When you are raised in the faith, there is a tendency for the truth to turn stale. Spiritual matters are not exempt from the old and wise adage that "familiarity breeds contempt." For this reason, songs that use unexpected rhymes and stories that use unexpected characters are a welcome refreshment. As G.K Chesterton noted in The Everlasting Man: "In the specially Christian case we have to react against the heavy bias of fatigue. It is almost impossible to make the facts vivid, because the facts are familiar; and for fallen men it is often true that familiarity is fatigue." (-G.K. Chesterton, The Everlasting Man, Ignatius Press, p. 17)It may be prudent to draw a distinction between pulp fantasy, and fantasy from deep Christian authors like Lewis or Tolkien. I had and yet have little use for the former, and for many years grouped works such as The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of The Rings into this same category, considering the whole business a profound waste of time. In this manner I unknowingly discarded the apple with the worm.
Christian teachers I respect have various perspectives on this question. Jonathan Lindvall refers to Tolkien's trilogy as "literary junk food," seeming to imply that fantasy is fantasy - and an exercise in futility. On the other side you have Peter Kreeft, who draws heavily from Tolkien and Lewis and, referring to The Lord of The Rings, observes matter-of-factly that "the book is obviously inspired; it's got God's fingerprints all over it." (Some of Kreeft's excellent material on Tolkien include this lecture and this book.)
It seems to me that fantasy, far from detracting from reality, actually reinforces it. It enables us to step away from the din and dust of the world enough to view it with new eyes. Some perhaps have been led astray by drawing incorrect or unintended analogies from fantasy, but the same could be said of the Book of Revelation.
It is curious to me that those who take issue with Narnia or The Lord of The Rings almost universally embrace John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress as good solid Christian literature. I do not see a wide difference between these works and Bunyan's, in terms of fantastical content. Perhaps it has something to do with the explicit use of Witches, or Wizards, or Goblins, or Elves. Perhaps it is preferable to use Demons, Fiends, evil Giants, and wild Beasts.
It's all the same war.
Image courtesy of gamesbyscott.com
5 comments:
Thanks for your post Aaron. We've recently 'discovered' Lord of the Rings also, and have greatly enjoyed Peter Kreeft's thoughts. Why are we so against the fantastic when we serve the awesome God we do?
Indeed, a thought-provoking post.
"It is curious to me that those who take issue with Narnia or The Lord of The Rings almost universally embrace John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress as good solid Christian literature."
I have too pondered this very point. I suppose that, to me, the dominant off-putting factor in The Lord of the Rings (I'm not as familiar with Narnia) is not the mere inclusion of sorcery and wizards, etc., but rather the depiction of the intended role models and "good" folks using magic, instead of relegating that practice to the evil ones alone.
However, at present, I don't have anywhere near the necessary knowledge of either Tolkien's or Lewis's work to seriously discuss the topic. Our family has avoided all of Tolkien's works by default for all of my living memory, and the same goes for Narnia. Ironically, there is virtually no one I know who hasn't either seen the films or read the books, and even fewer who disapprove of them. In light of this fact, I - like you - have been strongly considering venturing out of my literary comfort zone and reading the trilogy. After all, if all I can offer regarding one of the most famous and well-loved 'Christian' books of the century is unsubstantiated disapproval, what use is that to myself or others?
The point about relegating the use of magic to the evil side assumes that all magic is bad. But is that truly the case?
You really should read the trilogy, Michael. I think you'll be glad you did.
I happened upon your blog, and my curiosity kept me skim-reading through some of your entries.
I am disappointed that you would even compare Prilgrim's Progress to the Chroronicles of Narnia or Lord of the Rings.
First I would ask, have you read Pilgrim's Progress?
Second I would ask, isn't it clear that the evil is evil and the good is good? Is there any allusion to the "powers" of the good and the evil being a universal power used for good or evil?
How can magic be "okay" if the Bible speaks so strongly against witchcraft? Are you saying that wizards and witches can be good?
You express yourself well, and although your desire to appear intellectual at times clouds your point, you seem to have a generally decent amount of common sense.
I know the statement "live with an open mind" is used by new age kooks, but even in that there's a grain of truth. You seem to form opinions out of prejudices, and once learn more about the subject you swing in the opposite direction.
Fantasy is very entertaining. I openly admit I have watched the movies, and have read a few of the books.
In truth, they're awesome. Exciting, captivating, moving, the very definition of imaginative.
But they are fantasy. They are as edifying as any other fantasy movie or book you happen upon. Honor, bravery, loyalty, self sacrifice are instilled in almost every fantasy story.
So are all fantasy books good? They have grains of truth, so then they must be. Or is fantasy written by Christians the only type we should read?
Is there a difference???
Anon:
Thank you for your comment. I do not know your background or religious paradigm, but I will attempt to answer your questions as best as I can.
Yes, I have read Pilgrim's Progress, (Parts I and II, unabridged,) though it was some time ago. My purpose in comparing Bunyan's work to that of Lewis or Tolkien is simply to point out that they all contain "fantastical" elements; I think it is inconsistent for Christians who accept Pilgrim's Progress to dismiss Narnia or Lord of the Rings because they are "fantastical" or contain "magic." There must be some other reason.
I think there may be some confusion within the Christian community regarding the word "magic." In my view, "magic" is an ambiguous (or rather, amoral,) word, encompassing both witchcraft and miracles. Water may quench your thirst or drown you, and fire may warm your hands or burn your house. In the same way "magic" may be used for good or ill, healing or destruction, and therefore I do not see the point in attacking magic as such - it would be tantamount to attacking the supernatural.
It do not make it my ambition to appear intellectual; I merely desire to think things through before blurting them out. Still, sometimes the two get tangled up with each other.
It is quite true that I form opinions out of prejudices, and I hope it is something I do less and less as time goes on. It is also true that I will occasionally change my stance on a subject, because I do not see the value in holding dogmatically to a position when presented with compelling evidence against it.
I have made and will make no statement about "secular" fantasy, as I have not read it. I have read Lewis and Tolkien, and I think their work is worthwhile and sound. There are themes in both Narnia and Lord of the Rings that run very deep; themes of hope, sovereignty, and redemption - joy from sorrow, triumph from tragedy, life from death.
I hope I have answered your questions adequately. If you wish to discuss these points further, please send me an email.
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