363

istorically, most Seventh-day available facts and should not mislead

H Adventists have been averse to

literary fiction. However, church
members do write novels and Adventist
the reader when they are not factual;
fictional narratives consider facts as raw
material, to be used, put aside, or
presses do publish them. Adventist transformed, according to the needs of
teachers, like myself, teach novels and the story and the purpose of the author.
write professional papers about them.
Adventist academy students in North Fiction as propositional
America typically study a novel or two, Most fiction might be considered
such as The Scarlet Letter or A Tale of propositional; that is, an author experi-
Two Cities, and fiction is taught in North ments with what ifs? Our children's
American colleges and universities. Still,
numerous Adventists consider fiction to

Adventists
be harmful, trivial, and a waste of time.
This situation has come about, I
believe, because of a widespread naivety
about the nature and value of good
fiction, and because of the legacy of
Ellen White's comments about fiction.

Fact and fiction

Some may assume that "fiction" and
"non-fiction" are opposite and unrelated
kinds of writing. They think that non-
fiction authors pursue their subjects
and fiction:
Another look
while writing extensive notes on a
yellow legal pad, and then transcribe the
notes. Conversely, fiction writers might
be cooking up wild tales of teen ro-
mance, science fiction, or something
with little resemblance to reality or
experience.
But consider some facts. To begin Sabbath school quarterlies are full of
with, fiction and non-fiction have many what-ifs or what-woulds. What would by
compositional similarities. No story is an Adam and Eve have done during their Scott E.
exclusive presentation of historical facts, first few days in the garden? What Moncrieff
because a story must be shaped to be would Dorcas's typical day have been
told. The author selects a beginning, a like? This works on the adult level too.
middle, and an end from the unceasing What would a believing family have
stream of actual events. Even for authors been like during the Millerite move-
working on a factual narrative, the needs ment? You could study historical records
of the story frequently go beyond the to find out what such a family might be
available facts. The author lacks exact like, and you might tum your study into
quotes for dialogue and must often make a narrative like Till Morning Breaks. 2
educated guesses as to motivation, not to The characters in this story-Justin
mention gaps in the facts themselves. Fletcher, Bethene Fletcher, and Rufus
Such impoverishment has led authors to Bailey-are not specifically historical,
include creative dialogues and juxtaposi- but much of the merit of the book lies in
tion of events. their being historically plausible.The
On the other hand, fictional stories nineteenth century tone of a name
are never wholly woven out of imagina- "Bethene," for instance, would be ruined
tion; they take in the author's personal by substituting a contemporary name
experience, observational skills, and like "Brooke."
research. C. S. Lewis says, "we re- This tie to plausibility is one of the
arrange elements [God] has provided. great attractions of good fiction and was
There is not a vestige of real creativity de established as a major evaluative
novo in us. Try to imagine a new primary criterion as long ago as Aristotle's
color, a third sex, a fourth dimension, Poetics. Authors establish the param-
stuck together. Nothing happens." 1
Factual narratives stick closely to

