Christians and Literature – 10 Questions for Ian Clary

Previously, Mark Nenadov, Michael Plato, and Olga Lukmanova‘s answers on the topic of literature have been featured. Here are Ian Clary’s answers.

1. Can you give a brief summary of where you live, your educational background, what you do for a living, what church you attend, and the religious tradition you stand in?

I live in downtown Toronto, with my wife and two children. I have a master of divinity and a master of theology from Toronto Baptist Seminary where I specialized in church history. Currently I am in the process of applying for a PhD in Europe, also in church history. While I am a member of New City Baptist Church in Toronto, I am interning at Trinity Baptist Church in Burlington. Both churches are Calvinistic Baptists.

2. How has your early upbringing shaped your view and use of literature now?

I grew up with both parents who, in one way or another, put a premium on reading. While my mother was active in teaching my sister and I to read (I can remember sitting and reading the newspaper with her and feeling like a grown-up), my dad modeled it. He read copious amounts of books, typically westerns like those of Louis L’Amour. When he would finish a book, I’d pick it up and read it. Having parents who read had a big impact on me.

3. Are there any people who, in your adult life, have encouraged you to encounter literature in a deeper or more passionate way. If so, who? (they can people you know personally or not)

For the last ten years or so I have been immersed in reading theology, history, and philosophy and have unfortunately neglected literature. In highschool I was into American literature like Ginsberg, Salinger, and especially Kerouac. But once I started theological study, that faded into the background. Once in a while I would read a book like Crime and Punishment, but I could go for extended periods of time with only reading non-fiction. Last year, I read Christopher Hitchens’ memoir Hitch-22, that impacted me in a number of ways. Because he is so well-versed in English literature, I had my interest piqued. Again and again I would read Hitchens quoting from Dickens, Orwell, Waugh, Auden, Eliot, Greene and more. I began to realize that I had read little of this, and was severely impoverished because of it. Since finishing my master’s thesis last year, I have spent most of my time “catching up.” Almost every book I’ve read this year is a classic of English lit.

4. What authors/works would you re-read if you had a month-long sabbatical to dedicate to reading?

Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited, which I’m almost finished, is a book that I will read and re-read the rest of my life. It is astounding not only for the story, but for the form. Some paragraphs I’ll re-read just for the sheer pleasure of it. I would also read The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy, Tolkien was a genius. Another book, that I’ve read multiple times, is Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove, which had a huge impact on me as a kid, and is one I’m sure to read again. I was also struck by the simple beauty of Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. I could taste the salt in the air as I read it! Another would be C. S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces, which is quite powerful–that a man could write so convincingly from the perspective of a woman says a lot about Lewis’ literary and psychological abilities.

5. Who are your favorite authors or characters portrayed in literature? (if any of them have substantially changed you, list how briefly)

My favourite character would have to be Augustus “Gus” McRae from Lonesome Dove. I cry every time I read about…well, I won’t say what in case you want to read it. Another character is Innocent Smith from Chesterton’s awesome Manalive–what a zest for life and God! Of course, Samwise Gamgee was such a great friend and support to Frodo, he’s definitely an underrated hero. George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four has had a big impact on me and the way I view politics–but Winston Smith is an unfortunate character and I would hate to be him.

6. Should Christians read more literature? What are the benefits to that? What are some cautions you would share?

Christians should read literature first and foremost because we are a people of The Book. We should love words because we love The Word. Because the bible is literature, in fact it is a collection of books of great and diverse literature, we should read widely of the best sort of books in order to appreciate the literary quality of the bible. We should also read more literature because high quality literature that is full of symbolism, metaphor, thoughtfully written sentences, rhyme/metre (as in poetry), etc., all reflect the creative power of humans as they are image bearers of the Creator God. A beautifully constructed sentence reflects the beauty of God. For some of us who aspire to write, the more we read, the better a writer we become (hopefully!). The only concern I would have is don’t read drivel like Twighlight or The Da Vinci Code, it will sodden your mind!

7. To what degree is reading communal for you? (ie. Are you more solitary? Do you share in any way with your friends? Are you in reading groups?)

I can read in almost any place. I love the white noise of a coffee shop, but I also love the silence of midnight reading on my couch or in bed. I like to talk about books, stories, characters and authors with friends who appreciate literature. It sharpens me, helps me think through what I’ve read, and I get good insights.

8. What are some methods or principles you use to decide what you will and won’t read?

Because of Hitchens’ impact on me, I typically will turn to whomever he highly recommends. The man has literary taste, and I happily mooch of him in that regard. Also, friends who have good taste in literature are a big help. Michael Plato, whom you interviewed, recommended Brideshead to me, and I am eternally grateful to him for it!

9. What literary works or authors could be of the greatest value to the church if they were read more? Why?

The so-called “literary converts” like Eliot, Auden, Greene, Waugh, are all very beneficial for Christians to read because they put a Christian framework into their writings that isn’t hokey (as with so much “Christian fiction”)–as with Lewis and Tolkien. But it is also good to read those who are hostile to the faith like Sartre or Camus in order to see how their worldview shapes their art. To discern the philosophical underpinnings of any art form, literature or otherwise, is helpful for Christians to speak intelligibly to the surrounding culture. It also sharpens us by helping us see holes in our thinking, and finding answers to tough questions.

10. Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

Read Brideshead! Oh, and read Orwell!