As a protestant, I know I have to come to grips with Chesterton's catholicism one day. At this moment, I do not have a clear view of Chesterton's motivation to join the Catholic Church. Since I try to read mainly chronological, I expect to gradually encounter Chesterton's thoughts on the matter.
Today, reading a 'Father Brown' story ('The sign of the broken sword'), I was unsettled to read Father Brown's comment on reading the Bible: "When will people understand that it is useless for a man to read his Bible unless he also reads everybody else's Bible? A printer reads a Bible for misprints. A Mormon reads his Bible and finds polygamy". He talks about a person "soaking himself without sense or guidance in an Oriental book."; this is followed by a list of things this person actually did wrong (adultery, torture, greed, treason), suggesting that these behaviors follow from his taking the Old Testament too literally.
I had not expected to encounter such a dim view of reading the Bible on one's own; I can only conclude that I have quite some studying to do before understanding Chesterton's thoughts better.
Just got around to reading your blog today, on Jen Pierce's recommendation on her blog - good work! I've had the pleasure of reading a ton of GKC, and give his books to my children when they start to leave home.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm commenting here to point out that the key work in the quote above is "my". Fr. Brown uses proofreaders and Mormons as examples of people looking for something in particular, and having that lead them wrong. They act as if Scripture is nothing more than personal revelation to them personally, when it is only effective for personal grace because it is universal, the Eternal Word of the God in whom we all live and move and have our being.
It's the 'on one's own' part that bothers GKC, not because he doubts the truth and power of Scripture (far from it!) but because he doubts the ability of anyone sane truly being 'on his own'. Or, more precisely, doubts the ability of anyone to be on their own for very long and remain sane.
At least, I think that's what Fr. Brown (GKC) is getting at.
Good luck with your progress!
Thanks for your thoughts on this subject.
ReplyDelete