Value in novels

Jim Elliot Header

Back at work in the post office at Huntington. Slow going with souls here, but there are encouraging signs.

Men unsound in doctrine complicate the issue by “sanctification” experiences. Ah, for a place where the Scriptures have not been twisted! Lord, send me to Ecuador!

Reading Of Human Bondage stirred me again to feel today. This is one thing I see of value in a novel; it stirs me from apathy, moves me to love, hate, think.

I should like to write one on the peculiarities of modern fundamentalism from a member of a denominational church and call it Shadow of the Spire. What inconsistencies to be parodied to show the saints their narrowness! A very real possibility of ministering church truth perhaps. Maybe some time in the penitentiary….

But, as W. S. Maugham says, “Life is to be lived, rather than to be written about.” Other notable quips:

16 December, 1950


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