Paul writes – I see my Canadian friend Bill Kinnon has a little post (with links) about Phillip Pullman (and the recently; though not yet in NZ) released movie based on Pullman’s first (of a trilogy) young-adults book, Northern Lights. I’ve read the first and most of the second of his trilogy. I loved them and am disappointed the movie(s) are downplaying the deeper religious undercurrent. I understand what some critics have been saying, but I think Archbishop Rowan Williams offers a useful counter-narrative, one worth thinking through.
“Last week [in March 2004], the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, caused controversy by praising the National Theatre's adaptation of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials - a work that has been interpreted by some as anti-Christian. The two men met at the theatre on Monday to discuss the meaning of religion in art and literature -and its enduring relevance to the education of our children…”
Read the record of their conversation here.
My suggestion; read the trilogy with your young adults; read it in conjunction with say, the biblical book of Amos. Talk about both.
I read Pullman's trilogy as a strong critique (rather than “anti” (I’ve read a few interviews with Pullman too) of those abused in the cause of religion. I think he raises some important and needful questions about "truth" and "religion" and lots besides. As Eugene Peterson writes (in part) in his introduction to Amos, “Religion is the most dangerous energy source known to humankind”. For a useful introduction (from a Christian perspective) have a read of Dark Matter by Tony Watkins (IVP, 2004)
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