Christian messages in literary works

[Nina]

I was reading something today and thought of all the secular writers that convey Christian messages through their literary work. One of my favorites (besides Dostoyevky's and some of Tolstoy's) is part of the poem 'If' of Rudyard Kipling.

If

"If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run..."

I am replacing the last two verses as:

[Yours will be the Heaven
And - which is more - you will be a worthy son/daughter of Christ!]

[Nina]

http://www.online-literature.com/tolstoy/2896/

[John Charmley]

Dear Nina,

Thank you for that; it is good to have it to hand like this.

Although not an Orthodox source, I am fond of this from John Donne - and it seems entirely Orthodox in its thinking and expression:


Wilt thou love God as he thee ? then digest,
My soul, this wholesome meditation,
How God the Spirit, by angels waited on
In heaven, doth make His temple in thy breast.
The Father having begot a Son most blest,
And still begetting—for he ne'er begun—
Hath deign'd to choose thee by adoption,
Co-heir to His glory, and Sabbath' endless rest.
And as a robb'd man, which by search doth find
His stolen stuff sold, must lose or buy it again,
The Sun of glory came down, and was slain,
Us whom He had made, and Satan stole, to unbind.
'Twas much, that man was made like God before,
But, that God should be made like man, much more.


The last two lines always move me greatly.

In Christ,

John

[Nina]

A renowned French author (Jean Baptiste Poquelin) Molière, successfully satirized some of the human vices such as religious hypocrisy in the "Tartuffe"; or avariciousness and hoarding in "The Miser".

Maybe Molière set the example because another French novelist, Honoré de Balzac created a more chilling character plagued by avariciousness in his work "Eugénie Grandet" Balzac also said somewhere (I do not recall where) that he created that character after a train trip where he witnessed something. The luggage of a well-to-do, elderly man fell and displayed the bent in half, dead body of his wife which the husband was transporting for burial to the place of her choosing, while trying to avoid the expenses that such transportation and burial would have entailed.

Tartuffes and Misers from literature may remind us of what Christ said about religious hypocrisy, and about the extreme generosity of the widow in the Temple.

Juxtaposing the widow of the NT and innumerable Saints, who gave everything to the poor etc. with those characters from Moliere and Balzac is embarrassing and inspiring at the same time.

Embarrassing because of the essence of those sins which are a disgrace for our nature and society (If we feel such disgust while reading about fictious sinners, how does God and angels feel when they see us sin?!) Inspiring because of the ability of our nature to repugn vices and avert from such sins and sins in general, and strive for a passionless state because our Redeemer gave us an amazing opportunity!

Kali Anastasi!

[Nina]

Another pearl form Tolstoy.

How much land does a man need?

http://stripe.colorado.edu/~morristo/HowMuchLand.html

[Olga]

Tolstoy's story reminds me of a German fairytale I read as a child by the Brothers Grimm called "The Magic Fish" (it might go under other names as well), about a poor fisherman who lives with his wife in a ditch. One day, he catches a fish which is able to grant him wishes. He throws the fish back, and goes to his wife, unsure of what to wish for. His wife tells him to wish for a cottage. So he goes back to shore, and asks the fish: "My wife and I would like a little cottage to live in, to get out of this ditch." "Go back," replied the fish, "to your cottage."

Every time the fisherman goes out to the shore to ask the fish for his wife's wishes to be granted, the water becomes more agitated.

In a succession of wishes, the fisherman's wife's avarice grows, from having a little cottage, then a stone house, then a castle, and so on, including being made king, then emperor, then pope. After a while, she is not even happy with this. She wants to be lord of the sun and moon, to be able to dictate sunrise and sunset at will. Her husband ventures out to shore yet again, barely able to stand in the howling gale, and sprayed by ferocious, mountainous seas. Yet again, he asks the fish to grant his wife's wish. "Go back, " replied the fish, "to your ditch!"

[Nina]

Yes Olga that is a beautiful fairytale. Many authors condemn greed, since we humans are always greedy for something material goods, status, feeling, food etc.

Speaking about food and fish, I always think of the Elder/Saint? (do not remember who, but please everyone, post if you know his name) who had a fish skeleton which he boiled daily and called it a "soup"!!! That was his daily meal! After boiling it, he would hang the fish skeleton again to dry at his cell's door and re-boil it the next day. He reproached himself and called that an indulgence! I try to think of him whenever I have a craving during Lent.

