About this Course

Throughout history, Christians have celebrated the values of truth, goodness, and beauty within their faith. While theology and ethics have often taken centre stage, the arts have sometimes been overlooked or even dismissed, particularly among the Protestant traditions.

Beholding the Beauty offers an introduction into Christian perspectives on beauty, showcasing how various art forms have enriched the Church’s history, theology, and spirituality. This course provides a unique opportunity to engage with Christian artists and practitioners, delving into the ways their faith and artistic expressions intertwine. Participants will explore diverse art forms such as poetry, kintsugi pottery, and drawing, as well as beauty found in nature, Orthodox iconography, Western art and architecture, Asian Christian art, and popular art.

The course culminates in a full-day, in-person retreat where attendees will immerse themselves in the transformative power of popular art forms like music, dance, and film. Discover how these artistic expressions can deepen your spirituality and be woven into your daily spiritual practices.

Note: Session 7 is scheduled as a Sunday visit to an Orthodox Divine Liturgy. This is optional and subject to group size and arrangements with the local parish.



[1.5 Credits, Elective]



Registration closing date:
03 Feb 2025

Register

Instructors

Dr Tan Seng Kong

Lecturer in Systematic and Spiritual Theology

Dr Tan Seng Kong is BGST's Head for Technology and Resources, and a Lecturer in Systematic and Spiritual Theology. A graduate from Regent College, Vancouver (MA, Spiritual Theology). Seng Kong completed his PhD in Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he focused his research on Jonathan Edwards' Doctrine of Salvation. Seng Kong was formerly an architect. He currently serves at Bethel Assembly of God. When he isn’t preoccupied with theological materials, he dabbles with indoor gardening, watches Korean media with his wife and eats Indian food with his son.

Mr Anthony Siow

Lecturer

Mr Anthony Siow is a Spiritual Formation Mentor trained in the Ignatian tradition. He left behind a successful advertising career to follow God's call to cast the net elsewhere. Making use of his skills and creativity in advertising, Anthony incorporates the arts and popular culture into his work as Spiritual and Retreat Director. Anthony conducts retreats regularly for BGST and serves as a Spiritual Mentor for the school. He also leads silent retreats to Thailand and Australia.

  • Dates: 2025

    (Thursdays)
    Feb: 6, 20
    Mar: 6, 20
    May: 10, Saturday (9:30am-4:30pm, with lunch social- full day retreat by Mr. Anthony Siow)

  • Time

    7:15–10.00PM

  • Location

    Online via Zoom
    (with Blended Learning)

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    General

  • 2

    Session 1 - Introduction: Theology, Beauty, & the Arts

    • Summary

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Lecture Recordings

    • Slides L 1.1 Introduction to Beauty

    • Slides L 1.2 Beauty and the Christian Tradition

    • Slides L 1.3 Art as Imitation of Nature

    • Slides Aaron Lee - Poetry and Nature

    • Fujimura, “Beauty as Food for the Soul.”

    • Regent College, "Roger Scruton: Reclaiming Beauty."

    • Alabaster Co, "Makoto Fujimura: Art and Beauty Is All About Abundance."

    • Crash Course, "The Hidden Meanings in Nature Art."

    • Cinenuts, "Kang Yiyun - VANISHING 2022."

    • The Globalists, "Kang Yi-yun, Connecting NASA, Google and BTS Through Art."

    • Peter Segnitz, "Renato Muccillo: Learning Landscapes"

    • Terry Glaspey, "The Spiritual Journey of Vincent van Gogh" [optional]

    • Jonathan Edwards, Selections from "Images of Divine Things."

    • Joan Chittister, excerpt from Monastic Wisdom for Seekers of Light [optional]
  • 3

    Session 2 - Art and Our Broken World

    • Summary

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Lecture Recordings

    • Slides L 2.1 Beauty in a Broken World

    • Slides L 2.2 Art and Image in Worship

    • Slides L 2.3 Tensions in Beauty and Art

    • Fujimura, “Fallen Towers and the Art of Tea.”

    • Roche, “The Theological Rationale for Christianity’s Immersion in Ugliness.” (optional)

    • TED-Ed, "A brief history of religion in art" [On aniconism]

    • David Milsom, "Bach Partita No. 2 in D minor, Chaconne" (excerpt)

    • Philip Glass, "Etude No. 6" performed by Maki Namekawa

    • Khan Academy, "Gerhard Richter, Betty"

    • Artrue International, "Makoto Fujimura - Kintsugi."

    • DesignSingapore Council, "NOST." [On sustainable clothing]

    • Patrick Sherry, excerpt from Spirit and Beauty [optional]
  • 4

    Session 3 - Art & Redemption in Christ

    • Summary

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Fujimura, “Lazarus Culture.”

    • Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology, "Christ of St. John of the Cross - Salvador Dali."

    • Church of St Mary of the Angels, "Virtual Tour of St Mary's."

    • Anthem Lights, "Hymns Medley: Cross Medley (Jesus Paid it All, The Old Rugged Cross)"

    • The Museum of Catholic Art and History, "Collector John Kohan Talks About Sadao Watanabe."

    • Dayton Art Institute, "Arrival of the Three Kings by Sadao Watanabe."

    • Unbo Museum of Art, "Korean Orientalist Kim Ki-chang." [optional]

    • Fujimura, “Journey to the New through Christ’s Tears.” [optional]

    • NIcholas Wolterstorff, excerpt from Art in Action, Toward a Christian Aesthetic
  • 5

    Session 4 - Art and New Creation

    • Summary

      FREE PREVIEW

    • “The Critical Role of Christian Artists and Musicians in Missions.”

    • “Letter of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to Artists” (1999)

    • kermodeandmayo, "Parasite reviewed by Mark Kermode."

    • Korea Economic Institute, "KEI-CKA Book Talk with Jeanie Y. Chang"

    • The Beatles, "Let It Be" (2024).

    • Rose, "Let It Be, etc." (2018)

    • John Legend & Alicia Keys, "Let It Be" (2015 Grammy Awards)

    • Ray Charles, "Let It Be" (2007)

    • The Art of McCartney, "Chrissie Hynde: Let It Be" (2014)

    • The Late Late Show with James Corden, "Paul McCartney Carpool Karaoke" (2018) [5:10 onwards]

    • Rose & Bruno Mars, "APT." (2024 Official Lyric Video)

    • mrbrown, "ATC by Kim Huat" (2024)

    • Han Kang, "Pitch-Black House of Light" (on "storge")

    • Two poems by Han Kang: read by Han Kang and translator Sophie Bowman

    • Netflix, "Hospital Playlist," ep. 11 [excerpt on "philia"]

    • Netflix, "My Liberation Notes," Ep. 2 (excerpt 1 on "eros")

    • Netflix, "My Liberation Notes," Ep. 7 (excerpt 2 on "eros")

    • Crash Course, "What's the Difference Between Art & Design?"

    • Harvey Cox, "The Image and the Icon." [optional]
  • 6

    Session 5 - Finding God in Popular Art (TBC): Full Day Retreat pt. 1

    • Summary
  • 7

    Session 6 - Full Day Retreat pt. 2

    • Summary
  • 8

    Session 7 - Art and the Church (optional, TBC)

    • Summary
  • 9

    Further Resources

    • Art in Singapore