We want to do as much of our education directly from the bible as possible. And where it isn't possible, we begin from scripture and move out from there. It is really quite enjoyable and educational for all involved. This is also my loose following of "4 R'ing" which has not been formalized as of yet. Every lesson begins with planning. This planning begins with me thinking about what I really want to teach my daughter. I'll use the example of art, since that is what I am working on planning for right now. It helps to define the subject using Webster's 1828 dictionary. There I find an interesting definition that leaves me with some thought.
1. The disposition or modification of things by human skill, to answer the purpose intended. In this sense art stands opposed to nature.
What is the essence of this definition? I try to look for two concepts that will summize the meaning. I personally see 'human skill' and 'answering purpose.' I cannot help but immediately think of that guy who splatters cans of paint on a huge canvas using jet engines. That requires neither human skill, nor purpose. So I guess it isn't really art. I like this definition and this concept. It lets me discard a lot of the trash being paraded as art these days.
From here, I want to stay focused. In artwork we look at, I want to look for elements of human skill and purpose. So we want to look at the message the artist intends to convey and also look at the skill used to do so. Taking the Cistine Chapel as an example, we can appreciate the labor of Michelangelo laying upside down painting a ceiling. We can appreciate his use of color, light, placement, proportion and any number of concepts related to studying art. This all falls under the primary principle of "human skill." Using the same example, we can also appreciate the story being related through this series of paintings. The basic story and the emotions portrayed and evoked would fall under the basic principle of "purpose."
Now, if we even want to pretend to be educating from a biblical perspective, we have to search through scripture to glean from it. E-Sword is a great time saver here. I have a pretty good general knowledge of the bible, but have a terrible time trying to find a specific passage. And when I type in what I am looking for, I frequently come up with so much that I was not thinking of that oftentimes is more relevant. So I go to scripture and find Exodus 28:3. This is the first time the filling of the spirit is mentioned and it deals directly with providing people the talent to construct artistic (with human skill and purpose) pieces for the tabernacle. More clear is the following verse:
Exo 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
Exo 31:4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Exo 31:5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
From here, we can reason that the original and thus highest purpose of art is to glorify God. There is art that is pure and holy and there is art that is fallen. As our first example of art, we can look at artistic recreations of these artifacts described in Exodus. By next week, I hope to find a book to examine these but this link will do in a pinch.
Now comes the tricky part. I need to decide the most important concepts to teach my daughter, leaving her with just one idea each day. So here is an outline of what we will be covering over the next several days:
1) Read and discuss the definition. Copy.
2) Identify the two essentials. Discuss human skill and find examples.
3) Review and discuss purpose. Find examples.
4) Look up the relevant verse and discuss. Copy the key portion.
5) Discuss the original and highest purpose of art.
6) Begin looking at the artifacts. First as a general overview and then more specifically. Identify human skill and purpose. (This will take several days. I'll probably have her paint some examples and we may attempt to sculpt a bit with playdo.)
This sets a basic standard for evaluating all art for the year, and leads well into beginning to study any particular skill, be it shading, texture, lighting, color, brush strokes, sculpting, etc. And it firmly anchors all of our study and practice in art in scripture.
It would be interesting to note that these skills were originally learned in Egypt as slaves. We can apply this to our own lives and note how God can use the most mundane, unappreciated parts of our lives to serve His higher purpose. This is probably a bit much for a six year old, so I will set it aside for future years as a topic of study.
Other things to note:
the temple; Solomon's temple; literary art of scripture, especially Psalms; the sewing of the Proverbs 31 women...this list will grow as I find references that are relevant during study.
I will also begin looking for other art from this time period to examine using the same basic measure of skill and purpose. With each new piece, we will add to our knowledge, defining what entails 'human skill' more and more precisely in order to gain mastery of the vocabulary of the subject area.
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