About

What in the multiverse is Niggle?

Niggle was J.R.R. Tolkien's self-described persona in a short story he called, "Leaf by Niggle." In the story he explores the relationship between subcreation, ethics, and the 'afterlife' (which is really the true life). The character Niggle is constantly bothered by his needy neighbor for menial tasks--incessantly interrupting Niggle's masterpiece of a painted tree (the only part of which he ever succeeds in is a single leaf). Eventually Niggle and his neighbor both die, and discover that they are destined to travel purgatory together. Niggle's eyes are opened to the gravity of all the menial selfless acts, and he also discovers the true tree of his artistic dreams which he always tried to capture in his painting.


So why "Learning from Niggle?"

Tolkien was the father of the Fantasy genre as we know it today and the author of numerous phenomenal books. He has influenced me in more ways than I can recognize, and so whether I like it or not: he has shaped the eyeglasses through which I view the world. Tolkien's view of fiction is best described in the term "subcreation." By which he views the chief creatures of God (i.e. angels and humans) blessed and responsible with taking what has already been made and shaping it again for the glory of God and the good of others. For Tolkien, every artist is a subcreator, responsible for tending the world and re-presenting it to others in ways that help them see the true world for what it is and to align themselves to it. And although I disagree with Tolkien on some theology, he is a more-than-worthy mentor: especially when he reminds me that my work is not meant to serve God only but humanity also.


Some extra theology for those who want it:

Tolkien's Roman Catholic theology taught him to believe in a nature-grace interdependence in which nature is perfected by grace. As such, our current human state is one that must be realigned to fit the true creation rightly. (This is also why Roman Catholic theology necessitates purgatory: the natural man must be further perfected.) Given this, many of Tolkien's "heroes" in his stories are idealistically good (and villains, evil) because Tolkien viewed his heroes as measures by which we can examine ourselves and ascent to. I disagree with Tolkien's nature-grace interdependence. I believe in total depravity (every man's every action is always tainted) and alien righteousness (we cannot be perfected in our present state, but must receive a new life from the outside which replaces our old self), but that doesn't mean that both the unregenerate (non-Christian) and the regenerate alike cannot benefit from realigning themselves to the true world. Otherwise, the book of Proverbs is moot. Similarly, I don't believe in purgatory, but I do believe that the true life comes after death and we will discover the source and purpose of all our creations here and now. And lastly, while I disagree with Tolkien's assumption of perfected humanity, I do believe in perfect human--the GodMan, who was full in righteousness, never failing, the true standard and source of humanity. So while I think "I could never be Aragorn," I also think, "Christ Jesus was the true Aragorn, and he has given me his kingly righteousness."


Why this website?

Well... it's not because you couldn't find good information elsewhere. Certainly you could. But this goes back to my lessons from Niggle: I do stuff, but the stuff I do isn't for me alone--it's for you too. I didn't have a proper venue to share those things with you, so I created one. And here it is. On this website you can expect to find resources for DnD & DM'ing or otherwise fiction writing and storytelling. You can also expect me to point you in the direction of certain things that I find worthwhile--books, movies, video games, etc. that I think remind us of this world and the next. If you find it helpful, let me know; subscribe; share it with some friends.



Who am I?

My name is Emmanuel Boston, but on the web I go by EJ Boston. I am human. I am a Reformed Christian. I am a husband. I am a subcreator. I am also a blogger, book reviewer, and a pastor to young adults. I am a dungeon master, preacher, and teacher. Reader, coffee-drinker, craft beer-believer. Desert Rat, Riversidian, CBU grad.

You don't have to listen to me, but if you want to, please use wisdom.

I manage two other blogs: Preparing for Eternity (Christian cultural engagement) and Vantage Points (roundtable about theology and life).

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