Huck Finn, Jim, and Theology

            Mark Shaw wrote creative little book called DOING THEOLOGY WITH HUCK AND JIM: PARABLES FOR UNDERSTANDING DOCTRINE. He takes Mark Twain’s novel THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN and uses to teach Christians how to think theologically.

            Shaw begins with Twain’s account of Huck and the slave, Jim, who were running away. The two were on a raft when, after a period of silence, Huck asked Jim:

            “What did you bring for food? I'm hungry.”

            Jim unwrapped his bedroll. His worldly possessions were contained in it. Immediately it is all laid out in full view. There was a hat and some fruit, a pair of socks, a rabbit’s foot, and a book. Jim tossed up a piece of fruit.

            “Why did you bring the book for?" asked Huck with the tone of irritation.

            “I bought it to read,” said Jim. 'What else is a book good for?”

            “I didn't think you could read?” Huck said and wished he had not said it.

            “I can read,” Jim responded with intense seriousness, gazing into the night.

            “What kind of book is it?” Huck asked.

            “It's a book about theology,” Jim said, his voice trailing away.

            “Theology! I hate theology almost much as I hate schools and rules,” Huck said. “What good is a theology book on a trip like this?”

            Jim was silent a long time before he answered. “A trip like this is long. A lot of things are going to happen. Might come in handy.”

            Shaw’s point is this: life is a trip that takes a long time. We make decisions based upon what we think. What we think is based upon what we believe. These conspire to impact our relationships and our consequences of life. Theology, doctrine, and teaching matter.

Source: George Guthrie–Hebrews NIV Application Commentary (Page 214)