Pastor and arts advocate Wesley Vander Lugt discusses the essential nature of beauty, its transformative power, resonance with classical music, effects of online entertainment, and influence of writers like Brian Doyle and Mary Oliver on personal writing.
Beauty is a necessity influencing relationships and interactions with the world.
Acknowledging beauty's transformative power fosters immersive appreciation and interconnectedness with the world.
Deep dives
Importance of Beauty in Various Aspects of Life
Beauty, whether in stories, artwork, landscapes, or individuals, represents a harmonious blend of diverse components, drawing attention to God's splendor in the world. This entanglement of different elements culminates in an appealing unity, as discussed in the podcast featuring Wesley Vanderlumpf, emphasizing the essential nature of beauty across various facets of existence.
Beauty as a Vital Element Similar to Truth and Goodness
Contrary to popular perception, beauty is not a mere luxury but a necessity that influences our relationships, desires, and interactions with the world. Unlike truth and goodness, which are traditionally deemed essential, beauty plays a pivotal role in guiding human connections and forming attachments, portraying its significance beyond being an optional indulgence in life.
Beauty Beyond Subjectivity and Consumerism
The concept of beauty transcends individual preferences and consumer-driven perspectives, delving into a deeper understanding of God's inherent beauty in every aspect of existence. By acknowledging beauty's profound impact on our perceptions and experiences, the podcast underscores the transformative power of beauty, inspiring a shift from possessiveness to immersive appreciation and a broader sense of interconnectedness with the world.
Wesley Vander Lugt is a pastor, theologian, writer, teacher, nonprofit leader, and arts advocate with a passion for beauty, slowness, cultivation, and kinship. He currently works as the Acting Director of the Leighton Ford Center for Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness and is Adjunct Professor of Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte. He is also the Co-Founder of Kinship Plot, a community of learning and practice imagining and embodying resonant relationships of every kind. His new book is Beauty Is Oxygen: Finding a Faith that Breathes. In this episode, Wes and Jonathan Rogers discuss just how necessary beauty is.