Joshua Bennett
In his book How to Read (and Write) Like a Catholic, Joshua Hren explores the world of Catholic literary tradition and the presence of Catholic ideas, images, and concerns in secular and postmodern stories. Hren takes readers on a journey through well-known and lesser-known Catholic writers, examining the themes of conversion, grace, and salvation in their work. He encourages readers to delve deeper into literature, stepping out of the shadows and into the light, for a life-changing experience. Hren also offers guidance for aspiring writers, providing techniques and a list of must-read literary works to enrich their understanding. The book is a response to the perceived decline of Catholic arts and letters, challenging Catholic writers to pursue moral, intellectual, and artistic excellence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Understanding the persistence of Catholic ideas, images, and concerns in purportedly secular and postmodern stories | |
| Recognizing how the power of story can lead readers closer to Christ | |
| Knowing the techniques and devices that make good fiction | |
| Understanding the must-read literary works that can enrich Catholics | |
| Recognizing the Catholic sensibility in the works of writers like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Jack Kerouac | |
| Understanding how writers dramatize the workings of grace upon nature | |
| Interpreting biblical texts by understanding their genre (history, poetry, hymn, etc.) | |
| Reading the Old and New Testaments with reference to one another | |
| Using Catholic Bible commentaries to understand how Saints, Fathers, and Doctors of the Church have interpreted Scripture | |
| Reading the Catechism with the Bible to understand the Church's theology |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding the 'Christ-haunted' quality of Catholic literature
Understanding the Christ-haunted quality of Catholic literature
The concept of Christ-haunted literature refers to the presence of Christian or Catholic themes and imagery in stories, even when the narrative is not explicitly religious. This phenomenon is often observed in the work of writers who were raised in a Catholic environment or with a Catholic sensibility, even if they later strayed from the faith.
In his book "How to Read (and Write) Like a Catholic," Joshua Hren explores the persistence of Catholic ideas and concerns in purportedly secular and postmodern stories. Hren cites writers such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Jack Kerouac, who, despite their distance from the Church, exhibited a "sacramentality shimmering through their stories."
Ontological arguments suggest that if God exists in the actual world, then he must also exist in any possible world, including the worlds created in stories and narratives. This idea supports the notion that all stories inherently contain a Christ-haunted quality.
Catholic fiction writers are encouraged to embrace lofty aesthetics and a deep engagement with their Catholic traditions to create meaningful and authentic Catholic literature. This involves acknowledging the existence of sin and evil but not surrendering to hopelessness and cynicism.
By understanding the Christ-haunted nature of literature, readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the subtle influences of Catholic imagery and themes, even in stories that do not overtly engage with religious topics. This understanding can enrich their interpretation of a wide range of literary works and enhance their own writing by drawing on the power of story to lead readers closer to Christ.
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Reading the Bible with Catholic commentaries
- The Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, which combines biblical scholarship with faith to help Catholics interpret Scripture.
- The Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, edited by Bernard Orchard and published in 1951.
- The Catholic Student's Aids to the Bible, a five-volume work by Hugh Pope published between 1926 and 1936.
- Origen's Commentary on Romans 1-5, published by the Catholic University of America Press in 2001.
- St. John's Gospel: A Bible Study and Commentary by Stephen Ray, published by Ignatius Press in 2002.
In addition to these Catholic-specific commentaries, there are also Jewish, patristic, medieval, and modern commentaries on the Bible that can provide further insights. For example, Saadiah of Fay-Um translated the Bible into Arabic and added notes, while Solomon ben Isaac (Rashi) wrote popular explanations of the Talmud and the Bible. Abraham Ibn Ezra of Toledo wrote learned commentaries on the Old Testament, and Moses Maimonides wrote the "Guide to the Perplexed".
These commentaries offer different perspectives and interpretations of the Bible, contributing to a deeper understanding of the Scripture and its relevance in Christian life.
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Recognising Catholic ideas in secular stories
Hren's book explores the persistence of Catholic ideas, images, and concerns in purportedly secular and postmodern stories. He cites writers such as Flannery O'Connor, Evelyn Waugh, Léon Bloy, Caroline Gordon, and Christopher Beha, as well as those who were distanced from the Church, like Flaubert, James Joyce, and Chekhov. Hren examines how these writers dramatize the workings of grace upon nature and how seen images point to unseen realities.
