Arts and spiritual attachment

Some people are sceptical about adopting local art forms for Christian purposes because they fear possession by or attacks from evil spirits. This is a legitimate concern.

Artistic forms or instruments are often divided into those for religious purposes, and those for social or recreational use. When a community’s musical instrument, dance form, or music genre is for religious purposes, the participants (dancers, musicians, priests, etc.) generally believe it belongs to the deity they dedicated it to. Spirits and demons also claim ownership and want to guard it jealously. A cultural set of assumptions—spiritual and social values, allegiances, and repercussions— govern how people relate to its usage.

If, for instance, the Bata drum is dedicated to the worship of the Yoruba god Ogun, can anyone use it without Ogun possessing the drum or the person? It is the responsibility of Christians in that community to decide. If the drum is played, what is the drum saying: is it honouring God or glorifying Ogun? They should understand the underlying symbolism to ensure it aligns with Scripture.

It is important to determine what element about the artistic form makes it idolatrous or susceptible to demonic possession, and if possible, detach that meaning before using it. Christians in a certain community considered wearing a cultural attire that was mostly used in the worship of idols. They dug deeper to unravel the origin, purpose, underlying meaning, and the implications of adopting that form. Their analysis revealed that a particular red feather was the idolatrous component. They could therefore remove the red feather and attach a different meaning to the use of the attire.

Discern how far you can go: which aspects of the art are malleable and which should you avoid? Do the believers’ conscience approve of the new meaning? Does the new form remind them of the old ways? Does it instil a fear of the spirit it was dedicated to initially?

Today, many churches use the Bata drum for worship. A new meaning has replaced the former one.