On Beauty and Faith

by Alabaster Co.

What is beauty?

As we encounter and discover God, we are inevitably led to further unpack our sense of beauty and its meaning for our faith-lives. As a culture, we often describe God as true and good. We use beauty less often—and we struggle to articulate the intuitive relationship between it and the things of God: calling, spirituality, mission, and more.

This book is designed to bridge the gap. Through the story of Mark 14:1-11, The Story of the Woman with the Alabaster Jar, this book explores beauty and its profound implications for our lives.

Chapters include:
On Beauty and Art
On Beauty and Identity
On Beauty and Generosity
On Beauty and Vulnerability
On Beauty and Mystery
On Beauty and Justice
On Beauty and Changing the World

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Theology, Faith

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Alabaster explores the intersection of creativity, beauty, and faith through original artistic content and stories of makers/doers.

Reviews

[Keri Zumbahlen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this book. I definitely spent more time staring off in space and thinking and imagining than I did actually looking at the words on the pages. There’s something beautiful in a book that makes you do that. This made me think differently—to freely imagine.
On the story of the woman with the alabaster jar: “beauty and the Gospel are inseparable. And when we let this woman’s example compel us, we are taking her place alongside the Gospel of Jesus. We are loving Jesus, joining him in his redemptive work, and ultimately co-creating the world as it ought to be—beautiful.” We have a role here! Reading this definitely sparked something in me and opened my eyes to the beauty of the created world and the cultivating we are called to do alongside Jesus. I would recommend this to all creatives (I would argue that this is everyone—being made in the image of a creative God inherently makes each of us creatives if we’re bearing His image) who desire to know Him (and themselves) in the realm of creativity and beauty.
This book is beautiful.

[Jacob Seger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creatively expressed, thoughtfully written, artistically shot, soothingly mended together — and all pointing to the Creator God. “On beauty and faith,” reflecting on the woman with the Alabaster Jar, is beautiful. Combining Jesus-centered beauty and expression with our understandings of concepts such as art, mystery, and vulnerability, this book is one I’ll recommend to most creatives. It would seem that the more we get to know Jesus in intimacy and the more we reflect his true image, the more we begin to understand the reality of our creative nature. Our imagination is a gift from God, and it’s a joy seeing him awaken his people to that reality.

[Olivia Martin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

My business mentor bought me this book because of my desire to integrate faith-based beauty into my design business. Beauty is an important subject matter, and yet we hardly see it discussed in Christian circles. Maybe it’s because the Western perspective on superficial beauty has thwarted what real and true beauty is.

Years ago I realized that God is beauty. He makes beautiful things and He Himself is beautiful. Therefore, my love for beauty wasn’t based in meaninglessness as I suspected, but in God Himself. This realization brought me freedom because I could love / appreciate / create beauty to the glory of Him who made beauty.

All this to say—to find a book that ties together beauty and faith was amazing. There were so many great thoughts throughout this book and I loved it. I feel like I need a long journaling session to process some of it!

[Ethan Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This is the role of the artist. We are called to create and use things in the physical world to move people beyond the physical. we are invited to feed souls”

some food for thought:
beauty sharpens the knife
of the mundane interim we call life
manifesting art from the blank canvas of dirt...
creating
building
shaping
giving value to the hurt.

we have the opportunity to co-create beautiful works alongside the Creator and to reflect His beauty in every aspect of our life. this is more than a opportunity; it’s a privilege. and it’s good.

[Jonathan Shaheen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt like reading a film. Not sure if this would technically be considered poetry, but that’s how it came across with the intentional use of lots of blank space and images. A great reflection on faith and beauty and also just a peaceful book to read.

[Renée · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful photography. I love the subject of beauty/creativity and faith but the writing was a bit.. abstract. The best chapter was about beauty and identity which for some reason made me feel emotional but the other chapters just felt a bit meaningless

[Aaron]

It is hard for me to see beauty in the world today. The threat of the coronavirus, social distancing, and social injustice casts a dark cloud over our lives. We need to be brought back to God’s connection on beauty with faith. With On Beauty and Faith by Alabaster, we have a book designed to explore beauty and its profound implications for our lives.

The Bible Beautiful

Alabaster has a love for Bibles and beauty. They explore the intersection of creativity, beauty, and faith by creating iconic Bibles, books, and notebooks. I value their vision to see all of humanity experience God as good and beautiful. With their latest release, On Beauty and Faith, Alabaster has crafted a unique experience for creative readers.

In a format more reminiscent of a premium glossy magazine or a gorgeous coffee table book, the story of the woman with the alabaster jar from Mark 14:1-11 is explained and examined. The text relates beauty to art, identity, generosity, vulnerability, mystery, justice, and changing the world. It is a compelling read and will encourage you to explore and think through your own creative life.

