2013 World Orthodoxy, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Conference

[Maria]

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/r ... 3l284ac324

• DOXACON is an opportunity for Christian fans of the science-fiction & fantasy genre, to engage in positive exploration of themes held in common between Christianity, Fantasy and Science Fiction... especially in a time in which this genre is seeing a renaissance among popular culture. If you enjoy engaging in meaningful dialogue on subjects concerning Middle Earth, Hogwarts, Narnia, Star Trek, Star Wars or Dr. Who, to name just a few, then this is the conference is for you!

  In the words of St. Basil the Great: "Now, then, altogether after the manner of bees must we use these writings, for the bees do not visit all the flowers without discrimination, nor indeed do they seek to carry away entire those upon which they light, but rather, having taken so much as is adapted to their needs, they let the rest go. So we, if wise, shall take from heathen books whatever befits us and is allied to the truth, and shall pass over the rest.”

Isn't this a misapplication of St. Basil?

In the literature of the ancient Greeks, in Oedipus Rex, there was the idea that one man had to die for many, a foreshadowing of Christ's own Crucifixion. Isn't this type of ancient literature that which St. Basil had in mind?

[jgress]

I think it's a principle that can be applied to any secular literature, and in practice has been, e.g. Byzantines made use of writings by Papists, Jews and Muslims. Why should it be limited just to the literature of the pagan Greeks?

[Lydia]

The truth is the truth, even when spoken by a known liar.
But, Yes, Maria, I think this is a shocking abuse of the teaching of a great Saint. It is meant to lead people astray. Shameful!

[jgress]

The truth is the truth, even when spoken by a known liar.
But, Yes, Maria, I think this is a shocking abuse of the teaching of a great Saint. It is meant to lead people astray. Shameful!

How is it an abuse? Do you have reasons for this assertion?

[Lydia]

My reasons for this assertion are that science fiction and most fantasy literature presents a counter-narrative to Orthodox Christianity.
St. Basil was writing in an era when there was very little in the way of fiction. The short-story or novel had not yet been invented, and tales were passed on through the spoken word.
The printed word, because it was costly, time-consuming to produce, and available to only those few who could read, was almost exclusively used for scholarly or spiritual works.
As late as the eighteen century, many western Christian preachers considered fiction as the work of the devil. Richardson's "Pamela", although regarded now as a puritanical work, was soundly condemned in its day.

The organizers imply that St. Basil would approve of a comparative assessment of the works of the Holy Fathers and J.K Rowling. This is shameful.

[Maria]

My reasons for this assertion are that science fiction and most fantasy literature presents a counter-narrative to Orthodox Christianity.
St. Basil was writing in an era when there was very little in the way of fiction. The short-story or novel had not yet been invented, and tales were passed on through the spoken word.
The printed word, because it was costly, time-consuming to produce, and available to only those few who could read, was almost exclusively used for scholarly or spiritual works.
As late as the eighteen century, many western Christian preachers considered fiction as the work of the devil. Richardson's "Pamela", although regarded now as a puritanical work, was soundly condemned in its day.

The organizers imply that St. Basil would approve of a comparative assessment of the works of the Holy Fathers and J.K Rowling. This is shameful.

I agree with you, Lydia, in that St. Basil probably was not predicting the novel with its lurid sexual escapades today. However, some Christian writers have used the novel to help evangelize the world, just as Christ used the parable to teach morality and religious truths.

Wasn't the Pilgrim's Progress accepted in its day? This is theological fantasy, is it not?
It is a form of a parable.

C.S. Lewis adopted this style in his Pilgrim's Regress, in which he shared his struggles with the -isms of the day.

[jgress]

I don't think we can judge this symposium without knowing more about what they say about the relationship between, say, Rowling and Orthodoxy. The mere fact that they want to talk about fantasy and science fiction doesn't make them heretics; what matters is obviously the conclusions they draw from their studies. If they end up saying everything in Rowling is compatible with Orthodoxy, I would be suspicious (although I don't actually know that much about her work); if they say certain parts are compatible, then that might well be true.

St Justin the Philosopher in his discourse to the Greeks considered that the "compositions of your poets [i.e. Homer etc.] are monuments of madness and intemperance". Nowadays, of course, even traditionalist Orthodox clergy recommend the reading of Homer and the study of Greek myths as edifying (e.g. Fr Steven Allen in a message about Orthodox education).

I think that if your conscience bothers you about certain literature, you shouldn't read it, but you shouldn't judge others who do read it. Some Orthodox may be able to handle it, others may not. Discernment is everything.