[Owen Jones]

Kipling was hardly a Christian; let's not read too much into him.

[Nina]

Kipling was hardly a Christian; let's not read too much into him.

Oops... I never said Kipling was a Christian. The title of the thread is "Christian messages in literary works" and about Kipling I say "...all the secular writers that convey Christian messages through their literary work. One of my favorites (besides Dostoevsky's and some of Tolstoy's) is part of the poem 'If' of Rudyard Kipling" At the end of the poem 'If' I even replace the last two verses of the poem with what I, as a Christian read.

The problem of reading secular literature is not new.

Fathers of the Church such as Saint Chrysostom and Saint Basil the Great have dealt in their epoch with questions about the pagan literature and classical education of the children. And to make the issue more piquant, Christianity was just establishing itself after decades of martyrdom and persecution from the pagans.

Let us see how these Fathers approach the problem:

Saint John Chrysostom certainly condemns pagan religion, but not the classical cultural inheritance. He has said in his 'Homily on the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians' that:

"Read, if you will, both our own (books), and those without [meaning pagan books] for they also abound in such examples. ...if you admire the works of philosophers, go even to them. They will instruct thee, relating ancient calamities, as will poets, and orators, and sophists, and all historians. From every side, if you will, you may find examples." You can find this here: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.iv.vi.i.html

Chrysostom also brings arguments that "barbarian/pagan philosophers/wise men" can as well teach something to us, as in the case of Magi:

"For which of you, for Christ's sake, hath made so long a pilgrimage [Magi for their pilgrimage to worship baby Jesus, traveled approximately 2 years], you that have received countless benefits, as these barbarians, or rather, these wiser than the wisest philosophers?" (Homily VII) You may read this here: http://www.tparents.org/Library/Religion/Christian/Fathers/NPNF1-10/npnf1-10-13.htm

Saint Basil in his "Address to young men on the right use of Greek literature" emphasizes the value of pagan literature.

"Into the life eternal the Holy Scriptures lead us, which teach us through divine words. But so long as our immaturity forbids our understanding their deep thought, we exercise our spiritual perceptions upon profane writings, which are not altogether different, and in which we perceive the truth as it were in shadows and in mirrors. Thus we imitate those who perform the exercises of military practice, for they acquire skill in gymnastics and in dancing, and then in battle reap the reward of their training. We must needs believe that the greatest of all battles lies before us, in preparation for which we must do and suffer all things to gain power. Consequently we must be conversant with poets, with historians, with orators, indeed with all men who may further our soul's salvation. Just as dyers prepare the cloth before they apply the dye, be it purple or any other color, so indeed must we also, if we would preserve indelible the idea of the true virtue, become first initiated in the pagan lore, then at length give special heed to the sacred and divine teachings, even as we first accustom ourselves to the sun's reflection in the water, and then become able to turn our eyes upon the very sun itself.6

III. If, then, there is any affinity between the two literatures, a knowledge of them should be useful to us in our search for truth; if not, the comparison, by emphasizing the contrast, will be of no small service in strengthening our regard for the better one. With what now may we compare these two kinds of education to obtain a simile? Just as it is the chief mission of the tree to bear its fruit in its season, |104 though at the same time it puts forth for ornament the leaves which quiver on its boughs, even so the real fruit of the soul is truth, yet it is not without advantage for it to embrace the pagan wisdom, as also leaves offer shelter to the fruit, and an appearance not untimely. That Moses, whose name is a synonym for wisdom, severely trained his mind in the learning of the Egyptians,7 and thus became able to appreciate their deity.8 Similarly, in later days, the wise Daniel is said to have studied the lore of the Chaldaeans while in Babylon,9 and after that to have taken up the sacred teachings."

