Mar Elias Evangelism

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MIDDLE AGES AND MODERN AGE IS FAITH IN GOD

The entire contrast that exists between the Middle Ages, which sought the first causes, and the modern age, which pursues the secondary causes, is exemplified in art: in the Middle Ages, no sculptor ever engraved his name on a sculpture; and the reason was that he worked for God; and he recognized that he was from God who gave him the ability to sculpt, and the mind of an artist; and when he left his work anonymously, it was to God, the First Cause, that brought the credit. Nowadays, the sculptor engraves his name in the marble, because he works for man, and has forgotten the First Cause, the Cause of all causes, which is God. (... )

Medieval art is the art of a redeeming humanity. It is rooted in the Christian soul, on the shore of living waters, under the sky of theological virtues, and among the sweet marshmallows of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Because in the Middle Ages it wasn't about making Christian art; it was rather about being Christians. If you were a Christian, your art was Christian. If you believed in eternal dogmas, your art would express eternal truths. The medieval artist used to say, "If you want to carve things of Christ, you must live with Christ." For the medieval man, art required calm and meditation rather than excitement and feverish motorcycles. History tells us that the Blessed Angelico wept while painting the "Crucifixion" that is found today in the Convent of San Marco in Florence.

(Fulton J. Sheen, from "Truth and Lies: A Prophetic Criticism of Modern Thought" Mimep editions)

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Modernist "art" is empty and soulless because it isn't anchored in God, but rather in man and in his desires. The modernistic "art" is empty, void and soulless because it is not centered in God nor directed at Him, rather directed inwardly to man himself.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski: "Modernism in architecture and painting, Everything in the 20th century is of a piece. It's all a rejection of the past, a rejection of heritage, a rejection of roots because of the pride, really the arrogance of modern man thinking himself superior to all his predecessors. And that's absurd."

Pursue the good, the true and the beautiful (St. Paul's verse: Philippians 4:8)

Freedom Center President Michael Finch discussing Why the Left Hates Beauty

Modernisation of Traditional Art:

Another attack on the holy apostolic tradition is to strip down historic churches, and build cement structures like boxes to replace them. And the removal of all art that has a link with tradition and replace it with a modernized soulless version, as an attempt to get rid of whatever links us with holy tradition.

TODO: Put photos here of tradition churches and modernized churches from phone. If you have any, please email them to me.

Gregorian Chant:

Same thing happened to the gregorian chant post the second vatican council, which was replaced with pop modernized songs, as another attempt to disconnect us from holy tradition.