I remember reading a couple of theological science fiction books by James Blish. In 'A Case of Conscience' he discussed a society that was so perfect that the priestly observer concluded that it must be a creation of Satan! In 'Black Easter' God disappears from Heaven, Satan wins Armageddon by default, but finds it very painful to have to do God's job.
Thanks for the book recommendations, they look interesting. I'd like to see someone write an article on them. I haven't found much more theological sci-fi, I'd certainly like some, as I was never a fan of the prominent (usually atheist) sci-fi writers. Thanks for the link too, I've heard others make Gnostic/Marcionist interpretations of New Sun (not sure if that's the case with this video, haven't had the chance to watch it yet) before but I've always considered Wolfe to be making a statement against that, and saying that God is still present despite the evil of the world. I'm glad other people are reading New Sun though.
Black Easter is the only sf I know of that required a study of the medieval grimoires and takes 'seriously' the technology of black and white magic. He even includes images of various sigils and seals of the spirits. Blish also wrote Doctor Mirabilus which is a historical novel about Roger Bacon.
Man of Nessus - do you dislike Heracles or have some affinity with Dante?
Before there was science fiction, there was mythology. Hercules and Nessus killed each other, and Dante made Nessus a guardian of the circle of the violent in Hell. I wonder why the author of the Long Sun chose that name.
That's interesting, I had never looked into the name before. Wolfe never made up any words in this book, despite using many very obscure ones. I'm sure he chose those names with a lot of thought. From a quick search, it looks like it says in the book that the city is called Nessus because the river is poisoned, and Nessus's blood is poisoned in the myth. Of course with Wolfe though there can be multiple meanings, I wonder if one might have had to do with Dante and the violent nature of the city.
I'm not the owner of the site, so I'm not sure if this is an actual monastery.
Here's another discussion of that science fiction book, perhaps with a different theology:
https://slavlandchronicles.substack.com/p/the-book-of-the-new-sun-w-pilleater
I remember reading a couple of theological science fiction books by James Blish. In 'A Case of Conscience' he discussed a society that was so perfect that the priestly observer concluded that it must be a creation of Satan! In 'Black Easter' God disappears from Heaven, Satan wins Armageddon by default, but finds it very painful to have to do God's job.
Is there more theological science fiction?
Thanks for the book recommendations, they look interesting. I'd like to see someone write an article on them. I haven't found much more theological sci-fi, I'd certainly like some, as I was never a fan of the prominent (usually atheist) sci-fi writers. Thanks for the link too, I've heard others make Gnostic/Marcionist interpretations of New Sun (not sure if that's the case with this video, haven't had the chance to watch it yet) before but I've always considered Wolfe to be making a statement against that, and saying that God is still present despite the evil of the world. I'm glad other people are reading New Sun though.
-Man of Nessus
Black Easter is the only sf I know of that required a study of the medieval grimoires and takes 'seriously' the technology of black and white magic. He even includes images of various sigils and seals of the spirits. Blish also wrote Doctor Mirabilus which is a historical novel about Roger Bacon.
Man of Nessus - do you dislike Heracles or have some affinity with Dante?
I don't have a strong opinion on Heracles, can you clarify what you mean? I do respect Dante.
-Man of Nessus
Before there was science fiction, there was mythology. Hercules and Nessus killed each other, and Dante made Nessus a guardian of the circle of the violent in Hell. I wonder why the author of the Long Sun chose that name.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nessus_(mythology)
If I may be permitted to enquire, is this an actual Catholic monastery, or a literary fiction.
That's interesting, I had never looked into the name before. Wolfe never made up any words in this book, despite using many very obscure ones. I'm sure he chose those names with a lot of thought. From a quick search, it looks like it says in the book that the city is called Nessus because the river is poisoned, and Nessus's blood is poisoned in the myth. Of course with Wolfe though there can be multiple meanings, I wonder if one might have had to do with Dante and the violent nature of the city.
I'm not the owner of the site, so I'm not sure if this is an actual monastery.
-Man of Nessus
I think you are right about Wolfe.
What is the 'Catholic Perennialism' advocated by this site?