Ask Michael Phillips
Michael Phillips, best-selling Christian writer and novelist, is one of the key individuals responsible for reawakening worldwide public interest in George MacDonald through publication of his edited and original editions of MacDonald's books. Dismayed to learn that all MacDonald's major fiction, as well as most other titles, were unavailable, Phillips embarked on an ambitious lifetime project to re-introduce the world to the remarkable Victorian author. He is also MacDonald's biographer--George MacDonald, Scotland's Beloved Storyteller--and in the 1980s inaugurated the publication of MacDonald's original works in the Sunrise Centenary Editions series.
Perhaps no one on the planet has more knowledge of the life and works of MacDonald, and here on this page, Michael fields any and all questions concerning the great man.
Hello. I was wondering if you knew what MacDonald's thoughts were on the relationship of God and time (i.e. if he thought God was "outside" of time or in time.) It seems to me this is a very important question, and, given the fact that MacDonald stressed God's humanity and also his real relation to and interaction with creation, he would tend toward thinking God was in time rather than outside it, since if the latter is true he cannot be really affected by the creation. Thank you!
How did GM's theology and/or fiction (hard to separate!) evolve over his life, or did he achieve his mature style and theology early on?
A most fascinating question. It is a query to which I have given much thought over the years. I am interested both as a writer and a Christian in precisely the two elements you highlight—MacDonald’s style and his theology...
Q: I am beginning a journey to discover the truth of what I'll call for now, MacDonald's “Consuming Fire” ...I first need to know what MacDonald says about God.... So my question is, what book of his should I read first?
A: What a wonderful question! I could just answer you by recommending a book or two, and leave it at that....
Q: What was the first thing you read of MacDonald's, and when (or how) did you find yourself passionately pursuing a study of his life and works?
A: ...your question highlights a universal experience those of us all share who have come to love the writings of George MacDonald. We are moving through life minding our own business—or so we think!—when a chance encounter, word, circumstance, or book recommended by a friend…when something causes us to pause a moment and take a second look at something beneath our feet. ...we realize that in MacDonald’s writings we have truly stumbled upon a great treasure...that begins to change how we think, how we view God and the world and ourselves. Thereafter life is never the same....
