If we see a beautiful picture painted on good canvas, do we not think that an artist produced it?

Answer 1

Can you tell the difference between an abstract painting that was carefully crafted and one that resulted from a monkey randomly slapping a paint brush?

Answer 2

Is this what passes for Christian apologetics these days?

When a painter paints a canvas, it is usually pretty darned obvious that the painter used tools, that the canvas was a deliberate result of her/his work, that there is a subject and a theme to the painting. We usually know who the painter is (in the case of contemporary artists) and can often shake the artist's hand at the opening. We can ask questions directly of the artist, like, "Where did you buy this canvas?" and "What did you have for breakfast this morning?" We can go so far as to photograph the artist standing next to the painting, so there is fairly good, actual, repeatable proof that the artist exists and that the artist made the painting.

If, in reply to this, anyone tries to say, "Yes, but God, the artist, is clearly here among us and left us his Word in the Holy Bible!"

Umm... no. Here is where you take that huge leap from actual reality into fairytale land. You may very well believe that the Bible is 'God's word' and that every letter of every word was 'inspired' by God, and that God's will is clearly stated on each page.

There are lots of problems with this, but I'll mention just the two most obvious ones.

1) The Bible's history shows that it has been copied, transcribed, translated and mistranslated for centuries, sometimes by well-meaning (but largely uneducated) scribes, sometimes deliberately for politicat/power purposes. There is not even any agreement on what is the 'official' version of the Bible.

2) If 'God's will' were so blessed easy to understand, then why have people been killing one another over it for thousands of years?

I do like paintings, though, and I have a number of friends who are artists. They would be pleased and amused to be likened to this 'God' idea you have.

Answer 3

Generally so, but sometimes we're wrong.

Paintings by elephants and monkeys have been shown in art galleries where the viewers thought they were created by famous artists.

Even the wind and waves can create pictures in the sand at the beach that are more beautiful and artistic than much of the "modern art" displayed in art galleries.

Answer 4

Who produced the artist?

Answer 5

Yes, we can prove that the canvas and paint didn't occur naturally. We can point to elements that speak to external design. On the other hand we can not do that with this world or universe, but we can point to elements that appear to be totally random and if it had been designed, flaws, for example humans are not designed to walk upright as well as elephants are designed to walk on all fours.

Answer 6

When we see the "Man on the mountain" do you believe an artist produced it? When you see the face on the moon do you think man made it?

Truth is, no one knows if there is a creator or not. To assume otherwise is arrogance.

Answer 7

Nope, the paint formed in patterns due to random wind and water forces over time. There was no "painter", silly!

Answer 8

It can be easily proven that an artist created the painting.

Thank you, drive through.

Answer 9

what about jackson pollock? his paintings wernt beautiful

Answer 10

somebody did