Mythographer Dr. Martin Shaw on his Eastern Orthodox faith and being re-enchanted by God in the wilderness
The ProfileShow Notes
Dr Martin Shaw the storyteller and mythographer - someone who studies myths - was well exposed to the ancient tales from an early age. He grew up in a Baptist household in Devon in 1970s with a preacher for a father ad in a house with no television or phone but with access to lots and lots of books.
It is no wonder then, that he became fixated with stories and particularly myths. However by his early adulthood he had grown tired of the way the stories of Jesus were told in church, always with a message and a point that made a "muscular sermon." He came to a point, where, in his own words, he "hit the enough button."
A number of decades later, following a long stretch living in a tent, as well as writing and performing as a musician and oral storyteller, he found himself praying to God in nature and had a profound spiritual encounter. The experience brought him back to Christianity and he is now a practising Orthodox Christian.
Shaw has written a number of books drawing on Celtic, Siberian, Greek myths as well as Christian traditions. His latest title: Liturgies of the Wild released earlier this year is already New York Times bestseller.
In this episode of The Profile with Premier Christianity Editor Sam Hailes he talks about his early life story, how myths and stories provide a link to our ancestors and the incredible story of what brought him back to Christ.
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
More from The Profile
Helen Thorne-Allenson is Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK, where she helps churches to offer compassionate and theologically grounded care to those who are struggling.
At 16-years-old Terry Virgo became a Christian through his sister during the years of Billy Graham’s greatest impact on Britain. He went on to train at London Bible College at a time of the charismatic movement of the 1960s. It shaped his early faith and ministry.
Bishop of Kensington and acting Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson has spent more than 25 years in ordained ministry and now holdsone of the Church of England's highest-ranking posts.
Theology and National Director of Alpha UK, Chloe Swart was raised as a pastor's child, she had early exposure to stories of faith and the miraculous through her parents, an influence that shaped her later academic and ministry work.
Canon Yvonne Tulloch was born into a Christian Brethren household and grew up attending church several times a day. From a young age she had a close relationship with God, married as a teenager, trained as a secretary but with her heart set on missionary work.