Paradise Lost book

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My son is reading this book at a catholic school for English class. Is this an acceptable book from the Catholic Church point of view? like the Divine Comedy? The book stays at school.
 
I think any book that makes one look towards the supernatural is a good thing. Especially one rooted in Christianity!

I thought it was a good book.

But as far as teaching Catholic doctrine I do not know the answer 🤷
 
John Milton was a puritan writer. But I see nothing wrong in it.
 
I admire any high school student able handle it. Most simply do not have the education and grasp of the Bible to fully comprehend much of it. The basic theme is not objectionable.
 
Nothing is wrong with it. It is a Christian work. Especially if he is reading it at a Catholic school, they would not read books without knowing the doctrinal issues related to it. There is no harm in that book, it is a very good and deep read.
 
Trueca said:
My son is reading this book at a catholic school for English class. Is this an acceptable book from the Catholic Church point of view? like the Divine Comedy? The book stays at school.
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I doubt a school kid could handle it but I’m seriously impressed if thats the kind of literature they are being taught.

Absolutely acceptable.
 
I’m an MFA working in poetry, so I can tell you that Milton’s work is first-rate aesthetically. But it should be noted he is not a Christian in the sense that he could pronounce the Nicene Creed without reservation. He is a Unitarian, that is to say, he does not believe that Christ or the Holy Spirit were truly God, or that Christ is co-eternal with God.

So, to those saying Paradise Lost is a Christian work I will say, when was the last time you read Paradise Lost?

Of course, the usual posters on CAF who love to bash Harry Potter and half of today’s literature are nowhere to be found to caution people against Milton. But, as such people say themselves, ah, the times we live in are greatly fallen from the past in many respects.
 
Kevin12 said:
I’m an MFA working in poetry, so I can tell you that Milton’s work is first-rate aesthetically. But it should be noted he is not a Christian in the sense that he could pronounce the Nicene Creed without reservation. He is a Unitarian, that is to say, he does not believe that Christ or the Holy Spirit were truly God, or that Christ is co-eternal with God.

So, to those saying Paradise Lost is a Christian work I will say, when was the last time you read Paradise Lost?

Of course, the usual posters on CAF who love to bash Harry Potter and half of today’s literature are nowhere to be found to caution people against Milton. But, as such people say themselves, ah, the times we live in are greatly fallen from the past in many respects.
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Thanks Kevin, I never knew Milton was a Unitarian…

When reading Paradise Lost are there any specific parts you can think of where his views are hinted at. The only reason I ask is because it has been years since I have read that book and was thinking about dusting it off to see where certain parts may have fallen into heresy.
 
brian614 said:
Thanks Kevin, I never knew Milton was a Unitarian…

When reading Paradise Lost are there any specific parts you can think of where his views are hinted at. The only reason I ask is because it has been years since I have read that book and was thinking about dusting it off to see where certain parts may have fallen into heresy.
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I believe it is in the third book, where it talks about why Satan fell and makes it out that Satan existed before the Son.

A statement of Milton’s beliefs called De Doctrina Christiana was discovered in the 19th century that basically shows he was an Arian, as well.
 
We read Paradise Lost in my literature class and I don’t recall anything that was very objectionable. My memory is kind of foggy because we read it in Spetember and didn’t spend much time on it; atleast in comaprison to other works. I do remeber one part that may have contradicted the doctrine of the trinity. I also recall Milton’s anti-Catholicism coming through. If my memory is correct there was one part where it mentions people being thrown into Hell with their rosaries and habits. I could be wrong though. Still I don’t see anything wrong with it being read. If the students have a good grasp on their faith I doubt any problems would be caused. Also, since it’s fiction, I doubt they’d pay attention to the theology that’s expressed. Plus for the most part there aren’t too many problems in it.
 
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