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75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know: The Fascinating Stories Behind Great Works of Art, Literature, Music and Film
Let Your Faith Be Moved by the Masterpieces Art becomes a masterpiece when it stands the test of time and challenges its viewers to see the world from a new perspective. The vast legacy of human expression is therefore a rich resource of introspection and wisdom for Christians today. 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know anthologizes some of humanity’s most influential and renowned works of art. Terry Glaspey masterfully analyzes how each piece responds to the reality of the human condition and Christian truth. Glaspey examines architecture, plays, novels, paintings, films, and even albums, evoking how some probe the dark corners of human suffering, while others capture the mystery, beauty, and wonder of life. Each selection is universally revered for its craftsmanship and ubiquitously esteemed across both time and cultures. From Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to Johnny Cash’s At Folsom Prison , every masterpiece reveals some truth that has both enriched the Christian faith and left an indelible mark on the legacy of artistic achievement. Through engaging these masterpieces, Christians today can enrich their own faith with the creativity of history’s brilliant artists. This book serves as both historian and biographer, as devotional and art criticism. May this book be a modest doorway into a world of deeper appreciation, a guide to the treasures of our tradition that enriches both your faith and understanding of the human experience.
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2015
84 people are currently reading
1103 people want to read
About the author
Terry W. Glaspey
30 books21 followersTerry Glaspey is the award-winning author of numerous books, including 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know, which won a 2017 Christianity Today Book Award and a 2017 ECPA Gold Medallion Award, as well as The Prayers of Jane Austen, Bible Basics for Everyone, Not a Tame Lion: The Spiritual Legacy of C.S. Lewis, and The Book Lover’s Guide to Great Reading. Terry is in demand as a speaker and has spoken at the C.S. Lewis World Conference in Oxford and Cambridge, Cedarville University, Veritas Seminary, New Hope College, Kilns College, The Proverbs 31 Conference, and the Seasons Conference. He has taught courses for Veritas Seminary, New Hope College, and Kilns College. Terry is a senior acquisitions editor for Harvest House Publishers and lives in Oregon. His areas of interest include writing, the arts, literature, theology, the Bible, and apologetics and enjoys sharing on such topics at a level with which everyone can engage.
Website: https://www.terryglaspey.com/
Website: https://www.terryglaspey.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 26, 2015
I absolutely loved this book. If you need a well written and concise introduction to the various kinds of masterpieces of the Christian world that are out there just waiting to be discovered, this is the book for you.
From Dante's The Divine Comedy, to Michelangelo's The Sistine Chapel, to Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, to JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, to U2's The Joshua Tree, there are so many masterpieces that I have heard of(all those I've named) and many others I hadn't(Like Bob Dylan's Infidels).
The 75 masterpieces in this book come from all walks of life and cultures. The author acknowledged that this book is just an introduction to them and that the reader should embark upon discovering each of them in a more in depth manner. I plan to do so, at least in terms of the various novels(which is why I'm on Goodreads).
5 stars from me.
From Dante's The Divine Comedy, to Michelangelo's The Sistine Chapel, to Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, to JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, to U2's The Joshua Tree, there are so many masterpieces that I have heard of(all those I've named) and many others I hadn't(Like Bob Dylan's Infidels).
The 75 masterpieces in this book come from all walks of life and cultures. The author acknowledged that this book is just an introduction to them and that the reader should embark upon discovering each of them in a more in depth manner. I plan to do so, at least in terms of the various novels(which is why I'm on Goodreads).
5 stars from me.
