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Know About Creating: Why Do We Make Art and How Does it Make Us?

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.


“We’re telling stories, and I think within us all is a desire to somehow replicate … the unnamable.”

Stephen R. Miller

“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?

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Know About Creating: Why We Love Art

Conversation With Meghan Kitchen and Stephen R. Millar (Part 1)

For the first episode of Know Why’s new series, “Know About Creating,” Liberty is joined in-studio by audio engineer Meghan Kitchen and producer Stephen R. Miller, both of Point of View Radio Talk Show. But for this conversation, Liberty, Meghan, and Stephen are artists. They discuss what they love about their favorite art mediums, why they feel the drive to create stories, music, and performances, and how faith impacts their interactions with art. Enjoy Part 1 of this fun conversation and look for Part 2 next week! 

Art is Life

For people who consider themselves creatives, creating isn’t an option. That’s how Meghan, Stephen, and Liberty feel about their favorite forms of creative work. All three agree that art helps to connect them with other people.

“I love it [acting] because it gives me a chance to open people’s eyes, it gives me a chance to make people laugh or cry and to think deeply about humanity and about how they relate to others, and how others relate to them,” Stephen said.

“Art is to be shared,” Meghan added.

Faith and Art

What does it mean to do art as Christians? Meghan, Stephen, and Liberty share their various feelings on the combination of art and faith, acknowledging that sometimes Christians feel the need to box themselves or other artists in to explicitly and exclusively referencing God in their works.

Stephen argues that even in “dark” stories where the Gospel isn’t explicitly mentioned, people can be pointed to truth.

Listen to the episode for more about how art of various forms points to God, and check back next week for Part 2!

More Resources

  • What Happens in a Dream? Fictional Podcast by Meghan Kitchen
  • Request a free copy of the booklet “A Biblical View on Imagination” by Stephen Miller here, or read an expanded digital edition here.
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Why Should I Advocate for Religious Freedom?

Interview With Nathan Shackelford

What if we fostered a culture of curiosity about others’ religious beliefs, rather than judgment? In the last episode of Know Why’s series on political engagement, Liberty interviews Nathan Shackelford of First Liberty Institute. Nathan shares stories of religious discrimination happening today in the United States—from synagogues being rejected by cities, to pastors being criminally charged for offering shelter to the homeless, and more. Listen to learn how you can help defend religious freedom for all.

Everyone Should Care

Nathan Shackelford is the Manager of F3, a new initiative from legal firm First Liberty Institute. F3 equips young adults to stand up for religious freedom rights. He told Know Why that religious freedom is something everyone should care about, regardless of their political stance. “You should want the ability to express your faith without fear of government reprisal, no matter which side you’re on,” he said.

While many members of Gen Z in the U.S. support certain subtle expressions of religion, a majority do not support bolder expressions of faith, such as preaching in public or holding faith-based, counter-cultural opinions. But Nathan argues you can’t have one kind of expression of faith without the other.

“If you’re a person of faith, you shouldn’t have to turn off half of yourself when you’re in public,” he told Know Why.

Free to Express Your Faith

That’s what many of First Liberty’s legal cases center on—protecting Americans’ right to freely express their religious beliefs in public without fear of retribution from government or employers. Several of First Liberty’s U.S. Supreme Court wins have secured precedents that expand rights for people of all faiths, Nathan told Know Why.


“Every person of faith has to have the right to express their faith equally.”

Nathan shackelford

“Every person of faith has to have the right to express their faith equally,” he said. “If the First Amendment only applies to Christians but doesn’t apply to every other group, then the law is being selective in what it’s covering.” 

Fostering Openness

Nathan believes the impulse to want people of faith to hide their beliefs comes from a loss of openness and friendly debate in American culture. He thinks diverse expressions of faith should invite curiosity and conversation, rather than make people uncomfortable.

While some may doubt that religious discrimination is truly a problem in the United States, First Liberty Institute’s case list proves otherwise. Nathan summarizes a few ongoing and recent cases, including one involving a pastor who is being targeted by his city government for attempting to house the homeless. Another example involves a synagogue told by city officials that their kind were not wanted.

Defending religious freedom in America also has an impact on religious minorities around the world who are more harshly persecuted, Nathan explained. Many religious non-profits who offer global aid to the persecuted are based in the U.S. (and religious believers are most likely to give to charity). If religious organizations and individuals are not able to operate freely, people around the world suffer.

