The Content We Consume (part 2)

"Man Writing" by Oliver Ray

Last week, I looked at Biblical background and suggested guiding principles for the content we consume. Here, I continue with some foundational topics- creativity and fiction.

On Creativity

Why do we create art, perform musicals, make movies, write books, or do anything like this in the first place? We need to start with our identity.

"When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God." (Genesis 5:1b) An in the beginning, God created (Genesis 1). Made in His image, humans are wired to create. Though we cannot (like God) create ex nihilo (out of nothing)- nothing is new under the sun, but has been around since ages past (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10)- we can and do create by taking things (objects, ideas, etc.) and combining them in novel and interesting ways. Which leads us to imagination.

God does not just create- He is creative. This attribute, like others, can be clearly seen in the things He has made (Romans 1:19-20). The astounding diversity of this world- even today, we have yet to fully plumb its depths- speaks to an imagination far beyond anything we can conceive. He is artistic. He speaks things into being (Genesis 1 again) and even sings over His people (Zephaniah 3:17). Being in His image, humans are also imaginative- we are creative creators. We don't just make things . . . we make them with artistry. The Lord expects, values, and enables this (see Exodus 35:30-35, where the Lord fills Bezalel "with the spirit of God . . . and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs . . .").

The creative attributes of God can also be seen in the Bible taken as a whole. The Bible- God's revealed word to us- could have been much shorter. A few pages on the nature of God (who He is), man (who we are), our relationship, and what God expects of us. It could have been straightforward and systematic. Instead, what we have is a collection of history, poetry, prophecy, letters, stories, and other writings. It is telling that the Lord chooses to deliver His messages through such varied literary styles and methods. 

On Fiction

Why do we create fictional things- stories, movies, artwork, etc.? Why do we act in plays about fictional events or play games with fictional themes? In short, why deal in stories that are not true? 

If we are, by nature, creative creators, it follows that we will design things and produce art (books, paintings, movies, etc.) about fictional things. In a sense we must- fiction is making something up that does not exist, so creating (for humans) implies fiction. If I am (say) recounting a historical event, there is a creative aspect in how I present it, but you could argue that I'm not technically creating anything- just creatively re-telling what is already known. And that is a good and necessary skill. But if creating means producing something new, fiction is one obvious result. And we needn't look far to see that in action- children naturally do this as they play, and we continue the trend as we age, just in different ways. We need fiction in our lives.

 

Fiction is not its own end- we don't do it simply for the fun of creating (though it is fun) or because it enables us to use, enjoy, and explore the gift of imagination. We create new situations, characters, plotlines, dialogue, and even new species, rules, and worlds because we cherish and are driven by stories. We are a story-telling people. Even fictional ones help us better understand and live in our own world, because fiction, though it may not contain 'fact of' truth, can contain a wealth of wisdom.

I mentioned truth and wisdom in the first post. You can write a story that is not true to convey wisdom. Good storytelling "can teach you about the world and about yourself . . . [y]ou become wiser . . . in the sense that you are more deeply aware of the great and enduring truths of human life." (Adler & Van Doren, How to Read a Book). Jesus told stories all the time, speaking in parables and fictional scenarios to illustrate eternal truths. And that alone should be enough to tell us that fiction matters (and can be a very good thing).

Summary

We are creative creators because we reflect the Lord's attributes, which we see in His world and His Word. Fiction is one facet of this, producing works of art that may not have 'fact of' truth but contain a wealth of wisdom. So as we wrestle with what content is suitable to consume, we should not ignore the power and beauty of fiction. 

In the next post, I'll zero in on the fantasy genre, which comes under special scrutiny and thus requires further analysis.