March 15, 2024
Actual rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Spending 75 days with this book was a lovely, thoughtful way to start my 2024. Glaspey does exactly what the extended title promises: he takes us through the fascinating stories behind great works of art, literature, music, and film, and shows us the spiritual background underpinning them all. From Handel’s Messiah to Bob Dylan’s Infidels, from Rembrandt to modern art, from John Bunyan to Flannery O’Connor, the scope in terms of time frame and breadth of subject matter was incredibly engaging. I was always interested to see what I would get to learn about each day, and I loved seeing the faith behind the art. Each chapter covered the artwork itself in the first half before diving into a brief biography of the artist, including their faith journey. In less than fifteen minutes a day, I gained a wealth of knowledge about, and a far deeper appreciation for, sacred art in all its wildly varied forms. There were days when I actually wished that the chapter was longer. If you want just a brief overview of how faith has shaped so many famous works of art, music, literature, and film, I would absolutely recommend this book!
(Side note: The production value of the book itself is fantastic. There are full color illustrations throughout. The paper and printing quality are great. I’ll be buying more books from Moody Publishers!)
Spending 75 days with this book was a lovely, thoughtful way to start my 2024. Glaspey does exactly what the extended title promises: he takes us through the fascinating stories behind great works of art, literature, music, and film, and shows us the spiritual background underpinning them all. From Handel’s Messiah to Bob Dylan’s Infidels, from Rembrandt to modern art, from John Bunyan to Flannery O’Connor, the scope in terms of time frame and breadth of subject matter was incredibly engaging. I was always interested to see what I would get to learn about each day, and I loved seeing the faith behind the art. Each chapter covered the artwork itself in the first half before diving into a brief biography of the artist, including their faith journey. In less than fifteen minutes a day, I gained a wealth of knowledge about, and a far deeper appreciation for, sacred art in all its wildly varied forms. There were days when I actually wished that the chapter was longer. If you want just a brief overview of how faith has shaped so many famous works of art, music, literature, and film, I would absolutely recommend this book!
(Side note: The production value of the book itself is fantastic. There are full color illustrations throughout. The paper and printing quality are great. I’ll be buying more books from Moody Publishers!)
April 9, 2018
Well written, gorgeously illustrated, downfall is that it’s soaked in pious credulity, circular language where the art ( etc) relating to religion is good because wearing religious goggles it’s good. Lots of fascinating trivia. Didn’t know that Newton ( if amazing grace fame) was actually a slave himself once etc. for those who can’t stomach ridiculous religious superstition as the frame of the commentary, try to skim read these bits. Architecture such as la sacrada familia, pretty because ... religion? Give me a break. Christians will love the book presumably. Non Christiansen have to appreciate anything of value while not thinking the are in part three of a H . Bosch tryptic
December 28, 2018
I had mixed feelings reading this book. The biggest negative was how it is marketed: “75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know.” Really? Says who? The author’s criteria (stated in the introduction, which I referred to again after I finished the book) seem somewhat arbitrary, and perhaps he is being generous when he says a few of the artists he highlighted seem a “a little unorthodox.” The other negative for me was a lack of ample illustrations. But in the modern world of google images, this deficiency was easily circumnavigable.
On the other hand, this book invited me to appreciate the works of a dozen or so artists with whose work I was mostly unfamiliar. For me, these included deep dives into the works of George Herbert, Antoni Gaudi, Caspar David Friedrich, James Tissot, Holman Hunt, and Graham Greene, to name a few. The book also opened up new vistas surrounding the work of a few other artists with whom I was already somewhat familiar.
I began this book on January 1 and did not finish it until December 18, taking time between almost every chapter to investigate the various artists. All in all, perhaps this was the most influential book I read in 2018, precisely because of all the new avenues for further exploration it opened up for me. 2019 promises to be a year in which I continue to read the works of a few other authors and poets Glaspey’s book invited me to begin to know.
On the other hand, this book invited me to appreciate the works of a dozen or so artists with whose work I was mostly unfamiliar. For me, these included deep dives into the works of George Herbert, Antoni Gaudi, Caspar David Friedrich, James Tissot, Holman Hunt, and Graham Greene, to name a few. The book also opened up new vistas surrounding the work of a few other artists with whom I was already somewhat familiar.
