Stories
Last week, Stephen argued that even dark art can point people to Jesus. Continuing that conversation, Liberty talks about The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy, a novella that impacted her faith through its themes of death and futility. Stephen argues that stories impact us deeply by connecting us with God, truth, and humanity.
Stephen R. Miller
“We’re telling stories, and I think within us all is a desire to somehow replicate … the unnamable.”
“We’re telling stories, and I think within us all is a desire to somehow replicate … the unnamable,” he said. “To put down whether it’s oil on canvas or ink on paper or performance with a music instrument or a human being acting on stage, to give this form, but it starts with a story.”
With or Without Money?
Liberty asked Meghan and Stephen if they would make a living off their art if they could (everyone agreed they would), and why they still pursue their art even if it doesn’t make money. Everyone agreed that creating art is important even if it doesn’t earn a living.
“The further I get from the assumption that I ‘ought’ to be making money at this, the better,” Stephen told Know Why. Letting go of that assumption allows him to focus on what really matters about his passion, acting: “It connects me to my fellow human beings and it is the way God has given me to reflect him among his creation.”
Are you making time for your creative endeavors?
More Resources
- What Happens in a Dream? Fictional Podcast by Meghan Kitchen
- What Happens in a Dream? Instagram account
- Request a free copy of the booklet “A Biblical View on Imagination” by Stephen Miller here, or read an expanded digital edition here.
- Death’s Crisis, a short film starring Stephen R. Miller
- Stephen R. Miller on IMBD
- Malcom Guite Blog
- Lifting the Veil: Imagination and the Kingdom of God by Malcom Guite
- Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts by Steve Turner