Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Importance of reading fiction in Christian life
Everyone can perceive reading as an essential element that develops a successful life. When one consumes some content, he or she sharpens their intellect and build their set of knowledge. It appears nearly universal that the more successful an individual is, the more he or she reads. However, the reading is often one dimensional where people find themselves reading nonfiction works, including business books, health, and psychology, self-help books, relationships, and books on sales. These are key books that one can use to better their career ad improve their life. However, it is essential for an individual to integrate fiction. The narrative form is contained in novels to include events, people, or places. Novels are a form of art that carries a powerful message to readers.
According to Mark & William (2013), in their book “Encounters: Readings for Advanced Composition,” much of the art proceeds to depict the traditional values of the true, good, and beautiful. Art usually displays truth regarding life, and it needs not to decline, addressing the ugly part of life. The power of art, including a film, painting, a novel, sculpture, or a song, represents the power to reflect, to transform, and to reveal. When we read art, we can understand what it means, knowing God and the essence of humans (Mark & William, p. 256). Besides, we can understand the motivators of showing love or hatred, to give or take and to hurt and heal. When we read the works of Plato, we learn how the ideal world should be characterized by goodness, truth, and beauty. Other works such as those of Sayers regarding the relationship of Trinity, we can learn how eternal is considered the framework by which formation of the earth appears (Mark & William, p.265). Art is presented in the form of fiction novels, such that when we read it, our perception regarding the world opens. This is due to the fact that stories take us to places that we could not make and widens the view of the world. When Christians read fiction, they open their minds and improve their knowledge of the world (Kidd).
As we read the Bible, it is emphasized that we also read from other sources. We get connected to the Creator more easily. When we appreciate the creative work of others, it is understood that we do a great honor to God. It is a significant image of worship, taking into consideration that we are made in God’s image (NKJV, Genesis 1:26-28). Therefore, we are given the legacy to honor and appreciate creativity within ourselves. The community we live in is usually built more when we read novels. Chapter 8, “Christian Aesthetics,” notes that the works of Plato allow us to learn the moral impact of art (Mark & William, p. 268). First, art presented in a novel develops a community between the reader and the writer. God created human beings for the community. Art plays a key role in rekindling the simple unity between us. This occurs via the ability to know the mind of other people and understanding them. Second, reading fiction in novels serves to widen our human community. It is a form of art that assess human beings to explore the meaning of human. Fiction also helps us express our experiences and emotions in a manner that ultimately connects us.
Some novels and forms of art have contributed to revolutions, enacted life-changing laws, and restored hope. We can well understand the redemption landscape, especially between the covers of a well-narrated story. The power of art should not be ignored as it causes significant transformation.
Works Cited:
Kidd, David Comer, and Emanuele Castano. “Reading literary fiction improves theory of mind.” Science (2013): 1239918. DOI: 10.1126/science.1239918 https://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/viewarticle/render?data=dGJyMPPp44rp2%2fdV0%2bnjisfk5Ie46bZRr6i2UbGk63nn5Kx94um%2bTq2or0ewprBInqeuUrKsuEqzls5lpOrweezp33vy3%2b2G59q7ULatsEq0qbc%2b6tfsf7vb7D7i2Lt94unoi%2fCc8nnls79mpNfsVePa8YLx6KxMsKyvUbeosD7k5fCF3%2bq7fvPi6ozj7vI%2b5evji%2fKz0orz2wAA&vid=0&sid=0e5a2707-f0c9-4c86-872b-1e78ecc55591@sdc-v-sessmgr03
Mark A. Hall & William Epperson. Encounters: Readings for Advanced Composition. 2013. P. 257-276
The Holy Bible New King James version.