More Resources

To learn more about your religious freedom rights and how you can become involved in defending others’ religious freedom, explore the links below.

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Am I Placing Wholesomeness Above Holiness? Know About Political Engagement

Interview With Dr. James Spencer

In this episode, Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center challenges Christians to reframe the way they interact with politics. As Dr. Spencer and Liberty discuss topics like cultural Christianity and Christian nationalism, Dr. Spencer argues that Christians’ political involvement should stem from a place of discipleship, not a desire for comfort. 

Wholesome vs. Holy

Dr. Spencer’s recent book, Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness, argues political action is often an effective means for loving God and loving our neighbor—the two greatest commandments in the Bible. But our motivation can be misplaced. For instance, as Christians, our motivation for getting involved in politics shouldn’t be “saving the culture” or restoring a cultural Christianity for our own comfort.

“Christians tend to settle for wholesomeness when only holiness will do,” Dr. Spencer said.

Won’t activism that is inspired by Christian principles have a positive effect on the culture? Dr. Spencer says that’s not guaranteed in Scripture.

“Our task is to be faithful regardless, and to allow God to do through us what we can’t see,” he told Know Why. That doesn’t mean our faithfulness won’t bear fruit—but it may not be in ways (or on timelines) we can see. “As we’re faithful, he’ll use that faithfulness across the generations.”

Christian Nation(alism)?

Many people use the term “Christian nation” to refer to America, due to strong Christian and theistic elements of its founding and history. But Dr. Spencer says we shouldn’t call America a Christian nation, since “Christian” has a precise definition that doesn’t apply to earthly governments.

“There’s a big distinction to be made between being inspired by the Bible and believing that the Bible is an inspired authority,” he said.

While he believes “Christian nationalism” is a “pejorative” often used to demean Christian political activists, he does believe that actual Christian nationalism is wrong. “I think that merging the church and the state is a fundamental theological error. The two simply do not go together,” he said.

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How Can I Keep Faith Above Partisanship? Know About Political Engagement

Interview With Chris Butler

Many people abandon faith values upon entering the political sphere. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Chris Butler, Executive Leader at the AND Campaign and Lead Pastor at Chicago Embassy Church Network, joined Know Why to discuss how Christians can engage in politics without making their party their identity. Listen to hear Chris’s practical tips for faithful, strategic political engagement—including a test to see whether you’ve been “brainwashed” by your party.

From Church to Politics

“So many people walk into politics out of the church,” Chris told Know Why. That’s why the AND Campaign was founded. “Pretty soon people who come out of the church into politics don’t look very much like the church. They just look like the politics,” he added.

“Step by step, working together, we really can make a real difference in the tone and tenor of our politics.”

Chris Butler

It’s possible to engage in politics and even participate in a particular party. Chris said the key is being partisan at the level of your participation, not your identity.

“It is so important for believers to find their indentity in Christ, not in a political party or an ideological affiliation,” he said.

Prepare for the Moment

To help Christians keep their identity in Christ this election year, the AND Campaign launched the Civic Revival Initiative. The initiative offers resources and action items for those who want to engage faithfully and effectively in politics in 2024. One of the exercises the initiative encourages includes listing 10 things your own political “side” is getting wrong.

“If you can’t do that, it’s not because your side is perfect,” Chris told Know Why. “It’s probably because you’ve gone a little bit too deep into it and begun to be a little bit brainwashed.”

Other aspects of the Civic Revival Initiative help Christians prepare their hearts for the political friction and disagreements sure to happen during an election year. It is possible to maintain civility and retain relationships with people who think differently than you, but “we don’t perform well in the moment when we haven’t prepared for the moment,” Chris said.

Ultimately, he encourages young adults to get involved where they can, using their vote “strategically” but also engaging beyond the voting booth.

“Step by step, working together, we really can make a real difference in the tone and tenor of our politics,” Chris said.

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How Can I Become An Informed Voter (Part 2)? Know About Political Engagement

Interview With Lisa Hendrickson

Primaries, propositions, and partisanship, oh my! Does political jargon make your head spin? In Part 2 of her interview with Know Why, campaign manager Lisa Hendrickson explains primaries, offers tips on staying engaged in between election cycles, and discusses the importance of finding common ground with your political opponents.

