Re: Being the Appendix
The was written by my husband as a response to a blog posted by my sister found here: http://oodlesandoodles.tumblr.com/post/363611264/being-the-appendix
Dear Appendix, quite a thought provoking post.God created us. And he said it was good. God made us in his image, so when we create we are reflecting something innately good about how he made us. We can make music without putting “Jesus!” on every line, we can make fashion without stamping WWJD all over it and still God calls this GOOD! God of course is not utilitarian. His entire creation is painted with things that seem to serve no other purpose than that they are just beautiful. A world where everyone wears burlap and lives in concrete blocks would be truly awful.
So all of our work, all of our originality, all of our creation points to God as the creator of all things. God let’s us have a huge range of expression. Some people would think “Christian fashion” is like denim jumpers or making choir robes, but that’s really doing a disservice to what God created us to be. The Bible is not simplistic in some kind of moralistic Ozzie and Harriet kind of way. It shows a world that is broken that God wants to redeem, and we can do the same thing. Imagine if the Bible was released today. Many religious people would be shouting that this is PORNOGRAPHIC FILTH! Song of Solomon?! David tagging Bathsheba then having her husband knocked off?! But the bible tells the story of creation, fall, and redemption. And the fall is ugly and messy. So when we create art we don’t have to whitewash it and make it all religious and fruity— the Bible certainly doesn’t. The difference is that our brokenness doesn’t END there, it’s part of a larger story of God redeeming and restoring all things.
There is a really sweet (and actually really short book) that I have, but this blog post actually gives a great summary of the book, worth checkout out: http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2007/10/05/a-review-of-creation-regained-biblical-basics-for-a-reformational-worldview-by-albert-wolter/
But in terms of thinking about fashion more specifically, a few things I might ask myself:
Does the clothing I create only draw attention to myself? To the wearers? Do I only design or wear this clothing to draw attention to myself?
Do I create in a ecologically friendly way? Do I care for God’s creation by creating fashion that minimizes waste? For instance, if I use an animal for fur do I just discard the rest of the body or find good use for it? Can I use recycled materials in new ways?
Does my clothing bring honor or shame to the person who is wearing it? When someone views this piece of clothing does it objectify the person or portray them as God does?
Does the manufacturing process respect the people actually creating the clothing?
How do I go about creating clothing? Can I do it in community with other people? I’m reminded of knitting circles, it’s almost a lost art, but what a great way of building community — how can my work encourage others?
If you are poor you can’t usually afford nice clothing— and it has an impact on how you view yourself. How can I help clothe people in a way that gives them dignity?
Oh, also a few examples off the top of my head that are cool: 1. Tom’s Shoes, I’m sure you’re familiar.2. Blessed Nest. Their website is linked off this page: http://www.faithandwork.org/past_winners_page1768.php 3. Jedidiah Clothing. The designers are believers and they do really thoughtful work: http://www.jedidiahusa.com/
There was a movement (perhaps it still exists) among Christian youth groups urging young christians to burn their “secular” CD’s. (What does that even mean?!) I remember finding myself unwillingly at such gatherings. Of course, I also remember feeling very smug that I didn’t have any secular CD’s to burn! Out of this environment, I grew an uncertainty about my relationship to popular culture, an “us vs them” mentality, as well as a large amount of guilt if I ever did enjoy listening to heathen music. I believed that a Christian framework didn’t have room for anything that wasn’t made by a Christian about Christianity, for Christians.
So, that means that if Ryan Adams sings a line that resonates so deeply that it moves my soul, or if Slum Dog Millionaire stirs and excites me, or if a cellist in a bomb crater brings me to tears, it’s actually a gift from God - because all truth is God’s truth… And all beauty is God’s beauty. And God out of his wisdom is using even the gifts of those who reject him to reveal his creativity, love, and devotion.
