As many of you know, I do not read fiction. I have nothing against fiction, just not my current cup of tea. As an un-biased observer of some of the more recent 'controversial fiction' I will now make some uninformed comments about 5 popular works that I haven't read.
Lord of the Rings- I saw the movies. I think the storyline is pretty good. It's impressive to be able to create a whole world in one's imagination. Chronicles of Narnia- I read 1 book and saw the movie. Probably slightly less impressive than LotR in terms of imagination. But it's of more interest to me as a Christian. Harry Potter- I have no problem with Harry Potter. I like the idea of kids reading and enjoying it. The Da Vinci Code- I'd have absolutely zero problem with it except that the author takes himself seriously. Cut out the intro where he claims it's based on facts and it wouldn't be an issue with me. If he really thinks all that stuff is true, he should have the guts to write it as a non-fiction and make his view more open to scrutiny. Left Behind- Okay, so I've read 7 of these. Maybe they are more annoying than the Da Vinci Code. It's simply 1 guys opinions written as if they're facts (as seen by the bible study books they sell right along with the series). I guess I'm not a big fan of fiction writers taking themselves so seriously.
9 comments:
LOTR-
pretty sweet movies...even better books
The Chronic-What!-cles of Narnia-
As before the movie was good, but the books were better, more for younger kids; LOTR is more for teenagers
Harry Potter-
This one is a little sketchy for me as i've read reviews and books about it (not the actual books) and some conservative Christian groups have quoted the writer of the books, JK Rowlings, who said that they use actual spells and incantations which, for a Christian, and esp. children reading is a bad thing
the Da Vinci Code-
haven't read this one, but the problem i have with this book is that people take it for fact which it is fiction, and then base their beliefs system on a work of fiction which has numerous holes in it; one of which being that pretty well all of his proof comes from the gnostic gospels; and his dates/times are messed up
left behind-
read about 8 of these i think they were pretty good works of fiction, but i don't think people took them as more than that because of the timeline being in the future.
they were pretty much one of the biggest sellers in the Christian community in a long time which i think helped people to come back and think about God/eternity when they were in Sam's Club and saw them
*my opinons are not neccesarily indorsed by this blog/it's owner*
thanks for sharing your opinions shane. It's pretty sad when the comments are more interesting than the post itself :)
Matt, you said "If he really thinks all that stuff is true, he should have the guts to write it as a non-fiction and make his view more open to scrutiny." The reason he didn't do that is probably because it's already been done. So he packaged it in a good story. A story which I don't think too many people are taking seriously... other than paranoid Christians who see it as an attack. I don't think too many people are basing there beliefs soley on it but it may spark some interesting questions and discussions... which is actually a good thing, and Christians should see this as an opportunity to both think deeply about why they believe what the believe, and to share their faith with those who don't. Wow, long sentence.
I also see the Q/A as a great opportunity, but based on comments I've heard from non-Christians and polls I've seen in Canada and the US, I think you are giving the average non-Christian reader a little too much credit. It seems common sense discernment levels are at an all time low.
Maybe it's not so much that people can't discern, maybe they're just too lazy to investigate.
I like the movies..but reading allows you more freedom in the story.
P.S. My *** isn't working....what up?
kristi...
did the *'s work for your name in the past? i can't remember. If not, I'd recommending going to your blogger settings, clicking on the 'publishing' tab, and then making sure the answer to the 'notify weblogs' option is YES.
If that doesn't work, I'm not sure what the problem would be
Ah yes, DONE....we will wait and see....
"My opinion, I guess, is that if you haven't read it, then you can't really hold an intolerant position on it and justify it. Just my opinion."
i've never read a playboy magazine either, but i hold an intolerant position on that & justify it as something that isn't good for me, or anyone.
"No matter how skillfully the story gets told or how selfless, ethical and heroic Harry may be, it's impossible for me to invest myself in a series that glamorizes witchcraft. It’s easy to laugh when spineless bully Draco gets turned into a ferret. But it gets harder to make light of the sorcery when a potion requires that a man hack off his own hand, borrow a bone from a rotting corpse and drain blood from Harry’s arm."
-Review From PluggedInOnline.com
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
NOT to each their own - "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord...." Deuteronomy 18:10-12. I realize you are not talking about DOING these things, but I would have to believe that God doesn't necessarily want us reading about and dwelling on these issues either. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there by any praise, think on these things." Phillipians 4:8 NOT my opinion - Scripture!
Post a Comment