When is an artist like a prophet? When he reminds people of their relationship with God.
We tend to think of a prophet as someone who predicts the future, but that is not at all the ancient understanding of the word. The word “prophet” comes from the Greek word “prophetes” meaning spokesman or “to speak before.” A prophet therefore is one who speaks for God, God’s spokesman.
The role of the prophet in the ancient world was a person who would speak on God’s behalf, reminding people of their relationship with God, A prophet not only urged people to obey the laws of God but was quick to admonish them when they did not.
This is very much a role that an artist may take on. An artist acts as a prophet when his or her work reminds people to walk in the ways of Truth, points out an injustice that needs to be corrected, or chastises for behavior that offends against God and humanity.
Through their work artists may simply remind people of the presence of God in their lives and urge them to behave in a matter fitting for children of God.
This is not to say that it is an easy path.
In the ancient world prophets were often insulted, denigrated, dismissed, exiled, and sometimes executed for their efforts. It seems that even thousands of years ago people didn’t like having their sins and transgressions pointed out to them any more than we do now. The role of prophet is not popular but it is absolutely necessary. Telling people things they do not want to hear is how the world gets changed.
This the work of an artist named Fred Spear. In 1915 a German U-boat sunk the passenger liner Lusitania off the coast of England. Over a thousand civilians were killed including 128 Americans. The event sent shockwaves through American and British society, much like the destruction of the World Trade Center towers in 2001.
In response to the loss of innocent lives Spear created this poster which was used to encourage men to enlist in the armed forces.
This has been called one of the most powerful posters ever produced and is credited with spurring American entry into World War I.
Prophets are not always popular but they are always needed. The artist/prophet acts as our conscience, reminding us of the way things should be and urging us to take action to correct wrongs and pursue justice.
Through works of beauty, the artist reminds us that we are a sacred people, set apart by God, called to serve our brothers and sisters in His name.