I began this book on January 1 and did not finish it until December 18, taking time between almost every chapter to investigate the various artists. All in all, perhaps this was the most influential book I read in 2018, precisely because of all the new avenues for further exploration it opened up for me. 2019 promises to be a year in which I continue to read the works of a few other authors and poets Glaspey’s book invited me to begin to know.
August 2, 2021
How can we see art from a Christian worldview? In 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know, Terry Glaspey shares the fascinating stories behind great works of art, literature, music, and film.
Connect to the Christian Faith
What intrigued me the most was the scope of this book. It begins with paintings in the Roman Catacombs, c. 300, and ends with Terrence Malick’s Tree of Life film from 2011. Glaspey says that the book is not meant to be comprehensive, but these works meet certain standards, are generally well-known, and are considered great.
Glaspey has fantastic insight to share about each work of art and the artists behind them, showing how they connect to the Christian faith. The featured churches and cathedrals, such as the Chartres Cathedral (1134) have an overt connection, and they are a testament to how architecture can give glory to God. Literature also has much to say about the Lord, and Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov (1879) teaches about grace and forgiveness.
Understand and Interpret
Of course, classic paintings are included -- and this book opened my eyes to see them in new and fresh ways. I had never seen William Holman Hunt’s painting The Light of the World (1854) and I was haunted by the forbidding mood but encouraged by Hunt’s faith. Of the many paintings depicting Christ’s passion, Emil Nolde’s The Life of Christ (1912) stood out to me for being bright and bold – what Glaspey describes as "violent color." Glaspey has a way with words to help us grasp, interpret, and understand the art for ourselves.
The sections on film and music are fun as they intersect with popular culture. Classical works and popular songs are included, such as Symphony no. 5, The Reformation, by Felix Mendelssohn (1830), and A Love Supreme by John Coltrane (1964). The book concludes with Terrence Malick’s 2011 film The Tree of Life, a fitting testimony where Glaspey shows how the art and the artist are intimately connected.
Show Us More of God
This book can be used in your daily devotions, in a small group to study together, or simply for your own enjoyment. Full-color photos are a necessity for this type of book, and this book delivers them well. As a curator, Glaspey provides us with wonderful works of art across the ages. As a Christian, he shows us more of God.
I received a media copy of 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know and this is my honest review.
Connect to the Christian Faith
What intrigued me the most was the scope of this book. It begins with paintings in the Roman Catacombs, c. 300, and ends with Terrence Malick’s Tree of Life film from 2011. Glaspey says that the book is not meant to be comprehensive, but these works meet certain standards, are generally well-known, and are considered great.
Glaspey has fantastic insight to share about each work of art and the artists behind them, showing how they connect to the Christian faith. The featured churches and cathedrals, such as the Chartres Cathedral (1134) have an overt connection, and they are a testament to how architecture can give glory to God. Literature also has much to say about the Lord, and Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov (1879) teaches about grace and forgiveness.
Understand and Interpret
Of course, classic paintings are included -- and this book opened my eyes to see them in new and fresh ways. I had never seen William Holman Hunt’s painting The Light of the World (1854) and I was haunted by the forbidding mood but encouraged by Hunt’s faith. Of the many paintings depicting Christ’s passion, Emil Nolde’s The Life of Christ (1912) stood out to me for being bright and bold – what Glaspey describes as "violent color." Glaspey has a way with words to help us grasp, interpret, and understand the art for ourselves.
The sections on film and music are fun as they intersect with popular culture. Classical works and popular songs are included, such as Symphony no. 5, The Reformation, by Felix Mendelssohn (1830), and A Love Supreme by John Coltrane (1964). The book concludes with Terrence Malick’s 2011 film The Tree of Life, a fitting testimony where Glaspey shows how the art and the artist are intimately connected.
Show Us More of God
This book can be used in your daily devotions, in a small group to study together, or simply for your own enjoyment. Full-color photos are a necessity for this type of book, and this book delivers them well. As a curator, Glaspey provides us with wonderful works of art across the ages. As a Christian, he shows us more of God.
