J.R.R. Tolkien: Storytelling & the Eucatastrophe
What book has been voted #1 on NPR’s “Top 100 Fantasy Books,”[1] Waterstone’s “Book of the Century,”[2] and Amazon’s “Greatest Book of the Millennium”?[3] None other than J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy The Lord of the Rings (LOTR). But why? One can almost hear the voices of literary critics lamenting, “Of all the books in the world, why pick this?” Why indeed? Why does the incredible and fantastical imagination of one man resonate so...
T.S. Eliot: “I Should Be Glad of Another Death”
Several years ago I decided to start reading poetry. This was no easy endeavor. Poetry distills complex thoughts into compact sentences full of association and tone. Thus learning to read and understand it was difficult for me. As is often the case though, the reward for such hard work is very high. T.S. Eliot was the first poet to really grab me and refuse to let go. His poetry drew me into a new world I never expected to find. Since...
George MacDonald: Life, Works, Legacy
I was 14-years-old the first time I saw the name George MacDonald. It appeared in C.S. Lewis’ Surprised by Joy (1955). It didn’t make an impression initially, but as I read Lewis more, MacDonald’s name became unavoidable. “Whoever this MacDonald was,” I surmised, “he clearly made a profound impact on Lewis.” This may be your experience too: if you’ve heard of MacDonald at all, it’s been by way of Lewis. After all, he has been one of...
“The Parson’s Tale”: Chaucer’s Defense of Christian Marriage
by Jared Austin During the month of September 2014, the Helwys Society Forum is exploring literary figures and themes in the Great Tradition. In subsequent articles, we’ll consider George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis. But in this article, we’re considering Geoffrey Chaucer’s defense of Christian marriage. Christian marriage is under attack in America. As American culture becomes increasingly secular, what seem...
Tradition vs. Traditionalism: What’s the Difference?
When we think of “tradition,” what comes to mind? For some, it is archaic hymns that are drudgery to sing, while for others it may be preaching that is solemn and boring. It is the routine worship service that lulls everyone to sleep. It is dull, unappealing, and leaves the soul unmoved. For many, tradition means older Christians clinging to a forgotten past that no one wants, (except them perhaps). They talk about how people have...
Worldview, Ethics, and Engaging the Culture
In his classic book, The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer says, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”[1] In a similar manner, Scripture tells us, “For as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he.”[2] To use a modern term, our “worldview” often serves as the basis upon which we make our momentary decisions in life. Specifically, answering the question, “How should we live?” requires...
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