Beauty

Hello readers,

I love philosophy, and I think as Christians it is important for us to know God's philosophy. It might be thought that philosophy points away from God, but the exact contrary is true. Philosophy is pointless without an absolute moral basis. Philosophy is sometimes a scary word. Paul warned us not to be tossed around by "false philosophies." That is no reason why we shouldn't base ourselves in the true philosophies. I think the discussion of beauty, and what gives beauty, is extremely important to Christians because we are to worship God for for His beauty.

Psalm 29:2

Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

1 Chronicles 16:29

Give to the LORD the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

So that raises a interesting philosophical question, what is beauty?

"Creation of reality according to the artist's values. Qualities that give value." (human definition)

According to that definition, an artist is the one that bestows beauty. In other words, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Because if the artist says it is beautiful, then it is; regardless of what anyone ells says. That raises another question. Is beauty in the eye of the beholder?

According to the world: yes! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I am not part of the world. In my world view, Gods' nature defines beauty. Real beauty is in the eye the ultimate Beholder, God. Beauty is absolute.

We are to worship God in the "beauty of [His] holiness." God's nature (His holiness) is the ultimate source of beauty. God essentially is the definition of beautiful. Anything that reflects or follows God's nature is beautiful. Anything that God creates is beautiful.

Gods nature is beautiful.
Gods nature is truth.
Truth is beautiful.
Beauty is true.
Beauty perfectly reflects Gods true nature.

What are some of the things God says are beautiful?

I took some time to think of a few things that God created. Keep in mind that the world might have perverted many of the things I will mention, but lets not forget that God established those institutes for a reason, thus, making them beautiful. Not all of these are directly referred to as "beautiful" in the Bible, but they are the way God intended life to unfold.

A perfect Man dying for an imperfect world.
A repentant of his sins
A humble man
A meek spirit
A honoring and loving husband
A pure and reverent wife
A loving mother and her child.
A modest young woman
An overcoming and noble young man
A man of integrity
A just ruler
A faithful people
A man after Gods own heart
A lowly servant
A servant heart
A work dedicated to God
A step of faith
Creation was beautiful

Notice most of these are attributes of, or a result of Jesus/God.

What are some other things that you would add to this list?

As Christians we are searchers of the nature of God. God's nature is truth. Truth is beautiful. We are to seek out true beauty; God's beauty. We are to reflect God's beauty in our lives. The music we listen too should exalt or reflect the nature of God. The way we dress should exalt or reflect the Nature of God. The words we speak should exalt or reflect the nature of God. The way we think should exalt of reflect the nature of God. Our relationships should exalt and reflect the Nature of God.

1 Peter 1:15-16

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

When God takes control over something, He can't help but make it beautiful, it is His nature. When God works in us, he is making us more and more beautiful, like Himself.



-Jerry