From a brief Q/A by Marvin Olasky (World Magazine) with author N.D. Wilson.
Olasky: You’ve said you learned more philosophy, maybe even theology, from C.S. Lewis and Tolkien than from anything you studied in college. Is that one reason you write fiction rather than theological tomes?
Wilson: Christians have sometimes been suspicious of stories, because they really can influence you. If you read the Twilight novels once a month for a year, I think you’d be a different human afterward—and not a sparkly one. Stories are like catechisms, but they’re catechisms for your impulses, they’re catechisms with flesh on.
I agree (so) strongly. Lewis and Tolkien have been better trainers to my heart than most, if not all, the preachers I’ve ever heard (except my Dad –for lots of reasons). I posted the entire interview earlier (HERE), in which Wilson talks Harry Potter, stories, and much more. It is well worth your time. -Sam
(Pictured above is Wilson’s newest book, The Dragon’s Tooth, which is excellent. The sequel is due out soon.)
S. D. Smith
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Definitely true. And I’ve seen the bias against fiction in some Christian friends. I need to get them reading Chesterton and N.D. Wilson. “Imaginiation is the bridge between the heart and mind.” I totally didn’t steal that from Michael Card. Well…
Nice one. And great job fighting the Witch-King.