Dialogue 8:3-1996 9 :
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 364

eters of a novel, and within those meant the corrupt novel" when
parameters they must make a plaus ible she condemned fiction. 5
novel-even if the s tory is a fantasy. Far However, White also makes
from being a loose bag of lies, good some specific statements
1. fic tion is typically a tightly woven cloth condemning "high-class"
of internal coherence, closely linking fiction.
cause and effect, motivation and action, 2. White advocated broad inrellec·
in a way hardly observable in ordinary tual development and auain·
life, where events so often seem coinci- ment of literary knowledge.
dental or random. Fact is stranger than Surely the reading offiction
fiction because fict ion must carry along would be one branch of such
its own internal plausibility, whereas developmem. Paul Gibbs, an
3. fact, i.e., reality, simply is. English professor at Andrews
University from the late 1950s
Ellen White's legacy to the mid 1960s, makes this
Why has the Seventh-day Adventist case and points out that Moses,
Church been loath to accept novels? Daniel, and Paul appear to have
Partly because of Ellen White's critical been broadly trained in the
4. remarks about fiction. And partly secular culture of their day.6
because of her interpreters, such as Leon The drawback of thi s "broad
William Cobb. In Give Attendance to culture" argument is that it
Reading ( 1966), Cobb asserts that works by implication rather
s. "throughout a period fifty-seven years than direct statement, whereas
long, which closed only two years before the arguments against fictio n
her death, [Mrs. Whi te] was inspi red to are based on direct statement.
condemn every class and quality of the 3. White herself read ana recom·
novel." To reiterate, "the reader might mended fiction, so we could.
find no place for honest doubt that 'high- This argument has two main
class' fiction is as specificall y con- thrusts. First, White appreciated
o. demned as the low." 3 Mrs. White clearly and recommended John
made many strong statements about Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress.
"novels" and "fiction," and the tone of Although Pilgrim's Progress is
those comments, while differing in fi ctional, it wou ld be considered
intensity, is uniformly negative. How- an allegory, not a novel,
-Scott Mowrieff ever, even those who acknowledge her according to general literary
authority have advanced several argu- usage. Nevertheless, its lengthy
ments for the intelligent use of fict ion. fictional narrative, complete
with lively characters, made it a
1. Ellen White 's negative com- central influence on the devel-
ments were largely and justly opment of the novel in English.
based on the inferior popular White does not appear to have
fiction of her day, thereby been a close reasoner about
leaving the door open to genre. Presumably, she saw no
intelligent consumption of contradiction in condemning
"good fiction. " John Wood's fiction and advocating Pilgrim's
"The Trashy Novel Revisi ted: Progress.
Popular Fiction in the Age of The second thrust is the
Ellen White" surveys the compositional nature of stories
American literary landscape of White collected for Sabbath
the last half of the 19th century, Readings for the Home, as
leaving no doubt that most described in John Waller's
popular fiction deserved a bad study.' As Waller shows, White
reputation." Many of White's clipped many stories from
comments were directed religious periodicals of her day,
specifically agai nst this cat- assembled them in scrapbooks,
egory of fiction. Joseph ine and eventually compiled
Cunnington Edwards, one of selections from these scrap-
our "classic" storytellers in the books into Sabbath Readings.
English-speaking world, After analyzing the editorial
asserted that "Ellen White policies of the magazines from

