Post on 13-Apr-2018
transcript
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The Very Rev. Dr. Ian Markham &
The Rev. Ann Gillespie
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The Author: Susan Howatch Born in the United Kingdom, Surrey in 1940 Married an American and became a writer Her first novel, The Dark Shore,was published in 1965
In 1976, having separated from her husband, she moved toIreland Prior to the Starbridge series, Penmarric (set in Cornwalls
Tin Mines) was the same basic model narrated throughdifferent perceptions of family
The Starbridge series was part of her growing love of thechurch Current series was conceived in Salisbury, but she currently
lives near Westminister Abbey in London
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Introduction to the Starbridge seriesThe books:
Glittering Images, 1987 Glamorous Powers, 1988
Ultimate Prizes, 1989
Scandalous Risks, 1990
Mystical Powers, 1992
Absolute Truths, 1994
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Three Howatch PatriarchsAshworth:
Conservative
Traditionalist
Middle Way
churchmanshipUpper Class,
Studied
Theology at Oxford
The Devil = real, atwork in the world,
must be stopped
Darrow:
Monastic Mystic
Anglo-Catholic,
but connecting
through the spiritwith the church as
a whole
Classless
The Devil =the Great Pollutant
Aysgarth:
Liberal Modernist
Protestant
Working class,
Studied the GreatPhilosophers at
Cambridge on
scholarship
The Devil =disintegrated
personality which
separates one from
God
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First and Second Trilogies1stTrilogy:
Set in the 1930s and 40s
One book is narrated by each ofthe three patriarchs.
Each main character is stripped
down and turned inside out, so
that thereader knows them better than
anyone else can
and the reader is in the position
of being God.
2ndTrilogy:
Set in the 1960s
Scandalous Risks, first one
Patriarchs interact with
younger generation
Effects of legacy revealed
Final scenes of last book all
generations stand together at
last in harmony
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Howatchs Intentions, Literary Techniques Each book is designed to be read on its own,
More books = Multi-dimensional reality
Example of Jon Darrow
Respect for Clergy Real People Her metanoia/ love for Christianity
Howatch theology of sin
Christian progression: sin, repentance, forgiveness, redemption,
resurrection, renewal.
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Historical Inspiration Each book is inspired by a real historical theologian or clergy
clergyperson. Sometimes the thoughts of this real person are putinto the mouths of her characters. But more often, she uses realquotes from the real people to begin each chapter and frame eachsection of the books.
For you Anglican history buffs, heres who they are:
GI: Herbert Hensley Henson (1863-1947)
GP: William Ralph Inge (1890-1954) UP: Charles Earl Raven (1885-1964)
SR: John Arthur Thomas Robinson (1919-1983)
MP: Christopher Bryant, SSJE & Jungian Pscyhologist (1905-1985)
AT: Austin Farrer (1904-1968)
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Women of Starbridge Starbridge series mostly written and set before C of E
Ordination of Women(1992)
Per mom role for women in the church, non-institutional , wives, secretarieserotic attraction ofdamaged women to male clergy
Venetia, only female Starbridge narrator, hangs around
edges of church, bored with slots for society women,loves discussing theology
Her childhood friend, Primrose Aysgarth, becomesadvocate for Womens Ordination
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Scandalous Risks Set in 1963
The Honest to God controversy is the back drop
Venetia Flaxton, a daughter of the aristocracy, getsinvolved with the Dean of Starbridge Cathedral
Norman Neville Aysgarth (mother called him Nevilleand wife called him Stephen) was a close friend of
Venetias Father The novel describes the gradual attraction between
Neville and Venetia
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Scandalous Risks Part Two Endless letters
Weekly meetings
Some sexual intimacy Backdrop: a conservative Bishop dictating a book
attacking liberal theology; a liberal Dean arguing thatthis expression of love is a gift to him; a sculpture
commissioned which might be pornographic; and theripples around other key characters (Dido married tothe Dean, Eddie the canon who tries to rescueVenetia).
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Faith and BrokennessThe experience of the holy always involves trembling.
Sam Keen, in Hymns to an Unknown God:Awakening the Spirit in Everyday Life
Brokenness in Howatch Brokenness in Clergy
Necessity for Brokenness to Develop Faith
Parker Palmer, Rollo May, Frederick Buechner, Jean Houston,
Buggy/Spencer, Susan Howatch Next Howatch series Venetia, now in late 50s, alcoholic and
lost, sobers up as she gets healing through Nick Darrows Center,goes off to Cambridge to study Theology. Hallelujah!
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Faith, Doubt and EthicsA crucial hook is the Honest to God book by John
Robinson.
Drawing on Paul Tillich, God was no longer out therebut better understood as the Ground of our Being
Drawing on Joseph Fletcher and Situation Ethicsdefends the new morality that stresses the centrality of
love rather than rules in any given situation Book explores the possibility that often liberal
theology suggests a compromised ethic and is anexcuse for inappropriate behavior.
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Tying It All Together
Romans 8: and we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God.
... all things interminglefor good to them that loveGod!