I like Maritain’s comment that if you want to write a Christian novel, the thing to do is to live a Christian life—that’s the hard thing—and proceed with your writing. As a philosopher he perceived that it’s a mistake to impose any external form on a work of art. The artist must remain true to the work itself. But the Christian must remain true to Christ. From within that tension emerge Christian artists. But alas, as you note, lots of well-meaning religious people eagerly rush to impose forms—which, if you accept, stifle all possibility of genuine art.
As always, I appreciate this post. Even as someone of a different faith, it resonates. Thank you for writing it.
What with our current terrible state of things in America and the general very superficial tendency of looking no deeper than surfaces while adamantly refusing self-reflection, I am always so happy to encounter another thoughtful person. That's all. :)
I like Maritain’s comment that if you want to write a Christian novel, the thing to do is to live a Christian life—that’s the hard thing—and proceed with your writing. As a philosopher he perceived that it’s a mistake to impose any external form on a work of art. The artist must remain true to the work itself. But the Christian must remain true to Christ. From within that tension emerge Christian artists. But alas, as you note, lots of well-meaning religious people eagerly rush to impose forms—which, if you accept, stifle all possibility of genuine art.
As always, I appreciate this post. Even as someone of a different faith, it resonates. Thank you for writing it.
What with our current terrible state of things in America and the general very superficial tendency of looking no deeper than surfaces while adamantly refusing self-reflection, I am always so happy to encounter another thoughtful person. That's all. :)