Myth, Fantasy, and Faith

Throughout human history, men and women have had a need to explain the origins and wonders of the world around them and to answer the recurring and elemental questions of existence. Myths, the stories born of this universal human need, reflect man's earliest answers to the mysteries of the unknown. In early science as well as literature, these powerful stories reflect humankind's attempts to make sense of what was seen and experienced. Myths provided a rationale to natural events and human emotions.

Mythologies from all corners of the earth, though culturally influenced and informed, nevertheless reflect universal themes - themes that speak eloquently to the very questions at the heart of existence. Myth confronts us with the transcendent and eternal, communicating spiritual truth. Mythic stories cover the whole range of human experience. These stories of courage, endurance, love, transformation, destruction, renewal, resurrection, and regeneration dramatically communicated to man the events that shaped his existence and made him what he is. (Eliade, "Myths and Mythical Thought" in Myths)

George MacDonald, G. K. Chesterton, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, and C. S. Lewis are just a few of the significant writers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries who have affirmed the role of myth in "imaginatively comprehending what it is to be human." (Hein, Christian Mythmakers)

MacDonald, Chesterton, Lewis, Tolkien and Williams were all talented British writers, with lively, imaginative minds and passionate curiosity. Gifted critical thinkers, they explored life's eternal questions through their diverse writings. Each recognized that life poses difficult questions and both ethical and moral dilemmas. There are paradoxes. There is pain and evil. Life can be hard. There is suffering. Yet none was discouraged by these challenges. Although accomplished, successful and admired authors, these men's personal lives were a mix of joy, sorrow, success and failure. And, in each case, their life's journey and intellectual and scholarly pursuits brought them to a place of vibrant faith.

All five were Christian. Although their views on Christianity fell along a wide continuum, they shared a core of essential Christian beliefs. They shared a surety and confidence that had been hard won through times of questioning and spiritual crisis. At various times, each questioned the very nature of God and God's existence. With a faith grounded in their personal experience, enhanced by great intellect and paved with an understanding of mythology, each provided a way of understanding that there is a living, loving reality behind life's events. They possessed a vision of "permanent things." They came at their beliefs with intelligence, creativity and robust imaginations. All wrote myth and fantasy addressing complex ideas in imaginative worlds. They held in common an impressive command of mythic imagery. And as poets, each brought poetic sensibilities to their fictional explorations.

They explored, asked and attempted to answer timeless and universal spiritual questions. Today, for these and many other reasons, MacDonald, Chesterton, Tolkien, Williams and Lewis continue to appeal to contemporary audiences. Their literary fantasies still evoke wonder and stir the imagination. Many readers believe that through the works of these authors their individual faith has been transformed, their vision of reality powerfully altered, and their personal lives profoundly impacted. Hundreds of interest groups, societies, journals and magazines are devoted to the study of each author's life and works. Well known beyond the English speaking world, they have significant international popularity. Though considered by many the primary "Christian Mythmakers," their influence extends well beyond Christian circles and their writings continue to have significance, impact and currency today. Through their literary fantasies they awaken wonder, awe, and joy and imaginatively illuminate the divine. Thheir stories suggest "the eternally momentous." (Hein)

> Purchase The Video