Why Theology and Fiction Go Hand in Hand

[@bradleymarshall5489]

For most of my life I actually knew very little about philosophy and in depth theology, but for as long as I can remember I had a great love of stories. Thanks for making the connection!

[@quayscenes]

"Be curious. Look around you, see everything, go to galleries, explore. You need to be a whole person and live life before you can become a conductor" (Simon Rattle). Thank you for the Aristotle insight!

[@GospelSimplicity]

@@quayscenes great quote!

[@alpha4IV]

I just said this same message. Very good job. Well done. I honestly felt a call to say this myself to my audience. Thank you for posting this vid, your words will be heard by many more people than mine will.

[@j2jenison]

Thank you! Shared this with our community at Tov Arts Collective.

[@ChrisLongSun]

Been watching your channel for a bit, as a Catholic interested in the early church and interfaith dialogue I try to watch the Protestant and Orthodox channels doing the same. I’m also an avid sci fi and fantasy fan. Here’s a list of some modern Christian sci fi/fantasy authors who explore deep themes in their works: Gene Wolfe- probably the most challenging yet rewarding author to ever live. His series Book of the New Sun (and the entire 12 book Solar Cycle) is one of the few series to rival Tolkien. Book of the New Sun takes place fifty million years in the future where the Sun is dying and our main character, a young torturer, is sent far away after showing mercy to a “client.” The Wizard Knight and Latro series are just as good. He is very, very Catholic, which could be a plus or minus depending on who you are. Christopher Ruocchio: author of the Sun Eater series. The pitch is “what if becoming Darth Vader was the right choice?” One page 1, our main character tells you he blew up a sun to stop the only alien race who has ever challenged man’s supremacy in the stars. These books are seriously fantastic, the series will conclude later this year. Ruocchio writes prose in a very classic sounding way, the books feel modern yet timeless. Also very Catholic. James Islington- Islington is reformed Presbyterian, and his Licanius series deals with free will and predestination. It’s set in a world where fate is fixed and all visions must come to pass, 100% of the time. He also has a new series out, first book is called “Will of the Many” and is set in a world where a fantasy Roman Republic has taken over and our main character is from a nation conquered by them but now must infiltrate their highest levels. Book 2 is due out later this year.

[@natewxlfe]

One of my favorite topics lately. I also think more in the Church should be writing, even if never to publish. I’m writing my first-ever novel, and it has certainly brought me to a greater wonder of God. Writing forces you to think on connections and implications in a totally unique way, and there’s glory to be found there.

[@user-zx1sm8bg3c]

Thank you so much, Austin! I needed this message.

[@jngarrettart]

Woah! You mentioned George MacDonald, not once, but twice! I grew up with “The Princess and the Goblin” and its sequel, and I’ve read a fair bit of his work at this point. Currently going through “Unspoken Sermons” for the first time, and I have “Lilith” on audiobook from the library and want to re-listen to it. I love the points you’re making in this video. Stories have always been such an important part of my life and spiritual formation, and you’re touching on concepts I feel a strong tug toward in my own art and writing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here.

[@toddvoss52]

"The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treason, stratagems and spoils; The motions of his spirit are dull as night And his affections dark as Erebus; Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music." Shakespeare, from Merchant of Venice, act 5, scene 1, lines 83-88

[@helenlosse4977]

Simply beautiful post

[@servingseniorsandshut-ins6209]

Found this really interesting for two reasons: 1-because I recently said something to my brother about how I felt he had more wonder in the way he looked at things of God and I felt that was something I could grown in. 2-I recently read a book ("A Stay Against Confusion - Essays on Faith and Fiction" by Ron Hanser) that spoke about the importance of fiction from a-at least partially-Christian perspective.

[@Gonz-o8j]

I grew reading literature, since 6 up to 27, when I came to faith in Christ, being an atheist/agnostic I kinda felt like I had to make a stop of reading literature. That "fast"lasted around 6 years, now I am slowly reintroducing literature in my life, but because for me it was a way of escapism, I had kinda had to learn to administrate what I read.

[@SNUGandSESOR]

Man I know some internet atheists who would just go ham with this title

[@Rachel-em3wk]

I was recently thinking about the term "deciple" and how it was originally used for Greek philosophers, meaning for a follower to imitate their teacher's entire way of life. I was thinking about how this related to 1 Corinthians 1:12-13, and how this way of thinking may have influenced our culture to divide into different denominations and even different religions. (I am of Augustine, I am of Martin Luther, I am of Muhammad, I am of Joseph Smith). I agree that this is the best way to approach religion and approach Christ, but I also believe it inevitably leads to further division.

[@bonniejohnstone]

Beauty! Why do people spent their vacations going to a place that is beautiful? The ocean or mountains begin to change us and we feel like the distance between us and God is far less… so, why when did churches become so bare and sterile as though beauty is a corruption? Churches that have retained beauty as an expression of our God who is supremely Beautiful, are mocked I think out of fear. What do you think?

[@farida.5766]

Jonathan Pageau mantra

[@mythco.3461]

I use to wonder at theology but honestly it's burning me out and making me question so much and be certain of nothing. It's leading to discontent and easy aggravation and a lack of enjoyment. I'm not sure what to do. It isn't a race for power, I really do just want to know the truth and think properly about divine things. What advice would you give?

[@marincusman9303]

Are you reading theology to learn more about God or are you reading theological debates or what?

[@mythco.3461]

It's all combined I would say.

[@davidstone5595]

​@@mythco.3461sounds like we're in similar boats. I've been a bit nihilistic lately.

[@bonniejohnstone]

It’s better to step back and get out of your head. Start living Christianity instead of studying different arguments like you’re cramming for a final. Anxiety isn’t good. Join the book study if you can, it just began and the audiobook is free in KZbin (I have a reading disability so I found it).

[@jamersbazuka8055]

Yeah, this is where the scholasticism vs. mysticism conflict comes in, that's really only a conflict because we made it so sometime in the last 1000 years. The study of theology helps us think better about God and the word around us, but it's doing or participating in the life of the Church (by attending services, fellowship, serving with others with brothers, prayer, meditation, etc). Are you connected with Christians you love and can hang out with and talk about either silly or serious things with?

[@markballard9300]

Great insight.

[@guscastilloa]

Just a comment on sound, there’s always a little white noise in the background of your videos which make them listening on earphones when I’m on the go a little hard. I’m sure it’s not so hard to remove in post production. Just a little comment because I love watching your videos, thanks!!

[@GospelSimplicity]

Thanks for the heads up! I really should be editing with headphones on to catch that stuff.

[@VeronicaBrandt]

Sounds a bit like Rod Dreher's ideas on "enchantment" I just finished rereading C S Lewis' Out of the Silent Planet - great mix of philosophy and fiction. I haven't read any Dostoyevsky yet - maybe that's next.

[@SowingWonder]

You and I would be good friends, man. There's hardly anything I want to talk about more than myth and the true myth.

[@debbiesundeen2986]

I have always believed this.

[@DeadEndFrog]

Of course! Apatheists have been saying this for years, listening to atheists and theists arguing is akin to people discussing fiction, just look at the parallels and arguments between headcanon/fanfics, powers scaling, hard and soft magic systems, its all there.