Yesterday I read “The Oracle of the Dog”, a short “locked room” mystery by G.K. Chesterton featuring his clerical sleuth, Father Brown. Today, I sent my second book, “Murder Intelligently Designed” to an editor. The two stories have some features in common: a murder committed in a room with limited access, several characters who are observed in or about said room before or after the crime, and an unusual weapon.
But frankly, I like my story better. Chesterton’s story is so crammed with “clues” that I would sooner solve an algebraic equation than sort out the various motives, means and accesses. The story is told by various witnesses after the fact, and Father Brown never leaves his study.
In my book on the other hand, the clues are part of the action and only discerned as such when the murderer is revealed. To throw Chesterton a bone, his “Oracle of the Dog” is a short story which must put much information in few words while my story is book length.
G. K. and I write in the same genre, clerical crime. Father Brown is a Catholic priest; Grit Griffin and Grace Willis are lay ministers for a progressive but conservative Christian fellowship.
In “Murder Intelligently Designed” Grace’s atheistic biology teacher is found crushed by a bust of Nietzsche. The book will have an introduction by Jonathan Witt, coauthor with William Dempsey, of “Intelligent Design Uncensored.”
Showing posts with label G. K. Chesterton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label G. K. Chesterton. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Something Fishy
“Children are innocent and love justice; while most of us are wicked and naturally prefer mercy.” G. K. Chesterton
We are all imperfect, all in need of mercy and grace, which is one of many reasons I cringe when an author says, “I didn’t write this book, God did.” Their intent, in most cases is to give God glory, but . . . how can anyone claim such a thing?
My understanding of inspiration involves grace.
It is by God’s grace that I am who I am, that I write what I write, but I can’t credit him with my flaws. Anyone reading my books must sift the wheat from the chaff and give God glory for any bit of nourishment they find. I write for the same reason the boy in the gospel of John went fishing. And like him, I give my lumpy loaves and very small fish to Jesus to do with them what he will.
John 6: 9-13
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
We are all imperfect, all in need of mercy and grace, which is one of many reasons I cringe when an author says, “I didn’t write this book, God did.” Their intent, in most cases is to give God glory, but . . . how can anyone claim such a thing?
My understanding of inspiration involves grace.
It is by God’s grace that I am who I am, that I write what I write, but I can’t credit him with my flaws. Anyone reading my books must sift the wheat from the chaff and give God glory for any bit of nourishment they find. I write for the same reason the boy in the gospel of John went fishing. And like him, I give my lumpy loaves and very small fish to Jesus to do with them what he will.
John 6: 9-13
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Torn
“What we need is not the old acceptance of the world as a compromise, but some way in which we can heartily hate and heartily love it. We do not want joy and anger to neutralize each other and produce a surly contentment; we want a fiercer delight and fiercer discontent. We have to see the universe at once as an ogre’s castle, to be stormed, and yet as out own cottage to which we can return at evening.”
Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton [ http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/130 ]
G. K. Chesterton and Paul the Apostle practiced a highly emotional and conflicted Christianity.
Philippians 1:18-26
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton [ http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/130 ]
G. K. Chesterton and Paul the Apostle practiced a highly emotional and conflicted Christianity.
Philippians 1:18-26
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
"Surprised by Joy"
February 1, 1918 – C. S. Lewis reads G. K. Chesterton [ http://www.ccel.org/c/chesterton ] while hospitalized for trench foot. [ http://www.thefreedictionary.com/trench+foot ]
“In reading Chesterton, as in reading MacDonald, [ http://www.macdonaldphillips.com/legacy.html] I did not know what I was letting myself in for. A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading.” C. S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy. [ http://www.cslewis.org/sitemap.html ]
Sometimes Christian conversion is spectacular. Sometimes it is a gradual realization of truth. In every case the convert is “surprised by joy.”
Acts 9: 1-19 - Saul’s Conversion
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
“In reading Chesterton, as in reading MacDonald, [ http://www.macdonaldphillips.com/legacy.html] I did not know what I was letting myself in for. A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading.” C. S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy. [ http://www.cslewis.org/sitemap.html ]
Sometimes Christian conversion is spectacular. Sometimes it is a gradual realization of truth. In every case the convert is “surprised by joy.”
