The first mention of an artist in the Bible appears in Exodus. Bezalel, according to the Scriptures, was chosen by God to create designs and work in gold, silver, bronze, in addition to carving wood. He was the principal architect of the Tabernacle, the tent that centralized the religious life of Israel. The artist even built the Ark of the Covenant (which represents the presence of God).
The text emphasizes that his artistic talent was a gift and not just a natural ability.
For a long time, various artistic manifestations in evangelical churches were condemned. It was as if the “world” (everything outside the church) “contaminated” the sacred. But if God created all things, how do we know what is legal and what is not legal to bring inside?
Despite this progress, it is not uncommon to hear that rock, rap, samba or dance “are things of the devil”.
If you are curious to read the comments on the networks of Gui Neris, 29 years old, you will understand how this patrol works and the “sieve” of what can and cannot be done.
A graduate in digital design, he works with music, directs his music videos and is the artistic director of theater shows.
His words are critical and some speak of “evangelical hypocrisy”. This brother who from Monday to Friday is a dog at home or at work, the Bible is dusty on the shelf, but on Sunday he abuses his faith in performance with his “peace of the Lord”. Do you know anyone like this?
“Everything I have written comes first from me, from the things I surprised myself doing and the mistakes I made,” he admits.
“I think we’re all very tempted, in different ways, to achieve something, whether it’s showing a spirituality that isn’t there or pretending to be okay at a time when we’re not. Our hearts are very sinful and it only takes a little deviation for us to put ourselves in that place,” he says.
An evangelical since the age of five, Gui says his first “real experiences” with God were through art, when he joined the church’s theater ministry at the age of 15.
“There I began to feel more part of the body of Christ and also to experience how God communicated with me in a different way,” he recalls.
Those who defend him argue that his art reaches and evangelizes “outsiders,” but he says that was never his goal. “I know that’s expected of people who make music outside of the congregation, but I always saw myself doing something for those inside,” he says.
Regarding the criticism, he recognizes that what he does is extraordinary. “Everyone judges according to their own worldview, and what I do is very different for many people, but I want to broaden the Church’s view of art and end the misconception that there is no place for people like us,” he says.
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