Images and Idols: Creativity for the Christian Life

by Thomas J. Terry, J. Ryan Lister

Christians ought to be leading the way in creativity, but we rarely do.

God is the Creator of all things and he created us in His image. Creativity is woven into the very fabric of our humanity. Therefore, Christians should value and champion creativity, as a vital part of our image-bearing role. Instead Christians often don't know what to do with creatives and creatives don't know what to do with Christianity. On one side you have Christians who neglect or discount art, imagination, and beauty altogether. On the other, you have artists who make idols out of each of these good things.

Ryan Lister, a theology professor, and Thomas Terry, a spoken word artist and founder of Humble Beast, teamed up to help restore the connection between creativity and theology. Images and Idols is a theological and artistic exploration of creativity in the Christian life. It will help creatives build a strong theological foundation for their art, while challenging the church to embrace a theology of beauty and creativity.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Art, Faith, Christianity, Theology

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2018

About the author

THOMAS J. TERRY is the founder and executive director of Humble Beast, a record label and ministry in Portland, Oregon. As a spoken word artist and a member of Beautiful Eulogy, he seeks to bring creativity and theology together to glorify the Lord who created them both. Thomas lives with his wife, Heather, and two boys, Tobin and Kuyper, and serves as the Executive Pastor at Trinity Church of Portland.

Reviews

[Todd Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is what I wrote for the cover endorsement: What has Hollywood to do with Jerusalem, the studio with the sanctuary? Everything. In Images and Idols, Ryan Lister and Thomas Terry take the reader on a journey across the storyline of Scripture, tracing the theme of Creativity along the contours of redemptive history. Beginning in Eden, accounting for the fall of humanity, then intersecting the gospel, Lister and Terry demonstrate that Creativity not only can be redeemed, it must be redeemed if the Great Creator is to finish his goal of taking his re-created people to the New Heavens and New Earth. If you have any creative impulse at all, you should read this book. Christ-honoring and gospel-saturated, with plenty of helpful application, this is biblical theology at its finest.

[Jessica De Los Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read that took me months to get through only by God's grace and perfect timing. Will probably read again when motivations to create get distracted by this world. Love this book.

[Doug Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, soul-stirring, God exalting, human dignifying treatise on why we should create to the glory of God.

READ IT!

[Gina Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book is written specifically for creatives I think anyone could get a wealth of good from it. It tells the entire gospel so well and consistently reminds us of the source of all creativity. It’s a plea, not for “Christian Art” but for artists who love and serve the Lord. I loved their reminder that God creatively revealed Himself both in general revelation (think art that isn’t overtly “religious”) and also in specific revelation (art that IS inherently “religious”).

“This means that Christ doesn’t need your creativity. He wants all of you, which includes the gifts He has given you for His glory. Just as Christ doesn’t redeem just a few parts of you, neither does He seek to transform everything it your creativity. He wants to make all of you like Him in every way.”

[Lia Ross Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book about creativity and the Christian life seeing that I am a believer who has a creative profession and have been cultivating my creativity for some time now. This book was very interesting but was not my favorite. The back cover reads “God is reclaiming creativity for His glory and our good” I was very confused on how a God who created everything in the earths below and heaven above and essentially owns everything could be “reclaiming” anything.

Another thing I disliked was how the creative analogies and metaphors also got kind of cheesy and redundant throughout the book.

However, I did really enjoy the last chapter and how we should be creating based on the future ahead in the new heavens and new Earth. All we do is for God’s glory and our good. Essentially we should be viewing creatively rightly.

Note: I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for a review, all opinions are my own.

[Titus Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This book is a confirmation for me. It explains that the creativity given to Christians is not separate from our faith. Instead, it is a way we can glorify our creator. This book uses lots of scripture to back its arguments as well as creative illustrations to keep the reader engaged and interested. It definitely was helpful for me in the way I think about creativity and my faith. I would recommend to any Christian creatives who are struggling with how their faith and creativity ties together.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for any creative that has asked themselves the question, "Where does creativity belong in the church?" Our culture today makes it seem like there is a great divide between Christianity and Creative pursuits. The church has pushed out creativity as being unnecessary and excessive. So many creatives abandon church because they don't think they can have both. This book does an excellent job of showcasing creativity in scripture, how to make your creativity a reflection of your Creator, and finding peace that your art/talents don't have to be evangelistic in order to use them in a way that honors God.