Hren's work also includes a section for aspiring writers, offering techniques and devices for creating good Catholic fiction. He suggests that Catholic fiction should not fall prey to hopelessness and cynicism, even as it acknowledges the realities of sin and evil. Instead, it should strive for lofty aesthetics and an unflinching moral, intellectual, and artistic engagement.
In addition to Hren's book, other Catholic writers and commentators have also weighed in on the topic of recognising Catholic ideas in secular stories. Bishop Robert Barron, for example, has noted the effectiveness of symbolism and allegory in conveying Catholic ideas in secular contexts, citing Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' and Flannery O'Connor's 'Brideshead Revisited' as exemplary in this regard.
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Using images to point to unseen realities
In his book, "How to Read (and Write) Like a Catholic", Joshua Hren explores the ways in which seen images point to unseen realities. This concept is deeply rooted in Catholic theology and can be seen in the following ways:
The Use of Images in Worship
Catholics have historically used images, such as statues, paintings, and icons, to aid in their worship of God and the saints. These images are not worshipped themselves but are used as physical representations to direct their veneration towards the person or figure depicted. This practice is known as "veneration of images" and is supported by the decision of the seventh session of Nicaea II, which states that holy images of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, angels, and saints are to be placed in churches, on sacred vessels, and in other prominent places.
The Presence of Conversion in Literature
Hren's book also examines the presence of conversion narratives in great literary texts. He explores how writers of Catholic literary tradition, such as Flannery O'Connor and Evelyn Waugh, as well as writers distanced from the Church, like James Joyce and Hemingway, dramatize the workings of grace upon nature. These stories grapple with matters essential to Catholics, such as salvation and the persistence of Catholic ideas in secular stories.
The Christic Imagination
Hren's work is described as a "love letter to the Christic imagination", emphasizing that the ultimate end for human nature is not self-actualization but salvation. This perspective highlights how the power of story can lead readers closer to Christ. By delving into the depths of great literature, readers can gain a deeper understanding of Catholic ideas and their relevance in today's world.
The Role of Images in Pointing to the Unseen
The use of images in Catholicism serves as a physical representation of unseen realities. For example, the image of the cross represents the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and statues of Mary, the Mother of God, direct Catholics' devotion towards her. These images are not worshipped but are aids in worshipping the person or figure they represent.
In conclusion, Joshua Hren's book "How to Read (and Write) Like a Catholic" provides valuable insights into how Catholics use images to point to unseen realities. Through literary analysis, exploration of Catholic theology, and a deeper understanding of the Christic imagination, readers can gain a new perspective on the role of images in Catholic worship and their ability to direct attention and devotion towards the unseen.
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Reading the Catechism with the Bible
For example, if you want to understand the Church's teaching on the Eucharist, you can refer to the Catechism. Each time there is a reference to the Bible, stop and read the corresponding Bible passage. This will help you see how the Church's theology is grounded in Scripture.
Another tip for reading the Bible as a Catholic is to pretend you know nothing about the Gospels or the Paschal Mystery and start with Genesis 22. This will give you a different perspective on the passage without the influence of prior knowledge of the New Testament.
Additionally, reading Luke 24, the story of the Road to Emmaus, can provide insight into how Jesus explained the events in Jerusalem to his disciples. Focusing on the Tradition of the Church is also important. While the Bible is a stream of Divine Revelation, God can reveal Himself in other ways, such as through the Exodus story, where He saves Israel from Pharaoh, revealing His love for Israel.
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Frequently asked questions
The book, written by Joshua Hren, is a love letter to the Christic imagination and explores the persistence of Catholic ideas, images, and concerns in purportedly secular and postmodern stories. It also includes a section for aspiring writers, devoted to the techniques and devices that make good fiction, as well as a list of must-read literary works.
The book takes readers on a tour that spans centuries and explores the broken path to salvation through stories. It appeals to staples of the Catholic literary tradition such as Flannery O'Connor and Evelyn Waugh, as well as often-sidelined works of authors like Léon Bloy, Caroline Gordon, and Christopher Beha. Hren's analysis bears a sacramental vision, articulating how seen images point to unseen realities.
To read the Bible like a Catholic, it is important to understand the context of the whole book. This involves reading the Old Testament with reference to the New Testament and vice versa, as they are interconnected and provide a deeper understanding of each other. Additionally, using Catholic Bible commentaries can be helpful, as they highlight how Saints, Fathers, and Doctors of the Church have interpreted specific passages.
