Christian Authors' Takes on Fantasy

After a short break with the post, "In the Aftermath of NaNoWriMo," we're back with the series on Faith and Fantasy. Today's post is a collection of quotes from famous Christian authors regarding writing, Christianity, and fantasy.

First, let's begin with J.R.R. Tolkien, widely regarded as the father of modern fantasy. He had this to say about fantasy/"myth":

“We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Indeed, only by myth-making, only by becoming 'sub-creator' and inventing stories, can Man aspire to the state of perfection that he knew before the Fall. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer, however shakily, towards the true harbour.”

Francis Schaeffer, a Christian theologist and apologist, had this to say of the imagination required to write fantasy. 

“The Christian is the really free man – he is free to have imagination. This too is our heritage. The Christian is the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars.”

The prolific historical fantasy author Stephen R. Lawhead says the following of stories: 

“Perhaps it is how we are made: perhaps words of truth reach us best through the heart, and stories and songs are the language of the heart.”

Finally, let me conclude with a powerful word and warning on "creating" fantasy from C.S. Lewis.

"'Creation' as applied to human authorship seems to me to be an entirely misleading term. We rearrange elements He has provided. There is not a vestige of real creativity de novo in us. Try to imagine a new primary colour, a third sex, a fourth dimension, or even a monster which does not consist of bits and parts of existing animals stuck together. Nothing happens. And that surely is why our works never mean to others quite what we intended: because we are recombining elements made by Him and already containing His meanings."

Any thoughts on these quotes? What is the difference between "sub-creating" and "creating"? Have you seen the distinction in your own writing?

{Faerie}

J. R. R. Tokien, "On Fairy-Stories"

"The definition of a fairy-story -- what it is, or what it should be -- does not depend on any definition or historical account of elf or fairy, but upon the nature of Faerie: the Perilous Realm itself, and the air that blows in that country."

MyFreeWallpapers: Lost City of the Elfs

"Faerie contains many things besides elves and fays, and besides dwarfs, witches, trolls, giants, or dragons: it holds the seas, the sun, the moon, the sky; and the earth, and all things that are in it: tree and bird, water and stone, wine and bread, and ourselves, mortal men, when we are enchanted."

MyFreeWallpapers: Fantasy Sunset

"It is the mark of a good fairy story, of the higher or more complete kind, that however wild its events, however fantastic or terrible its adventures, it can give to the child or man that hears it, when the 'turn' comes, a catch of the breath, a beat and lifting of the heart, near to (or indeed accompanied by) tears, as keen as that given by any form of literary art."

"In such stories when the 'turn' comes we get a piercing glimpse of joy, and heart's desire, that for a moment passes outside the frame, rends indeed the very web of the story, and lets a gleam come through."

Eras of Elegance