Musings on themes found in Scarlet

by Stephen Lawhead
King Raven Trilogy Book 2

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Lawhead excels at portraying Christianity in a way that is historically accurate and thought provoking. In Scarlet several elements gave me food for thought.

Christianity verses pagan religion

One of the things that I find fascinating when reading Lawhead is his ability to illustrate the way in which Christianity and Paganism mixed and developed in the cultures of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In the novel you see one sentence reflecting a tenant of Christianity and in the next you see pagan tradition set forth. It is an excellent picture of how these cultures saw the reflection of the Redeemer within their pagan religion and often accepted Jesus as the fulfillment that their traditions pointed to, without discarding many of the age old practices of their pagan faith. The character of Angharad the Banfaith exemplifies this blending of historical practice with faith in Christ. I personally would always like to see a clear change. In my reading of 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 this morning I saw how they forsook idol worship to turn to Christ, a clear cut change that all the area noticed. Yet, this is not the history of the cultures that Lawhead is writing about. There was a blending of Christianity with pagan religion and I feel that Lawhead is able to show this blending while distinguishing what is true Christianity and what rituals are left over from pagan cultures (for example: the ritual of the type of fur to sleep under for inducing visions).

True Christianity verses Christianity as a political tool

Lawhead did a masterful job of making contrast and comparison between true faith and religion that does not contain a true relationship with God. Some characters are corrupt but respected church leaders. Then you witness the political infighting within the church over the succession of the pope. In contrast, you have a lower clergyman whose true desire is to honor God and another clergyman who is willing to throw his lot in with a bunch of outlaws who are fighting for the downtrodden. Finally, you see the common man who appeals for his release “for the sake of Christ before whom we all must stand one day.” (Pg 212, Hardbound edition, copyright Stephen Lawhead) I enjoyed seeing these many contrast made in a way that fully fit the story and never seemed awkward or like forced caricatures.

The Plight of the Downtrodden

In the letter from Lawhead at the end of the novel titled, The Turbulent Times of William Scatlocke, the author states: “Will Scatlocke was, then, a man of his time. Denied his traditional way of life, with little or nothing to lose, he threw in his lot with Bran and his tribe of outlaws, who championed the cause of right and justice for those powerless to protect themselves.” (Pg 449, Hardbound edition, copyright Stephen Lawhead)

The theme of the powerless is another intensely Scriptural and completely applicable theme for modern day that breaks the heart. When we read of the fate of simple people whose lives were destroyed by a political twist it inspires the reader to cry for the lack of justice in the world. For us as believers today, we may not be able to stop the destruction of lives by the forces of nations but we can be examples of Christ to those broken, hurting and left powerless by forces beyond their control. Just as Will sets an example that inspires another character to leave the life he knows and the service of a corrupt leader to follow truth, we can be a light of truth and hope in our world.