The Idea of an Essay, Volume 2

119 beliefs untainted; this is not only an immature lack of discernment, but also a gross mishandling of man’s God-given reason. Contrarily, intellectual curiosity should be encouraged and praised for its inclusive relationship with knowledge. One must discern and dissect differing philosophies for a comprehensive knowledge of the world. The most effective methods of expressing one’s worldview are through artistic mediums; in artwork, the artist’s philosophical convictions and underlying emotions are carefully embedded for the scholar to uncover. Valuable perspective and understanding are gained by interpreting art from differing worldviews. Artistic expression enlivens emotion and human nature, allowing the scholar to explore and unearth these concepts in depth. The Christian scholar’s knowledge and comprehension of the world deepens after studying and experiencing art from differing worldviews. One artistic work that enhances the intellectual’s understanding of humanity is The Scream, by Edvard Munch. The Scream expresses the feelings of anxiety, loneliness, and illness better than any other modern work of art. Munch stated his goal with The Scream was, “the study of the soul, that is to say the study of my own self.” Munch was in turmoil throughout his life and, while a priest’s son, was not a self-confessed Christian. When analyzing The Scream, valuable perspective can be gained concerning human emotions and outlooks on life. The depicted figure’s facial expressions convey a deep sense of abandonment, and its sexless nature shows a brokenness and emasculation. Contributing to the sense of loneliness, two figures walk away from the main character. Also, the twisted appearance of the backdrop conveys a confusion and spiraling disorder that inhabits the surrounding world. Munch explained this feeling: “I sensed a scream passing through nature; it seemed to me that I heard the scream. I painted this picture, painted the clouds as actual blood. The color shrieked. This became The Scream.” Valuable content regarding the human condition is present in this artistic work for the Christian to observe, discern, and consider in light of the Holy Scriptures. Leland Ryken, in The Liberated Imagination, rejects the truthfulness of secular works: “No matter how great an artist’s technique may be, or how sensitive the portrayal of human experience is, a work of art is finally false if it limits reality to the temporal, physical world or omits God’s existence from its picture