Flash Review: Even in Space, God’s Sovereignty is Two-Edged
Genre: Science fiction with strong theological themes
Grade: A-
“In this world you will have tribulations,” said Jesus. Emilio Sandoz, the central figure in Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow, would expand Christ’s statement to include other planets. In a story with vivid alien landscapes and humorous characterization, Russell’s dark central theme stands out in stark relief: Loving God wholeheartedly does not make you immune to suffering—quite the opposite.
Russell uses her first novel to explore a theme that has plagued every human since Adam. If God is all-powerful and good, why do bad things happen? More to the point, Why do they happen to me? The Sparrow adds more weight to the question (if that’s possible) by creating a Job-like dimension, that is: Why does God seemingly destroy those who have “screwed up their courage to the sticking point,” as it were, and trusted him without reservation?
Russell brings this motif to life by convincingly describing experiences that most people, if they have attempted to know God at all, will readily (perhaps with a startled sense of recognition) grasp:
“Things kept happening, just like God was really there, making it all happen. And I heard myself saying Deus vult…but it still seemed like some kind of huge joke. And then one night, I just let myself consider the possibility that this is what it seems to be. That something extraordinary is happening. That God has something in mind for me. Besides sewer lines, I mean…”
“You know what’s the most terrifying thing about admitting that you’re in love?” she asked him. “You are just naked. You put yourself in harm’s way and lay down all your defenses. No clothes, no weapons. Nowhere to hide. Completely vulnerable. The only thing that makes it tolerable is to believe the other person loves you back and that you can truth him not to hurt you.”
He looked at her, astounded. “Yes. Exactly. That’s how it feels, when I let myself believe. Like I am falling in love and like I am naked before God. And it is terrifying… But it is starting to feel like I am being rude and ungrateful… To keep on doubting. That God loves me. Personally… Does that sound arrogant? Or just crazy? To think that God loves me.”
The Sparrow portrays Emilio Sandoz’s attempt to take God at his word and rest in the full implications of sovereignty: That a painful, repressed life has been molded according to God’s hidden purpose; that God’s love is strong, and can be trusted; that God will not betray us if we love him in return.
But what happens to such questions when faith is shaken, demolished? If not a sparrow can fall without God’s permission, why do good people drop like flies? Why does God shatter us in return for our trust? Is the universe a tragedy, a comedy, or a farce?
Mary Doria Russell engagingly gives these queries human form. It’s a tribute to her writing ability that her the central theme of her futuristic novel is not carried by the elements of space travel and aliens, much less hijacked by them. The dialogue is occasionally unbelievable, erring on the side of levity (thus the A-), but as Russell’s first novel, The Sparrow succeeds memorably, infusing science fiction with strongly-felt theology.
** Readers should be aware that The Sparrow contains strong sexual themes; they are not explicit or subversive; they are, however, integral to the plot. And in case you're wondering, this one is on the Master Book List.
3 comments:
This actually makes me want to read other fiction.
intriguing, especially for someone raised on bad christian romances.
This actually makes me want to read other fiction.
"Other" as in, "other than this book?" Actually, I think any tendency to read fiction (esp. in a seminary student) is to be applauded. Imagination is crucial to communication of all kinds, but especially to communication that centers on the reality of the unseen.
intriguing, especially for someone raised on bad christian romances.
I'm sometimes amazed at how the worst books get most of the press in Christian circles. Maybe "amazed" is the wrong word, though...
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