Ignorant Historian

This is one portion of the Faith ‘n’ Fiction Roundtable discussion of the book Wounded by Claudia Mair Burney, where we discuss the theology of the book.

Ronnica: But my real problem with Wounded is theological.  While I’m sure we don’t all have the same theological beliefs, a sound biblically-based theology is important to me.  For example, putting words like “I had no problem with whatever she used to draw closer to God…” (p. 158, large print edition) in the mouth of a pastor without judgment is theological irresponsible (and sadly, common in “Christian” writing, fiction and non-fiction).  Sure, this is fiction, but fiction still presents a worldview, for better or for worse.

Carrie: Ronnica mentioned theological questions and I will admit this is one of the areas that I struggled with while reading this. I found that I can/will accept questionable subject matter and/or doctrine in secular books, but when I’m reading a book that is advertised to be Christian, I hold it to a higher standard. The quote that Ronnica mentioned bugged me, too.

Ronnica: Carrie, I like how you said that.  I DO hold books labeled Christian to a much higher standard.  I’ve most certainly read books that I’ve theologically disagreed with more, but they arealmost always not labeled Christian.  I also felt uncomfortable with the idea of Jesus as lover and the idea of stigmata in general.  While I don’t doubt God’s ability to perform miracles, I don’t see the “why” of stigmata in this case specifically, as we always see miracles in the Bible either validating God’s Word or His messengers.

Hannah:  I can certainly agree that fiction written by Christians — let alone published by Christian publishing houses — should be held to a higher theological standard than books not written by and published by Christians.

Going back to what Ronnica mentioned about the book’s theology, which centered around Pastor Mike saying, “I had no problem with whatever she used to draw closer to God…” Sure, it’s troubling for a pastor to spout problematic theology. However, pastors are still human, fallen, imperfect, sinful. And in this case in particular, Pastor Mike isn’t presented as seeing this situation perfectly — or clearly, even. So while that idea/quote certainly is not good theology, I wouldn’t say the book presents his position as infallible or inaccurate. I don’t think the book’s worldview is embodied in Pastor Mike.

Amy: Now here’s where I’m going to get in trouble with you all!  I’m not sure I agree with the concept of a Christian book being held to a higher standard theologically.  It is easy for me to say yes, I agree with this, but the word Christian covers so many people with such vast and different beliefs.  I actually think that I’d love to see more theological diversity in Christian fiction because I think it would more accurately reflect the body of Christ, would challenge us to think about what we believe through the medium of fiction, and would probably invite more people to consider reading Christian fiction.  Furthermore, I’m not sure I agree with the statement the Bible is sufficient, I think Jesus is sufficient, and I think the Bible is some of the revelation we have left.  I regard it with tremendous respect and hope to always learn from it, don’t get me wrong!

I agree with Hannah that just because a character voices one viewpoint that doesn’t mean it’s the viewpoint of the author, though I sometimes struggle with this distinction myself.  I think maybe the reason we feel uncomfortable with Mike saying these things is because he’s the pastor and we expect our pastors to be the ultimate authority.

Hannah: I actually struggled with writing that, because I really struggle with major theological problems in any books I read. On the other hand, I know intellectually that we mustn’t hold people accountable for what they don’t know. Theological diversity, though (within certain parameters), is acceptable within what I’m talking about.

Ronnica: Going back to theological issues, I do think that there is certainly room for a wider theological perspective than say mine or my church’s.  However, I do believe that while there are many issues that there can be diversified opinions on within the Christian community (end times, continuation of miracles, etc.) there are some viewpoints that are necessary to be considered “Christian” (the deity of Christ, the sinfulness of man, etc.).

While I don’t necessarily think that Burney crossed the line on these issues, I do think the “whatever works for you” attitude presented in theological dangerous and spiritually unhealthy.  In the Old Testament, we see very strict penalties (death) for worshiping God in ways He did not prescribe.  While we have greater freedom and grace through Jesus Christ, God is and always will be a God that demands worship on His own terms, not ours.

