4/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

“Sometimes you have to do the work even if you don’t feel like it. Sometimes you have to put away your wants and do what needs to be done, which really means dying to self in order to find life.”

Adorning the Dark is all about community, calling and creating told through the life of Andrew Peterson. It is part biography, part spiritual growth, part handbook.

Reading as a Disciple

“Over the gateway of Self is a sign that says, “Abandon hope, all ye who enter.” It is a hellish, helpless place. Die to self. Live to God. Let your words and music be more beautiful by their death in the soil of worship, that the husk of your own imperfection might fall away and germinate into some bright, eternal song only God could have written.”

Dying to self is one of those Christian phrases that we hear often but are completely unsure how to live out. I like this quote because it gives some framework for that living out. I should desire that my “own imperfection might fall away and germinate into some bright, eternal song.” So much of dying to self, is being ok with our imperfections and letting God use our willingness to serve and obey despite what we see as weaknesses. Peterson gave many examples of doing things that were bigger than himself, it was not what was “advised” but what he felt God leading him to do and God was glorified.

Reading Communally

“You’ll be tempted to slow down, or take an easier route- but it is only by discipline that you’ll finish, and it is only in finishing that you’ll be able to offer up your humble work to those weary souls who may need it.”

I can say that discipline is not something I excel at. It takes a lot of effort to practice discipline. Even for something I enjoy like carving, I know I should practice more but there are days I’m tired or feel “uninspired.” Peterson urges the reader to practice perseverance in whatever craft you practice, not just for ourselves but also for the benefit of others. We are offering up beauty and truth to others and what people do with that is “[God’s] business and none of [ours],” a paraphrase of a Flannery O’Connor quote that Peterson mentions. Being in community can bring growth and refinement as others weigh in on our offerings but can also bring confusion and discouragement if we put too much weight on the opinions of others. It is a fine line to walk, between doing what we feel God has led us to do and listening to the outside voices, even those of people we respect. It is a tension to manage.

Final Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Adorning the Dark. It was masterfully done, it didn’t feel like a “teachy” book, it had plenty of stories from Andrew Peterson’s life but there was much to ponder and reflect over. It is for any artist but it is aimed more for singers and songwriters.

Other books:

Not only is Andrew Peterson a musician but he is the author of multiple other books that I would say are must reads including The Wingfeather Saga, which if you haven’t read, go read it now!

A formational book review by Megan

4.5/5 stars

“I had desired it [creating a being] with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished; the beauty of the dream vanished; and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.”

Many people through out the world know about Frankenstein, Hollywood has given much attention to this tale of terror but fewer people actually read the book and know that Frankenstein is actually the name of the scientist who creates the monster, not the other way around.

Lance and I both read this book along with two of our friends here in Port Townsend. We recently got together to discuss the book so this book review will not follow the usual format.

I read the 1818 Frankenstein version that includes notes and discussion questions from Karen Swallow Prior, a Christian professor of literature and author of multiple books, she even added in the book a section titled “Reading Frankenstein as a Christian Today.”

Background

Mary Shelley was born in 1797 England to two revolutionary authors who did not believe in marriage but only married after they were expecting Mary and knew that their daughter would be at a disadvantage if the did not marry. Mary grew up outside the typical family boundaries, she had multiple half siblings from her parent’s illegitimate relationships and because of this she followed their idea of “free love” and ran away with author Percy Shelley (who was already married) along with her half-sister. Sadly, Mary endured the deaths of four of her children through miscarriages or premature death along with the suicide of a sister and Percy’s wife and eventually her lover. She was surrounded by death.

Unofficial Thoughts from the Unofficial DB Book Club

“I don’t like Frankenstein,” says Rachel. She is referring to Victor Frankenstein and his obsession for glory and prestige.

Rachel interjected this opinion as we compared the visions of glory sought by Victor Frankenstein and Paul in 2 Corinthians 12. Paul states that he will only boast of his weaknesses because through them Christ is glorified. Frankenstein set out to create his monster for his own glory, for the triumph of creating.

“A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs.”

Compare that quote with Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

We moved on to discuss the question, what truths does the novel convey about human beings as social creatures?

God created us for community, he desired to be with His creation while Frankenstein created for his own glory and once he created his monster, he wanted nothing to do with it. The monster continued to seek out fellowship and community, he desired relationship and acceptance which is what drove him to demand a mate from Frankenstein.

“but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid from its very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and detested.”

The monster was rejected by mankind and forced to live a solitary life and in his anguish he cultivated hatred and a desire for revenge. In the introduction, Prior discusses the importance of companionship and friendship and that perhaps the church today has replaced this idea with “mentors” or “accountability partners” instead of helping people find healthy “companionship in our lives and as well as the dangers of not having good friends.”

“I don’t like Frankenstein,” repeats Rachel.

Nature versus nurture is another great topic to discuss in view of the book. Was Frankenstein’s creature destined to be a monster in character or was that nurtured by the rejection of society and his Creator? Multiple times the monster begs his creator to take pity on him as his creation but his request falls on deaf ears. It can also be discussed that if we are created in the image of God, what was the monster created in the image of and does that bear on his character?

“Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master;- obey!”

“Did I mention I don’t like Frankenstein?” asks Rachel.

Final Thoughts

“Living as we do in a culture that increasingly questions the goodness (or even the existence) of a God who created a world and to whom we are subject renders this two-hundred-year-old novel more timely than ever.”

Karen Swallow Prior

Read Frankenstein as soon as possible, there is much to unpack and contemplate.