Josh's Blog

Theo of Golden: An Appreciative Criticism

Have you ever felt we need more kindness? More love, generosity, and compassion? Or, like many of us, have you written off these dreams as idealism?

Theo of Golden is a remarkably idealistic novel. It often feels disconnected from reality, fluffy, and contrived. All the same, the myth resonates deeply with me. Levi has tapped a key question for Christians today: How do we show the love of Christ to a world that does not want Christ? His model, illustrated in the title character, provides ample inspiration for Christian and non-Christian alike.

Theo is unrelatable in many ways. His vast wealth, seemingly limitless availability, and considerable physical health immediately distance him from most readers. Probably very few of us will ever possess the resources he does while remaining so unburdened by work, family relationships, and fitness. I find it frustrating that Levi crafts a character who models radical love via means inaccessible to the majority of his readers.

Still, the manner in which Theo loves, his thoughtfulness and creativity and curiosity - these are available to us all. Perhaps we can't purchase collections of portraiture, pay years of medical expenses for strangers, or a devote ourselves exclusively to philanthropic work, but we can look intentionally into the faces of those around us, envision the God in them, and honor them through word, deed, and attention. At least, some of those around us! In my experience, being this attuned and attentive is exhausting and unintuitive.

What's more - and the novel misses this entirely - attempts at connection are inherently risky. The more effort, unfamiliarity, and vulnerability, the greater the risk of mistrust, misunderstanding, and rejection. Levi does us all a disservice by allowing Theo to glide through his encounters unscathed, confident, and almost entirely successful. People react in odd ways! We see Theo navigate tensions during interactions with superhuman success, but I wish Levi had let him fail. Let him say the wrong thing, misunderstand, or offend - without a smooth recovery. How would he handle the discouragement of a negative result: the surface-level encounter, the no-show, the abrupt departure? For those of us living in the real world, it is the failures we really ought to accustom ourselves to (and learn from!) if we intend to be radically loving.

On the topic of relationship and vulnerability, I'm bothered by the obvious deception that undergirds Theo's time in Golden. By hiding his identity, profession, and even family ties, Theo is presented as facilitating intimacy. ("He never could have gotten to known them otherwise.") But the opposite is obviously true in most relationships. Hiding information sends a signal of distrust, fear, and distance that naturally triggers the same response in the recipient. If we really want to share the love of Christ, we need to leave our safe havens and cover stories behind. While boundaries are essential, vulnerability in sharing our stories, faults, and selves is the key to true intimacy. I think Theo's secrecy is more of a plot device than Levi's vision for radical love, but it sends the wrong message.

It's also worthwhile to consider how much privilege Theo carries as a white, wealthy male. On one hand, this ought to inhibit Theo's acts of kindness - he and folks from different backgrounds might experience distrust or unfamiliarity when interacting. On the other hand, Theo's privilege enables his kindness in ways readers with different backgrounds can't relate to, causing further alienation. Consider, for instance, the small majority of female readers. Arranging individual appointments with unknown men carries not only the sort of unwanted romantic tensions Levi touches on, but also a serious danger of harassment or assault.

That being said, I can appreciate that Levi is a white, wealthy male and therefor crafts a character who honestly reflects his experiences.

Then there are all the questions tied to Theo's faith and theology. Does Levi, the Protestant, craft a believable Catholic? For the evangelical, there must be a complaint that Theo is too reserved in sharing his faith. Reformed Christians might bemoan the seeming lack of grace and emphasis on works that Theo presents. Most conservatives will note his disinterest in challenging apparent sin.

I, for one, enjoy Theo's reserved style of witness. He certainly can't be accused of being preachy. If he were, this novel wouldn't be a bestseller or have any hold in non-Christian audiences... a fact Levi was no doubt keenly aware of when writing. The question I'm claiming as central - How do we show the love of Christ to a world that does not want Christ? - is reflected in who Levi writes his novel to!

9 Ways I'm Inspired by Theo