[Micah Sharp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful and brief introduction. I think the book could have been significantly improved by offering positive examples of Christian creativity. It seems like they intended this book to start a series (maybe?) so perhaps their thought was for those examples to be explore in other books, but I still think some in this book would have been helpful.
I liked the boat parable that ran through it. I think it could have benefited from more like that. I especially appreciated the New Creation chapter.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Resource for Creative Christians

Artists, musicians, homemakers - any Christian doing creative work can benefit from this book. It has several principles that I wish I had understood early on in my creative journey. This book is saturated with basic Gospel truth and what the Gospel means for creativity.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review Pending at Servants of Grace

[Chrys Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

“All creativity begins and ends with God.” (p. 26). That’s what Images and Idols by Jason Terry (Odd Thomas of Beautiful Eulogy) and J. Ryan Lister is all about. Too often, especially in Christian circles, the conversation about creativity is an argument more about a creative method or formula than the ultimate purpose and Persons behind human creativity. Images and Idols goes much deeper than that. 

Before getting into the content, it is worth noting the aesthetics of this book. The artistic flair is subtle andyet puts the core message of God-centered creative excellence on display. The cover is beautifully designed with added textures so that the book feels unique. The pages are high quality, with sleek designs and infographics scattered about, highlighting relevant quotes and illustrating key points. My favorite aspect is the gold printed scripture references which literally stand out among all of the other words on the page.

Terry and Lister remind us that “our creativity exists to spread beauty through the prism of the greatest commandment” (p. 59). This is immediately relevant to my life as a writer and rapper. I was also struck deeply by the reality that “many creatives do not mature in their beliefs but rather ‘mature’ beyond their beliefs” (p. 85). To be honest, I was thinking of particular artists until I read: “the research done in this chapter was done mostly in our hearts” (p. 85). Coming from one of the most explicitly gospel-centered artists I’ve heard, this was a humbling reminder. I long for this depth of humility in my ministry!

Images and Idols is loaded with scripture, gospel, and cultural relevance. In every chapter, creatives are reminded that our work is not about us. As humans in a post-fall world, “we either make a god with our imaginations or make ourselves gods with our imaginations” (p. 78). Thankfully, the Re-Creator became flesh by entering His own creation and story for His own glory. Our creativity is from God and for God, and He re-creates those who trust in Christ so that we can reflect His image and share the most creative story in the world—the gospel. 

Terry and Lister skillfully and excellently crafted a book that can benefit both creatives and those who simply enjoy the art that comes from the creative types. We can enjoy God and His glory through the creation around us and the creative work of His image-bearers. Whether in explicitly evangelistic art or art specifically created to point to God’s common grace, the most loving thing we can do is glorify God in how we make and enjoy art.

[Blake Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book speaks to heart of creatives of the redemptive power of the gospel on all creation.

Why read this book?

I spend a lot of my time creating and crafting and also gazing upon God’s creation. His extraordinary attention to the minutest detail captivates my imagination and draws me in like gravity. It causes my heart to long to return that devotion to Him in ways that I have not seen nor done before. Sometimes I have wondered why is that? I know what the bible says about His creativity, “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20 (NIV). But why is it that I’m compelled to create?
As a creative, I find myself wondering at times if what I create has any eternal significance. What were my motives? Was it just to gain the applause of man or was I more interested in the applause of my Father in Heaven? Should I be spending so much of my life’s short stream creating things that few will see? Was it enough for me that my Father in Heaven saw every stroke?
In picking up this book, I was hoping to gain a new perspective on what those creative urges have to do with God’s purposes in my life -- and I was not disappointed!
Even the cover of the book was a tactile sensation.

Key insight
When our creative urges line up with God’s creative design the Gospel shines through and God receives the worship and glory He is due.

