Chesterton, Apologetics, and the Art of Positioning. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pickering, David
• Is Part Of: Journal of Inklings studies. Volume 10:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: G.K. Chesterton -- apologetics -- rhetoric; Inklings (Group of writers) -- Periodicals; Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.) -- Periodicals; Literature and society -- England -- History -- 20th century -- Periodicals; Criticism and interpretation -- Periodicals; Criticism and interpretation -- Periodicals; Criticism and interpretation -- Periodicals; Criticism and interpretation -- Periodicals; 820.900912
• DOI: 10.3366/ink.2020.0061
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-8800

Abstract

Abstract : This article analyses G.K. Chesterton's positioning of himself as an apologist in relation to his audience. It argues that he deployed a set of rhetorical devices that enabled him to create common ground with his readers. He used these devices to present himself as a friend, and to claim that he presented religious questions to his readers in the manner of an unbiased explorer, in spite of his own faith commitments. As part of this strategy, he restricted the range of theology he used in his apologetics so as to remain as far as possible within boundaries his non-religious readers could easily relate to. The article concludes with reflections concerning Chesterton's influence on some of the Inklings and his relevance for contemporary apologetics.