8 Books About Art & Faith

Photo by Yeşim

From the Christian’s perspective, to create something of our own is to emulate, love, and glorify God—the ultimate Creator. Christian artists craft what can be called the creations of God’s creations, making God present in the beautiful, effective, connective art we come across daily.

Artists of faith are faced with various questions, though: what is Christian art? What kind of art are Christians called to make? Is God only found in some mediums, but not others? How might they better live into the calling they feel they’ve been given?

Below, find 8 books that explore the undeniable connection between faith and art, the purpose of art, and what it truly means to be a Christian creative.

01 | Finding God in Hollywood by Nathan Clarkson

Bestselling author Nathan Clarkson details his time living in Los Angeles and working as an actor—all while being a wide-eyed Christian kid. Filled with personal anecdotes, profound thoughts, behind-the-scenes stories from major movie sets, deep reflections, and wonderfully unique insight, he explores how we encounter the divine in the stories we tell and consume. To know whether or not he ever did find God in Hollywood, well, you’ll just have to read the book!

02 | Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle

Best known for her sci-fi fantasy novel, A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle beautifully explores what it truly means to be a Christian artist, asking questions like, What makes art Christian art? and What is the relationship between faith and art? as she reflects on the unique union between the Christian faith and creativity.

03 | Art and Faith by Makoto Fujimura

One of the classics when it comes to exploring the deep, undeniable relationship between faith and creativity, world-renowned painter Makoto Fujimura eloquently discusses the spiritual side of “making,” explaining why creating visual art is as much a theological work as it is an aesthetic one.

04 | Art of God’s Sake by Philip Ryken

Any Christian artist will tell you that they ultimately wish to glorify God through whatever they create—and that much of what’s being created today doesn’t do that. Art for God’s Sake is a practical, concise book that speaks into the big questions every artist of faith has.

05 | Rembrandt Is in the Wind by Russ Ramsey

For those looking to learn more about art specifically, there’s no better place to start. Ramsey takes a deep look at the lives of some of the most famous artists of all time, such as van Gogh, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio, making this book a lovely combination of art history, philosophy, and biblical study.

06 | Imagine by Steve Turner

Turner’s Imagine challenges Christians first to understand the effect that good, beautiful, excellent art can have on a culture, and second, to make that art themselves. He makes the case that Christian creatives have a responsibility to make art that truly reflects the beauty and grandeur of God—to make good art.

07 | The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

This international bestseller continues to touch the lives of Christian creatives years after its initial publication. The Artist’s Way explains to readers how creativity and spirituality are two sides of the same coin, elevating the purpose of art, while challenging the artist to grow into their full potential.

08 | Let There Be Art by Rachel Marie Kang

Author Rachel Marie Kang believes that the greatest way we can reflect our Creator is through realizing and unleashing our own creativity. Let There Be Art helps creatives let go of the voices that tell them their art is purposeless, encouraging them to use their art to bring beauty to the brokenness of their own life and others’ lives.