Glorifying God - Cathedrals or Auditoriums ?

We finally got to Europe this summer and I was amazed at the age and art of so many beautiful cathedrals. In some cities there were literally churches on every plaza. These were of centuries old architecture - interior walls hung with stunning canvas and frescoes, painted domes, marble columns, tiled floors, carved wood and exquisite sculptures. Absolutely breathtaking.

The sheer volume of superlative religious art impressed me, but I also paid attention to the fascinating back stories of funding. Connected to these historic sites was the vast wealth of monarchs, merchants and the personal sacrifice of countless individuals and communities.

My favorite example turned up in Venice. It was late afternoon and we were due to board our water taxi back to the mainland. We saw a steeple peering over nearby roof tops and quickly navigated a few narrow streets to find a small courtyard and plain, bone white structure. It was the church of Zechariah, father of John the Baptist. Hurrying inside we were stunned to see lavish, floor to ceiling paintings. The late afternoon sun streamed through the high windows and lit the 500 year old art as though a spotlight from heaven had been carefully positioned for the purpose.

Centuries before, a convent next door to St. Zechariah trained the young women of local families. Those same families helped fund the church and its art. Quite a commitment. And remarkably, it's still standing for us to marvel at all these centuries later. The best part of the story for me is that this ancient community of nuns, in turn, donated a plot of land a little further down the canal. It became the site of St. Mark's Cathedral, the most well know landmark in Venice. We later learned that the beautiful altar piece in St. Zechariah had been painted by Bellini, considered one of his most important works. Who knew. What an amazing story traced back to people choosing to glorify God artistically with their wealth.

Fast forward five centuries to the nice Christian school we sent our own daughter to. Our family donations were in the form of tuition. Tuition pooled with much wealthier donors to fund a school building, library, auditorium, gym, football stadium, tennis courts. No Bellini's on the walls that I know of.

There are those who say we are better to "invest our treasure in the kingdom"  like this with schools and  missionaries - rather than in the elaborate edifices of architecture and art as in the distant past.   After experiencing the Bellini altar piece and the splendor of St. Zechariah's in Venice - I'd still like to see us glorify God with both.

One thing is not lost on me - Europe is full of exquisite churches visited by tourists in a post-Christian culture. Glorious architecture and art has withstood the test of time, but it has not sustained or nurtured a culture with evident spiritual foundations.  The thriving, growing churches of evangelicals here in the states are more auditorium than architecture, beautiful for their acoustics and worship music. And they actively glorify God by sharing the Gospel with new believers and with robust missionary programs. All good.

So its hard to know what will "stand the test of time" 500 years from now - what will have best glorified God and grown the kingdom with worship, service and discipleship.

For me, I was very encouraged and inspired as we wandered and marveled at the sacred art of our European travels. It was exquisite sensory beauty that anyone could appreciate, but it was spiritually moving as well. Worthy of its creation and preservation.

If Jesus hasn't yet returned 500 years from now, will there still be a church in Venice that grabs someone's heart and attention as St. Zechariah's and the Bellini did for me?  I hope so. I pray so.

What do you believe?