Gavin Ortlund recently asked on Social media the following question, whilst offering his own answer.
Justin Peter’s another prominent American Christian leader responded with this acerbic put down.
I want to make a couple of observations about the conversation. First of all, some people have been quick to point out that there are significant portions of fiction in Scripture, notably Jesus’ parables. I think that’s a bit of a red -herring as it seems clear that Peters is understanding Ortlund not to be distinguishing fact or proposition from fictitious narrative. Rather Ortlund is talking about “works of fiction”, specific books outside of Scripture.
However, I do think that Peters ignores a couple of important points. First, as my friend Steve Kneale helpfully observes here, the reality is that we are all, in some way shaped by things outside of Scripture. Peters may think that he isn’t, however a careful look back at his own past pronouncements and contributions to discussion about culture and ethics suggest that at times he has been influenced by his own politics and culture. I agree with Steve on this. There is a difference between saying that we desire and seek to be conformed to Scripture and claiming that we have already achieved that. Certainly, such a claim was not one of the Scripture writers would have made for themselves. Indeed, ironically, it reflects a worldview, a kind of perfectionism found outside of Scripture.
I also think that Peters chooses to read Ortlund uncharitably. Does he seriously believe that Gavin is encouraging people to add to God’s Word or be conformed to this world? We would rightly understand Ortlund to be suggesting that within the framework and under the authority of Scripture, we do engage with the world around us. Indeed we might see the works of other humans including works of fiction as an example of General Revelation, to be understood through the lens of Scripture. So, Peters ignores the point that there isn’t anything inheritantly wrong with acknowledging that you will be affected by things around you and that the affect will include how you see and hear things.
Peters even goes on to say that whilst his worldview is not shaped by literature he does enjoy it. However, that is to fail to recognise that unless he is engaging at a very shallow level, then if his emotions, if his sense of delight and joy are influenced by what he reads and watches, then yes his world view is being shaped by something other than Scripture.
Incidentally, in my own response to the question, I suggested that one way in which our worldviews are shaped by fiction is that it can highlight the emptiness and futility of a godless worldview. For example, the bleakness of Ian McEwan’s Atonement with its lack of Gospel Hope gives me a greater sense of joy and delight in Christ’s finished work.
It is naïve to assume that we remain unaffected by the culture around us. The secret is not to deny this but to seek to engage proactively through the lens of Scripture.
Faithroots 