Resting as Anti-Blasphemy

A realization about my life as an abstract musician

“Mapping Whispers” - 33x47,

This week I was consulting at Belmont University at a new faith and arts initiative in Nashville. One standout moment came from my exchange with abstract painter Kim Thomas, one of the fellow consultants. I felt particular resonance with her because we are both abstract artists – me in instrumental music and her in abstract painting – and both follow Jesus from and through our practice. And yet I found it curious that she was deeply committed to articulable doctrinal theology. Granted, I am too, but I have oftentimes found that people deeply committed to abstract work like abstract music or painting aren’t as concerned with clearly delineating their faith with committed historic beliefs of the church. Oftentimes that way of thinking is spurned as dogmatic or myopic. I understand that critique, though don’t think that’s the only way to carry out finely-held beliefs. One can still do so artfully.

I asked Kim about the link between abstract painting and doctrine. Her answer surprised and helped me.

Kim started by rhetorically asking me what was doctrinal about my instrumental music. (And I thought touché.) She said that abstract art emerges from the depths of her being and thus comes from and flows up to God. Because all of the earth is the Lord’s, what is deepest in her comes out as a form of worship because Jesus has redeemed that as well.

Kim had been a touring artist for 20 years, had then planted a church, and had then started painting professionally. When she was a touring musician it was hard to get churches to resonate with her work, whereas secular audiences would more easily. She had to do deep personal work in seminary to get to the place of freedom that allowed her to create these paintings.

My God. Now that is a whole sermon right there: to get to a place of freedom such that you can let those deeper yearnings rise forth to God. I was bodily vibrating when she said that because that is how I feel about music. Tony Williams the jazz drummer has often accompanied my prayers to God (see below). Something in his impressionist approach to his ride cymbal just leads me to behold God’s glory. And that resonance is the sound I try to play from myself. But I digress. Back to Kim!

Kim concluded her remarks by saying that she would find it “blasphemous” to stick a cross or fish (an ancient Christian symbol) on her abstract painting such that it would be properly Christian.

“Blasphemous?” I balked, somewhat surprised. “Yes, blasphemous, because that’s not what the piece calls for.”

How often are we blasphemous towards God simply by adding what doesn’t need to be? This understanding of blasphemy helps us address all sorts of restlessness in the world, such as ecological violence. The climate change wreaking havoc across the US this summer is a sign of us doing what shouldn’t be. How have we blasphemed land by adding what shouldn’t be to the earth and to ourselves?

This way into blasphemy through the power of abstract art gives me new language for rest. What do I add to my days that doesn’t need to be there? What notes do I add to my piano solos that don’t need to be there? What about you in the solo of your life?

I am thankful for Kim helping me see a new register of piety through her approach to creativity – discernment that opens onto embracing proper limits and deeper resonances. May we take deeper rest in God, the One who shows us what colors to paint and what notes to leave out.

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The Notes of Rest Fellowship is going live on Tuesday! You’ll be able to sign up then to be a paid subscriber of this online community that delves deeper into the teachings of Notes of Rest. There’ll different levels of access at different price points, so stay tuned for that too. Let the journey begin.

abundantly,

Julian

P.S. Thank y’all for engaging me on my Substack chat about music that helps you rest. It’s dope hearing your perspective on music and rest. If you haven’t checked it out, come join.

P.P.S. The National Museum of African American Music was spectacular. Wow. Blown away. Maybe I’ll write about that someday ha. But here’s my Instagram with pictures.

What’s Next:

Notes of Rest Fellowship (Beta Mode) Launches Online: Aug 1

Julian Davis Reid’s Circle of Trust (my original music) at Elastic Arts: Aug 2, 8p, Chicago (will be livestreamed)

Notes of Rest at The Practice Church in South Barrington, IL: Aug 6

Notes of Rest Virtual Class at Candler School of Theology, 5 consecutive Mondays starting Oct 9