Is Pursuit of God's Beauty as Important as Pursuit of Divine Truth and Goodness?

First Installment of my Study Leave 2025

An Evangelical Christian walks into a Roman Catholic sanctuary and says, “This artwork is too much!” A Roman Catholic sitting in an Evangelical worship service says, “This sermon is too long!” Before I get into it - my Study Leave 2025 Project - Humor me and take my little quiz below. Don’t worry, I’m not grading you. It’s more a self-diagnostic to introduce my personal interests and desires to balance my community and sphere of influence.

I recently spent 18 days in Chiapas State, Mexico to study, and so, the following photos and video clips are of this region, unless otherwise identified.

#1 = Which of the following two church buildings is most appealing to you?

#2 = Which of the following statements best describes your sentiments:

The church is not a building but a group of people and so the church building is of little value or concern to me.

The church is not a building but a group people; nevertheless, the church building holds value and concern for me.

#3 = What are the Three Transcendentals Christians pursue in knowing and worshipping God?

_______________________, ______________________, ____________________ (answer at the end of the quiz)

#4 = Which of the following two video clips is most like your personal experience of prayer in a church sanctuary?

#5 = Which of the following art pieces do you consider the most appropriate for a church sanctuary?

Seal of National Presbyterian Church of Mexico above pulpit in El Divino Redentor Presbyterian Church, San Cristobal de las Casas

Altarpiece in St. Mark’s Cathedral, Tuxtla Guitierrez

Answer to Quiz #3 = Truth, Goodness, and Beauty

A Little Discussion to Get Us Going: When it comes to church buildings, would you say that function is more important than form? Or visa versa? Or would you say that both form and function are important. Would you consider both form and function to be instrumental in displaying the beauty of God? This is part of what I have been studying.

Also, would you consider the Three Transcendentals to be equal pursuits of knowing and worshipping God? Or would you say that Truth is more important than Goodness and Beauty? Or is Goodness most important? This is part of what I would like to discuss.

Another topic of discussion: What form and practice of prayer in the church is served by artwork in the sanctuary? When I was a child I was taught to bow my head and close my eyes during prayer. In other church traditions, those praying look around the sanctuary or fix their gaze on some piece of art. I’m hoping that you will join me in a discussion about the use of art in prayer and in other components of worship.

Finally, in #5 I am intentionally setting you up for a good discussion!

This post is merely an introduction to several more presentations of my Study Leave 2025 Project. What I desire you to know is that I enjoyed rich, spiritual moments both in the Roman Catholic Church and Presbyterian Church in Chiapas, Mexico.