Chesterton

This summer, I discovered G.K. Chesterton. A good many people recommended him to me, so I thought I would check him out. So I did, and as these good people suggested, I started with "Heretics." Without going into great detail here, I'm not exaggerating when I state that reading it caused some mind-blowing, spiritual experiences.

Now, I'm reading Chesterton's Father Brown mysteries. The wonderful thing about these stories is that they'll full of great insights, humor, theology, and philosophy disguised in them. (Hmm, any wonder he influenced C.S. Lewis?) Anyway, thanks to Martin Ward, here are some quotes from two stories I read today:

"The Oracle of the Dog"

"Yes," said Father Brown, "I always like a dog, so long as he isn't spelt backwards."

"It's the first effect of not believing in God that you lose your common sense, and can't see things as they are. Anything that anybody talks about, and says there's a good deal in it, extends itself indefinitely like a vista in a nightmare. And a dog is an omen and a cat is a mystery and a pig is a mascot and a beetle is a scarab, calling up all the menagerie of polytheism from Egypt and old India; Dog Anubis and great green-eyed Pasht and all the holy howling Bulls of Bashan; reeling back to the bestial gods of the beginning, escaping into elephants and snakes and crocodiles; and all because you are frightened of four words: `He was made Man.'"

Just great, especially that last quote about dogs. Chesterton wrote this story in the late 20s; it was as if he were talking about our age, with cartoons and Disney.

"The Miracle of Moon Crescent"

"By the way," went on Father Brown, "Don't think I blame you for jumping to preternatural conclusions. The reason's very simple, really. You all swore you were hard-shelled materialists; and as a matter of fact you were all balanced on the very edge of belief--of belief in almost anything. There are thousands balanced on it today; but it's a sharp, uncomfortable edge to sit on. You won't rest till you believe something; that's why Mr Vandam went through new religions with a tooth comb, and Mr. Alboin quotes Scripture for his religion of breathing exercises, and Mr. Fenner grumbles at the very God he denies. That's where you all split; it's natural to believe in the supernatural. It never feels natural to accept only natural things. But though it wanted only a touch to tip you into preternaturalism about these things, these things really were only natural things. They were not only natural, they were almost unnaturally simple. I suppose there never was quite so simple a story as this."

Again, he could've been talking about 21st century America! The sentiment expressed here by Father Brown about it being natural to believe in the supernatural, and how people try to replace it when they try not to, is something he also talks about in "Heretics." Such brilliant stuff; I can't believe I never heard about him before, in spite of spending a lifetime as a Christian.