Dreams, fantasies, mythology, and assorted dragons have been important mind furniture since before mankind learned to write, or the various arts created images of other-worldliness. The year of the dragon is meaningful to many Asians. The gods inspired the myths and arts of ancient Greece, and sometimes Rome. Remote tribes possess sometimes exotic myths that have held for millennia. Expressions of this mythology-bent in mankind shows itself in many ways, including astrology, sci-fi creations, and the like. Reviewing the popular series by George R. R. Martin, and especially the fifth book in the series, A Dance With Dragons, Tom Shippey, in his review of the title stated: . . . fantasy is now where the big action is. Millions yearn, vicariously, to live it. We may be in a type of mythology as were the Greeks of long ago.
That the genre has had influence with Christians, as demonstrated in the writings of C. S. Lewis, we cannot deny. Both Lewis and Martin have been adapted in film and television media by persons recognizing the interest and appeal of the literary effectiveness of these authors – and others, including the ancient myths. In the adaptations made by secularists, whatever message of God may be found in the original of Lewis is largely overlooked. Most of these fantasies do not incorporate any meaningful revelation about God, either in the creation or the heavens. That God used some of the human creations of a super human context of life, we acknowledge. That ability to create the thought world of something more than man can actually achieve, helps us in the interpretation of beginnings, of a ladder and angels for Jacob, of a fiery chariot for Elijah, even for a resurrection, ascension and ultimate return of Jesus. The Revelation of St. John, the last book in the Bible, would serve as base for gigantic fantasies for those who wish to create their own interpretations of what might be, or illusions of some other creation and concept. The major problem is that religion based on human fantasy, even when it is interwoven with some biblical concepts and values may go in directions that become contradictory to what the Scripture really means to convey. Some religions using or implying the name Christian have taken fanciful turns, so create a stew of religions that deface the original. There are those who use creative approaches with such care that we feel grateful for the outcome. This was and is true for Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, for Handel’s Messiah, and uncounted creative expressions of Christian faith. Christianity deals with God’s reconciliation with mankind.
Christianity does receive considerable attention. Taken as a world enterprise it is likely the largest institution/business in the world. It is usually referred to in relation to the physical church, seen in a building or a campus of buildings and attended to by persons in innumerable communities. The primary meaning of Christianity seldom appears in the general communications of society. There are references to spiritual matters, but the main meaning of Christianity is redemptive. This sets it as unique among religions. Christianity is not likely to gain its genuine meaning in the public sector for the concepts of human depravity (man’s sinful nature in contrast to God’s holy); and a penitence (that turns from the natural inheritance of death for the Christ gift of immortality); and, the shift to value orientation in life culture (from a context of social humanism to a context of biblical righteousness). Even the Church has difficulty in holding on and clarifying the fundamental meaning of Christianity. Given the human approach, we might predict the shifting of positions on the basic meaning of Christianity. Shifting away from basics in a field has happened often in the history of the Christian community. Humanism holds out for high position in the considerations of mankind for meaning, if for no other reason than that earth is humanism’s home ground. It is well known in sports areas that having home field is an extra benefit in competition. The world is too much with us, and the spiritual field is perceived differently, even far away and exotic from our intimacy with what we have. Even among persons of faith the feeling that heaven can wait is a strong influence. Scripture counters the feeling with the challenge to human beings to become spiritual truth seekers, and the promise is that God will respond to biblically focused effort. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020