George MacDonald discussion

I just bought this book and am eager to read it. I have read several of MacDonald's fiction works and am impressed with his deep theological mind. Reading this in an attempt to learn how to draw closer to GOD.

When I get a chance, I'll post some thoughts, or at least quotes, from The Hope of the Gospel or the Unspoken Sermons. At the moment though, I'm deep in my MacDonald translation work...

I would enjoy asking a pile of questions about GM's theology. I like asking questions. I've never read his nonfiction, but from what I've read in his fiction some of it brings remarkable clarity to certain subjects, and some of it confuses me so much that my brain is still reeling.

Good day all,

I would highly recommend reading George MacDonald's theology, specifically Unspoken Sermons. I have read it through multiple times and it has greatly influenced my relationship with Christ and my Christian faith.

The continual theme you notice from the book is GM expressing a God who does all things out of His love for us, even in the hard things: if we must endure oppression, or trials; if He will not answer our prayers; if His wrath is roused; it is all by His love, so that we may be made into the image He wishes us to be. One of the things this does is lift the book from feeling simply like a writing on theology, and instead a book on the nature of Christ which you can reflect on and apply practically to your life.

I think C.S. Lewis is quoted well when saying:
"to speak plainly I know hardly any other writer who seems to be closer, or more continually close, to the Spirit of Christ Himself. Hence his Christ-like union of tenderness and severity. Nowhere else outside the New Testament have I found terror and comfort so intertwined."

Also, there are a lot of parallels between the spiritual lessons you learn from GM's fantasy/fiction (which I love) and his theology. The main difference I'd say is that the theology is a little weightier and takes a little more mulling over.


Hope this helps :)

Yes, the theology is denser in his non fiction, though it comes close to the same level in books like Robert Falconer, What's Mine's Mine and Thomas Wingfold Curate, for example. A great instance of God's wrath/indignation/displeasure/ subserving his love in the Unspoken Sermons (though as you say, it's a thread running all the way through the series) is the one titled "The Displeasure of Jesus"...


"Does it affect anyone to the lowering of his idea of the Master that he should ever be angry? If so, I would ask him whether his whole conscious experience of anger be such, that he knows but one kind of anger. There is a good anger and a bad anger. There is a wrath of God, and there is a wrath of man that worketh not the righteousness of God. Anger may be as varied as the colour of the rainbow. God's anger can be nothing but Godlike, therefore divinely beautiful, at one with his love, helpful, healing, restoring; yet is it verily and truly what we call anger. How different is the anger of one who loves, from that of one who hates! yet is anger anger. There is the degraded human anger, and the grand, noble, eternal anger. Our anger is in general degrading, because it is in general impure.

It is to me an especially glad thought that the Lord came so near us as to be angry with us. The more we think of Jesus being angry with us, the more we feel that we must get nearer and nearer to him--get within the circle of his wrath, out of the sin that makes him angry, and near to him where sin cannot come. There is no quenching of his love in the anger of Jesus. The anger of Jesus is his recognition that we are to blame; if we were not to blame, Jesus could never be angry with us; we should not be of his kind, therefore not subject to his blame. To recognize that we are to blame, is to say that we ought to be better, that we are able to do right if we will. We are able to turn our faces to the light, and come out of the darkness; the Lord will see to our growth." The Displeasure of Jesus, Unspoken Sermons, Volume III

Thanks Ryan! One theme I've noticed in George MacDonald's fiction (I haven't read the nonfiction yet) is how he is constantly decribing Christ. Many times it's through a main characters, who represents one facet of Christ's personality. Sometimes it's through conversations held about Christ. MacDonald strongly believed that seeing Christ is essential to following Christ. It's as though his life was spent revealing Christ to others: by his writing, by his sermons and lectures, and by his daily life. Obviously, that should be the priority of every Christian! I do want to read his theological works sometimes, and I enjoyed Thomas Wingfold Curate immensely (it contains large sections of theology).

Great quotations everyone! GM has a fresh, original way of explaining everything, even the most basic principles.

Never heard of it, Micah.

Becca:
Yes, I completely agree! One of the books this was most apparent to me was in At The Back Of The North Wind. The character Diamond is continually giving himself to others to make their lives better; not because it is required of him, but because his very personality seems to be built on love, and doing for others is simply an attribute of love. Even though this is a children's book, I found myself challenged by its lessons and myself wanting to emulate Diamond in my life. I think, sometimes, a spiritual truth is most easily understood when revealed in the context of something we can relate to. Books like this and GM's other fiction offer this context through the relatability of the characters and their stories.


Micah:
I purchased the book a little while back. I have not read it but my mom did read at least some of it and said she liked it.

You said it, Ryan! Sir Gibbie contains that same element, but perhaps to an even greater level.

And I've happily spent the last nine months or so in his company...hoping to send him out into the world in three week's time, but unlike Janet and Robert, I'll be able to do so whilst still keeping him with me!

Honestly, I have only read George MacDonald's fantasy and non-fiction. I've had the intention of reading his other fiction but diversions in my life have kept me from doing so. Though, I am finally approaching a reprieve from these diversions in which I'll be able to sit down and enjoy the yet not read books. Sir Gibbie and Robert Falconer I both own and are next on my to-read list.

David, I wanted to say thank you for the work you do in keeping George MacDonald alive and your goal to make him accessible to a wider range of readers. As you all have mentioned, it is shocking how George MacDonald's works and impact have been forgotten by so many, especially acknowledging his previous popularity, impact on other writers, and the way he helped to fashion the development of modern fantasy; and of course the spiritual lessons his books offer us.

Are you attempting to make us all jealous, David...? XD

I haven't read Robert Falconer as of yet either, Ryan. David Jack has translated that one, so I plan to get ahold of it eventually.

Quite the opposite, Becca! I'm encouraging you to put out the welcome mat for Gibbie...he's coming your way! :)

No worries, I've BEEN ready and waiting. XD

Interesting find Micah!

When I originally fell in love with George MacDonald I found it hard to get ahold of reprints that were true to the original text and did not contain typos. After some research I learned about Johannesen Printing And Publishing, a company dedicated to providing works of George MacDonald in their original form:

"When embarking on this inspired venture to produce a Strictly Unedited and Just like the Originals Book by MacDonald, sourcing the materials to make an original-look-alike, antiquarian Edition both inside and outside the book was challenging. To find a cover material with the added 'silk design' embossed to the cotton cloth and the same 'water proof' coating the original volumes had was a miracle. We were also very fortunate to source some of the same 100+ year old processing materials that the originals were constructed of since this kind of bookmaking is an 'old world art' of bygone years."
(There is more about the book making process on their site: http://www.johannesen.com/bookmaking.htm)

Luckily I had the opportunity to purchase the collection of his complete works (though, I think it "A Dish Of Orts" was not available at the time). But, sadly, when you view the site now you'll find that many of the works are no longer in print and the prices have taken a jump. I imagine this is due to a lack of demand and interest.

I hope that there comes a resurgence of interest in George MacDonald so that books of this quality might be offered in the future and at an affordable cost.