Some favorite quotes:
“Only God’s creation is ex nihilo (out of nothing), which means our creativity is never purely our own; it relies on our creator and builds out of His creation. As His image bearers—created by God to be like Him—our creativity reflects His. It is not superfluous…It should, therefore, extend from His authority, and culminate in His objectives” (50).

“We were made to declare and show and demonstrate the glory and beauty and “excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9) (138).
“…let the new creation break in through your creativity. This is why you are creative and why
you are called to express your creativity… Let eternity bleed through your imaginative work” (143).

[Brad Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning and end of God's biblical narrative is "Create".. In the beginning, God created... and in His redemptive work, he is making "new creations" out of His children and in the end, He will "create a new heaven and earth."

All of life is about creatures, crafted by a Creator, being made new.

This grand God-breathed narrative of scripture is succinctly laid out in the 143 pages of Images and Idols, but Terry is wise to note that we creatures are prone to turn our God-given, God-inspired, God-honoring creativity into gods, golden calves of our own making.

"Art's pragmatic and aesthetic pursuit gave way to its very own quasi-religious perception, with the creative on the altar. Almost overnight, creatives became the world's 'genius ... with very special gifts who could give mankind something of almost religious importance in ... the work of art.' That is why creatives and artists today don't simply reflect or serve the culture; they determine it. They fill the world's spotlight and hold the world's microphone. They stand before the world - as cliched as it has become - as the culture's prophets and, perhaps, even to a greater extent, as the gods we can catch a glimpse of in the mirror." (page 72)

Terry, the founder and director of Humble Beast, a record label, does not write from an ivory tower. He's immersed in the industry. His call is to create! but be on alert for our tendency to take the glory from the Creator who gave the gift to us to honor and reflect Himself.

[Raymond Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mankind is by nature creative because mankind (male and female) we were created in the image of God. We are not all creative in the same way or to the same end, but we are creative for the same reason, to display the glory of God our Creator. But our creativity, like every other aspect of our humanity, has been corrupted by sin.
In "Images and Idols" Thomas Terry and Ryan Lister explore creativity for the Christian life. They explore creativity through the lens of what the Bible says about creation and the corruption of sin.
Thomas and Ryan write: “In the chaos of cosmic treason, those made in the likeness of God fashion replacement gods in their own shattered likeness through their own misplaced creativity.”
Our creative drive can be steered in wrong directions and cause us to worship our own creativity or the response of those who follow our work. This is wrong. God created us to create for His glory. Instead of working for the glory of God we become glory stealers. We need to view our work through the lens of a biblical understanding of God and mankind.
In the book, Thomas and Ryan give us a good framework – built on the solid foundation of Scripture – to form our thinking about our creativity, vocation, and how we live.
Please don’t think that this book is only for “creatives” (whatever that is). It is wisdom and encouragement for all of us who are redeemed sinners living for the glory of God in Christ.

[Create With Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are blessed with the gift of creativity you may be wondering how your creativity fits into God’s sovereign plans for His kingdom, for the world, and for your life.

How does your creativity connect you to your Creator? What does creativity reveal about God? How can we use our creativity to reflect God’s glory in a broken world?

Images And Idols: Creativity For The Christian Life by Thomas J. Terry and J. Ryan Lister does a great job of exploring these topics and more!

In Images And Idols, the authors present us with a theology for creativity. This isn’t a book on how to create but rather on why we create – why we feel the urge and impulse to create – what creativity looks like from God’s perspective – and how we, as Christians, are called to reclaim our creativity for God.

This is a very insightful book into the nature of creativity and how the world can turn our creativity into an idol that will take us away from God if we are not careful to root our identity in Him and not ourselves or the works of our hands.

This excerpt is taken from the original review that is published on my blog. To read my review in its entirety, please visit Create With Joy.

[jessiah marielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first picked up Images and Idols as part of a Christian art mentorship program, but what kept me reading was how deeply relevant it felt—not just spiritually, but culturally. This book is rich with scripture, real-life references, and thoughtful reflections that helped me see creativity and the gospel through a new lens.

