Believe to See

What is time, and how does time work in the context of story? As part of Anselm's "Why We Create" series, our own Jane Scharl wrote an amazing essay on the nature of time. At the pub table, Matthew and Mandy use that article as a launchpad for discussing the use of time in fiction.

Sometimes, a beloved book or movie from childhood means just as much to you as an adult. Other times, going back to childhood stories makes you cringe. Why are some children's stories timeless, while others are time-bound? And can knowing the difference inform the stories we share with the kids in our lives? To answer these questions, Matthew goes to a trusted authority on children's stories: his wife, Danielle.

At the Anselm Society's May Pub Night, author Leslie Bustard presents her retelling of JRR Tolkien's story Smith of Wooton Major. Later, Leslie and Matt discuss the story's theme of enchantment.

Matthew Clark is both a singer/songwriter, and an Anselm Society Advisor. He joins the table to talk about his brand-new project: Only the Lover Sings. It's both an album and a book of essays, all centered around the woman at the well. Matthew shares how this story inspired the project, and why it has captured his imagination.

We talk all the time about Faerie Stories (Fairy Stories? Faeree Stories?). But what are they? The hosts discuss the elements of proper Faerie stories, as well as the value of Faerie for Christians. Then our resident Faerie expert, Evangeline, evaluates popular "Fairy Stories" to determine: is it Fae, or not Fae?

Our friends at Bandersnatch Books stop by the table to share their upcoming project: Bandersnatch Classics. They're taking underappreciated classics in the public domain, and giving them the beautiful reprinting they deserve. The Bandersnatch team discusses the value of reading old novels, and the enduring appeal of their first Bandersnatch Classic: Understood Betsy.

Over the centuries, lots of artists have tried to portray heaven. Many (most?) have failed. What's the best way to tell the story of heaven? Is there even an effective way? The co-hosts examine examples of heaven in art to find out.

At the Anselm Society's April Pub Night, Anselm's Elizabeth Bristol Clayton presents her retelling of The Secret Garden. Later, Elizabeth and Matt discuss the story's theme of resurrection.

When an imagined world grows successful enough, other storytellers create their own stories in it. Some are great. Some are...not so much. The hosts share their favorite examples of stories told within other artists' stories, as well as the characterstics that make them successful.