The Christmas CarolThe Christmas Carol as Christian Truthas Christian Truth

Introduction to Christian Literary Introduction to Christian Literary Analysis and to Charles DickensAnalysis and to Charles Dickens !!

Session One: November 23, 2014

  8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there report; if there be any virtue, and if there

be any praise, think on these things.be any praise, think on these things.

The Word to Live ByThe Word to Live By

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Session Truth:Session Truth:

God is faithful to Sanctify God is faithful to Sanctify Christians in their understanding Christians in their understanding of what they read and view.of what they read and view.

God’s Truth shines in the inspired God’s Truth shines in the inspired words of great authors.words of great authors.

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2 (KJV)Scripture: Isaiah 9:2 (KJV)  

      2 The people that walked in darkness have 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. shined.

Chapter OverviewChapter Overview

Should Literature Be Studied in Sunday Should Literature Be Studied in Sunday School?School?

How does one determine what is true?How does one determine what is true? Can God use the secular artist? Can God use the secular artist?

Should Literature Be Studied in Should Literature Be Studied in Sunday School?Sunday School?

There are many fellow believers who think There are many fellow believers who think that the that the only bookonly book a Christian should study is a Christian should study is the Bible.the Bible.

A complaint raised by some is that teachers A complaint raised by some is that teachers sometimes get so engrossed on some social sometimes get so engrossed on some social issue, they neglect basic Biblical truths.issue, they neglect basic Biblical truths.

Not going to happen in this class in that all Not going to happen in this class in that all that is discussed will be based on scripture.that is discussed will be based on scripture.

That being said do we treat all That being said do we treat all scripture as presenting God’s scripture as presenting God’s truth in the same way?truth in the same way?

There has been a lot of discussion about that.There has been a lot of discussion about that.

Scriptural DebateScriptural Debate

The Catholic Church The Catholic Church chosechose which which booksbooks to include in the to include in the BibleBible in the in the Synod's of Hippo (393 AD) and Synod's of Hippo (393 AD) and confirmed it at Carthage (397 AD).confirmed it at Carthage (397 AD).

Sometimes what was chosen has Sometimes what was chosen has bothered great Christians. bothered great Christians.

Martin Luther said. . . Martin Luther said. . . ““The St. James' Epistle is really an epistle The St. James' Epistle is really an epistle

of straw ... for it has nothing of the nature of straw ... for it has nothing of the nature of the Gospel about it."of the Gospel about it."

About the Book of Revelation, Luther said:About the Book of Revelation, Luther said: "I miss more than one thing in this book, "I miss more than one thing in this book,

and this makes me hold it to be neither and this makes me hold it to be neither apostolic nor prophetic. . . . and can nohow apostolic nor prophetic. . . . and can nohow detect that the Holy Spirit produced it . . . detect that the Holy Spirit produced it . . . there are many far better books for us to there are many far better books for us to keep."keep."

CS Lewis had real problems with the Psalms that CS Lewis had real problems with the Psalms that curse their enemies:curse their enemies:"The hatred is there---festering, gloating, "The hatred is there---festering, gloating,

undisguised---and also we should be wicked if we undisguised---and also we should be wicked if we in any way condoned or approved it, or (worse in any way condoned or approved it, or (worse still) used it to justify similar passions in still) used it to justify similar passions in ourselves. . . These prayers of the psalmists "are ourselves. . . These prayers of the psalmists "are indeed devilish" (C. S. Lewis).indeed devilish" (C. S. Lewis).

It is important to It is important to note that neither note that neither critic stopped reading critic stopped reading the scriptures.the scriptures.How do moderns know that deeds do not the only How do moderns know that deeds do not the only way to open the gates of Heaven and that the hatred way to open the gates of Heaven and that the hatred expressed in the psalms is not Christ-like?expressed in the psalms is not Christ-like?By Reading the scripture as a whole.By Reading the scripture as a whole.Prayer, talking to God.Prayer, talking to God.Having Bible study with othersHaving Bible study with others

Thus we are in a tradition which Thus we are in a tradition which acknowledges that the level of literal acknowledges that the level of literal truth in scripture varies from book to truth in scripture varies from book to book within the Bible.book within the Bible.

All are God’s Word but they are so in All are God’s Word but they are so in different ways.different ways.

If God’s word contains levels of truth If God’s word contains levels of truth what about the “best that has been what about the “best that has been thought or said”?thought or said”?

