Learning Truth from Fiction
A definition of non-fiction goes this way: “Written works intended to give facts, or true accounts of real things and events. Encyclopedias, how-to manuals and biographies are all considered non-fiction and so are kept in the non-fiction section of the library.”
We often hear nonfiction is true, and fiction—well, it’s false!
How can we develop an answer in the affirmative about fiction carrying the freight of truth? First, mark it well that we have a settled way in which we draw a conclusion about what can and cannot carry truth. Many assume that truth is solely a rational consideration, and so we're told, that fits the non-fiction type of writing. Sure enough, non-fiction with its rational facts is one way to convey truth. Second, consider the aims of fiction. Fiction, it should be remembered, uses the imaginary in order to develop truth. Although God's Book is NOT a fictional book, the Lord uses metaphors, examples, objects and illustrations in fiction-styled ways. He communicates with the use of themes and illustrations (i.e. think of the pattern or development of various themes relative to the Exodus story in the Bible). He develops His story line this way because we live in and through circumstances of history. We are made body and soul, with intellect, will, actions, attitudes, experiences and imagination.
As one writer put it, we “tend to exalt the intellect...We lust for knowledge and think that more [rational] information will solve all of our problems.” Such thinking invites us to conclude: non-fiction is true, fiction is not. But we must conclude otherwise, fiction conveys truth vividly, memorably and often forcefully.
G. Mark Sumpter
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