I often return to Blood Meridian as one of the most chilling books I've ever read. There is so much meaning to the text that both informs and is informed by our worldview.

Every character's name is intentional, well thought out, so why has noone suggested the obvious about Cormac McCarthy's Judge Holden, despite knowing his omniscience, his supernatural power to show up anywhere and read minds, know the intentions of others, and his anatomical strength of body, white (symbolic) hue and more importantly, McCarthy's repeated examination of the paradox of a loving God creating all things evil in the world? War. Violence. rape. murder. Why must the judge represent the devil and how does our own fear shape this interpretation? Do we trust God?

Now ask yourself, who is the ultimate judge? Why did McCarthy select this name?
Judge not lest ye be judged.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.


McCarthy loves to remind us that God created man in his own image.

Anything that exists without my knowledge exists without my consent, says the judge

Terrifying, but digest that for a moment.

McCarthy suggests the Roman Catholic dogma he was raised in, that we must never doubt that this horrible world we live in filled with evil is only a passage. We are stewards. The real kingdom of God awaits and the world reminds us that such salvation is necessary and beautiful and will never be otherwise nor known in any reach of the imagination to those who doubt it.