Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Today in class, Dr. Dyer asked us to write about what we've been thinking about regarding The Scarlet Letter. I wrote some things down, but had this nagging feeling that I was forgetting something I had recently read that connected with the events of the books. This afternoon, in the library with an iced white mocha in hand, I remembered and felt inspired to blog (something which I love doing but can't until inspiration strikes. Coffee usually helps.).
For those of you who don't know, Tenth Avenue North is my favorite band. I don't know how it works, but their songs always seem to describe exactly what I'm feeling and tell me just what I need to hear, even if I don't know it. God has used their music in my life in incredible ways.
They have a new album coming out called Light Meets the Dark and their new single from it is called Healing Begins. I was reading a post on their website yesterday where the lead singer talked about why they had chosen the title of their album. He talked about how light represents the freedom of knowing we're forgiven of our sins and dark represents the our sinful behavior. This analogy is nothing foreign in Christian circles. What he went on to say, however, was intriguing to me.
Here's the quote:
"I heard it said once that the best thing that could ever happen to any of us is if all of our sins were broadcast on the five o’clock news. And yeah, that can be a fairly disturbing thought, I suppose, but think about it for a moment. Think of how scary that is, and yet somehow, so incredibly freeing, too. If everyone knew all your junk, all your fears, all your questions, you wouldn’t have to hide anymore. No more masks. No more pretending. Just you, and hopefully, the grace that comes when we step into the light. Sure, it can be the most terrifying step you’ll ever have to take, but when we do, when we lay our souls out naked and bare for all to see, it forces us out of the shadows and into a place where life begins. It’s where the light meets the dark, and it’s where we want to be. Hope to meet you there."
--Mike Donehey
This is essentially where Hester Prynne is in TSL. And where Arthur Dimmesdale both wishes he was and is afraid to be. I'm not sure if I completely agree with this quote simply because, as we see in TSL, Hester doesn't seem to find freedom in the public knowledge of her sin. However, the example of Dimmesdale shows the imprisonment and punishment guilt bestows on those who choose to live in it, rather than find freedom in confession and forgiveness from God. So I suppose that there is a certain freedom that comes from having our worst exposed because it Dimmesdale ultimately dies due to the toll his guilt has on him, and Hester is able to build a life for herself and her daughter.
This whole idea of secrecy and exposure reminds me of what Hawthorne says at the end of the novel, "Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred" (pg. 167).
For those of you who don't know, Tenth Avenue North is my favorite band. I don't know how it works, but their songs always seem to describe exactly what I'm feeling and tell me just what I need to hear, even if I don't know it. God has used their music in my life in incredible ways.
They have a new album coming out called Light Meets the Dark and their new single from it is called Healing Begins. I was reading a post on their website yesterday where the lead singer talked about why they had chosen the title of their album. He talked about how light represents the freedom of knowing we're forgiven of our sins and dark represents the our sinful behavior. This analogy is nothing foreign in Christian circles. What he went on to say, however, was intriguing to me.
Here's the quote:
"I heard it said once that the best thing that could ever happen to any of us is if all of our sins were broadcast on the five o’clock news. And yeah, that can be a fairly disturbing thought, I suppose, but think about it for a moment. Think of how scary that is, and yet somehow, so incredibly freeing, too. If everyone knew all your junk, all your fears, all your questions, you wouldn’t have to hide anymore. No more masks. No more pretending. Just you, and hopefully, the grace that comes when we step into the light. Sure, it can be the most terrifying step you’ll ever have to take, but when we do, when we lay our souls out naked and bare for all to see, it forces us out of the shadows and into a place where life begins. It’s where the light meets the dark, and it’s where we want to be. Hope to meet you there."
--Mike Donehey
This is essentially where Hester Prynne is in TSL. And where Arthur Dimmesdale both wishes he was and is afraid to be. I'm not sure if I completely agree with this quote simply because, as we see in TSL, Hester doesn't seem to find freedom in the public knowledge of her sin. However, the example of Dimmesdale shows the imprisonment and punishment guilt bestows on those who choose to live in it, rather than find freedom in confession and forgiveness from God. So I suppose that there is a certain freedom that comes from having our worst exposed because it Dimmesdale ultimately dies due to the toll his guilt has on him, and Hester is able to build a life for herself and her daughter.
This whole idea of secrecy and exposure reminds me of what Hawthorne says at the end of the novel, "Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred" (pg. 167).
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