Is it okay to read fantasy?

[Pastor_Bob]

Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly , nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (KJV)

The word "blessed" means to "be right, level, or happy." If we are to be right, we have to walk in the counsel of the godly instead of the counsel of the ungodly.

Everything we read, watch, listen to, or think about is our counsel. We are influenced by these things. Every sermon you hear, every book or magazine you read, every TV show or movie you watch, every song you listen to influences you in some respect.

It is our responsibility to make sure that we are walking in the proper counsel; being influenced by the proper things. I realize this did not answer the question but perhaps it will offer some insight. What we deem as ungodly counsel may very well be relative for each of us.

I will say that if your reading more fantasy/fiction/history/biographies/or anything else more than you are reading God's Word, then "yes" it is most certainly wrong.

 

[Thankful]

Yes, I think it is all right, but reading should not be limited to fantasy.

I have an 11 year old grandson who is reading Harry Potter books. (Now don't start a debate on this

)

I said to my grandson. You know that this isn't real, don't you? He quickly answered, "Of course, Nana. I know I can't ride a broomstick and fly"

I don't think I will be concerned about his reading these books.

 

[Johnv]

I believe that The Chronicles of Narnia and the HP novels are geared toward roughly the same audience.

 

[Karen]

Originally posted by Dr. Bob Griffin:
Fantasy has inherrent difficulties, as it may have spiritual implications.....
That's why I don't mind (though don't care much about) Star Wars. Pure fiction set in the future....

I have never quite understood this view of Star Wars. We do watch them, but my kids roll their eyes every time afterwards, waiting for my speech about how Star Wars' dualistic view of good and evil is not Biblical.

Karen

 

[Karen]

Originally posted by Bro. Adam:
Is it okay for children and/or adults to read fantasy?.....

I read all kinds of things and go to the movies, etc. But many conservative Christians until recent times did not go to the theater or read novels. Some saw novels, etc., as a form of breaking the Ten Commandments by lying, teaching covetousness, obscuring God's glory by trying to construct a different reality. Others saw it as merely a time-waster when the Bible is all you should be reading.

Shakespeare was not as popular among conservative and fundamentalist Christians as we might think now because his works were theater and have lots of references to pagan mythology.

Discussions about movies, etc. now are just a continuation of disagreements that have been around a long time.

Karen

 

[romanbear]

Hi Everyone;

I didn't know what to think of Harry Potter until I had seen it.It's pure fiction as well as witchcraft is pure fiction.The myth that there are witches who can cast a spell on someone and actually have it work, without the power of suggestion is just impossible.Suggestion is how people become victims to witch craft. They believe in it. If you do not believe in it. It can't hurt you. The witch in the Bible that Solomon went to mesmerized him, so that he thought what she showed him was real.In other words she told a lie so well that he believed her.He was mystified by what she told him because he didn't know any better.He wanted to believe her. It was all in his mind, We can't speak with the dead and no witch or wizard can either.
I asked my granddaughter what she thought of the movie since I had no say in weather or not she could see it.She liked the movie and I asked her if she thought it was real. She laughed and said Grandpa don't you know what make believe is.

You can't hide the world from your children although sometimes we'd like to. The best thing you can do for your children is to tell them about the Lord Jesus and bring them up in awe and respect of the heavenly Father and tell them in advance when viewing a movie like this, that what they are watching is make believe and isn't real.We alone are responsible for how our children receive this kind of thing if you don't let them see it. It will only make them want to see it all the more.All there friends at school will be talking about it even in Sunday school.If you diffuse it before it gets a start then you've won.If you don't you've lost.
may God bless

Romanbear
Peace

 

[Johnv]

I read fantasy all the time: Time Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today....

(ducking tomatoes)

 

[IlovetheBible]

Originally posted by Johnv:
I read fantasy all the time: Time Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today....

(ducking tomatoes)

*Adam hands Johnv a fruitbasket and thanks him for his observation, telling him to hold his head up high*

 

[Wisdom Seeker]

Originally posted by Bro. Adam:
just so you know and don't think i'm completely crazy)

Too late!

Seriously is this a test? Are we going to pass or fail...why don't you just tell us what you want...instead of being so mysterious. Honestly...no one likes to think they are stupid...just because they can't read between your lines.

Spill it Bro.

 

[Rev. G]

That's why I don't mind (though don't care much about) Star Wars.

Star Wars is deeply theological, but not Christian. It is HIGHLY influenced by Eastern philosophy / religion (Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.).

 

[IlovetheBible]

Originally posted by WisdomSeeker:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bro. Adam:
just so you know and don't think i'm completely crazy)

Too late!

Seriously is this a test? Are we going to pass or fail...why don't you just tell us what you want...instead of being so mysterious. Honestly...no one likes to think they are stupid...just because they can't read between your lines.

Spill it Bro.

</font>[/QUOTE]Not a test at all! Don't worry, I'll write about what I was trying to get at towards the end of the weekend. Until then, feel free to keep chatting!

 

[Lorelei]

It is okay to read whatever want, though not all things are going to be beneficial or edifying to read. (I am sure you were waiting for me to say this! )

Once you eliminate any type of fiction from being allowed or acceptable, you might as well ban it all. The Bible doesn't specifically say what we can and can not read, this leaves each of us subject to the Spirit's leading.

For those who think this is unscriptural, they will have to limit themselves to reading only literature that has to speak about God and nothing else. Not even Christian fiction should fit this description, because whether or not they pray or are Christians, it is really non-beneficial to read about how Susie falls in love with Rick.

Then you might as well go a step further and read only the Bible. After all, an author of a book you read might have actually seen a movie or read a book at one time you found objectional. What would you do then?

We were freed from the law to walk in the Spirit. According to some definitions, you are no longer walking in the Spirit if you sit down for a few minutes to read a book. That being the case the second your mind thinks of anything wordly, whether it be about trying a new recipe, looking at patterns for a new craft item, or getting that new tool for your workbench, you are no longer walking in the Spirit. It is lawful for you to feel this way, but not always beneficial.

There are a lot of books that I choose not to read because I don't find them benefical or edifying. That doesn't mean it is wrong for another person to read them.

~Lorelei

 

[IlovetheBible]

Go figure...you leave it to the woman and look what happens.

I was gonna say just about that exact thing!

Though I would add that it is not okay to read *anything*- such as playboy or penthouse ( ); but if something you are reading isn't specifically anti-biblical then it may not be wrong it may not be beneficial. I don't think that reading about a boy who decieves his friends and parents and openly rebels is necessarily spiritually beneficial (Tom and Huck), but there is nothing wrong reading it.

LIKEWISE (here we go )- it is not wrong to read about, learn, or have fun about the "Santa Claus" mythology of the Christmas season, just as it is not wrong to learn about Greek Mythology, or Hindu practices, just as long as you understand that they are what they are and keep God the first and foremost thoughts in your mind.

 

[Baptist Believer]

Originally posted by Bro. Adam:
Though I would add that it is not okay to read *anything*- such as playboy or penthouse ( );

Believe it or not Adam, most people don't get those magazines for the articles.