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But if Plato was right when he described the three transcendent realities as truth, goodness, and beauty, then people who care about truth and goodness must eventually care about beauty as well. And people who value beauty might eventually look for truth.

To be sure, in a fallen world, not all that appears beautiful is good, and some of what appears ugly is true. The second commandment warns us that images easily become idols. Like idols, images are simultaneously compelling—ever tried to ignore a television?—and impotent. In fact, as scholar Camille Paglia has pointed out, the more powerful the image, whether tragic or triumphant, the more we need words to make sense of it. The best photos on Flickr prompt dozens of written responses; when we see a great movie, we want to talk about it.

So the church need not fear the rise of the image—words, and the Word, still speak even in a visual age. But we would do well to pay close attention. Our neighbors are taking some great pictures.

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Flickr allows photo surfers to browse pics with the most popular tags.

Earlier Andy Crouch columns for Christianity Today include:

Compliant but Confused | Unpacking some myths about today's teens. (April 12, 2005)

Stonewashed Worship | Churches are striving to appear 'authentic'—like the rest of consumer culture. (Jan. 28, 2005)

When Backward Is Forward | Christmas may be the best argument against genetic enhancement. (Dec. 23, 2004)

Salt-and-Pepper Politics | Choosing between candidates whose consciences are too clean. (Oct. 04, 2004)

'Live More Musically' | The difference between Christian practice and a Starbucks purchase. (July 29, 2004)

The Cruel Edges of the World | There are some places that bring the distant biblical text closer to our lives. (June 07, 2004)

Pilgrims to Nowhere | Freedom isn't much good if you don't have a sense of direction. (March 30, 2004)

Glittering Images | A profound Christian rethinking of power is overdue (Feb. 17, 2004)

Before the Deluge | All of us have a sexual orientation that bends toward the self. (Dec. 03, 2003)

Two Weddings and a Baptism | It's still impossible to predict what will advance the gospel in Hollywood. (Oct. 15, 2003)

Wrinkles in Time | Botox injections as a spiritual discipline. (Aug. 11, 2003)

Rites of Passage | Self-improvement is our culture's most durable religion. (June 6, 2003)

Christian Esperanto | We must learn other cultural tongues. (June 4, 2003)

We're Rich | But why is it so hard to admit? (Feb. 20, 2003)

Blinded by Pop Praise | To see God "high and lifted up," just open your eyes. (Dec. 17, 2002)

The Future Is P.O.D. | Multicultural voices have an edge in reaching a rapidly changing America. (October 12, 2002)

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June 2005, Vol. 49, No. 6