Inform Yourself

Lisa strongly encourages people to become more politically active. During election season, this includes voting in primary elections. Many people misunderstand primaries, or prefer to only vote in general elections, Lisa told Know Why. In her opinion, not participating in primaries is equivalent to letting someone else make important decisions for you.

She also encourages young adults to dedicate the time and energy to researching candidates for themselves to become truly informed. Even though it’s time-consuming, it’s worth it.


“It’s the day-to-day, moment by moment staying involved that makes a difference.”

Lisa Hendrickson

“You know more about the Kardashians or Taylor Swift, but will take no time to make sure you have freedom the next election cycle,” she said of people who don’t take the time to research candidates and issues.

Stay Engaged

While becoming an informed voter is arguably a first step to becoming politically engaged, Lisa told Know Why that staying active in between election cycles is just as important. “It’s the day-to-day, moment by moment staying involved that makes a difference,” she said. “It’s not just showing up in an election year, then going home.”

While Lisa doesn’t like the word “compromise,” she does believe it’s crucial to have civil conversations with political opponents in order to find common ground and make a difference in those areas. That can’t happen if opponents aren’t willing to talk.

“You need to sit at a table long enough with someone to find out what you can agree on,” she said.

Listen to Part 1 of Lisa’s interview with Know Why here.

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What Did Jesus Say About Overcoming Anxiety? Know About Jesus

Interview With Lauren McAfee

Lauren McAfee and her husband, Michael, know firsthand what it’s like to face back-to-back tragedies and unforeseen trauma. How can we handle the anxiety and grief that results from life spinning out of control? Jesus’ teachings and life offer helpful examples, which Lauren and Michael write about in their book Beyond Our Control: Let Go of Unmet Expectations, Overcome Anxiety, and Discover Intimacy With God. Lauren, an author, founder of Stand for Life, and Ministry Director at Hobby Lobby, joins the Know Why Podcast to share their story.

Control and Anxiety

Rates of anxiety are increasing in our society. Lauren believes part of that is due to the growing illusion of control we have over our lives, from being able to buy what we want and have it delivered within days or even hours, to being able to contact people across the world within seconds.


“We’re not having to control all things, we’re not having to fix everything. That’s not our responsibility. Our responsibility is to trust in God.”

Lauren McAfee

“All of these things that make us have this facade that we have so much control over our lives are actually making us more anxious,” she told Know Why. “Deep down we know we actually don’t have as much control as we wish we had over the things that really matter in life.”

According to Dr. John Townsend, author, psychologist, and friend of Lauren, “the negative emotion most closely associated with the lack of control is anxiety,” she told Know Why.

How do we survive the anxiety and even grief that comes when our tragic things happen beyond our control?

Let Go and Lament

Lauren and Michael have had to find the answer to this due to events in their own marriage and parenting journey, from obstacles having children, to facing a child’s cancer diagnosis, and heartbreak amidst adoption. They found peace and direction in the words and examples of Jesus.

“Go to the Lord, and the practice of drawing near to Him allows us to more fully feel his presence, and his presence is what fully brings peace,” Lauren said. She said that Jesus’ promise that his “burden is light” is true, even if it sounds impossible. “Even in the midst of hard things we can have a lighter burden because we’re not carrying it on our own.”


“We have to create the space for lament.”

Lauren Mcafee

Leaning on Jesus doesn’t mean always feeling positive, however. In fact, Lauren says that Jesus set an example of lament, and that lamenting is an important part of anyone’s healing journey.

“God created us with emotions,” she told Know Why. “We honor the Lord whenever we acknowledge however we are feeling about things.”

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Why is Anger Unhealthy? Know About Jesus

Interview With Brant Hansen (Part 2)

Brant Hansen is back! The radio personality and author discusses research from an atheist that points to the genius of Jesus’ teachings on anger, forgiveness, and anxiety. Listen and learn why Brant says Jesus is the “smartest man who ever lived.”

Refuse to be Scandalized

Letting go of offense, anger, and anxiety can lead to more opportunities for friendship and even evangelism, Brant said, sharing more stories from his family’s own experiences.

“People are suddenly drawn to you when you’re the one who’s the least judgmental person on the block,” he told Know Why. That doesn’t mean you must abandon your values or morals, Brant explained. But you can refuse to be scandalized by others’ sin, and enjoy a less stressful life as a result.

