Thank you, Adsum, for the topic of this post – (mostly) modern Christian literature. As one who has been full of the older writers, my soul has fervently, longingly sought for, among the modern, those who could speak to my – to our – human condition here in the 21st century. Post-Tim Leary, post-Dostoevsky, Herman Hesse, Kafka, Lovecraft and all those others, great and small, who have left us on the ravaged human heartlands of the Abyss within.
In the '60s of the Woodstock generation where the sorceries – entheogen and psychedelic – opened our collective consciousness to the demonic realm, who among our writers and poets can speak into that, into the souls of so many of us in this nether realm?
Yes, indeed, the Saviour of the world, Jesus of Nazareth, can, and has, and does – as witnessed by so many of that generation and on being drawn to Him, and saved. But have we any Poets, any writers, plumbing these depths, heights, and heartlands – where not only sorcerers and witches, but actual monsters roam freely?
To my sight Tolkien is the best so far, though he is not kindred to the modern world post-Woodstock, yet his genius plumbs these depths through his fictive LOTR, and yet. . . . it is just fiction, and its characters and heroes unable to succor us in our real lives.
Yes, Jesus can, and does – carry us in His heart, an Ark in the flood of evil drowning the world. But have WE any poets and writers who plumb these depths? Whom we may call our own? Bob Dylan, for all his Nobel depth and wonder, has stopped singing, and we know not about his current faith, or lack of.
Christian literature, nonfiction, in 2025? A great topic you touched upon, Adsum!
Thanks for this, Steve! A lot to think about there.
There are a lot of writers who do this very well, but many of them are far closer to the ground than we might like. That grounding, however, keeps them humble and stable enough to speak into our present moment as succinctly as they do. There are poets, writers, artists, and even comedians who are faithfully ploughing away at the small field God has given them. I pray that we would both stumble upon those fields with greater regularity.
I must confess I'm slight envious of you walking around Oxford. I tried very hard to leave my place in rural Texas for somewhere in the UK or Europe. But God closed those doors and planted me right here for the last 22 years.
Thank you for the encouragement to read old books. Donde dialoguing with you here I've read two CS Lewis books and some plays by Aeschylus. Those books have been incredibly stimulating!
You're welcome, Justin, I'm so glad you wrote that piece. I came across an old voice note the other day, in which I was explaining to someone how to disciple people for the first time. As I listened through it, I realised how many times I've had that conversation over the years. Your series is needed.
I'm sure rural Texas is very thankful to have you. Our Pastor came here from Texas, as did a number of other members of the church plant, and so we'll likely visit at some point—after many failed attempts to do so!
Thankful to hear that You've been inspired to read those! That means a lot to me.
Thank you, Adsum, for the topic of this post – (mostly) modern Christian literature. As one who has been full of the older writers, my soul has fervently, longingly sought for, among the modern, those who could speak to my – to our – human condition here in the 21st century. Post-Tim Leary, post-Dostoevsky, Herman Hesse, Kafka, Lovecraft and all those others, great and small, who have left us on the ravaged human heartlands of the Abyss within.
In the '60s of the Woodstock generation where the sorceries – entheogen and psychedelic – opened our collective consciousness to the demonic realm, who among our writers and poets can speak into that, into the souls of so many of us in this nether realm?
Yes, indeed, the Saviour of the world, Jesus of Nazareth, can, and has, and does – as witnessed by so many of that generation and on being drawn to Him, and saved. But have we any Poets, any writers, plumbing these depths, heights, and heartlands – where not only sorcerers and witches, but actual monsters roam freely?
To my sight Tolkien is the best so far, though he is not kindred to the modern world post-Woodstock, yet his genius plumbs these depths through his fictive LOTR, and yet. . . . it is just fiction, and its characters and heroes unable to succor us in our real lives.
Yes, Jesus can, and does – carry us in His heart, an Ark in the flood of evil drowning the world. But have WE any poets and writers who plumb these depths? Whom we may call our own? Bob Dylan, for all his Nobel depth and wonder, has stopped singing, and we know not about his current faith, or lack of.
Christian literature, nonfiction, in 2025? A great topic you touched upon, Adsum!
Thanks for this, Steve! A lot to think about there.
There are a lot of writers who do this very well, but many of them are far closer to the ground than we might like. That grounding, however, keeps them humble and stable enough to speak into our present moment as succinctly as they do. There are poets, writers, artists, and even comedians who are faithfully ploughing away at the small field God has given them. I pray that we would both stumble upon those fields with greater regularity.
Lots of food for thought here, thanks Adsum.
I'm hoping to get to Oxford ( for the first time!) maybe on my birthday in May. I feel like it could be my literary home 😆
Thanks, Ishah! Oxford has so much to offer, you'll love it, and there'll likely be tonnes to do in May.
Oxford really is a beautiful place!
It truly is!
You are so kind to me to mention me here!
I must confess I'm slight envious of you walking around Oxford. I tried very hard to leave my place in rural Texas for somewhere in the UK or Europe. But God closed those doors and planted me right here for the last 22 years.
Thank you for the encouragement to read old books. Donde dialoguing with you here I've read two CS Lewis books and some plays by Aeschylus. Those books have been incredibly stimulating!
You're welcome, Justin, I'm so glad you wrote that piece. I came across an old voice note the other day, in which I was explaining to someone how to disciple people for the first time. As I listened through it, I realised how many times I've had that conversation over the years. Your series is needed.
I'm sure rural Texas is very thankful to have you. Our Pastor came here from Texas, as did a number of other members of the church plant, and so we'll likely visit at some point—after many failed attempts to do so!
Thankful to hear that You've been inspired to read those! That means a lot to me.
Thank you for sharing! It has been the highlight of my morning and a great reminder.
Thanks Ron! That means a lot to me, I'm so glad to hear it.