ARTISTS

'All artists are theologians and preachers. They provide us, even unintentionally, with really great theology if we listen to them like theologians of the truth and lovers of the beautiful. Try to see the Big Story in human art. When it is consistent with that story, rejoice in the truth. When it contradicts it, rejoice in the truth too!'

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.161.

HUMANKIND

'...when was the last time you heard an animal name something? There are billions of life forms on our planet, yet only humans name things.'

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.135.

JESUS

'We think we want a spouse, but what we really want is Him.
We think we want a friend, but what we really want is Him.
We think we want a family, but what we really want is Him.

We think we want anything, but what we really want is Him.' 

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.108.

BEAUTY

'All beauty is a breadcrumb path that leads us to Christ.'

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.107.

LONELINESS

'Loneliness has become a guide and a friend in my spiritual journey. When I feel lonely, I am feeling theology inside. All the pleasures, desires, and loves in this world will not take that pain away. We desperately want someone to love us perfectly, yet no one does. But when we wake up to the fact that no relationship can fully satisfy, we realize that we are lonely for God.'

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.107.

BEAUTY

'Beauty is both a gift and a map. It is a gift to be enjoyed and a map to be followed back to the source of the beauty with praise and thanksgiving.'

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.91.

BEAUTY

'We were made for God's beauty, and all beauty is God's beauty. When we see or hear or taste or smell one of the reflections of God's beauty, we love it; and it creates wonder within us. Then we become junkies. A single rush of wonder is fantastic, but we quickly want more of it. We take pictures to possess the moment and share the wonder with friends. The sight of beauty makes us want to touch or taste. This is why children lick strange things and "Do Not Touch" signs clutter botanical gardens and museums.'

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.78.

THE IMAGE OF GOD

'The wonderland of God's creation includes a masterpiece whose beauty more closely resembles the actual nature of God than anything else in the whole universe. What is it?

You.'

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.73.

BEAUTY

'Beauty boomerangs from God into created beauty, then through the senses and soul of the image-bearer, and finally back to God with praise and glory.'

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.69.

BEAUTY

'Why is what is there so beautiful? If the mere existence of matter confounds us, explaining its universal symetries and harmonies is baffling. Matter is a problem. Beauty is a marvel.'

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.61.

CRAVINGS

'How does the infinity of God relate to our cravings? Our longings seem insatiable to us. We have even made the situation into a self-evident law, the law of diminishing returns. This law says that the more we do something, the less and less we enjoy it. Might it be that our insatiable longings also relate to an infinte God? Might the unending nature of our desires point to the unending nature of his infinity? Who but an infinite Person can gratify seemingly infinite longings?'

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.36.

GOD

'What we need, more than anything else, is to be convinced that the most desirable and soul-satisfying reality in the world is God.'

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.23.

BEAUTY

'What if we were to realize that every sunset viewed, every sexual intimacy enjoyed, every favourite food savored, every song sung or listened to, every house decorated, and every rich moment enjoyed in this life isn't ultimately about itself but is an expression and reflection of God's essential character? Wouldn't such beautiful and desirable reflections mean that their Source must be even more beautiful - and, ultimately, more desirable?'

Steve DeWitt, Eyes Wide Open, p.8.