Why we need Fiction

I think I may have already written on this topic before in a previous post, but I thought it might be good to revisit it, especially as it relates to our human experience, and particularly to Christians and to pastors. I also know that there are multiple works written on this topic (because I’ve read them) and I am sure plenty of other more eloquent blogs and articles written about this issue as it relates to being human. However, I want to try and add to the discussion by approaching it from the perspective of a believer in Christ and from the perspective of a pastor.

First, let’s address the common objection to turning our attention to anything that doesn’t relate to Scripture. Is it okay for me to “distract” myself with fiction, or television, or movies, or any other media that takes my mind off of the “things that are above, where Christ is,” and instead focuses it on “the things that are on earth” (cf. Colossians 3:1-2)? This is the position that our more fundamentalist friends would take. This is also the position that I have heard advocated from pastors I have known from the past, particularly as it related to teenagers. For instance, one time I had a pastor tell me of a teenager in my youth group, “he’s more concerned with living in a fantasy world that in the real world.” Now, in that pastor’s defense, we can easily argue that to ignore “real life” can be a dangerous precedent to set. But for the sake of the youth involved, he had a horrible home life and no one could rightly fault him for finding a mental escape in fantasy fiction or role playing games. Yes, he needed to know that he could run to Christ and he needed to be encouraged to do so (which we did) … but he also needed a way in which to escape when he was at home and make sense of the world around him. (Side note: for the sake of those rightly concerned for this young man, he was not physically or sexually abused. His step-mother was just a very hateful person. We intervened where we legally could, but thankfully we were able to love him, reaffirm Christ’s love for him, and to encourage him to spend more time with his actual mother [which he did]. He also found his way in life and is thriving in the military. There’s obviously more to this story that I am unable to share due to privacy concerns. At any rate, know that he is happy and thriving in life.).

But this situation does bring us back around to the question at the start of the previous paragraph: Is it okay to “distract” myself with things other than Scripture or that places the focus of my mind on the “things that are on earth” and not “above, where Christ is”? This is a valid concern. However, I would quickly counteract with the fact that we do live a life that is a delicate balance between “this life” and our “life in Christ.” I do think however, that we try too hard to separate those two lives. We are in Christ seated in the heavenlies with him now (Ephesians 2:6) even though we are not yet physically with Christ. So, we must still live and breathe and eat and sleep and … well … die in the “here and now.”

So I think we need to reframe the question: Is reading fiction a distraction, or does it help us better grasp the reality of our humanity and our new life in Christ? Personally, I think fiction can help us better understand the real world more than we realize, regardless of the medium in which it is presented. Over the past two summers, my church has hosted a “Christ in the Movies” series, where we watch mainstream, secular films and discuss the Christian themes contained within them, whether overt and obvious or suggestive. I can already hear that former pastor from above asking: “How could we justify showing movies in a church group that might have (gasp!) bad language or (egad!) violence?” Answer: because life is violent and sometimes it is profane! I mean, have you read the book of Joshua? I’m not suggesting that we all go out and start cussing up a storm or spilling blood in the streets or watching something that would tempt us to sin, but sheltering ourselves from the profane and violence of life has done a lot more harm than good to many in the church (as have horribly written and acted movies such as “God’s Not Dead” and “Fireproof.” But if you like those movies, then enjoy them and move on with life). The point is: there is plenty of media that we should guard our hearts and minds against (which are sinful), and there are other forms of media that may have elements that we don’t like (just like life in a fallen world) but that doesn’t mean that it’s sinful. Instead, we should learn from them and use them to edify one another.

Furthermore, when we read, write, or even watch fiction, we are living out our innate Imago Dei. Whether or not the writer or director is a believer in Christ, the creative process is part of the living out the “Image of God” built into our DNA by the Creator Himself. This is how we can watch a movie like E.T. or The Poseidon Adventure or even Arrival and see themes that are important to the church and that tell us something about who we are as human beings and who we are as the covenant people of God. So, go and watch that new superhero movie, don’t feel guilty about it, and see if maybe you can’t find some theme within it that is applicable to the Christian life, the Church, or points us to Christ … and then share it with someone in your local church.

