Many of you might know this, some might not, but I love to read. I love books. I think God's given an incredible gift to humans in general and to some more specifically to craft things with words that transport you into a world not your own. Now they could be picture books, realistic books, non-fiction, fiction, etc., but they still have the ability to show you more than you would otherwise see.
Now my question is, in these books, where is God? Unless a book is outright Christian, I find it hard to see him. Especially in fantasy and science fiction novels which are not like reality at all. Usually I come across made up religions that are not like Christianity in its true Jesus-loving form or I find there is no religion at all. Sometimes the books still have some value in them and I can see God in them - especially when the author is Christian - but other times I have actually stopped reading books and I don't pick them back up again.
Why is it that there is a section in the library denoted Christian Literature and then there is the rest of the book store or library. It seems like God's barred from books. Knowing about the battle of light and darkness, it is very likely that someone does want very much to keep God out of the picture. Even if books are written to include some image of God, they probably won't get published unless it's so subtle that it's hard to find Him. And if people can't find Him, then it just encourages the idea that He isn't there. Subconsciously reinforcing peoples ideas that God doesn't exist or that He doesn't love them.
Sometimes I wonder if that means that I should stop reading things other than "Christian Literature." But today I'm wondering if I could be part of what changes it. I know that in the study of literature, there is what is called an allegory and I even remember this in English 110 - you can find in stories that the character's lives pattern those of Christ. So, make commentary on literature and show people that you found God in the book and find someway to publish it...?
Or perhaps the road lies in writing my own books and purposefully putting God in there. Who knows how well this will work, but maybe I'll try. And with the Lord's blessing, maybe I'll succeed.
You know, as I thought about it more, I thought of something else. What good is it if you just hold yourself back from the world? Aren't we put here to change it?
ReplyDeleteSo, if I apply this to my dilema with literature... What good does it do if I just stop reading the things that I like because God is not obviously in them? They will still be written and they will still be read. But if I write commentaries or if I write my own books in the genres I love and get them published, then there are things that people can read WITH GOD IN IT. And one of the best ways to become a better writer is to read more. So to write for the audiences that don't have God, I need to read what they read so I can write what they will want to read and I just stick God in the mix...
We'll see what God brings about.
In classic English & American literature prior to the 1900s, it was actually common to hear the Christian God mentioned. The main character were typically either "good God-fearing" individuals, or were chastised for not being so. I think it was more cultural than spiritual, though. The Christian label was popular, but but I'm not sure if it was common for people to actuall understand the concept of having a relationship with God. Examples: Gone With the Wind, Moby Dick. Crap, Gotta run. I'll finish this after surgery.
ReplyDeleteThere's a section at the beginning of Moby Dick that is actually a re-telling of the story of Jonah. It seems like Jane Austin and the Brante sisters also included Christianity into their stories, if only for background information. After 1900, John Steinbeck is the main author that sticks out in my mind for incorporating Christianity into secular stories. East of Eden is delicious. I don't know if he meant to do this or not, but one of the main characters sort of reminds me of Babylon--she seems to conquer the people around her, but in the end, she herself is destroyed. In modern time, there is definitely an all or nothing approach to the incorporation of Christianity into literature. I think that is because Christianity has lost its dominance in our English-speaking cultures. It is no longer assumed that every English-speaking individual has some sort of Christian background. It is more acceptable to be atheist. It is actually starting to be viewed as being more moral to be atheist. For some reason, atheism has become very popular among writers. An author friend of mine goes to writers groups and conferences, and she is typically the only Christian in the room. One modern author I know of that incorporates Christianity into secular fiction is Joshilyn Jackson. She's a very comical southern lady who usually has tons of southern Baptists in her stories. My favorite book of hers is "Between, Georgia." I too have difficulty reading modern stories in which the characters do not share any of my values. I find it especially difficult when the characters put faith in earthly beings, and it is considered a good thing. Ok, gotta go again. I hope I at least pointed you toward some good authors.
ReplyDelete