And It Was Good: Reflections on Beginnings

It's been almost a month since I finished this book, and I'm still trying to figure out what to think about it.

Having read a biography of L'Engle first helped me to understand a little better what she was doing here--she definitely leans in to the mystery of Scripture and the way our finite minds can't always understand God's ways. And I loved the parts of the book where she imagined extrabiblical chapters in Bible character's lives. For example, she narrates one possible story of what it would have been like for Eve to have Cain. Did she know what was happening to her? Did she have cravings for fruit from the garden of Eden that Adam wasn't able to get for her?

However, I think careful students of the Bible are right to be wary of some show more of the conclusions to which L'Engle's theology ultimately leads her. Even though she denies this other places, her interpretation of Scripture does suggest universalism, that is, the idea that all people will ultimately be reconciled to God. And while I understand that some believers have taken the opposite ideas too far, and seem almost glad that some will be excluded from God's kingdom, I side with C.S. Lewis on this issue--people who consistently and consciously reject God will ultimately get what they want, for eternity. It seems L'Engle rejects this notion and I think she's wrong.

So I can't recommend this book without caveats, although the writing is lovely and it's given me plenty to think about. I just think some of these ideas are better explored in fiction, where there is a little bit more flexibility in how to read the text, like in her book Many Waters, which I loved. show less

Wonderful. To paraphrase the summary on the sleeve, the book is a reflection on creativity, both divine and human. As always, L'Engle (I want to call her Madeleine, but that seems so presumptuous!) lets us see a stunningly clear snapshot of her world and her life. This book was a delightful balance of the power of word and image.

4 stars for gorgeous writing, -1 for dubious theology 😛

Reflections on creation and the created.