Glory

What a nick name. I am very struck by the universally appealing nature of Conway’s character. Just think of a person who is so compelling everyone who meets him, even briefly, “remember[s] him afterwards with great vividness.”[1] And yet, like Heidi pointed out, his disappearance was generally unnoticed. It makes me think about people who have had a profound impact on my life, people who at certain times have been such vivid characters; but now their disappearance goes generally unnoticed. Teachers, friends, mission companions, their influence has impacted me greatly, but it isn’t until I stop and reflect for a moment I even remember them or notice their absence from my every day life.

I wonder what it is about Conway that makes him so “glorious.” Is it simply because he is so "good looking" or because he "excels at games" and "wins prizes"? I hope it goes a little deeper and is manifest in less superficial ways like the kindness he showed the narrator even though he didn’t know him very well. Also, I do find it interesting that he is so educated and well versed in several different languages, perhaps that is part of his appeal.

So far, I can’t say that I am all that impressed with his character and am hoping for more insight into his personality. I found it interesting that when faced with a crisis, the high jacking of his plane, his solution was to sleep. Further, despite the fact that others see him as a hero, he does not consider himself to be very brave. Does this reflect the idea that most people can't see themselves as they are; or does Conway have everyone tricked and he really does know the truth about himself?

Also, I find it interesting we are asked to believe this story because quia impossibile est [2][3]. Does anyone have any thoughts on this idea?

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[1]All the quotes and facts in the first two paragraphs are taken from page seven of my copy of the book. The third paragraph references ideas that are generally found on page twenty-three of my copy of the book.

[2]It is certain because it is impossible

[3]A quote from Tertullian, a major theologian in the early Christian church, known for his powerful denunciations of many influences he considered heretical, including the widespread admiration of pagan philosophers and many Gnostic ideas, yet in later life a Montanist, and thus he himself an embracer of beliefs that came to be declared heretical. He introduced the term Trinity to the Christian vocabulary and also the terms vetus testamentum ("old testament") and novum testamentum ("new testament").