Where is God’s Truth in Non Where is God’s Truth in Non Biblical Sources?Biblical Sources? C. S. Lewis. . .allowed for the C. S. Lewis. . .allowed for the

"inspiration" of later extra-biblical "inspiration" of later extra-biblical material. He once wrote (in a May material. He once wrote (in a May 7, 1959 letter) to Clyde Kilby: 7, 1959 letter) to Clyde Kilby:

"If every good and perfect gift "If every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights, comes from the Father of lights, then all true and edifying writings, then all true and edifying writings, whether in Scripture or not, must be whether in Scripture or not, must be in some sense inspired."in some sense inspired."

With reference to the writing of With reference to the writing of Pilgrim’s ProgressPilgrim’s Progress, Bunyan said: , Bunyan said: "It came," and Lewis remarked: "It came," and Lewis remarked:

"It came. I doubt if we shall ever "It came. I doubt if we shall ever know more of the process called know more of the process called ‘inspiration’ than those two ‘inspiration’ than those two monosyllables tell us." monosyllables tell us."

If the level of “truth” in the Bible If the level of “truth” in the Bible is in different shades and there is in different shades and there exists the possibility of truth in exists the possibility of truth in extra biblical sources, how can we extra biblical sources, how can we tell?tell?

Reading Scripture to understand God’s heart Reading Scripture to understand God’s heart as a whole.as a whole.

Prayer, talking to God.Prayer, talking to God. Bible study with othersBible study with others

Dickens’ Christianity in his Dickens’ Christianity in his A A Christmas Carol.Christmas Carol.

It should be noted that a Christ-less Christmas was It should be noted that a Christ-less Christmas was unthinkable to Dickens.unthinkable to Dickens. Even though he was criticized even Even though he was criticized even in his own time for not being overt about his faith.in his own time for not being overt about his faith.

In a letter described in the introduction to his In a letter described in the introduction to his The Life of Our The Life of Our Lord,Lord, as "perhaps the last words written by Dickens" he as "perhaps the last words written by Dickens" he describes his own tendency to incorporate but not preach his describes his own tendency to incorporate but not preach his beliefs in his writings in a time when many used their faith beliefs in his writings in a time when many used their faith as a way to political and economic advantage: as a way to political and economic advantage:

““I have always striven in my writings to express veneration I have always striven in my writings to express veneration for the life and lessons of Our Savior, because I feel it. . . for the life and lessons of Our Savior, because I feel it. . . But I have never made proclamation of this from the But I have never made proclamation of this from the housetops” housetops” ((Life of Our LordLife of Our Lord 4). 4).

Are there Christian References in Are there Christian References in A Christmas Carol?A Christmas Carol?

Some thought not:Some thought not: The most famous example is Ruskin's The most famous example is Ruskin's

comment to a friend that Dickens' Christmas comment to a friend that Dickens' Christmas was nothing more than was nothing more than "mistletoe and "mistletoe and pudding--neither resurrection from the pudding--neither resurrection from the dead, nor rising of new stars, not teaching dead, nor rising of new stars, not teaching of wise men, nor shepherds." of wise men, nor shepherds." (Qt. in Davis (Qt. in Davis 59)59)..

Actual textual references to Actual textual references to Christ. . .Christ. . .

[Fred] "I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when [Fred] "I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round--it has come round--apart from the veneration due to its sacred apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from thatthat--as a good time; a kind, forgiving time. . . " (Dickens 4). --as a good time; a kind, forgiving time. . . " (Dickens 4).

[Marley] "Why did I walk through the crowds of fellow-beings [Marley] "Why did I walk through the crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down and never raised them to with my eyes turned down and never raised them to that blessed that blessed Star which led Wise Men to a poor abode? Star which led Wise Men to a poor abode? Were there no poor Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me?" (Dickens homes to which its light would have conducted me?" (Dickens 79) 79)

[Marley] "Not to know that [Marley] "Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness" short for its vast means of usefulness" (Dickens 14). (Dickens 14).

[Narrator] "He resolved to lie awake until the hour was past; and, [Narrator] "He resolved to lie awake until the hour was past; and, considering that considering that he could no more go to sleep than go to heaven, he could no more go to sleep than go to heaven, this was perhaps the wisest resolution in his power" (Dickens 14). this was perhaps the wisest resolution in his power" (Dickens 14).

[Bob] "He [Tiny Tim] told me coming home that he [Bob] "He [Tiny Tim] told me coming home that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made remember upon Christmas Day, who made beggars walk and blind men seebeggars walk and blind men see" (38). " (38).

[Narrator] "After a while they played at forfeits; for [Narrator] "After a while they played at forfeits; for it is good to be children sometimes, and never better it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a mighty Founder was a child himselfchild himself" (Dickens 46). " (Dickens 46).

