True: conformable to an essential reality, fully realized or fulfilled; being that which is the case rather than what is manifest or assumed
Fact: something that has actual existence; an actual occurrence
So i've been thinking a lot about the disparency between something being true and something being factual. Mostly, i blame Madelaine L'Engle for the line of thought, but the more i think about it the more I've come to the conclusion that something can be true without being factual. In fact as an artist, I think it's not only possible, but it's necessary. How else can fiction be relevant to us as a society beyond anything more than passing amusement if it doesn't contain truth. I find it hard to believe that we would even find fiction amusing if it didn't contain some bit of truth to which we could relate somehow.
Jesus himself was pretty familiar with this idea, consciously or not. One of his primary methods of teaching was through parables and stories, little imaginary vignette's of life he used to illustrate important lessons and truths of God, life, and following Him. In this vein, I find it more and more likely that much of the stories from the Bible aren't literal, factual events, but rather stories and "based on a true story" chosen by God and used to illustrate and important truth about Him.
Take, for example, the book of Job. Science considers that it is probably the first book of the bible that was written. Some theories ascribe it's authorship to Moses (just like Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy), but nobody's really sure. It's a difficult story to place chronologically in the Old Testament, and it's even placed in the category of "poetry" books. Not that I disagree...
But my point is that I personally find it highly unlikely that this story actually happened. This was a story, a philosophical exposition, a poem that some inspired and dedicated follower of God used to address some pretty big questions of life in general as well as reveal some characteristics of God (among many other things). Could it have happened? certianly, it could have, but does the fact of it's happening or not happening change at all the truths that are contained within?
As an artist--a songwriter and writer of other things in theory--this becomes quite important to us, this ability to be true without being factual. I once heard a sermon about art & christianity, and the speaker explained that the responsibilities of christian artists (and if you're Madelaine L'Engle, you believe that all art--all true art--is christian regardless of the beliefs of the artist) are two-fold: to tell the people stories (or truths) about God, and to tell God stories (or truths) about the people. now, getting into the details of THAT is a whole nother blog or book or pages upon pages, but the important thought is that if fiction can contain truth, then we must let go of our preconceptions that something must be factual to be true.
We have to embrace that learning and knowledge isn't just memorization and facts. Songs and stories and movies and comic books can all be viable and powerful methods of communicating truth (remember, you always communicate with, never communicate to). Fiction can be as valuable in education as multiplication tables. We are losing the traditions of storytelling and folklore and fables in our culture, and with this loss comes the loss of the truths conveyed there-in.
Or something.
And just to make it one of Frankie's favorite posts...
I like a girl. and her name begins with....a letter....of the alphabet....
On the Playlist for this Post...
The Fratellis Costello Music
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