This can be found here: http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/basil_litterature01.htm

However Saint Basil in the same place warns:

IV. "Perhaps it is sufficiently demonstrated that such heathen learning is not unprofitable for the soul; I shall then discuss next the extent to which one may pursue it. To begin with the poets, since their writings are of all degrees of excellence, you should not study all of their poems without omitting a single word. When they recount the words and deeds of good men, you should both love and imitate them, earnestly emulating such conduct. But when they portray base conduct, you must flee from them and stop up your ears, as Odysseus is said to have fled past the song of the sirens,10 for familiarity with evil writings paves the way for evil deeds. Therefore the soul must be guarded with great care, lest through our love for letters it receive some contamination unawares, as men drink in poison with honey. We shall not praise the poets when they scoff and rail, when they represent fornicators and winebibbers, when they define blissfulness by groaning tables and wanton songs. Least of all shall we listen to them when they tell us of their gods, and especially when they represent them as being many, and not at one among themselves.11 For, among these gods, at one time brother is at variance with brother, or the father with his children; at another, |105 the children engage in truceless war against their parents. The adulteries of the gods and their amours, and especially those of the one whom they call Zeus, chief of all and most high, things of which one cannot speak, even in connection with brutes, without blushing, we shall leave to the stage. I have the same words for the historians, and especially when they make up stories for the amusement of their hearers. And certainly we shall not follow the example of the rhetoricians in the art of lying. For neither in the courts of justice nor in other business affairs will falsehood be of any help to us Christians, who, having chosen the straight and true path of life, are forbidden by the gospel to go to law. But on the other hand we shall receive gladly those passages in which they praise virtue or condemn vice. For just as bees know how to extract honey from flowers, which to men are agreeable only for their fragrance and color, even so here also those who look for something more than pleasure and enjoyment in such writers may derive profit for their souls. Now, then, altogether after the manner of bees must we use these writings, for the bees do not visit all the flowers without discrimination, nor indeed do they seek to carry away entire those upon which they light, but rather, having taken so much as is adapted to their needs, they let the rest go. So we, if wise, shall take from heathen books whatever befits us and is allied to the truth, and shall pass over the rest. And just as in culling roses we avoid the thorns, from such writings as these we will gather everything useful, and guard against the noxious.12 So, from the very beginning, we must examine each of their teachings, to harmonize it with our ultimate purpose, according to the Doric proverb, 'testing each stone by the measuring-line.' 13 |106 "

Therefore you are right that we should exercise caution when dealing with secular literature. And of course we are not blessed with the Divine gift of the Holy Discernment on what is good, or bad.

However I think that as the Fathers emphasize, we should try to receive the beneficial moral examples and teachings in these works and reject the non-Christian messages - or the way of life of their authors if non-Christian.

I think the intention for imitating good that is to be found also in our world and a will to follow the example of "bees that in the middle of trash go to the only flower that is there and extract pollen" and "having taken so much as is adapted to their needs, they let the rest go" will not fail us. God sees our heart/intentions after all.

[Rick Henry]

Here is one that has had special meaning to me over the years (possibly we can save the conversation about whether Father Thompson was a Christian or not for another time):

http://www.mcs.drexel.edu/~gbrandal/Illum_html/hound.html

I especially appreciate the conclusion of Thompson's poem:

"All which I took from thee I did but take,
Not for thy harms,
But just that thou might'st seek it in My arms.
All which thy child's mistake
Fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home :
Rise, clasp My hand, and come !"
Halts by me that footfall :
Is my gloom, after all,
Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly ?
"Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,
I am He Whom thou seekest !
Thou dravest love from thee, who dravest me."

[Marie-Duquette]

Kipling was hardly a Christian; let's not read too much into him.

Perhaps when a person is reading "secular writers", even non-Christian writers, and if the reader is striving for "purity of heart" in Christ, the Holy Spirit will cause a certain Light to shine upon the words read; or, will allow the lines of a "verse", "paragraph" or "word" , to jump out with meaning, thus, touching the "heart" of the person reading. Then, perhaps a deeper understanding of what "inspiration" truly is, where it comes from, and what it is saying, not only literally, but mystically could clarify something for the reader on his/her spiritual journey, in daily life.

This has happened to me often; and I thank God for being present to me in that particular moment in time. Then, I can understand the meaning of the prayer: "Oh Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth who are everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings, and Giver of life, come and abide in us; and cleanse us of every impurity and save our souls, Oh Good One!"

marie_duquette

ps -- Glory to God for all Things!

I see His blood upon a rose,
And in the stars the glory of His eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.

I see His face in every flower,
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but His voice -- and carven by His power
Rocks are His written words.

All pathways by His feet are worn,
His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns are twined with every thorn
His cross is every tree.

Joseph Mary Plunkett (1887-1916)

[Olga]

Readers may also be aware of the story "The Selfish Giant", by Oscar Wilde. I first came across it as an eleven-year old, in the same volume of children's literature which had the story of the magic fish.