[Peter reading scripture] [Peter reading scripture] "And He took a child, and "And He took a child, and set him in the midst of them. . ." set him in the midst of them. . ." (Dickens 59 ) (Dickens 59 ) (Mark 9:36 KJV). (Mark 9:36 KJV).

[Narrator] "He [the redeemed Scrooge] [Narrator] "He [the redeemed Scrooge] went to went to church church (Dickens 66). (Dickens 66).

The Tendency of the World to Escape The Tendency of the World to Escape Dickens’ Preaching through Dickens’ Preaching through Exaggeration of the Carol qualitiesExaggeration of the Carol qualities

Tiny Tim is not the cherub so often portrayed Tiny Tim is not the cherub so often portrayed in film and stage. How often have you seen in film and stage. How often have you seen some dramatization when Tiny Tim says some dramatization when Tiny Tim says something sweet about Scrooge at the something sweet about Scrooge at the Christmas dinner table and that like Luke Christmas dinner table and that like Luke Skywalker he somehow believes there is still Skywalker he somehow believes there is still some good in the old man?some good in the old man?

The fact is that he is far more a natural child The fact is that he is far more a natural child than the dramatists give him credit for. than the dramatists give him credit for. Here’s how the scene goes in the text:Here’s how the scene goes in the text:   

How does Tim toast?How does Tim toast? 'I'll drink his health for your sake and the Day's,' 'I'll drink his health for your sake and the Day's,'

said Mrs Cratchit,' not for his. Long life to him! said Mrs Cratchit,' not for his. Long life to him! A merry Christmas and a happy new year. He'll A merry Christmas and a happy new year. He'll be very merry and very happy, I have no doubt!' be very merry and very happy, I have no doubt!'

The children drank the toast after her. It was the The children drank the toast after her. It was the first of their proceedings which had no first of their proceedings which had no heartiness. heartiness. Tiny Tim drank it last of all, but he Tiny Tim drank it last of all, but he didn't care twopence for it.didn't care twopence for it. Scrooge was the Scrooge was the Ogre of the family. The mention of his name cast Ogre of the family. The mention of his name cast a dark shadow on the party, which was not a dark shadow on the party, which was not dispelled for full five minutes. (Dickens 41).  dispelled for full five minutes. (Dickens 41).  

Of course it is the line mentioned earlier Of course it is the line mentioned earlier when listing the scriptural references when listing the scriptural references that abound in that abound in A Christmas CarolA Christmas Carol that that has helped created the angelic glow in has helped created the angelic glow in depictions of Tiny Tim. His father notes depictions of Tiny Tim. His father notes after church that after church that “Somehow he gets “Somehow he gets thoughtful, sitting by himself so much, thoughtful, sitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. He told me, coming home, ever heard. He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind made lame beggars walk, and blind men see”men see” (Dickens 38). (Dickens 38).

As a As a “special needs“special needs” child Tim has had to deal ” child Tim has had to deal with people looking at him all the time, its part with people looking at him all the time, its part of the territory. of the territory.

So, if they must look at him, Tim’s hope is notSo, if they must look at him, Tim’s hope is not—as has so often been portrayed—that he wants —as has so often been portrayed—that he wants them to think of themselves and be grateful on them to think of themselves and be grateful on Christmas day that they are not afflicted like Christmas day that they are not afflicted like him. Now that’s sentimental mush! him. Now that’s sentimental mush!

Nor does he want them to concentrate on his Nor does he want them to concentrate on his condition. condition.

Instead Tiny Tim says overtly that since it is Instead Tiny Tim says overtly that since it is Christmas day they should as they notice his Christmas day they should as they notice his difficulties remember the great physician difficulties remember the great physician himself, Jesus and the joy of his birth.himself, Jesus and the joy of his birth.

Another character whose nature has Another character whose nature has been exaggerated in dramatizations is been exaggerated in dramatizations is Scrooge himself:Scrooge himself:

He has been made He has been made an utter villainan utter villain. For example how . For example how many versions have you seen Scrooge do the following?many versions have you seen Scrooge do the following? Drive Fezziwig out of business. Drive Fezziwig out of business. Refuse to see Marley on his deathbed until after business Refuse to see Marley on his deathbed until after business

hours, hours, Collect debts on Christmas Eve. Collect debts on Christmas Eve. Be surely to every individual who walked into his office Be surely to every individual who walked into his office Be physically violent to those who could not pay their debts.Be physically violent to those who could not pay their debts. Walk the streets of London in a stoop Walk the streets of London in a stoop Made the Cratchits do his laundry for extra income.Made the Cratchits do his laundry for extra income.