. 10 Dialogue 8:3-1996
 365

which the stories were selected, The Bible and fiction

Waller concludes that many of The Bible contains fictional mate- Literature: gene~l
the stories were fictio nal. Other rial, thereby giving imprimarur to fiction. criteria for Adventist
Adventist scholars have arrived Jesus's parable of the Rich Man and schools
at the same conclusion. 8 Thus. Lazarus (Luke 16: 19-31) and the parable
either White contradicted her of the trees (Judges 9: 8- 15) provide Literature assigned in Seventh-
own views, or she didn' t samples of biblical fiction. It is hard to day Adventist schools Should:
understand that she was dispute this point, but Cobb, for ex-
clipping out fiction, or she ample, creates pecu liar definitions of L B e serious art. It will lead to
meant something other than parable and allegory as " unliteral'" but significant insight in the
simply "non-factual" by not fictional, thereby rescuing the Bible narure of human beings in
·'fiction." Waller argues the and Pilgrim 's Progress for his argument society and will be compat-
latter point: "Apparently, then, (pp. 59, 72). These definitions are not ible with Seventh,&y
her condemnation was not generally persuasive--even to Arthur Adventist values.
intended to be applied indis- White. who refers to Pilgrim 's Progress 2. A void sensationalism (the
criminately to all stories that do as "fiction." 11 exploitation of sex or
not happen to be true-to-fact. " 9 violence) and maudlin
From this exception, it seems Common sense sentimentality (the exploita-
like it can be said logically that No one I have read has made a tion of softer feelings to the
today's English teachers may convincing argument against fiction per detriment of a sane and level
select ·'good" fic tion for their se. Therefore, fiction must be judged on view of life).
classes, and likewise Adventist a case by case basis, as are works from 3. Not be characterized by
presses may publish "good" other genres. For a long time, key profanity or other crude and
fiction. Adventist educators, including Harry offensive language.
4. Although White condemned Tippett, Alma McKibbin, and Don 4. Avoid elements that give the
fiction, she did nor reject it for Snider, have argued that the genre itself appearance of making evil
beingficrion, bur for orher is morally neutral, and that individual desiraOl.e or goodness appear
reasons. Therefore, so long as works must be scrutinized indi viduall y. 12 trivial.
the "other reasons " don 'r exist, §. Avoid simplifie<l, excitingly
fiction may be permissible. Change of times suspenseful, orplot-domi-
White's main concerns on I would like to suggest one more n.a ted stories that encourage
fiction may be summarized as argument. In White's day, fiction was hasty and superficial reading.
follows: " (l) It is addictive. (2) primarily a form of popular entertain- 6. Be adapted to the mannity
It may be sentimental. sensa- ment. Although it is still partly that way. level of the group or indi-
tional, erotic, profane, or trashy. radio, telev ision and movies have vidual.
(3) It is escapist, causing the dramatically changed home entertain-
reader to revert to a dream ment. Many of White 's concerns about -Selected from Guide to the
world and to be less able to fiction would be more appropriately
Teaching of Literature
cope with the problems of addressed today to television, movies,
everyday life. (4) It unfits the in Seventh-dey Adventist
and popular music.
mind for serious study and To the extent that many of White 's ScJwols, General Conference
devotional life. (5) It is time- concerns focus on '·young people" Department of Education.
consuming and valueless." 10 consuming popular entertainment in an
Ironically, White's specific unscreened environment, I agree with
condemnations of fiction her. I don't want my chi ldren to watch
indicate, by reversal, the "Power Rangers" or visit video arcades.
conditions under which she However. the study of literature has
might have appreciated it. become an academic field since White 's
While it is clear that she makes time, producing professionally trained,
many statements against the analytical/critical readers. True, we are
novel and fiction, a wholesale entertained, but we are not engaging in
condemnation of the genre or teaching the trashy, hasty, superficial,
would be contradictory to her or random reading that usually con-
own practice, and not necessar- cerned Mrs. White-rather. we are
ily according to the reasons for providing an antidote to it.
which she condemns fiction.

Two other key arguments advocat-

ing fiction have often been used by
Adventists and other Christians.

