Stewards of Beauty?

As evangelical Christians we have tended to relegate art to the very fringe of life. The rest of human life we feel is more important... We have misunderstood the concept of the Lordship of Christ over the whole of man and the whole of the universe and have not taken to us the riches that the Bible gives us for ourselves, for our lives and for our culture. ~Francis Schaeffer

“Contrary to what our tradition may have taught us,” William Dyrness writes, “I believe that making beautiful forms is theologically connected to our call both to listen and respond to God in prayer, praise, and sacrament.”

“The best art,” Steve Turner argues, “doesn’t tell people what to believe but enables them, for a short time, to see things differently, and the Christian can enable people to momentarily glimpse the world through eyes that have been touched by Christ.”
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What has happened to beauty? Buildings, homes, schools, churches all built strictly for utilitarian purposes with little or no thought for the impact on the culture or society SHOULD matter shouldn't they? When in Washington DC I always spend time nourishing my soul at the National Cathedral's Bishop's Garden or at the National Museum of Art. When in London I relish the walks in Hyde Park or the pond's at St. Georges Park. The British National Poitrait Gallery has memorialized their leaders with majestic and, at times, true to life poitraits of the men, women and children who have ruled and led England for thousands of years. Are we preserving OUR history for those who will come behind us in a palatable way? Are we stewards of beauty or have we been overrun by box shaped Wal-Marts and churches that look more like prisons than havens/sanctuaries for contemplation of the divine? How will we be remembered as stewards of beauty in the time we have been given? Do aesthetics matter? Where do you get your fuel for contemplation? What are the truly beautiful things that remind us of that True Beauty? I welcome a discussion on beauty inclusive of: art, architecture, music, cities, towns, preservation, etc. This discussion has no bounds and is long overdue. Till next time...the floor is yours