Lucy Maud Montgomery and Theology

One thing that admittedly gets under my skin is when Christian parents decide that they will allow their children to read certain books because they are believed to either be a Christian book or written by a Christian author. A few times I've run into people who think that Anne of Green Gables is a worthy read because Montgomery was a Christian. Sometimes I wonder if I should dispel the myth or allow them to continue on in ignorant bliss and wonder.

Let me make myself very clear in saying that I do not hold to the idea that as a Christian I should only read religious books or fictional works that are written by Christians. To do so is very limiting and, in my opinion, not even scriptural. Yes, we are to take care that we are making wise reading choices, that we are not filling our mind with idle prattle and evil material. We do need to take care that what we are reading is edifying in some way and I do think Anne is edifying. But she was not penned by a Christian. That's ok though. I'll read her anyway.

In reading The Selected Journals of Lucy Maud Montgomery: Vol. II (linked to my original thoughts) I came across a couple of examples and direct statements by Montgomery that expressed her theology. Whether you will find her statements expected, mortifying or par for the course is anyone's guess. But I do think it's interesting to read, from Montgomery's own pen, what she truly believed.

Here is an excerpt from her journal entry dated Tuesday, February 3, 1920:

"I believe in a God who is good and beautiful and just - but not omnipotent. It is idle to ask me to believe in a God who is both good and omnipotent. Given the conditions of history and life the two things are irreconcilable. To believe that God is omnipotent but not purely good - well, it would solve a good many puzzling mysteries. Nevertheless, it is a belief that the human soul instinctively shrinks from. Well, then, I believe in God who is good but not omnipotent. I also believe in a Principle of Evil, equal to God in power - at least, at present - opposing hideousness to His beauty, evil to His good, tyranny to His justice, darkness to His light. I believe that an infinite ceaseless struggle goes on between them, victory now inclining to the one, now to the other. So far, my creed is the old Persian creed of the eternal conflict between Ahrimanes and Ormuzd. But I did not take it over from the Persian. My own mind has compelled me to it, as the only belief that is in rational agreement with the universe as we know it.

I believe that if we range ourselves on the side of good the result will be of benefit to ourselves in this life and, if our spirit survives bodily death, as in some form I feel sure it will, in all succeeding lives; conversely, if we yield or do evil the results will be disastrous to us. And I admit the possibility of our efforts aiding to bring about sooner the ultimate victory of good.

That victory will come - perhaps not in the time of our universe - perhaps not for the duration of many such universes - but eventually evil, which is destructive, will be conquered by good and remain in subjection for age-long duration. Perhaps forever; and perhaps all eternity devoid of all evil would be tiresome even to God, who, like us, may find in struggle a greater delight than in achievement - a greater delight in contest with his peers that in unquestioned supremacy over vanquished foes. Perhaps alternate light and darkness - the alternate waxing and waning of evil must follow each other through the unnumbered, the unnumberable cons of Eternity, even as night and day follow each other in our little system.

This is my creed, it explains all which would otherwise puzzle me hopelessly; it satisfies me and comforts me.

Orthodox Christianity says reproachfully, "Would you do away with my hope of heaven?" The hope of heaven is too dearly balanced by the fear of hell and the one thing implies the other. I believe in neither: but I believe that life goes on and on endlessly in incarnation after incarnation, co-existent with God, and Anti-god, rejoicing, suffering, as good or evil wins the upper hand. To me, such an anticipation is infinitely more attractive than the dull effortless, savorless existence pictured to us as the heaven of rest and reward. Rest! It is a good thing; but one does not want an eternity of it. All we ask rest for is to gain fresh strength for renewed effort. Reward! Even in this life reward once tasted, soon loses its flavor. Our best reward is in the joy of the struggle."

She makes further claims throughout her journals of a disbelief in hell and frequently found "entertainment" (if it can be called as such) in playing with Ouija boards. She documents several instances of her interactions with others as they consulted Ouiji boards and her scenarios are both disturbing and horrifying from the Christian perspective.

No, I cannot say that Lucy Maud Montgomery was a Christian. For some Christians, I do realize that will give pause for selecting additional Montgomery works to read or pass along. But I do not read Montgomery because of her faith. Even a non-Christian can share truth, whether they realize it or not and I do believe her books hold a great deal of truth, in personality, setting, character and imagination. I am happy and content in all of these things. What I am not content with is in suggesting that she only be read because of a presupposed faith that she clearly does not posses.

At any rate, not (really) meaning to argue a point, but definitely wanted to dispel the myth that Anne can and should be read because of a supposed particular worldview of the author in question. On so many levels I find her lack of faith sad - mostly because she was married to a minister (who also, for the record, did not believe in hell!)

I realize this post may rile some. That's certainly not its intent. Rather, the intent to merely to point out what Montgomery's actual beliefs were so that we can clarify any misconceptions that we, as her readers, might have so that we may better understand and, yes, even enjoy her works. If that is possible. (For me, it is.)