I received a media copy of 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know and this is my honest review.
August 19, 2021
My first conscious connection with ‘Art’ was standing in awe as a child before the immense painting The Night Watch at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The Night Watch isn’t included in 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know, but Handel’s Messiah, my first introduction to the power of classical music as I sat enthralled in the Royal Albert Hall, is.
Also included in the ‘75’ are C S Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, books I devoured as a child without realising their Christian foundations and symbolism until much later. It’s this spread of medium and level which is one of the great charms of this book, in which The Lord of the Rings sits alongside The Book of Kells, It’s a Wonderful Life, and the painting The Resurrection at Cookham among many (69!) others. The book begins with the oldest of all Christian art, the paintings in the Roman Catacombs, of which Glaspey writes ‘The earliest Christian art, however, with its greater simplicity and obvious devotion, remains a powerful testimony to the way that art could reflect deep faith and trust in God.’
About The Chronicles of Narnia, created one and a half millennia after the paintings in the Catacombs, Glaspey writes, ‘Lewis had the ability in his writing to capture those transcendent moments that can occur when we come face-to-face with something bigger than ourselves, the hint of a realm beyond our ordinary lives’. Glaspey himself, in his own writing about his chosen 75 Masterpieces, opens them up to the reader of all levels, whether the simply curious or the art scholar, and his passion for each subject shines through. This is a treasure trove of a book with a multitude of fascinating short essays on art of all kinds. Beautifully illustrated, it’s easy to dip in and out of, and a colourful exploration of art in place and time through history. With its mix of the familiar and the less – to me at least – well known, it is an excellent tool to encourage the reader to broaden their interest in the arts, whether that be through books, films, paintings or cathedrals.
(First published in Together magazine, May/June21 issue)
Also included in the ‘75’ are C S Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, books I devoured as a child without realising their Christian foundations and symbolism until much later. It’s this spread of medium and level which is one of the great charms of this book, in which The Lord of the Rings sits alongside The Book of Kells, It’s a Wonderful Life, and the painting The Resurrection at Cookham among many (69!) others. The book begins with the oldest of all Christian art, the paintings in the Roman Catacombs, of which Glaspey writes ‘The earliest Christian art, however, with its greater simplicity and obvious devotion, remains a powerful testimony to the way that art could reflect deep faith and trust in God.’
About The Chronicles of Narnia, created one and a half millennia after the paintings in the Catacombs, Glaspey writes, ‘Lewis had the ability in his writing to capture those transcendent moments that can occur when we come face-to-face with something bigger than ourselves, the hint of a realm beyond our ordinary lives’. Glaspey himself, in his own writing about his chosen 75 Masterpieces, opens them up to the reader of all levels, whether the simply curious or the art scholar, and his passion for each subject shines through. This is a treasure trove of a book with a multitude of fascinating short essays on art of all kinds. Beautifully illustrated, it’s easy to dip in and out of, and a colourful exploration of art in place and time through history. With its mix of the familiar and the less – to me at least – well known, it is an excellent tool to encourage the reader to broaden their interest in the arts, whether that be through books, films, paintings or cathedrals.
(First published in Together magazine, May/June21 issue)
May 6, 2021
If you enjoy any type of art, whether it be visual arts, music, film, writing, or anything else, “75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know: The Fascinating Stories Behind Great Works of Art, Literature, Music and Film” by Terry Glaspey is a must-have book for your shelf!
From the outside, this book has the appearance of textbook. And in some ways, it is something of a textbook, as it is filled with information to enrich your knowledge and understanding of 75 examples from many different kinds of arts.
But it is so very much more than a textbook too. In fact, it could even be used as a devotional. Each chapter focuses on a different work of art that is not only “impressive” but has a richer element to it that takes us deeper in our understanding of the Heart of the Creator of all art.