In the book he does none of this. He In the book he does none of this. He is a wretch, but not an outlaw:is a wretch, but not an outlaw:

Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge. a squeezing, wrenching, grindstone, Scrooge. a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster” oyster” (Dickens 2).(Dickens 2).

. .

In the text This is what he does:In the text This is what he does:

He does not support charitable He does not support charitable institutions.institutions.

He speaks of the surplus populationHe speaks of the surplus populationHe does not celebrate Christmas.He does not celebrate Christmas.Scrooge's heart is depicted as hard Scrooge's heart is depicted as hard

but not unusually hardbut not unusually hard

In point of fact many Victorian In point of fact many Victorian Businessmen behaved like Scrooge:Businessmen behaved like Scrooge:

The industrial revolution had moved a The industrial revolution had moved a lot of poor people away from the social lot of poor people away from the social festivals typical of a rural English festivals typical of a rural English lifestyle.lifestyle.

Also a good number of puritans and Also a good number of puritans and other non-conformists (who were other non-conformists (who were ironically often also involved in ironically often also involved in business) disdained Christmas because business) disdained Christmas because it was a Catholic holiday “Christ it was a Catholic holiday “Christ Mass.”Mass.”

Thus not celebrating Christmas was Thus not celebrating Christmas was not uncommon.not uncommon.

G.K. Chesterton observed thatG.K. Chesterton observed that "If a little "If a little more success had crowned the Puritan more success had crowned the Puritan movement of the seventeenth century or movement of the seventeenth century or the Utilitarian movement of the the Utilitarian movement of the nineteenth century the old holiday nineteenth century the old holiday tradition would have become merely tradition would have become merely details of the neglected past, a part of the details of the neglected past, a part of the history or even archeology. . .Perhaps the history or even archeology. . .Perhaps the very word carol would sound like the very word carol would sound like the word 'villanelle'" word 'villanelle'" (Qt. in Hearn 3).(Qt. in Hearn 3).

What about the (gasp) idea of the What about the (gasp) idea of the surplus population?surplus population?

The actual phrase may be Dickens but the The actual phrase may be Dickens but the idea was truly Victorian:idea was truly Victorian:

"Michael Slater notes in the 1971 Oxford "Michael Slater notes in the 1971 Oxford paperback of paperback of A Christmas CarolA Christmas Carol the the influence of the great fear of overpopulation influence of the great fear of overpopulation held by the English since the publication of held by the English since the publication of Thomas Malthus' essay on "The Principles of Thomas Malthus' essay on "The Principles of Population" (1803). This economist made Population" (1803). This economist made clear. . . when he wrote the following:clear. . . when he wrote the following:

'A man who is born into a world posses, if he 'A man who is born into a world posses, if he cannot get substance from his parents, on cannot get substance from his parents, on which he has a just demand, and if society do which he has a just demand, and if society do not want his labour, has no claim of right of not want his labour, has no claim of right of the smallest portion of food, and in fact, has the smallest portion of food, and in fact, has no business to be where he is. [In] Nature's no business to be where he is. [In] Nature's mighty feast there is no vacant cover for him. mighty feast there is no vacant cover for him. She tells him to be gone. . ." She tells him to be gone. . ." (Qt. in Hearn 65). (Qt. in Hearn 65).

No Charitable Support: No Charitable Support: With With this kind of thinking it is easy to this kind of thinking it is easy to see that Scrooge might also feel see that Scrooge might also feel ill used to be compelled to give ill used to be compelled to give up his hard earned money in up his hard earned money in taxes to support official taxes to support official institutions for individuals which institutions for individuals which he feels will never become self-he feels will never become self-sufficientsufficient. .

The Truth is that many of us have dismissed the call for The Truth is that many of us have dismissed the call for financial aid feeling that we did not want our cash to go financial aid feeling that we did not want our cash to go to help those whose lifestyle choices made them needy? to help those whose lifestyle choices made them needy?

We claim we want to aid only the deserving poor {I We claim we want to aid only the deserving poor {I credit Shaw's credit Shaw's PygmalionPygmalion for this idea). But so often this for this idea). But so often this ends up being only an introduction to inaction. ends up being only an introduction to inaction.

Furthermore how many of us have looked with suspicion Furthermore how many of us have looked with suspicion upon those organizations (such as welfare) set up by the upon those organizations (such as welfare) set up by the bureaucracy of the government to meet the challenges of bureaucracy of the government to meet the challenges of human need? human need?

So the journey we are about the take is not a journey of an extraordinarily evil man but a common man, a man like Dickens himself. If we forget this then we lose the truth that his guilt is our guilt, his needs are our needs, and his redemption is possible for all who read the good news.