© 2005, Baker Academic, 222 pages with index in paperback

Author Dorothy Sayers is probably best known for her book The Lost Tools of Learning (the call for a return to a classical model of education) and for her well-written detective fiction.  As Simmons points out, Sayers was a prolific writer.  She explored various subjects and genres.  Simmons’ research challenges readers to delve deeply into Sayers’ works.

God placed Sayers in a time and country that needed a renewed emphasis on the essentials of Christianity.  Darwinism was making inroads, as was liberal scholarship in the scriptures.  Sayers, an Anglican, integrated theology into her writings.

Being a person of the Word, she was concerned with the usage of words.  This concern was heightened by a background in writing advertisements. It was here that she learned the importance of writing so that truth could be clearly, succinctly communicated to the common man.

Sayers’ convictions on Christ’s incarnation, the Trinity, evil, work, and creativity are some of the subjects explored by Simmons.  She viewed a biblical understanding of the Trinity as  important in understanding the creative process of writers and artists.  Her work, entitled The Mind of the Maker, shows how she connected the Trinity and one’s creativity.  She also incorporated an understanding of Trinitarian theology into her plays, “The Emperor Constantine” and “The Zeal of Thy House.”

Sayers has much to say on the subject of work.  She constantly stressed that every legitimate job is important to God and used in service to God.  One’s creativity came from God, the Creator, and reflected God’s image in man.  She also believed that one should work within one’s calling.  She was not a professional theologian and refused to venture into that sphere.  In her calling as an author, translator, and playwright, she sought to serve God in her writings.  She lived out what she called others to do in their vocations.

She was cognizant that God rules the world.  However, for His reasons, He does not choose to work everything out in one’s lifetime.  In her popular detective stories, evil could be addressed, the crime solved, and justice delivered in a few hundred pages.  In real life, in a fallen world, solutions and justice do not come as easily.  In other writings, she tackled the  issue of evil in the world.  In reality, many problems are not solved as quickly as they are in a fictional world.

Sayers received criticism for her portrayal of the disciples in the play, “The Man Born To Be King.”  She desired to present the men as real human beings, having to wrestle with temptation in the Roman civilization.  In so doing, she was able to integrate biblical teaching regarding man’s fall and his need of redemption through Christ.

In the book’s final section, suggestions are given as to how Sayers’ works can be used for profitable study by individuals and groups today. The classical Christian school movement desires to integrate Christian thinking into all subjects.  It is significant that this lay theologian’s essay on education has been a useful stimulus for the revival of classical education.  Simmons shows how Sayers’ wide ranging writings are worthwhile reading for all students, adult or children.

Appendices include a list of her explicitly religious writings, the text of the major creeds, and an excerpt from “Begin Here” on profitable reading. A glossary of religious terms used in the book includes explanations of a number of leaders, movements, events, and beliefs that marked early church history.  When reading Sayers, it is important to be able to identify these people and terms.  Using the glossary will aid the reader in better understanding excerpts of writings in this volume.

Sayers believed that Christianity brought meaning, answers, and purpose into our fallen world.  Simmons provides many examples of this in her writings.  Readers of this volume will want to check out the versatility and depth of Dorothy Sayers’ writings.  

Review ©2006 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia