The Importance of Fiction

[brownjenkins]

Originally Posted by inked

But what we really need is to for BJ to decide what his definition of non-fiction is!

There is no such thing as non-fiction! Every piece of writing in existence is by humans, who have a tendency to eloborate.

[inked]

BJ that is BS and you know it. For instance, mathematics. For another instance, grammar rules. For instance, absolute truth - which you deny while you assert it absolutely does not exist and that all human communication errs by elaboration.

So, what's new?

[brownjenkins]

Originally Posted by inked

BJ that is BS and you know it. For instance, mathematics. For another instance, grammar rules. For instance, absolute truth - which you deny while you assert it absolutely does not exist and that all human communication errs by elaboration.

So, what's new?

Rule sets that humans have created (math, grammar, etc.), are only absolute because we define them as such. Red is "red" because it is what humans have agreed to call objects that reflect that particular frequency of visible light.

Any subjective human creation, humans writing about the past, or even about their own present, as is done in the bible and every other written book, can only be considered what may have happened, not what did happen. Otherwise know as fiction, or historical fiction, in this case.

[EllethValatari]

Hey, just wanted to let you all know that this essay won the "Dicken's Essay Contest" at my school! Everyone in 8th-10th grade was required to submit an essay answering the question, "How Does Fiction Glorify God?" The essays were judged by three fiction-writers, and mine won!

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Originally Posted by brownjenkins

Rule sets that humans have created (math, grammar, etc.), are only absolute because we define them as such. Red is "red" because it is what humans have agreed to call objects that reflect that particular frequency of visible light.

Of course, the only reason that we signify red things with the word "red" is by arbitrary convention. But that doesn't introduce an element of fiction into such significations. It's not the word that matters, but the concept. Sure, when I say "X is red," it boils down to "X reflects such and such light frequencies;" but you know what? X does reflect such and such light frequencies.

Any subjective human creation, humans writing about the past, or even about their own present, as is done in the bible and every other written book, can only be considered what may have happened, not what did happen. Otherwise know as fiction, or historical fiction, in this case.

I'll pre-empt inked here, and point out the logical conclusion: namely, the claims you have made are at best what might be true. Of course, I'm fine with filing them under the "not-true."

Also, congrats, Elleth!

[GrayMouser]

Originally Posted by EllethValatari

Hey, just wanted to let you all know that this essay won the "Dicken's Essay Contest" at my school! Everyone in 8th-10th grade (I'm in 8th) was required to submit an essay answering the question, "How Does Fiction Glorify God?" The essays were judged by three fiction-writers, and mine won!

Congratulations- always nice to beat out the older guys as well

Though I think a better topic would have been "Does Fiction Glorify God?"

[EllethValatari]

Originally Posted by GrayMouser

Congratulations- always nice to beat out the older guys as well

Though I think a better topic would have been "Does Fiction Glorify God?"

You're right, and those questions are, in fact, the same, or at least they can both be given the same answers. In answering the question, "How does fiction glorify God?," you could write about how it does, or you could write that it does not glorify God in any way. The same applies to the question you proposed.

Although I do see how yours is a little more open and more easily allows a negative answer.

[johnnyrod]

For my twopenn'th (and back on topic)...

It does read rather forcefuly, the title should be more like "God is in fiction, fact" or you should add in a line near the start to state that this is the premise you're about to batter into the reader. It is a little heavy-handed in places, but I thin you get this by now. However I think it reads pretty well and personally I go for the many quotes - otherwise, you risk it looking too much like opinion. I do agree with many of the criticisms above, FWIW.

A short-ish essay can't present a really complete argument and dissemination, but I think you've done a pretty good job, there are cristisms but remember you asked for them, but it's not all bad. The bit about poor writing resonates after some of the garbage I've read (in books). To no doubt the great hilarity of BJ, one of the worst books I've ever read is The Shack, and I'm a solid Christian but not a blind one, it's an awful pile of road apples with its eyes firmly on film an cash.

Finally, man's greatest gift? It's free will!

[brownjenkins]

Originally Posted by EllethValatari

Hey, just wanted to let you all know that this essay won the "Dicken's Essay Contest" at my school! Everyone in 8th-10th grade (I'm in 8th) was required to submit an essay answering the question, "How Does Fiction Glorify God?" The essays were judged by three fiction-writers, and mine won!

Congratulations!!

Ultimately, all writing is about entertaining, and intriguing, one another... and it looks as if you've done that!

[brownjenkins]

Originally Posted by Gwaimir Windgem

Of course, I'm fine with filing them under the "not-true."

Subjective!

True is one of those human exaggerations.