One of the things that I appreciate most about this book is how accessible it is. It does not have to be read cover to cover, or even in order. Each chapter is it’s own little unit about a specific piece of art that can be read by itself. I enjoy skipping around to various chapters that spark my interest most. I also really like that there is not “too much” information in each chapter. The author of this book has struck just the right balance and length for each chapter. There is enough information to give you a good understanding and appreciation for each piece or artwork. But there is also not so much to read that it feels heavy, and like it’s hard to make time for. Each chapter is deep enough to be thought-provoking, while still being short enough to be easily digestible and fun to read.
I absolutely recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Christians will enjoy it for the artistic appreciation and the deep faith content. But I believe even non-Christians could also gain from it as well for it’s insight and knowledge. Truly, this is one of the best books I have picked up in recent years - a masterpiece of its own.
I received this book courtesy of Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
From the outside, this book has the appearance of textbook. And in some ways, it is something of a textbook, as it is filled with information to enrich your knowledge and understanding of 75 examples from many different kinds of arts.
But it is so very much more than a textbook too. In fact, it could even be used as a devotional. Each chapter focuses on a different work of art that is not only “impressive” but has a richer element to it that takes us deeper in our understanding of the Heart of the Creator of all art.
One of the things that I appreciate most about this book is how accessible it is. It does not have to be read cover to cover, or even in order. Each chapter is it’s own little unit about a specific piece of art that can be read by itself. I enjoy skipping around to various chapters that spark my interest most. I also really like that there is not “too much” information in each chapter. The author of this book has struck just the right balance and length for each chapter. There is enough information to give you a good understanding and appreciation for each piece or artwork. But there is also not so much to read that it feels heavy, and like it’s hard to make time for. Each chapter is deep enough to be thought-provoking, while still being short enough to be easily digestible and fun to read.
I absolutely recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Christians will enjoy it for the artistic appreciation and the deep faith content. But I believe even non-Christians could also gain from it as well for it’s insight and knowledge. Truly, this is one of the best books I have picked up in recent years - a masterpiece of its own.
I received this book courtesy of Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 28, 2023
The book features 75 works of art from different genres, ranging from the first paintings in the Roman catacombs to 21st century cinema.
Some of the artists include: John Bunyan, Dante, Handel, Bach, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Jane Austen, Chesterton, Gaudí, Dostoyevsky, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien and even names like U2 and Bob Dylan.
Each chapter talks about a work of art and is organized into two parts: in the first, there is an analysis of the work itself; in the second part, a brief biography of the creator of the work is provided. Both parts are quite interesting, as the author goes over both the Christian perspectives of each work and about the spiritual journey of its authors.
It's worth highlighting that this is not a dull description of the works. On the contrary, the author manages to present the content in a very original way, to the point where the book can even be used as a kind of devotional reading. I really liked Terry's writing style: direct, insightful and rich in vocabulary. Another strong point of the book are the incredible images of the works.
It was delightful to read this book, enriching in so many ways. Art is undoubtedly one of the most incredible instruments of worship to the Creator, a window to experience a small glimpse of His infinite glory, a multifaceted channel for transmitting His message of grace and salvation.
"Art becomes a masterpiece when it stands the test of time and challenges its viewers to see the world from a new perspective."
Some of the artists include: John Bunyan, Dante, Handel, Bach, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Jane Austen, Chesterton, Gaudí, Dostoyevsky, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien and even names like U2 and Bob Dylan.
Each chapter talks about a work of art and is organized into two parts: in the first, there is an analysis of the work itself; in the second part, a brief biography of the creator of the work is provided. Both parts are quite interesting, as the author goes over both the Christian perspectives of each work and about the spiritual journey of its authors.
It's worth highlighting that this is not a dull description of the works. On the contrary, the author manages to present the content in a very original way, to the point where the book can even be used as a kind of devotional reading. I really liked Terry's writing style: direct, insightful and rich in vocabulary. Another strong point of the book are the incredible images of the works.
It was delightful to read this book, enriching in so many ways. Art is undoubtedly one of the most incredible instruments of worship to the Creator, a window to experience a small glimpse of His infinite glory, a multifaceted channel for transmitting His message of grace and salvation.