Dialogue 8:3-1996 11
 366

Three changes in our of literature, but we should Notes and references

attitudes equally recognize delight and 1. C. S. Lewis, Letters of C. S. Lewis (New
In that educational context, I would enjoyment as worthy qualities. York: Harcourt. 1993), p. 371.
suggest three changes in our attitude 3. Novels come as mixed baggages 2. Elaine Egbert. Till Morning Breaks: A
and challenge mature readers to Story of the Millerite Movement and the
toward fiction.
Great Disappointmenr (Boise, Idaho:
treat them as such. The parable
Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1993). A review
1. Change the focus from choosing of the wheat and the tares of this book was published in Dialogue 8:1
the right books to doing the suggests the mixed nature of (1996), p. 31.
right kind of reading. Some earthly life. So let us not focus 3. Leon William Cobb, Give Attendance to
books are better than others, and on separating books into Reading: Guidelines in the Field of Books
it is no doubt best to spend categories of perfection and and Reading: Studies Based on the
one's time reading the finest damnation, but rather strive to Writings of Ellen G. White (Portland,
books. But have we mistakenly identify the excellencies within Oregon: privately printed, 1966), p. 63.
emphasized selection as the a particular book. Philippians 4. John Wood, ...The Trashy Novel Revisited:
crucial aspect in reading? The 4:8 has been occasionally Popular Fiction in the Age of Ellen White,"
Spectrum {April1976), pp.16-21.
<;:hristian literary scholar Leland misused as a biblical proscrip-
5. In Helen Metz Rhodes, "On Fiction."
· Ryken says, "The least reliable tion on fiction, with "whatever Typescript of talk given at Christian
index to a work's morality is its is true" requiring stories to be Scribes Campout at Crystal Springs,
subject matter, even though this composed of authenticated fact. October 15, 1977.
is often the chief criterion I would suggest another 6. Paul T. Gibbs, "Literature in Adventist
applied by Christians when they application. As Lewis points Schools." Unpublished manuscript,
object to works of literature." out, one of the chief pleasures September 1962, pp. 24-26.
More important is "the moral of literature is that it takes us 7. John 0. Waller, "A Contextual Study of
perspective that writers build outside ourselves, lets us see the Ellen G. White's Counsel Concerning
into their works," "and the world from another person's Fiction." A paper read to the quadrennial
meeting of Seventh-day Adventist College
response of the individual viewpoint. 15 As a mature reader,
English Teachers at La Sierra College,
reader. " 13 As part of a solid I can search for what is true, August 1965.
education, we need to develop noble, right, pure, lovely, 8. Gibbs, p. 8; John D. Snider, Highways to
good reading habits: trying to admirable, excellent, and Learning: A Guide Through Book/and
understand a book in the spirit praiseworthy in Lewis's novels, (Washington D.C.: Review and Herald
in which it was written; devel- or a potentially controversial Publ. Assn., 1951), p. 303; Harry Moyle
oping a close, critical attention, film like Jesus of Montreal. I Tippett, "A Review of Some Principles in
the stance of active rather than can recognize points of dis- Dealing with Fiction and Imaginative
passive reader; rereading. agreement while still appreciat- Forms of Literature in Our Schools."
2. Do not use moral instruction as ing the book or movie. If as a Unpublished manuscript read at the
Council of College English Teachers,
a sole or primary justification church we had given more
Takoma Park, August 23-30, 1949, p. 4.
for studying literature. The weight to identifying excellen- 9. Waller, p. 18.
traditional purpose of literature cies than flaws, I suspect that as 10. Guide to the Teaching of Literature in
is twofold: to delight and to a youngster I would have Seventh-day Adventist Schools
instruct. We tend to lean to one ingested something besides a (Washington. D.C.: Department of
side. It is so hard for us to steady diet of Disney movies at Education, General Conference of Seventh-
justify literature for enjoyment. church socials. day Adventists, n.d.), p. 7.
The editors' introduction to my II. Arthur White, unpublished letter to Dr.
reviews of Adventist novels As Adventists, we have long Lamp, December 2, 1974.
notes that "From the parables of viewed fiction and novels with suspi- 12. Snider, pp. 300-309.
13. Leland Ryken, "Literature in Christian
Jesus to John Bunyan's cion. We ought to continue to view all
Perspective," God and Culture: Essays in
Pilgrim's Progress, Christians forms of popular and high brow culture Honor of Carl F. H. Henry (Grand Rapids.
have used imaginary characters with critical attention, but the novel no Mich.: Eerdmans, 1993), p. 231.
and stories to convey moral and more so than other forms. Let us read 14. See "Holiday Reading," Adventist Review,
spiritual truth." 14 True. but with intelligence and discrimination, by North American Division edition,
nothing is said about delight or all means. and may we be equally ready (December 1994), pp. 12-14; also "More
enjoyment. We should never for laughter, pathos, or thoughtful Holiday Reading," Adventist Review
forget the instructional potential reflection. as the situation warrants. BB (December 8, 1994), pp. 15,16.
15. C. S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Scott F. Moncrief! (Ph. D., University of 1978), p. 137.
California, Riverside) teaches English literature
at Andrews University and has authored several
articles and critical studies. His address: English
Department, Andrews University, Berrien Springs,
Ml 49/04, U.S.A .

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