The Art of Appreciating Beauty

Philippians 4:8 is often cited in discussions of Christians and the arts. In this verse, Paul admonishes us, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

We should draw two conclusions from this verse. The first is that aesthetic choices are not merely matters of personal preference. It is impossible that Paul’s command to think on “whatsoever things are lovely” means “think about whatever you think is lovely.” Our judgment of beauty must conform to God’s judgment of beauty. (See also “Is Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder?” in this issue.)

The second conclusion flows from the first: if we are obligated to think about lovely things, and loveliness is not a matter of personal preference, then we must know how to discern the things that are truly lovely. It is a matter of Christian sanctification to be able to appreciate beauty.