"Art becomes a masterpiece when it stands the test of time and challenges its viewers to see the world from a new perspective."
September 8, 2017
This book is an incredibly full and rich collection of essays centering on seventy-five Christian artists and their creations. They range from paintings in the Roman catacombs to the film The Tree of Life, by Terrence Malick.
The essays are a wonderful “art appreciation” course. They include masterpieces you might expect, like The Divine Comedy, by Dante, or the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo and many that you might not expect: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen; the Frank Capra film It’s a Wonderful Life; Johnny Cash’s At Folsom Prison; or Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaws by Bruce Cockburn.
Each essay includes a brief biography of the artist’s life. I came away with an appreciation for the lives of the artists as well as their contributions. They were sinners and imperfect individuals, yet managed to overcome handicaps to produce masterpieces that have blessed multitudes.
April 30, 2021
I am not a fan of the title (I get annoyed with gimmicky titles), nor do I agree that every Christian would necessarily benefit from or be interested in being exposed to all these masterpieces, and that is okay. But for those who appreciate art history, especially from a Christian perspective, this is an excellent read. I enjoyed reading about the majority of the masterpieces, with a few being a bit too modern and abstract for my taste. Masterpieces I enjoyed reading about (along with the short biographies about the artists) include the hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" by Martin Luther, the painting The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio, The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, the choral piece popular around Christmastime, Messiah, by Handel, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton (read it a few months ago and enjoyed it!), The Annunciation painting by Henry Ossowa Tanner, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, At Folsom Prison album by Jonny Cash, and The Joshua Tree album by U2.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers Newsroom in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers Newsroom in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Rating: G
August 17, 2017
Glaspey accomplished his mission of creating short vignettes of 75 masterpieces. His writing was clear and interesting, encouraging one to dig deeper into those that interested the reader. Glaspey's definition of a Christian artist/masterpiece was quite loose; by biblical standards, I would estimate that over half of the subjects were not truly Christians. I was also disappointed by the majority of the contemporary masterpieces, as Glaspey covered many artists that I would not view as God-honoring, seeming even to make excuses for profanity and innuendo in their work as well as major issues in their testimony such as drug addiction and prison time.
March 12, 2024
This amazing book, by Terry Glaspey, explores why art is important to humanity, and how, through art, Christ brings hope, joy, and healing to people's lives in the here and now. Glaspey explores the art of many different musicians, writers, poets, filmmakers, painters, and visual artists- anywhere from The Book of Kells, to U2, Bob Dylan, John Donne, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Flannery O' Connor, T.S. Eliot, George MacDonald, Makoto Fujimura, to Terrence Malick.
It was an honor to meet Glaspey in Oxford at a C. S. Lewis conference in 2022. His book has encouraged me to keep reading, working, thriving, cultivating my craft as a writer, collaborating with other artists, and growing in community. Thanks for writing this Terry.
It was an honor to meet Glaspey in Oxford at a C. S. Lewis conference in 2022. His book has encouraged me to keep reading, working, thriving, cultivating my craft as a writer, collaborating with other artists, and growing in community. Thanks for writing this Terry.
November 8, 2017
This book covers 75 works of Art such as paintings, sculptures, novels, music, films, which Glaspey believes every Christian should know. Some were known to me and some weren't. He goes up to 2011 in terms of recent works, but most are more historical. He covers the art work itself, and then gives some background on the author. Each reader will likely agree with many of the choices and may have chosen some other pieces to replace some of Glaspey's choices based on personal tastes and interests, but overall it is a book which might expand readers horizons.
May 14, 2021
This book was a beautifully presented combination of visual arts, history, and biography. Each article was 4-5 pages long, giving the reader a brief overview of the particular masterpiece and its creator.
Some masterpieces were absolutely expected: How could anyone overlook the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or Handel's "Messiah"? Others completely surprised me, such as recordings by Bob Dylan and U2. Many I had never even heard of.
