Hmmm, I see what you’re getting at. But then there’s also Faithful, another fellow traveller with Christian. Clearly we can’t call him Even Younger or Traveller 3.0. Might we be better off trying to get at the essence of their particular Christian character?

I like traveller, but I don’t think it should be a proper name.
I don’t think Evangelist is the right name. It makes me think of street-corner evangelists, and that’s not what the PP guy does. I’m not sure on a better replacement, possibly the messenger?

Perhaps a separate competition/forum/whatever for naming rights?

Andrew Lim - 15 January 2008 01:36 PM

I think the great temptation is to merely synonymise (is that a word?) the characters.
The great challenge is to grasp the essence of the character and find an appropriate name/title in today’s vernacular.
My 30 seconds’ worth on Hopeful, as he appears to be a younger Christian brother:

Young Traveller
Traveller 2.0
Young/Little Brother

I don’t know that “Hopeful” is not a part of today’s vernacular. My take on Hopeful is not that he is a young “Christian”, but rather that he has his eyes firmly set on heaven - that’s why he is “hopeful”.

Narrow way ==> Narrow road

Hi All,

An update on our stable of writers for this project…

Stage 1 - Andrew Lim

Stage 2 - James Cartwright

Stage 3 - John Hollier

Stage 6 - Dannii Willis

Stage 7 - Mark Hadley

Stage 8 - Andrew Tilsley

Stage 10 - Craig Schwarze

I realise some of you are interested in writing additional stages; I’m just holding off for a short while because there are only three stages left and I want to leave room for as many people to participate as possible.

As for the names debate, I think Traveller might be a bit strange as a name for a contemporary reader and, given my penchant for consensus, wonder whether it would work well as a last name? That way we could have Chris Traveller and use ‘Chris’, ‘Christian’ (in formal, rebuking settings? ;) ) and ‘Traveller’ as we saw the need.

Any thoughts?

Andrew Tilsley - 16 January 2008 06:03 PM

What would you do with “Hymenius” and “Philetus” and the reference to the faith of the resurrection of the body in Stage 8, page 68?

What do the greek words mean? I’d do something based on that…

Craig Schwarze - 17 January 2008 02:51 PM

Andrew Tilsley - 16 January 2008 06:03 PM

What would you do with “Hymenius” and “Philetus” and the reference to the faith of the resurrection of the body in Stage 8, page 68?

What do the greek words mean? I’d do something based on that…

Hi,
These are “just” Greek names of two heretics (2 Tim 2:17).

The name Hymenius (or Hymenaeus) apparently comes from the name of the Greek god of marriage/weddings Hymen.

So keeping with that theme perhaps you could use Marion,
which can be a male or female name.

Or you could choose names that reflect their role as prototype Gnostics -
perhaps something symbolic for a “NewAger”....e.g. Crystal?

Grace & peace,
Terry

Various references suggest Philetus has a meaning related to beloved or amiable

Perhaps Buddy would convey something similar if it is not considered too American.

I think Marion and Buddy probably sounds sufficiently dodgy....
[with apologies to anyone named Marion or Buddy out there]

Terry

G’d folks. Made a start on Stage 3 which is really exiting. Its the stage where the Traveller loses his backpack (he gets a new set of clothes - no NPP in this NPP if you know what I mean!).

Any thoughts on re-imagining the “roll” or “certificate”. When the Traveller loses his backpack, he is given a roll, which gets a mention a few times. Occasionally he gets it out and reads it. It falls out of pocket when he slept at the arbor. When he gets to the Celestial City he hands it in (it is called a certificate at that point). Ignorance did not have one so he was rejected by the King.

Also, any suggestions on angels which are called Shining Ones?

I called them “Shining Ones” in stage 10, and I called the roll a “certificate”. But easily changed if someone has better suggestions…

Just a quick thought regarding the certificate / roll. I’m wondering whether ‘birth certificate’ might work well in a modern context? It’s a key proof of identity in this day and age and alludes to the major change that has taken place in Traveller’s life. And it could still be considered an object of significant contemplation, though we’d probably be suggesting that he was thinking on the implications of his new birth more.

Maybe it should be the “second birth” certificate?

I like that!

John Hollier - 21 January 2008 09:02 AM

Any thoughts on re-imagining the “roll” or “certificate”. When the Traveller loses his backpack, he is given a roll, which gets a mention a few times. Occasionally he gets it out and reads it. It falls out of pocket when he slept at the arbor. When he gets to the Celestial City he hands it in (it is called a certificate at that point). Ignorance did not have one so he was rejected by the King.

Hi,
For the roll/certificate I would suggest passport.

That’s what we need to have these days to (re)enter our homeland.

I have found the passport image useful with young adults to help them understand the signficance of God’s “seal” on us [2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13, Eph 4:30]

Grace & peace,
Terry