Literature
The study of written works reveals the human search for meaning, moral truth, and redemption—themes that point toward the True Myth.
Christian Literary Tradition
Christianity has profoundly shaped Western literature. The greatest works of the Western canon are deeply Christian in theme and vision.
From Dante's 'Divine Comedy' to Milton's 'Paradise Lost' to Dostoevsky's 'Brothers Karamazov,' Christian faith has inspired literature of unsurpassed depth and beauty.
- Dante, Milton, Dostoevsky: The greatest works of Western literature are deeply Christian. The 'Divine Comedy' is the summit of medieval imagination.
- Tolkien and Lewis: Modern fantasy and apologetics show the power of Christian imagination. 'The Lord of the Rings' is a fundamentally Catholic work.
- Biblical Influence: The Bible is the most influential book in Western literature. Its narratives, images, and language pervade our literary heritage.
- Flannery O'Connor: O'Connor's grotesque fiction reveals grace breaking into a fallen world. 'The violent bear it away'—redemption is costly.
Literature and Truth
Fiction can convey truth in ways argument cannot. Stories bypass our defenses and speak to the heart.
Tolkien called Christianity 'the True Myth'—the myth that really happened. All the great stories are echoes of the one great Story.
- Moral Imagination: Stories shape our moral intuitions and expand our sympathies. We learn virtue by loving virtuous characters.
- Mythopoeia: Myth conveys truth through story—preparing hearts for the True Myth. Pagan myths were 'good dreams' sent by God.
- Beauty and Goodness: Beautiful writing points toward the Beautiful itself. Aesthetic experience is a window to transcendence.
- Objective-Symbolic Duality: Literature operates on both literal and symbolic levels. The best stories are true on multiple levels simultaneously.