Carrie: Amy, I liked the points you made about diverse theology in Christian fiction – but I guess we would disagree on the sufficiency of the Bible. I believe the Bible is complete and infallible, and all Christian belief and experience should be weighed against that authority. When I see what I consider extra-Biblical doctrine in a Christian novel, I can’t help but worry about readers being convinced of things about God that aren’t what the Bible teaches. (I hope that doesn’t offend – I hope you know I love you, Amy, and you’re my sister in Christ – even if we disagree on this point.)

I also get what Hannah was saying about the Pastor’s viewpoint just being one character’s – and a flawed, human character. I guess my high expectations for clergy were coming out in my expectations for the character! And I probably need to look at that – I can’t expect my pastor to be perfect, can I? He’s not God.

Other parts of the discussion can be found at the other participant’s blogs.

Besides those included above, other discussion participants include:

Deborah
Sheila
Julie
Thomas
Debbie
Heather

While this review is talking about this book specifically, the points I make aren’t directed at Al Lacy exclusively.  Most of these issues are common faults found with the bulk of “Christian” fiction.

I received a review copy of Faithful Heart from Multnomah.  I thought it sounded like an interesting book, set in the western US in the 1870s.  There’s basically two storylines following two sisters: one who is making a trek west via wagon train and the other who is struggling being married to a man dealing with violent mental issues related to his Civil War service.

Al Lacy’s not a bad writer necessarily, but this book is a great example of Christian fiction gone bad.   While Lacy does try to tackle a real-life issue (mental illness) and I commend him for that, he goes about it all wrong.

First, the answer given for the mental problem is seeking professional help (as pointed out by each and every character).  Laying aside how strange this seems in the 1870s setting and the horrors that were mental health asylums in that day, this is just poor theology.  Perhaps you, my reader, wouldn’t agree with that, but I believe that the Bible is all sufficient for our needs.  Though a psychiatrist may offer valuable help, that’s not the first place to go.

Secondly, this book is chock full with church-y language.  The conversations between characters come off as untrue to real life, like a play written by an amateur (me, for instance). Like most Christians who’ve been around the church a lot I’m guilty of this as well, but it does make me cringe.  There is a way to write a story from a biblical worldview without making it sound like it was written in a Sunday School.  The God of the Bible is so much more than that.

My last major issue with this book is that everything is tied up in a neat bow.  While that might be the way we would like things, real life doesn’t work that way and we fool ourselves when we place hope that it will.  Mental illness is messy.  Even more so, our sin nature is (which we rarely see in this book aside from the “bad” guys).

To be fair, this was originally published 25 years ago.  Perhaps Lacy wouldn’t have written the book this way if he wrote it today.  I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on this matter.

Not sure why this is the first book review in 2 years on the Ignorant Historian?  Check out the reason here.

You knew this was coming right?  Though I read The Happiness Project after sharing my thoughts on our happiness idol, it contains some of the same thinking that’s so common to our culture but counter to a biblical worldview.

Though The Happiness Project follows a similar patern to The Year of Living Biblically (which I enjoyed) and Eat, Pray, Love (which I didn’t), it’s different, too.  Author Gretchen Rubin’s goal is happiness, but I felt like that goal was mis-stated or at least two-fold.  Most of her monthly goals dealt with self-improvement, not necessarily happiness (though obviously they can be related).

Interestingly enough, what I found least intersting about this book is the comments she included from her blog.  While I like to read blog comments (of course on my own blog *hint hint* but also on interesting subjects on other blogs), I don’t necessarily want to read them listed out in a book.  Perhaps they added to what she was saying, but I found whole blocks of comments without discussion from Rubin to be distracting and disruptive to the flow of the  book.

While Rubin’s endeavor for greater happiness was an understandable one, she was looking for happiness (or better yet, joy) in all the wrong places.  Nor can we truly change who we are on our own.  True, lasting joy and true, lasting change can only be found when we are in right relation to our Creator.

