Scribbling in the Sand: Christ and Creativity

Paper Edition was voted 2002 Publisher's Weekly Best Adult Religion Book of the Year!"It was art and it was theater at the same time, but it was more. It was what he did not say that spoke most powerfully to the mob that morning. It was a cup of cold water for a thirsty adulteress and an ice-cold drenching in the face to a group of angry Pharisees."To this day we have not the slightest idea what it was Jesus twice scribbled in the sand. By and large the commentaries have asked the wrong question through the ages. They labor over the content, over what he might have written. They ask what without ever realizing that the real question is why. It was not the content that mattered but why he did it. Unexpected. Irritating. Creative." (From chapter one)Singer, songwriter and diligent student of Scripture, Michael Card is well known for the depth of his lyrics and the artistry of his music. But far more significant than the songs he has penned is the source of his inspiration--the creativity embodied in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God.In this book Card explores the biblical foundations of true Christian creativity. Whether we think of ourselves as creative or not, all of us are created in the image of our Creator God, and thus creativity is a vital expression of our discipleship. With Jesus as his model, Card shows how understanding God?s creative imagination leads to a lifestyle of humility, obedience and servanthood. And he invites us to follow God's creative call through worship and community.Through Jesus, God has spoken to us in a word we can understand. Likewise, Michael Card has articulated the story of Jesus to others through his own scribblings in the sand. This book shows us how we can do the same.

Michael Card is an award-winning musician, performing artist and the writer of such songs as "El Shaddai" and "Immanuel." He has produced over twenty albums, including Scribbling in the Sand: The Best of Michael Card Live. He is also the author of numerous books, including A Violent Grace and The Parable of Joy. Card has been a mentor to many younger artists and musicians, teaching courses on the creative process and calling the Christian recording industry to deeper discipleship. He lives in Tennessee with his wife and four children.