Comments on: John Updike, 1932 – 2009

By: Phillip Ayers

Phillip Ayers — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:48:04 +0000

Thank you, Benedicta, for this good article on one of my favorites, John Updike. I think he treats Christianity and “church” well in his writing and I love the way his characters struggle with faith, even amidst their proclivities.
Btw, I know your parents! Richard and I were in seminary together in New Haven in the late sixties and I met Cathy when they became engaged. Small world, this!
Fr. Phillip Ayers

By: Janice Reash

Janice Reash — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:49:08 +0000

I am admittedly identified with John Updike…midwest town, brought up Lutheran, the same age and also a seeker through earlier years now come to still open, but no longer seeking. I have found his writing to be fiercely intelligent and am partial to his poetry. Thanks for the article.

By: dwight roth

dwight roth — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:38:42 +0000

As a teenager in Pennsylvania in the 1960s, I knew John Updike’s father. The elder Updike was a wonderful, religious, creative man. I was honored to know Mr. Updike and could easily see where John received his creative gift. Though I only met John mother one time, I understand that she was brilliant and also contributed to her son’s ability.
Dwight E. Roth

By: Frank Edmands

Frank Edmands — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:43:50 +0000

Benedicta – I appreciate your piece on John Updike. I must confess I never read any of his work. Now, given what you have presented, I think it is high time I experience his writing – better now than never. Thanks for opening the door …

By: david Thomas

david Thomas — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:09:36 +0000

The gospel of feeling secure in a comfortable place, accepting the world as it is, and trusting that there is an invisible power greater than oneself, must not be very a very secure, comfortable, and inspirational feeling for the one out of every seven of our brothers and sisters on this planet who are classified as living in hunger. In my own life of nearly 70 years, I too have followed a meandering journey through several branches of Christian faith, or agnosticism, and back again. Following Christ, repentance, confessing Him as Lord, to me, also entails compassion for the poor and the lost. I agree that the place for Christian believers is in the company of fellow believers in a church. I would hope that church conducts evangelical and mission outreach, in humility and obedience. John Updike is one of my favorite authors. I am grateful for his witness, and his many insights into human thought and social life in our affluent, but searching country. The last one of his novels that I read (two months ago) is The Terrorist.

By: Stephen Trower

Stephen Trower — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:18:54 +0000

Interesting perspective