“Whenever you believe that the evil outside you is greater than the evil inside you, a heartfelt pursuit of Christ will be replaced by a zealous fighting of the ‘evil’ around you.” – How People Change by Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp, p. 9

“I ask myself at night, ‘Did you do everything today that you could to be the best?’ It’s very hard to answer ‘yes.’ ” – Apolo Ohno

“Give me a used Bible and I will, I think, be able to tell you about a man by the places that are edged with the dirt of seeking fingers.” – East of Eden by John Steinbeck, p. 350

“Anyone who thinks he’s too small to make a difference has never been bit by a mosquito.” – Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls, p. 246

” ‘I should have thought that a pack of British boys… would have been able to put up a better show than that.’ ” – Lord of the Flies by William Golding

“On the other hand, women who didn’t marry became old maids, spinsters who slept in the attic, sat in a corner peeling potatoes all day, and were a burden on their families, like our neighbor Old Man Pucket’s sister, Louella.” – Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls, p. 39

“When people kill themselves, they think they’re ending the pain but all they’re doing is passing it on to those they leave behind.” – Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls, p. 113

“I’d donate a kidney to Jamie without a moment’s hesitation, but I was intensely annoyed if he asked me to make a special stop at the drugstore to pick up shaving cream.” – The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, p. 41

“Some people exude their futures, good or bad.” – East of Eden by John Steinbeck, p. 277

“Money brings its own problems, of course – but money also brings options.  Money can buy childare, a separate bathroom, a vacation, the freedom from arguments over bills – all sorts of things that help stabilize a marriage.” – Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert, p. 148-149

“I had no problem with whatever she used to draw her closer to God…” – Wounded by Claudia Mair Burney, p. 158

“The number of households in America without children reached an all-time high in 2008.” – Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert, p. 149

“A man’s mind can’t stay in time the way his body does.” – East of Eden by John Steinbeck

I’m a dreamer.  I mean, I know some of you who are longtime readers of the Ignorant Historian know that I’m such a famous dreamer that I’ve been featured in The Washington Post.  Or perhaps that’s not quite how it went down.  Things get fuzzy in my old age.

As often as I have crazy adventure dreams at night (and that is every night these days), I’m even more of a daydreamer.  I’m constantly imagining things in my head: what I’ll do once I’ve reached my emergency savings goal, what I’d do if I was famous, and every step of completely-unrealized relationships from “Wanna go to dinner?” to “I do” (including how I’d tell you about him).  Actually, that last one is a recurring theme in my life.

The problem is, these daydreams are entirely unhelpful.  While these aren’t bad dreams (okay, except the famous one) they aren’t the kinds of dreams that God has for me.  I know that, but this quote still hit home:

“Though we may not be aware of it, we are often at odds with our wise and loving Lord.  The change he is working on is not the change we dream about.” – How People Change by Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp, p. 33

If I could change one thing in my life, it would be to trade in my singleness.  But I don’t think that’s high on God’s to-do list in my life.  I’m hoping that He wants me married, too, but He’s much more concerned with my righteousness.  He wants to root out out the sinful actions in my life and the sinful desires that lead me there.

May God help me make His desire, my desire.

Photo by Denis Collette

Early Morning and Late Night Babysitting!

Okay, I’m not new, but the blog is!  Love my new design?  I do!  I think Jessica did a great job of catching the essence of this blog and creating a unique look for me.

I hope you have a great weekend!

For the past two years, I’ve been enjoyed being a part of the Book Nook Club.  I loved the chance to share my opinions on books and discover new ones as well.  But as my blogging time has been limited, I realized I was spreading myself too thin by posting on two blogs.

So, from now on, I’ll be posting my book reviews here.  I probably won’t write as many as I’ve written previously, but I will share when I have a strong opinion about a book.  If ever you see that I’m reading a a book or have read a book that you’re curious about, let me know…I’d be more than happy to share my thoughts!

So, what are YOU reading?