"Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil"? Evil and the Christian Writer Part 2

Welcome to The Scriptorium and all things literary, Church historical, theological, and aesthetic! Today we continue our exploration of how authors portray evil in their writing. First and last we are guided by the Word of God: 

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

I will cite from Samuel Johnson, Dictionary Johnson he is sometimes called, in an essay he wrote for the Spectator, Rambler 4. Here's a few extracts from that important essay on how a responsible author portrays evil: •“The greatest excellency of art is to imitate nature… “ •Purpose of literature: “…to give the power of counteracting fraud without the temptation to practice it; to initiate youth by mock encounters in the art of necessary defense; and to increase prudence without impairing virtue.” •On realism: “Vice… should always disgust… it should raise hatred.”  

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