One of the most impactful takeaways for me as a creative was the reminder that our work isn’t about us. In a world that often encourages self-promotion or idolizing success, this book gently but firmly redirects us: our creativity is from God and for God. The authors explain how we either shape idols with our imaginations or submit our creativity to the true Creator.

As someone who has often wrestled with perfectionism and the pressure to meet others’ expectations, this book helped shift my focus. I was reminded that my art doesn’t need to be flawless or universally praised—what matters is that it points to Him. My worth isn’t determined by people’s opinions, but by the fact that I am made in the image of a God who creates, re-creates, and redeems. I have an audience of One, and that truth brings both freedom and purpose.

Whether you’re a visual artist, writer, designer, or any kind of creative, Images and Idols is a gospel-saturated, thought-provoking read that reminds you why you create—and who you create for.

[Jered Gering · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from Thomas Terry and J. Ryan Lister. As a creative, I found their insights to be helpful, clear, refreshing and biblical.

I recommend this book specifically to all creative Christians. The book is essentially a breakdown of the theology of creativity for Christians. Though I personally didn't find the content to be revolutionary, it did clearly verbalize what I already knew. This book is foundational to Christian Creativity and will clarify any points of confusion you may have about how your creativity relates to God. Even though the book is strongly theological, all of the concepts are explained clearly. Their conclusions are practical, not just abstract. Even if you know you already agree with the authors (as was the case with me), the content will still sharpen you and encourage you.

The hardcover version is also beautifully produced. The publisher intentionally made this a work of art in and of itself. My only complaint is that it could've had a stronger title.

In short: Images and Idols is a manifesto every creative Christian should read at least once and keep on his or her shelf for future reference.

[Joel Nevius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic little read on the theology of creativity.

This is not a book on how to be creative, but a theological underpinning and calling to pursue creativity as a follower of Christ. Much of the book hammers home the idea that human creativity is given the fullest and purest expression as our worshipful response to God's creativity in the world.

Each chapter follows a flow that's in correlation with the meta-narrative of scripture: God the Creator, creation, fall, redemption, and glorification. Creativity is then explored in the context of those biblical themes, building one chapter off of another. Though this is a short book, it is jam-packed with theological insights made relevant through pop-cultural references.

If you're looking for an accessible, but jam-packed primer on the theology of creativity, it's hard to find a better place to start. It is thoughtful and deep, yet accessible and quotable. Terry and Lister have written an excellent (and beautiful) little book that I won't hesitate to recommend to Christians who want to dive deeper into this topic.

[Connor Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I’m at a point where theological reads don’t do much for me. I remember a couple years ago I devoured these kind of books, but right now they aren’t hitting.

I think this book does raise some great questions about how we should relate to our creativity to our walk with Christ. It also has a great hook about how Christians believe in a God who made everything, but end up being the least creative people.

When I started reading this a couple of years ago (2019), I definitely got behind this sentiment. Now it feels like this book is a little out of date, because now there are some really good Christian artists producing some really great stuff nowadays. Though there is still that “Christian artist” label that is attached to some really subpar works, but some progress is being made on the edges at least.

There was also this weird rant against modern art for some reason in the middle of the book, don’t know what that’s about.

3.0⭐️

[Richie Valdes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book set out to be a way in which creatives can see how their gifting has come from the Lord and is to be used for the Lord (in all different avenues). And the authors achieved that. But what they also ended up with was a great book on the theology of work. While I am one of the least creative people I know, there was still a ringing sense in my soul reading this of how these truths (creativity comes from God and should flow from worship to him to point to the creation to come) apply to my life and vocation and what God has called all of his children to, creative and non-creative alike. So i will be recommending this book to my friends that are artists and gifted with talents of creativity, but will also give to those who may struggle to see what their work has to do with the Kingdom of God.