But let’s get back to reading fiction – why do we need to read fiction? I’m going to break this down on a personal level for what it does for me, as a human male (as opposed to a lizard?) who also happens to be a pastor. Fiction allows me to not so much “turn my brain off” as it forces me to consider the human experience. Now, if we’re being honest, there is some fiction out there that won’t meet this criteria. For example, I once read a book about pet cats who had eaten tainted food that caused them to grow to the size of a large dog, made them violently feral, and have a craving for human flesh. I literally downloaded it for the sake of the cover art alone, and I feel no shame. I also feel no shame in linking it because it was that outrageous and I think everyone should read it. Bonus for my North Mississippi readers, the author is from Florence, Alabama and set the story there. Anyway, I digress, back to the topic at hand.

I read fiction not only because it forces me to consider the human experience, but also because we are a race of storytellers. As Christians, we should appreciate this immensely! Until Moses came along and physically wrote down Genesis-Deuteronomy and Job, everything we know as Scripture up to that point was related as a story. The act of story telling is vital to the importance of being human, made in the image of God. Scripture itself even testifies of itself as being told and not merely written. As the Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is breathed out by God. Now, we can have a long theological discussion over the understanding of “Spirit” and “Breath” in Scripture (which would be fun and we may do in a later post), but it doesn’t invalidate the point that we tell people about the Gospel and we preach the Gospel and we speak of Christ… all indicative of “storytelling.” And … don’t we call the Gospel “The Greatest Story Ever Told?”

Another example: I was raised in a very revivalistic church culture where “sharing a testimony” was a common thing in the worship service. Even within this practice we see the storytelling gene working itself out in church life, particularly in certain denominational traditions. And while each of these are about Scripture or life in Christ, the point remains: we tell stories for the sake of informing and persuading and inspiring, even within the faith. In the event that we sometimes share stories that are entirely made up for the sake of entertainment doesn’t mean that there isn’t something redeeming about them (except maybe the book I referenced a couple of paragraphs above).

But what about for pastors? How does all of this relate to the office of Pastor/Elder/Shepherd? Honestly, I think learning to sit back and enjoy a good novel is vital not only to understanding the human condition, and not only vital for appreciating good storytelling (and it might even make you a better communicator), but I also think it’s vital to be able to sit back and let your brain rest and focus on a good story. And while I would personally encourage you to read the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings in their entirety, just pick up a novel and enjoy it. Because through it you might just discover something beneficial to your ministry, or to that counseling opportunity that you have coming up, or … maybe you’ll make a connection with a heartbroken teen who has a step-mom who is hateful and bitter and you can bond with him or her over an epic fantasy or space battle or a historical fiction or even alternative history where time travelers go back to January 1864 and give the Confederacy AK-47s (I wish I were joking, but this is a real thing). The point is, people bond over stories. And in a beautiful way, we are able to bond with the author when we read their stories because of how so many authors pour their hearts and souls into their work. So, pick up a novel and read it, enjoy it, and share it.

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Well, I can’t very well end a blog post on reading fiction without at least mentioning what I’m currently reading or working through. Lately, I’ve been drawn to classic fiction for some reason. And while I did re-listen through the whole Harry Potter series and Lord of the Rings, I’ve been trying to be more intentional about reading stuff that is considered “must-reads” of literature. So, over the past month or so I have read Tarzan of the Apes which was phenomenal and none of the films (live action or animated) have come close to capturing the greatness of that story. They all try too hard to make it more action packed and to build up the romance between Tarzan and Jane. But reader … the boy Tarzan kills a fully grown bull-gorilla with his bare hands as well as lions, cannibals, and other jungle predators, so I don’t know how that isn’t action packed enough. I’ve also read Peter and Wendy which, while a children’s book, was quite enjoyable and worth reading if you’ve never read it. Both the movie Hook and the animated Peter Pan together capture a lot of what is in that story pretty well. So read it and then just watch both of those movies for fun. I’m now currently working my way through Slaughterhouse-Five by Vonnegut, which I’ve never read.

I’m also working through a blended version of a “100 Books to Read before you die” list from Art of Manliness and Goodreads. The reason I write “blended” is that there are simply some books that I just have no interest in reading that are on those lists and, frankly, I’ve made my peace with dying without having read them.

What are you reading? What kind of fiction do you find yourself drawn to? Are there other reasons that I didn’t mention that you think are worthy of bringing up? Post in the comments!

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As a quick “P.S.” I only had ONE comment on my last post about the new layout and design. So, Brenda … you’re the best!

Now that you’re all jealous of Brenda, go check out that post and let me know your thoughts and maybe, just maybe, I’ll give you the ever coveted shout-out here on The SouthTown Pastor.

Nick