The biblical idea of new creation can be reflected in everyday life.
Hope and renewal: The idea of new creation offers hope and renewal, reminding individuals that even in difficult times, there is always the possibility for a fresh start and a better future. This can inspire people to work towards creating positive change in their communities and in the world.
Community building: The idea of new creation emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration, and encourages individuals to build strong and supportive relationships with others. This can lead to greater understanding, empathy, and compassion among people.
Care for the environment: New creation also involves a responsibility to care for and protect the earth, as it is seen as a sacred gift from God. This can inspire individuals to live sustainably, reduce their carbon footprint, and work towards preserving the environment for future generations.
Service and generosity: The idea of new creation encourages individuals to engage in acts of service and generosity, as they are seen as expressions of God’s love and grace in the world. This can inspire people to give of their time, resources, and talents to help others, creating a more compassionate and just society.
Creativity and imagination: New creation also involves the use of creativity and imagination to bring about positive change in the world. This can inspire individuals to embrace their own creativity and to use it in ways that benefit their communities and the world at large.
A visual culture based on the principle of new creation can help attend to ruptures in the social fabric by inspiring individuals to reimagine and reconstruct our relationships, institutions, and social systems in more equitable and just ways. This kind of visual culture can serve as a powerful tool for promoting empathy, understanding, and compassion, and for fostering social change.
For example, visual arts that celebrate diversity, challenge oppressive power structures, and uplift marginalized communities can help us to see the world in a new light, and inspire us to work towards creating a more equitable and just society. Similarly, films, videos, and other media that explore human experience from a wide range of perspectives can help us to understand the experiences of others, and to empathize with those who have been marginalized or oppressed.
Additionally, visual arts that engage with themes of renewal, transformation, and hope can help to rekindle a sense of optimism and possibility in individuals, inspiring them to work towards creating a more loving, just, and sustainable world. By exploring new possibilities and alternatives, visual arts based on the principle of new creation can help us to attend to the ruptures in our social fabric, and to imagine and bring about a more equitable and just society.