Unmistakable Marks of Beauty

Alabaster does a fantastic job of lingering on the Biblical text, letting it soak in and drinking in every detail. In one standout section, I was inspired to know that the unnamed woman remains anonymous in the Gospel of Mark, yet her path of invisible beauty was seen and connected with the King, Jesus Christ.

This book has reignited my passion to search for and see God’s unmistakable marks of beauty in the world. It will challenge and change you. We are called to create and work out our own lives of faith and beauty in this world, for the glory of God and the good of others.

My copy of On Beauty and Faith was complimentary through Alabaster’s Influencer Program.

[Royce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A REDEFINING OF BEAUTY IN IT’S TRUE PURPOSE

I’m captivated by how beautiful and timely this book is. Though Alabaster Co. never really disappoints with what they create, it shouldn’t be a surprise to us all. I love how elegant the topic of BEAUTY is in the Bible and they have really captured a powerful portrayal of the woman with the alabaster jar and gives this story a fresh look, meditation, and alongside the photos a deeper meaning to a word that is often overlooked.

A definite great read for creatives and non-creatives alike. This book truly redeems beauty in an elevated way. So grateful upon receiving a complimentary copy of this book through Alabaster’s influencer Program. Personally this book has allowed me to see beauty in a much deeper way. It has also challenged me to celebrate purpose and faith in a new perspective. Thanks again for such a wonderful addition to my library of the beautiful Alabaster Co. Collection!

[Yudi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a contemplative subject matter. It’s the type of book that makes one think about the message written and the content being discussed. It’s the type of book for reflection and to take a time of your day to calm down from the busy life. It’s well paced and one I loved taking time reading. Absolutely loved the pictures presented and the simplistic aesthetic so we can focus on the topic written. The pictures of nature and landscape were my favorites!

I feel like it was well thought out book. From the art presented, to the writing and explanations, and overall the design.

A totally different type of read for me, but one I truly enjoyed. I hope Alabaster keeps making more books like this one.

[Lyndsie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

In just the first few pages of this book, I fell in love. I am an artist and a believer, and I was so encouraged in how they communicated an artist's role in the body of Christ. How we as artist are called to "use things in the physical world to move people beyond the physical.....nourishment for the human soul." What a calling! And 'Beauty and Faith' is SO. BEAUTIFUL. WRITTEN. The images are lovely, but the language is equally as lovely. I highly recommend this book, for both artist and lovers of art alike. I know it will encourage you and make you fall deeper in love with our Creator God, and with the gift he gives us of also creating!

[Ioana Bentum · Rating 5 out of 5]

If anything the first impression about this book is the visual one: the vibrant colors on the photographs are capturing the eye from the beginning. Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness or gentleness are some of the themes in the book. A modern approach to each subject , a very relatable perspective of these matters seen through the lens of our life.

I'm always encouraged by the presentation of these books. The care and attention to which Bible verses are being used in a matter to present a clear statement on any subject. Love this book especially for the photographs that accompany the themes.

[Melissa Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could it be that we rarely encounter true beauty? This book/devotional is a journey through the story told in the Bible in Mark chapter 14 of the woman who broke her valuable alabaster jar of perfume and anointed Jesus with it. Jesus declared her act beautiful, while those around Him called it a waste. In a world that commodifies beauty, this book is a breath of fresh air. It challenges our perceptions of what we consider beautiful.
I was introduced to Alabaster Co first through their meditations on YouTube. Their books are beautifully written and the artful photographs and illustrations are an added bonus.

[Landry Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is the role of the artist. We are called to create and use things in the physical world to move people beyond the physical. we are invited to feed souls"

What a refreshing book to read for a creative like me! It took the story of the women with the alabaster jar to a new level. I loved it!!!

[Mattea Gernentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very very pretty Sabbath read. A bit repetitive at times but such a lovely reminder of truth and the significance of beauty as co-creators and justice-carriers. A sweet gift from a friend. :)

[Reba Baskett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short read for the artists or the person who seeks wonder in their life.

[Lora Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful deep-dive into the story of Jesus and the woman with the alabaster jar, this is a soul-stirring read of powerful, poignant good news.

[Evan Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and illuminating depth into Mark 14:1-11

[Alyssa Kowalick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really beautiful contemplation on the story of the woman with the alabaster jar in Mark 14:1-11 and what this story teaches us about the nature of beauty. There were some amazing insights that I will continue to think on and celebrate but there were also a lot of claims that I felt should have been substantiated by actual scripture references. This is not a theology book - which is a good and bad thing when dealing with a deep theologically informed issue. Overall, I did really enjoy it. It’s worth a read and the photos are incredible!

[Lauryn Honore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alabaster does it again.


“On Beauty and Vulnerability”
“On Beauty and Mystery”