Fiercelings,
I’m a Christian (see my statement of faith here) and within Christianity there is this idea that is referred to as the cultural mandate. In a nutshell, God creates the world in Genesis 1 and toward the end of that chapter God tells Adam, “God blessed them; and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28). The fall changes a lot of things about man but what it doesn’t change is that we are still called to the cultural mandate. Yes, the fall messes up the cultural mandate and makes it harder but we are still called to do it.
Every Christian has a role within the kingdom of God. I have found that I’ve always been drawn to artistic things. First, music. Then, painting and drawing. Then, photography. Now, writing. I dabble in all these artistic pursuits. I also view my family as a creative pursuit because what is more creative than growing a human with your body and raising them to be loving, intelligent, and pure individuals and members of society? I’m convinced few things are more creative (and trying) then having children.
So I create because the Creator God, my Father, created me and He has created man in His image. Once this world has passed I think we humans will spend eternity creating with God. Afterall, He’s gonna be making a new heaven and earth. I want in on that project, thank you very much. Let me use this opportunity to apply for that, Lord. I think you can get glimpses of heaven by creating. You don’t have to do something strictly artistic or something right-brained to be creative. I think science is extremely creative. Heck, I think math is creative. I think simply living can be creative. You don’t have to consider yourself an artist to be creative and to find your place in the kingdom of God, living out the cultural mandate.
The cultural mandate is essentially God telling us to create civilization. I want to create a pretty one and everything I do – raise a family, photography, share natural health things, paint, play music – is in an effort to create beauty and ping back the glory to God. I create because God creates.
Read more about the cultural mandate here and here. <— Those articles reference a book, Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey which largely influenced my understanding of the cultural mandate.
fiercely,
alexandria
alexandriafierce
Fierce Beliefs. Fierce Ideas. Fierce Art. Fierce Life.
Photographer, Blogger, Artist, Entrepreneur
Email me at alexandriafiercephoto@gmail.com for photoshoot and wedding bookings