Acts 9: 1-19 - Saul’s Conversion
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Happy Birthday, Lewis Carroll
Birthday of Lewis Carroll in 1832.
'It's a cravat, child, and a beautiful one, as you say. It's a present from the White King and Queen. There now!'
'Is it really?' said Alice, quite pleased to find that she had chosen a good subject after all.
'They gave it me,' Humpty Dumpty continued thoughtfully as he crossed one knee over the other and clasped his hands round it, 'they gave it me — for an un-birthday present.'
'I beg your pardon?' Alice said with a puzzled air.
'I'm not offended,' said Humpty Dumpty.
'I mean, what is an un-birthday present?'
'A present given when it isn't your birthday, of course.'
Alice considered a little. 'I like birthday presents best,' she said at last.
Alice in Wonderland
“The first fact about the celebration of a birthday is that it is a way of affirming defiantly, and even flamboyantly, that it is a good thing to be alive.” G. K. Chesterton, Our Birthday. [ http://books.google.com/books?id=xqYiR3WO7RAC&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=G.+K.+Chesterton+%22Our+Birthday%22&source=bl&ots=zbgRduxpYp&sig=7ssoBniS45CoL-i7pYV9XbS134Y&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nAciT_PaFMyltwfMyoWiCw&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false ]
This essay addressing philosophical differences with Bernard Shaw, Bertrand Russell and H. G. Wells, among others, is an affirmation of life and an acknowledgement of our dependence on God.
Acts 17: 25- 28 - NIV
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
'It's a cravat, child, and a beautiful one, as you say. It's a present from the White King and Queen. There now!'
'Is it really?' said Alice, quite pleased to find that she had chosen a good subject after all.
'They gave it me,' Humpty Dumpty continued thoughtfully as he crossed one knee over the other and clasped his hands round it, 'they gave it me — for an un-birthday present.'
'I beg your pardon?' Alice said with a puzzled air.
'I'm not offended,' said Humpty Dumpty.
'I mean, what is an un-birthday present?'
'A present given when it isn't your birthday, of course.'
Alice considered a little. 'I like birthday presents best,' she said at last.
Alice in Wonderland
“The first fact about the celebration of a birthday is that it is a way of affirming defiantly, and even flamboyantly, that it is a good thing to be alive.” G. K. Chesterton, Our Birthday. [ http://books.google.com/books?id=xqYiR3WO7RAC&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=G.+K.+Chesterton+%22Our+Birthday%22&source=bl&ots=zbgRduxpYp&sig=7ssoBniS45CoL-i7pYV9XbS134Y&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nAciT_PaFMyltwfMyoWiCw&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false ]
This essay addressing philosophical differences with Bernard Shaw, Bertrand Russell and H. G. Wells, among others, is an affirmation of life and an acknowledgement of our dependence on God.
Acts 17: 25- 28 - NIV
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The End is Near
On this day in 1914, G. K. Chesterton and his friends spent four hours as amateur actors improvising a trial based upon Dicken’s unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Chesterton played the judge.
Around the Year with C. S. Lewis and Friends, compiled by Kathryn Lindskoog
“I wish Dickens had finished Drood and left others to begin it.” Leon Garfield, foreword to his own 1980 version of the Dickens mystery.”
When we leave this earth, we leave unfinished business. When Christ died he was able to say, “it is finished” because he had accomplished all that his father had given him to do. I pray that I will be able to accomplish whatever God created me to do before I go home.
Hebrews 9:27, 28
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Around the Year with C. S. Lewis and Friends, compiled by Kathryn Lindskoog
“I wish Dickens had finished Drood and left others to begin it.” Leon Garfield, foreword to his own 1980 version of the Dickens mystery.”
When we leave this earth, we leave unfinished business. When Christ died he was able to say, “it is finished” because he had accomplished all that his father had given him to do. I pray that I will be able to accomplish whatever God created me to do before I go home.
Hebrews 9:27, 28
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
