Nessie versus Athena (without Ninjas)

Last updated on: June 15, 2020 at 5:49 am by John Mark N. Reynolds

Nessie versus Athena (without Ninjas) 2020-06-14T23:16:14-04:00 John Mark N. Reynolds

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Nessie versus Athena?

Nessie wins, more or less, though Athena maintains her dignity. This is the present “versus game” in our house, a game of great antiquity.

One of my children, now a very clever adult, as a child wished for a school play on the Loch Ness monster and Dracula. These were two very great interests and the only other requirement was that in the play both creatures be REAL. I was not allowed to pawn off Nessie as a dream, as an alternative reality, but to make both the monsters clash in space and time. Nessie won, of course, though that was the subject of long debates in our house.

The “versus game” was good for my brother and for me and my children engaged in it as well. If Batman fought Aquaman then who would win? In my era, Batman was so obvious as to be tedious, though there were few real superheroes that Batman could beat. Batman, clever man that he was, versus Homer’s Ares? This is much trickier as Ares, though immortal, was a coward, not a great fighter, and Batman is the Batman. We had to ban Superman as Superman could defeat anyone unless you made a great many rules. Superman versus Flash in a race? That was good, even if there was an almost canonical answer.

History gave us other versus games or discussions. Grant versus Lee? In our house, if you had to ask, we worried about you. Lincoln wrote the words that freed the slaves, Grant won the battles and fought to make the Amendment XV real. Lee? He lost.

Meanwhile, our family kept debating the versus featuring one child’s favorite: Loch Ness monster versus . . .

Inevitably, we have ended up with a dog named “Nessie” and a cat named Athena. The cat is eighteen years old, but in her day was a mighty hunter before the Lord. She slew so many rats in a house that we dubbed Rat House that she earned a retirement that can extend forever or until our money runs out. She was named Athena, because she was (and sometimes still is) a goddess of war and wisdom. She does as she wishes and at least one child was mentored by her.

Nessie is a force of nature. She came small and grows larger daily, though still thinking she is a lap dog. She attempts to play with Athena as she does with her friend Sunny at the dog play area. This goes better than you might think. Athena, who in her day might have attacked, merely slouches to higher ground and swats Nessie away.

Nessie versus Athena?

Nessie wins, though Athena has not tried very hard. They have, however, taken to sleeping in our main chairs. They do much together with social distancing, evidently having listened to Dr. Fauci by way of Dr. Dolittle. Their interaction is delightful as the aging goddess finds new interest in life stalking the buoyant, giant monstrous beast while the jolly pup chases the tail of the fluffy animal that is a very odd dog to her puppy mind. Both eat the other’s food, both use the same litter box, though for different ends.

They sleep in the same room and all is well.

Versus games with super heroes, fictional characters, or generals is fun. Versus games in life most often are toxic. We have to fight, but even then a Christian warrior like US Grant hates war and loves his enemies. Life is not a “versus” game, but love. This love is just, not weak, charitable, not sloppy, and rational, not crazy.

There is nothing profound to say here, but that to the good God all our versus games in life must seem like those played by Nessie and Athena. They are both blessed, kept from destruction by adoption. They do not really need to fight, wish to battle. They are well fed and content. There is room enough for the two of them. The competition is a game. And when I saw them asleep together, beloved versus foes, I thought that I should recall this image the next time I engage in serious, seemingly serious, mortal combat of ideas.

The “versus” is only necessary, because some refuse consent to perfect goodness, truth, and beauty. This is our right, but this is not choosing wisely. We cannot win such a “game” and the loss is all our own! Perfect goodness is not made less by our rejection and we end up damnably sad. We could look at our “enemies” and find a comfortable place and have peace. Rest, peace, love are the objectives of the Christian life. We are not too proud to fight, but we prefer peace.

Nessie is snoring and Athena is watching.

God give us peace from our versus games.

Culture

Pop Culture

Spiritual Reflections

Previous Post

June 14, 2020

Ballet, Education, and Bad Philosophy

Next Post

June 16, 2020 The First Graduation: One-on-One, No Usury, The Future Is Now

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Apologetics Art Culture Education On Books On Education Philosophy Politics Pop Culture Spiritual Reflections Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 July 2025 June 2025 September 2024 July 2024 June 2024 December 2023 June 2023 September 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the primary agricultural tool in Biblical times?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Bronze sickle Iron plow Wooden rake Stone hoe

Books by This Author John Mark Reynolds

See All Titles »