“Everything we discover about this subject just points again to the genius of Jesus.”

Brant Hansen

Jesus himself refused to be scandalized by others’ behavior, Brant notes. In fact, some have even used the word “relaxed” to describe Jesus.

Don’t Live in Fight or Flight Mode

Scientific research has reinforced the wisdom of Jesus’ teachings. For instance, both animals and humans were created with fight or flight responses, but those responses are supposed to be fleeting, helping us survive and escape threats. Existing in fight or flight mode long-term is bad for our health, research shows. But when we allow ourselves to stay angry and anxious, that’s what we’re doing.

Brant points to Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount,” where he specifically tells listeners not to be angry or anxious.

“He knows how we’re made, how we flourish, and how we thrive,” Brant told Know Why. “Everything we discover about this subject just points again to the genius of Jesus.”

Listen to Part 1 of this interview here.

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Is My Anger Righteous? Know About Jesus

Interview With Brant Hansen (Part 1)

Talking about anger has never been more fun! Radio personality and author Brant Hansen joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss his book Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better. In Part 1 of his interview, Brant explains Jesus’ teachings on anger and forgiveness, sharing personal testimonies revealing that “the way to freedom is the way of Jesus.” 

The Way of Jesus

In Unoffendable, Brant makes an argument many find startling: we are not entitled to hold on to anger. But many of us have been taught that “righteous anger” is justified, and that anger can even be helpful in getting things done.

Brant points to Jesus’ teachings to show this is the wrong way to think about anger. “We are never entitled to harbor anger because we have to do something that Jesus is very big on—it’s called forgiveness,” he told Know Why.


“The way to freedom is the way of Jesus.”

Brant Hansen

That doesn’t mean that we have to ignore injustice, though. Brant says we should be motivated to help others and correct the wrongs in our world because it’s the right thing to do—not because we’re angry.

“I can do the right thing and do it better without anger,” Brant said. As an example, he tells the story of how he once confronted his mayor about a criminal act against his wife that had been ignored by city officials. Approaching the problem with resolution but without anger, he got his result.

Listen to the episode for the full story, and don’t miss Part 2 next week!

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Did Jesus Prescribe Gender Roles? Know About Jesus

Interview With Dr. Glahn (Part 2)

In Jesus’ radical inclusion of women, was he bucking God’s system, or acting in perfect alignment with the rest of Scripture? In Part 2 of her interview with Know Why, Dr. Sandra Glahn of Dallas Theological Seminary tackles the issue of gender roles and what the church gets wrong. She also sheds helpful light on a few under-preached stories of women in the Old Testament, and what they teach us about God’s heart.

Jesus: Aligned With or Alienated From the Old Testament?

While Jesus’ interactions with women may seem different than the strange stories of the Old Testament, Dr. Glahn told Know Why that when historical and cultural context are considered, it’s clear that God’s laws in the Old Testament represent “a movement toward a high view of women.”

She cites examples of Old Testament stories where women who were falsely accused by their husbands are given legal rights, and stories where fathers give their daughters an inheritance under God’s command and blessing. Jesus’ habit of including women in his inner circle and ministry followed an existing pattern of elevating women’s rights and status in their cultures.

A Biased View

Dr. Glahn says we often miss these nuances in Scripture because we’re unfamiliar with cultural context—which is why partnering with a diverse community is key for better understanding the Bible. But she also notes that “translation committees have tended to be all male.” Just as people from different cultures can lend valuable insight and perspective about the meaning of certain stories, women add valuable perspective that is missing from many Bible translations.

“Jesus sees you, men and women alike.”

Dr. Sandra Glahn

“If you look at Genesis you see this pattern of a need for men and women partnering,” Dr. Glahn said.

Gender Roles?

Jesus invited people to follow him. Should men and women follow Jesus in different ways? Dr. Glahn says that while celebrating the differences between men and women is a wonderful thing, the church has often gotten it wrong by emphasizing gender stereotypes. “We start getting our eyes off of Christlikeness as the goal, and get our eyes on, ‘How do I act like a woman or a man?’” she said. Instead, “We pursue Christ and Christlikeness, and as a byproduct we become the men and women we’re supposed to be.”

“Both men and women have been injured by stereotypes of gender,” she added. Her closing thought: “Jesus sees you, men and women alike.”

Listen to Part 1 of Dr. Glahn’s interview here.

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