Writing a Difference

In the mid-20th century two British writers produced huge amounts of work. One is J.R.R. Tolkien, whose Silmarillion and Lord of the Rings created a genre and influenced generations. The other is C.F. Andrews, a British clergyman identified with Gandhi and the Indian poet of the age Rabindranath Tagore.

Today books, films, video games, websites influenced by Tolkien are legion. Andrews, however, is mostly out of print and unknown. Tagore is not hugely popular, as he was at the time.

Andrews wrote prolifically for magazines, journals and newspapers, recording and interpreting the struggle of India for independence from Britain. He introduced the English-speaking world to the thought of Gandhi. He wrote a number of books on Indian questions, and on his experience with Christ.

Tolkien has populated the modern imagination with balrogs, orcs, dwarves, elves, wizards and hobbits. His deeply held Christian faith provides the bedrock on which LOTR stands, but nobody I know sees it as an apologetic work.

So what?

I’m casting about for what to do with this wonderful tool called a blog. Shall I adopt a cause? Politics? God help us! Global warming? Justice in matters racial or economic? How about a devotional column about prayer? Or reading and understanding the Bible?

I really enjoy making the Bible come alive. Years ago I wrote a workbook called Touching Life through the Psalms, which pointed out the role of emotions in worship. Since then, a lot of my biblical teaching and preaching could be called Touching Life through the Bible.

In our culture we’re genuises at how? but, in George Buttrick’s words, we’re a “cut flower civilization.” We’ve lost our roots. That’s why I’m so interested in old literature and classics. We need answers to who? what? why? We need truth, not technology.

If I write about that, especially guided by the Word made flesh now Spirit, I won’t miss the mark by much.

BTW, if you are reading this, I’d love to hear from you either by comment or by email (see side bar).