Thank you for this beautiful piece. I’ve always loved and been moved by fiction, but even as a college English instructor, I’ve read far too few. Though I’m no longer a spring chicken as a neighbor once helpfully reminded me, I still plan to get started on those books I’ve never read.
I remember the first time I read Tolkien. I closed the last book and wandered around my life for three days in a speechless melancholy. I was gutted. All that was good had left the world, both in Middle Earth and the real. The poetic power of great literature has been impressed upon me since.
Have you heard of John Senior and the Integrated Humanities Project? Senior’s books The Death of Christian Culture and The Restoration of Christian Culture are incredible.
Thanks for sharing this, Jacob. You and I have a few friends in common. After I retired from business in 2019, I applied to and was accepted by Faulkner for the same PhD. The Lord led me to the pastorate instead (a great story for another time), but the Great Conversation will always inform my life. I enjoy reading your work and am praying for you this morning. God bless you.
The poem was beautiful. I thought you’d say the “high” branches sway; perhaps calling her away from the earthly towards something more real but as yet unreachable.
Oh gosh, friend! Do I ever have a list of book reccs for you about the Bible being a story! The first one that comes to mind if Greg Koukl’s The Story of Reality because the title is the most obvious. It’s basically the entire argument that brought Lewis to Christ—that the Bible didn’t just mirror other myths, it was myth made fact. It’s my favorite part of his story. I would’ve paid money to see that connection light the wildfire in his brain that burned until he died and gave us the greatest apologist of the 20th century. Have you ever heard of the Colson Fellows program? It may be a good fit for you with all the reading you already do.
Tactics is another great book! Lewis is my favorite author and his journals were one of my favorite things he’s written. Pre-conversion Lewis is fascinating to me. His letters are incredible too! And yes, I recommend the Colson Fellows program often. I really enjoyed it!
You should, you'd appreciate them. Make sure it's the 2023 edition though, the earlier ones were abridged.
(As I wrote this I realized how seldom I actually say "get the latest edition," usually it's "for the love of God make sure it was published no later than..."
I totally agree in the power of 'The Story'. In the final analysis, that's what keeps me reading and re-reading the Bible and so many wonderful books from the time I was first able to read (I started very early). I love the fact that you cried after you wrote the poem (it doesn't matter how good a poet you are). Are you still in AZ Jacob? That's where I live.
I used to think fiction was fun but pointless, and that classic fiction wasn't fun. How foolish!
Enjoyed the poem.
This is one of many reasons why modern education is so hollowed out; there is no focus on stories, and the best literature is absent.
One of the most memorable and impactful moments of my early education was my sixth grade teacher reading aloud “The Hobbit” to his students.
You’re so right—if you want to change someone’s life, introduce them to the great stories.
Very well done. It was through my tears given to God that I gained the ears to hear him whisper- which eventually became a roar.
Thank you for this beautiful piece. I’ve always loved and been moved by fiction, but even as a college English instructor, I’ve read far too few. Though I’m no longer a spring chicken as a neighbor once helpfully reminded me, I still plan to get started on those books I’ve never read.
Always more to read!
I remember the first time I read Tolkien. I closed the last book and wandered around my life for three days in a speechless melancholy. I was gutted. All that was good had left the world, both in Middle Earth and the real. The poetic power of great literature has been impressed upon me since.
thanks for the clarity!
So you did come to Narnia in the end, in more ways than one.
I want to think about this journey for a bit, there are some really striking points here. Thank you for sharing.
Have you heard of John Senior and the Integrated Humanities Project? Senior’s books The Death of Christian Culture and The Restoration of Christian Culture are incredible.
I am not familiar. I will have to take a look. Thanks!
I would love to see you post about him.
Thanks for sharing this, Jacob. You and I have a few friends in common. After I retired from business in 2019, I applied to and was accepted by Faulkner for the same PhD. The Lord led me to the pastorate instead (a great story for another time), but the Great Conversation will always inform my life. I enjoy reading your work and am praying for you this morning. God bless you.
Thanks brother, I appreciate your prayers!
The poem was beautiful. I thought you’d say the “high” branches sway; perhaps calling her away from the earthly towards something more real but as yet unreachable.
Just a thought.
Good thought.
Oh gosh, friend! Do I ever have a list of book reccs for you about the Bible being a story! The first one that comes to mind if Greg Koukl’s The Story of Reality because the title is the most obvious. It’s basically the entire argument that brought Lewis to Christ—that the Bible didn’t just mirror other myths, it was myth made fact. It’s my favorite part of his story. I would’ve paid money to see that connection light the wildfire in his brain that burned until he died and gave us the greatest apologist of the 20th century. Have you ever heard of the Colson Fellows program? It may be a good fit for you with all the reading you already do.
I teach Koukl’s Tactics all the time. Haven’t read the book you mentioned though (but I’ve heard of it). He’s great.
I love C. S. Lewis so much. The greatest experience with Lewis, though, is reading his personal letters. Amazing. Better than any biography.
I know of the Colson Fellows program but I’ve never looked at really. Maybe I should. 😁
Tactics is another great book! Lewis is my favorite author and his journals were one of my favorite things he’s written. Pre-conversion Lewis is fascinating to me. His letters are incredible too! And yes, I recommend the Colson Fellows program often. I really enjoyed it!
How about Tolkien's Letters?
Ha!
I haven’t gotten there yet!
You should, you'd appreciate them. Make sure it's the 2023 edition though, the earlier ones were abridged.
(As I wrote this I realized how seldom I actually say "get the latest edition," usually it's "for the love of God make sure it was published no later than..."
Yes, Susan darling. He roars for all of us. 💛
I totally agree in the power of 'The Story'. In the final analysis, that's what keeps me reading and re-reading the Bible and so many wonderful books from the time I was first able to read (I started very early). I love the fact that you cried after you wrote the poem (it doesn't matter how good a poet you are). Are you still in AZ Jacob? That's where I live.
I am. I live in Gilbert.
Wonderful!
And thanks for drawing our attention to this amazing reality of the power stories hold and how they can point to truth in a memorable way.