An artist loses control over his or her work once it is released into the world. This release is a matter of Kingdom stewardship. What the masses do with the art is up to them. Will they be wise stewards with it? If they distort the original work, then who is at fault? The creator or the distorter?
Over the years, I have witnessed such changes in original art, particularly in the art found in missions literature. An author states something clearly in his or her book. Maybe this is a description of a field reality or the advocacy for a particular methodology. Readers take the original work, change it, then apply the new iteration to the field.
Sometimes this change is a significant distortion to the original, and the application is harmful in the Kingdom. Others learn of the unhealthy practice, discover the fountainhead of the work, and proceed to give the original artist a massive beatdown.
Sometimes those with torches and pitchforks have consulted the original art and sometimes not. It does not matter. The artist deserves death because of the sins of the masses.
Whenever you hear of others going after an artist, ask why. Check out the art for yourself. Is it biblical? Is it built on healthy missiology and theology? Does it reflect the application of godly wisdom? Is it right and good?
If you discover the artist does not represent those who distort the original work, then do not pick up torches and pitchforks and join the crowd. Remember, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him” (Prov 18:17, ESV). Be the other examiner whenever you hear someone talk about the artist. If the artist needs correction, so be it. But, if the artist is in the clear, don’t kill the artist. Such is a detriment to the Kingdom.
Artists lead us forward in Kingdom advancement. They always have. Read Acts.
If we keep killing Kingdom artists, then we will keep doing the same methods over-and-over and expecting different results.
Thank you