Confessional Lutheran theology, hagiography, philosophy, music, culture, sports, education,
and whatever else is on the fevered mind of Orycteropus Afer
04 June 2005
Halloway? Now I Get It!
I scarcely remember a time without Ray Bradbury. Martian Chronicles is the first of his books I distinctly recall reading. If I had to assemble a Top 100 titles, I think I'd include three of his works: Dandelion Wine, The Illustrated Man, and Something Wicked This Way Comes.
Unable to find my bathing suit, I took SWTWC to the swimming pool today. While the kids splashed around in the cement pond, I swam out into Bradbury's deep-water examination of good and evil. Still in chapter one, as the boys conversed with the lightning rod salesman, I had a 35-year belated epiphany. I've always understood how Jim and Will's lives form a light and dark parallel: Will wonders about the quality and effect of his goodness while Jim embraces the dark and secret places. Also, I never misunderstood the metaphor ofJim Nightshade's name. Yet only this afternoon, after probably dozens of readings spanning three and a half decades, did the family name of Will (and Charles) Halloway click.
Halloway ... The Highway of Holiness: Father and son follow the narrow path. Although both occasionally stray or bolt the trail, when it really counts, they accomplish good because they walk in the light. Even under threat of death, they don't turn aside. Yes, there's a lot of personal affection for Jim involved, and Charles and Will realize the untapped love they have as father and son. However, as the familiar story became new again, I see two who would be doing this not only for friend or family, but with something approaching agape would do good simply because good needs to be done.
Too bad that Ray attributes too much to the human spirit instead of the Holy Spirit, to man's goodness rather than the Good News of the God-Man Jesus Christ. Still the main points remain: Ignore, tolerate, or embrace evil and evil will consume; walk in the Light and the darkness cannot overcome. Good to remember whenever Something Wicked This Way Comes. ¶ 22:35 |
Unable to find my bathing suit, I took SWTWC to the swimming pool today. While the kids splashed around in the cement pond, I swam out into Bradbury's deep-water examination of good and evil. Still in chapter one, as the boys conversed with the lightning rod salesman, I had a 35-year belated epiphany. I've always understood how Jim and Will's lives form a light and dark parallel: Will wonders about the quality and effect of his goodness while Jim embraces the dark and secret places. Also, I never misunderstood the metaphor ofJim Nightshade's name. Yet only this afternoon, after probably dozens of readings spanning three and a half decades, did the family name of Will (and Charles) Halloway click.
Halloway ... The Highway of Holiness: Father and son follow the narrow path. Although both occasionally stray or bolt the trail, when it really counts, they accomplish good because they walk in the light. Even under threat of death, they don't turn aside. Yes, there's a lot of personal affection for Jim involved, and Charles and Will realize the untapped love they have as father and son. However, as the familiar story became new again, I see two who would be doing this not only for friend or family, but with something approaching agape would do good simply because good needs to be done.
Too bad that Ray attributes too much to the human spirit instead of the Holy Spirit, to man's goodness rather than the Good News of the God-Man Jesus Christ. Still the main points remain: Ignore, tolerate, or embrace evil and evil will consume; walk in the Light and the darkness cannot overcome. Good to remember whenever Something Wicked This Way Comes. ¶ 22:35 |
