Theology and Fantasy

There is a long tradition of allegorical writing in the Christian Church. Many parts of the Old Testament are written in this form, and in the New Testament Christ himself taught in parables. Several modern writers have used allegory or one of its allied forms -- myth, parable or fantasy -- as a means of conveying religious truths. This book examines the work of four authors: George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams and J.R.R. Tolkien, who each made a valuable contribution to this tradition. Each of the books mentioned here is well worth reading, and if this introduction only serves to send the reader back to the originals it will have fulfilled a most useful purpose.