[Adrienne Servis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors of this book did a great job of point out how God developed creativity for His kingdom and how we go about using our talents for Him. "Think what would happen if we stepped toward God with our creativity rather than sidestep Him". "If we are ever going to understand creativity properly, we need to know God". If we seek the Lord, who created all we will then use our creativity for His purposes and be self-serving. Many who have natural and learned abilities attribute it to all they did to get it. That is not true. God created us all with special skills and talents that He intended to be used to further His kingdom and not for just us. While you may have an idea that bring wealth to you, God did not intend you to never help someone else who is less fortunate. This is a must read for all.

[Jared Kassebaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful Christian art-philosophy book after Francis Shaeffer and Hans Rookmaaker's own heart, Images and Idols gives a uniquely modern and yet biblical view of why and how a Christian makes art, starting with their heart. The chapter focusing on the Image of God, and how our creation in it impacts all of us, including our own artistic endeavors, was particularly impactful, and I enjoy the anticipation of more layman-level theological books on the imago dei. Another note it touched on beautifully was the role of earnestness vs cynicism in the Christian's life, a topic I am most passionate about. In a sense, this book was a synthesis of the theological themes of the first Canvas Conference, a Christian art philosophy conference birthed and led by these two authors, Ryan Lister and Thomas Terry. Looking forward to more to come.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Note: this is coming from a creative herself)
Definitely a fantastic resource. The authors mention how they hope this book is helpful to pastors seeking to understand creatives/creativity’s purpose in the church, creatives unsure of how their faith and creativity work together, believers, and skeptics alike. They hit the nail on the head. While at times they delve into a sort of sermon-esque way of writing towards the end, I believe it serves a purpose so that it isn’t really preachy.

Also, they even make their point by making a beautiful book with function in its diagrams and symbolic cover art. Really cool stuff. Definitely get yourself a copy of this.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terry and Lister provide a timely reminder that Christian creatively is not bound to the content of the Bible but rests on a heart and pursuit of worshiping God. When we escape this posture, we begin to make ourselves or our creativity the idol. It is great for those who are expanding into the world of "creatives" on various media platforms or would like to see their job as an opportunity to worship God through their work. One can easily carry the content into their daily life if one is willing to be humbled and have the daily reminder who they serve.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not the most creative of people...I would like to be! Which is partly why I wanted to read this book. I wanted to connect with creativity and be more creative. But, I had a difficult time getting into this one. It is well-studied, well-written, but somewhat dense to read. There is much information packed into a small package. If you are a creative, I would bet this is right up your alley! For the rest of us, it may be difficult to connect with.

[Elena L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who said that creativity and God couldn't coexist? IMAGE AND IDOLS is a intelligently written book that discuss layers of creativity and its connection with the gospel. Besides its gorgeous cover, the citations are inspiring and the subject is profoundly approached, also with relevant Bible references. Lastly, I have to say that the design is terrific!

[I received an ARC from the Publisher and all opinions are my own]

[Emily Barnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was nothing in this book that I really disagreed with, but I didn't feel like it was a new take on Christianity and artists. I've read many books on the subject, and I personally don't need to be sold the idea that "God is creative and because of that I create for His glory" again. However, if you've never read a book like this, it might be a great read. It is biblical and sound and all the glory goes to God, and I'm thankful the authors were so true to Scripture and God's character.

[Cosa Walsingham · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would give it no stars if I could....

It was unoriginal, poorly written, the analogy used through the book barely passed par as far as analogies go. I started to regret getting the book when the authors spent 6 pages discussing the plot line of rattatoille the pixar movie.

The best points of the book were quotes from other people. It takes the point of god gace you creativity use it for him and others. And beat it to death over 130 pages.

Not worth for me.

[Jung Sun]

DNF. Once I looked into who the authors were and saw they were part of the seeker sensitive etc crowd my interest severely waned. Then once I read the intro and figured out who JHP is, Jackie Hill Perry if anyone else was wondering, my interest plummeted severely and I've been struggling to get through one page. Total waste of money but it's my bad. I didn't do my research on the authors and those who endorse the book.

[Joel Cheatham-Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well-crafted. Not only is it a book about art, but it's also a work of art itself. Serious thought was placed into the cover design, colors, and formatting.

There is a fictional parable woven throughout the book that helps summarize the main concepts in each chapter, which is a nice touch.