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His Dark Materials (novel) (view source)
Revision as of 04:15, December 8, 2007
, 04:15, December 8, 2007→Religious Views
The character of "The Authority" is definitely the [[Judeo-Christian]] [[God]], evidenced by many of his names [http://www.amywelborn.com/reviews/pullman.html]. [[Yahweh]], one of the names mentioned, is a common name for God in the [[Bible]]. The Father the Almighty, another name, is a term from the [[Nicene Creed]].
The character of "The Authority" is definitely the [[Judeo-Christian]] [[God]], evidenced by many of his names [http://www.amywelborn.com/reviews/pullman.html]. [[Yahweh]], one of the names mentioned, is a common name for God in the [[Bible]]. The Father the Almighty, another name, is a term from the [[Nicene Creed]].
Despite this, the character's traits clearly depart from the God depicted in the Bible. He is mortal and his powers are clearly limited, while the Judeo-Christian God is believed to be immortal and limitless in power.
Despite this, The Authority's traits clearly depart from the God depicted in the Bible. He is mortal and his powers are clearly limited, while the Judeo-Christian God is believed to be immortal and limitless in power.
===Jesus===
===Jesus===
[[Jesus]] is only referenced directly once in the books. Near the end of ''The Amber Spyglass'', when talking of her former devotion to the Catholic faith, Mary Malone (a minor character) says:
[[Jesus]] is only referenced directly once in the books. Near the end of ''The Amber Spyglass'', when talking of her former devotion to the Catholic faith, Mary Malone (a minor character) says:
''"I wanted to take my whole life and offer it up.. and place it in front of Jesus to do as he liked with."'' <ref>''The Amber Spyglass'', Ch. 33, "Marzipan" </ref>
''"I wanted to take my whole life and offer it up.. and place it in front of Jesus to do as he liked with."'' <ref>''The Amber Spyglass'', Ch. 33, "Marzipan"</ref>
===Christianity===
===Christianity===
However, the religion started by Jesus appears many times in the books. The Church of Lyra's parallel universe is specifically stated to be a descendant of the [[Calvinist]] faith in ''The Golden Compass'' <ref>''The Golden Compass'', Ch. 2, "The Idea of North" </ref>
However, the religion started by Jesus appears many times in the books. The Church of Lyra's parallel universe is specifically stated to be a descendant of the [[Calvinist]] faith in ''The Golden Compass'' <ref>''The Golden Compass'', Ch. 2, "The Idea of North"</ref>
===Angels===
[[Angels]] are a separate race in the books' world, complete with their own backstory. Apparently, the angels were formed out of the substance known as Dust at sometime in the past, and are very old. The Authority was the first angel formed, and convinced the following angels that he had created them. <ref>''The Amber Spyglass'', Ch.2, "Balthamos and Baruch"</ref>
Apparently, [[human]]s can become angels somehow, though the process is not elaborated on. The characters Baruch and Metatron were once human brothers <ref>''The Amber Spyglass'', Ch.5, "The Adamant Tower"</ref>. Metatron's former name was Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalalel. These three names are commonly cited as direct descendants of [[Adam]]. <ref>[http://www.marshallgenealogy.org/bible/pafg35.htm Bible Genealogy, Descendants of Adam]</ref>
==Religious Response==
==Religious Response==