In a review of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis wrote the following:
“it [The Lord of the Rings] rediscovers reality” by making of this world a myth; “the value of myth is that it takes all the things we know and restores to them the rich significance which had been hidden by the veil of familiarity.”
I was blown away when recently discussing this quote in a class I am taking. I believe it to be one of the best defenses ever made of fiction-writing. Lewis is pointing out that when an author creates a mythical world in his work of fiction, the reader is forced to abandon her own thoughts and presuppositions because the fictional world they are reading about is completely unfamiliar. I doubt this can be easily achieved by the writer. The veil of familiarity will rarely be lifted voluntarily by the reader, but rather needs to be forcefully removed by the author. Once the author manages to rip the veil away, he then inserts a little nugget of truth (say, the gospel) within the myth. The reader then examines the truth without filtering it through the veil of familiarity and it becomes something more exciting than they have ever known before.
What a noble mission should a writer choose to accept it! Can there be better gift than to help someone take a fresh look at the gospel? I think there are so many pre-conceived notions regarding Christianity and so many lies perpetuated by our culture that an author who succeeds in ripping away that veil is truly doing something magical. A writer of fiction has the potential to reach so many people who would otherwise not give Christ a good, honest consideration.
How awesome is that?
Writer Clark D. Goble started this blog as a means to chronicle his imperfect walk with a Perfect Savior and invites you to join in on the conversation. He also invites you to check out the links to his work. Most often, Clark writes about Jesus and theology. He also enjoys writing fiction in a variety of genres.
Todd French is an information technology professional and a resident of Columbus, Ohio; where he shares a humble abode with his darling wife and beautiful daughters. His interests run the gambit from reading voraciously all forms of fiction to rooting for the Cleveland Browns.