It is quite startling that this worldly and cynical writer and playwright could write such a moving and morally sound little tale. He may not have led the most Christian of lives, but perhaps there was hope for the old ratbag, after all ....

www.oscarwildecollection.com (http://www.oscarwildecollection.com)

[Mary]

Readers may also be aware of the story "The Selfish Giant", by Oscar Wilde. I first came across it as an eleven-year old, in the same volume of children's literature which had the story of the magic fish.

It is quite startling that this worldly and cynical writer and playwright could write such a moving and morally sound little tale. He may not have led the most Christian of lives, but perhaps there was hope for the old ratbag, after all ....

www.oscarwildecollection.com (http://www.oscarwildecollection.com)

Olga, thanks so much for that link! It's been so long since I've read those stories by Oscar Wilde. I wonder if they hit me deeper now than they did when I was a child!

Mary

[Nina]

C'est une chanson qui nous resemble - It's a song that we resemble

This is not exactly a literary work, but the music and lyrics are wonderful and of course that combined with the voice of Andrea Bocelli... He sings here to love - which in my opinion is a gift from God to humans.

More precisely this is a nostalgic song for lost love... it reminds me of the nostalgia and longing of Adam and Eve for the lost Paradise, and for their original relationship with God. Also it is a good reminder, that life is fleeting (like autumn leaves, and the sea that erases footprints) and that our true fatherland is Paradise. It feels like the music plays with the strings of your heart and that intertwined with the French of Bocelli - which has a cute, slightly Italian hue. :) For all those like me, here is the music-less text of Autumn Leaves from album Amore. If you have a chance listen to it, because it can move even those not so sensitive. :) After all C'est une chanson, qui nous resemble - It's a song that we resemble

C'est une chanson
Qui nous resemble
Toi tu m'aimais
Et je t'aimais

Nous vivions tous
Les deux ensemble
Toi qui m'aimais
Moi qui t'aimais

Mais la vie sépare
Ceux qui s'aiment
Tout doucement
Sans faire de bruit
Et la mer efface sur le sable
Le pas des amants désunis

Mais la vie sépare
Ceux qui s'aiment
And the falling leaves
Tout doucement
Sans faire de bruit
Drifted by the window
Et la mer efface sur le sable
The autumn leaves
Le pas des amants désunis
Of red and gold

Mais la vie sépare
Ceux qui s'aiment
Tout doucement
Sans faire de bruit
Et la mer efface sur le sable
Le pas des amants désunis

It's a song
That we resemble
You, you loved me
And I loved you

We lived together
Both of us
You who loved me
I who loved you

But life separated
Those who loved
Very gently
Without making a sound
And the sea erased under the sand
The footprints of the separated lovers

But life separated
Those who loved
And the falling leaves
Very gently
Without making a sound
Drifted by the window
And the sea erased under the sand
The footprints of the separated lovers

But life separated
Those who loved
Very gently
Without making a sound
And the sea erased under the sand
The footprints of the separated lovers

[Simon]

I've tried,so far unsuccessfully, to find a free mp3 download, and would appreciate any useful information thereto. Thanks Nina for your untiring production of texts to keep our morale up, Simon

[Antony Solomon]

I think it is wonderful how, as a Christian, one can read something and find a deeper meaning in it, perhaps not intended by the writer. Yet it is a test that we can read other things and turn from them. I was a big Ayn Rand follower before I was a Christian, and a few years a go I came across a second hand copy of Atlas Shrugged. Well, I didn't get past chapter 2. The same has happened with other things I used to read too. But there have been new discoveries along the way, C S Lewis, JRR Tolkien, F Dostoyevsky, Charles Williams (the Inkling).

[Nina]

Yes Anton, because as you can see above Saint Chrysostom and Saint Basil have said we can read other things as long as we remain loyal to our Christian belief; because we can find motivation to become better people even in worldly things. Because as Father Scmemman says (in his book "Great Lent") not everyone is a theologian and we can not expect everyone to read theological books, so if secular books with their good morals help someone get closer to Christ, by all means use all the motivation you can. There was a time when I was a kid and I had no access to Saints' lives and their model, and the motivation besides my family were some foreign movies about Cinderella and Snow-white, I admired them and wanted to emulate them on how compassionate they were towards the weak and the elderly and the poor (this is not in the Disney version) and how they treated all who wronged them etc.

P.S Robert, I emailed you.