I'm looking forward to a possible sequel, "75 MORE Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know."
Some masterpieces were absolutely expected: How could anyone overlook the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or Handel's "Messiah"? Others completely surprised me, such as recordings by Bob Dylan and U2. Many I had never even heard of.
I'm looking forward to a possible sequel, "75 MORE Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know."
August 2, 2021
This book looks at Christianity and the arts, showing pieces of art, music, and literature from the earliest days of Christianity to the 21st century. The author provides some background on each artist and their work. I was familiar with many of the works of art in question, but I thought the author provided good insights, and provided additional background and information about pieces with which I was already familiar.
August 8, 2023
Great concept, poor execution. The write-ups are extremely basic and shallow, mirroring almost exactly what you can get from Wikipedia, and though the choices are on the whole commendable, introducing me to some paintings I'm very glad to have got the chance to know, some are flat-out weird—seriously, U2, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash over, I don't know, Brahms's Deutsches Requiem or Josquin Des Prez?
July 7, 2018
Four stars, not so much for the informational content the book provides, but rather for the exposure it provides to its subject matter - each showcased work (or artist) is worth further pursuit, to the tastes of the pursuer. I for one have a new list of books to read, music to hear, and art to see.
October 15, 2018
For the most part, a decent overview. It ended on a good note for me, as I ended up listening to Larry Norman and Bruce Cockburn - very nostalgic. I had to get over his introductory sentences, some of which were a stretch and reminded me of student writing when we would practice introductory sentences.
April 30, 2019
This took me a while, over 3 months. As I would read each masterpiece I would explore them deeper. I would listen to the music, I would order the book, I would at least research paintings and maybe someday I’ll go see a few. I enjoyed the book and the background information given. A great book for anyone.
December 30, 2019
A fascinating collection of 75 different works of art (including music, literature, and architecture) with great cultural and religious significance. While I am befuddled by some of his choices (both what he included and what he left out), it's a great general guidebook for anyone wanting to explore in the realm of art and literature.
November 23, 2024
I now have a “Terry Glaspey recommends” playlist that ranges from Bach to Mahalia Jackson to Bob Dylan, and the names of several new artists to research, and deeper understanding of many of my favorite novelists. This survey of art made by faithful artists whet my appetite for broader exploration of art and music, which is just what I was hoping it would do.
July 19, 2025
A great introduction and overview of incredible art that reflects the glory of God. It stirred my appetite to learn more about many of the pieces. Terry Glaspy is an author I will seek out to read again. This book is a treasure trove of information and it will find a happy spot in my bookshelf so I can reference it again and again.
September 11, 2025
This textbook served as a very broad overview of important art spanning from the 300s to the 2000s and covering paintings, architecture, poetry, music, film, etc. I appreciated the exposure to many things I hadn't known of previously, but might have enjoyed this more if it had been deeper and more focused.
February 19, 2023
I absolutely savored this book! What a profoundly beautiful, yet completely accessible, Introduction to great works of art, film, music, architecture and literature! I'm so glad that I bought a hard copy of this book! I am sure that it will be one that I'll pick up over and over and over again!
June 22, 2017
Dense with information, but well and broadly researched, surprising, and well worth the mining.
January 9, 2019
Highly recommend this as an introductory text to learn about art and its relationship to Christianity.
December 24, 2021
Painful read for the most part. Too text book for me. I actually pushed myself to read about 2 or 3 items every day.
October 11, 2022
Truly a pleasure to tour with Glaspey these 75 suggestion of can't-miss reflections of God's glory. Some were surprising. None of them were disappointing!
November 21, 2023
I love this book, especially the modern works introduced opened a door for me. I didn't realize U2 members are mainly Chrisitans, and have never read Flannery O'Connor before.
December 28, 2023
Really enjoyed most of it! I kind of lost interest after about the 1950s. Definitely found the older masterpieces to be more interesting!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews