Monday, July 25, 2005

Good Reading for Christian Boys

A brief scan of this blog's archives will clearly indicate the high value I place on reading. I have commented on great value of reading Christian biographies, the effect reading has on Pastor's and subsequently, churched, and most recently I expressed some concern over fiction. Regarding the reading of Harry Potter, I have a very unformed opinion. (Which is quite amazing, since I usually land soundly on an opinion and argue vehemently, often to my own detriment.) My gut pulls me away from embracing the series, simply because (although fictional - believe me, I have read the arguments) of the glorification of what God has condemned. I do not feel strongly enough to make a case for or against the acceptance of this series or anything like it.

Although, my Pastor made a great point Sunday morning. Six million people stood in line to anxiously buy and read the latest installment from Rowling. How many people were lined up at the front door of the church to get in and hear the next installment of their pastor's exposition? He made absolutely no value judgement on Harry Potter; rather, he pointed out the difference in how the world passionately embraces their stories, which are mere fiction, and how the church embraces our stories, which are historical, life-changing facts. Interesting!

Regarding Harry Potter, again I would direct your attention to Phil Johnson's thoughtful comments. Though I largely agree with Phil's assertions, I still contend that there must be better stuff available for young Christians to read. Things that will allow them to "let the Word of Christ richly dwell in [them]."

My boy, Jonathan, is going to be 3 in a couple of weeks. My two girls LOVE to read. Statistics indicate that boys are far less inclined to reading. Though I cannot substantiate this claim, there must be some relationship to a boy's lack of interest in reading and the lack of good, imaginative, well written fiction for them to read. Most of what the publishing industry aims at young boys (and girls for that matter) is drivel with no substantive plot, no interesting character development, and usually a contrived, spiritualized ending. Put that stuff up against Harry Potter and the young wizard will win everytime.

I found (actually my wife found) a very interesting selection of exciting, well written books for young men. The Vision Forum is an organization dedicated to restoring the vision of a the biblical family. They have a decidedly reformed bent and desire to bring the Word of God to bear in the life of the Americal Family.

Happy Reading... and Grace to You!

10 comments:

Jeremy Weaver said...

Tahnks for the link to 'Vision Forum'. I have received their catalogs in the past but after moving about six times in six years it somehow got lost in the shuffle.
My sons are six and four, so they don't read long books, but I found a great book Saturday for them to read and would like to pass it on to your readers.
The book is titled, '3 in 1: A Picture Of God'. It is published by Concordia and written by Joanne Marxhausen. As you can guess by the title, the book attempts to explain the Trinity for children. But it also explains the Gospel in a 'non-watered-down' way.
Anyway, back to our host. Sorry.

Chris Meirose said...

If your kids are old enough for Potter, then they are old enough for Narnia. I would start there, and see where it takes you. Biographies are a great place to get kids reading too. If they follow sports, or have hobbies, find good entry level biographies for them to read. Their school library and the local library should have plenty in their reading range. I have always been an avid reader, since 6 or 7 years of age. My mother would take me to the public library once or twice a week to get new books. I would spend half of my summer days reading, and the other half riding bike and swimming at the local pool. Ahh...how I miss those days...

Big Chris
Because I said so

Carla Rolfe said...

I saw your comment at Phil's blog and just wanted to pop over here and thank you for the resource. My son is 4, has just learned to read, and this is a tremendous resource for me, and for him.

What a blessing, thank you so much.

SDG - Carla

Chris Meirose said...

Other stuff:
I was originally drawn to your web site because you share a name with the brother of Rich Mullins. I was/am a big fan or Rich's music, and when I saw your name somewhere it caught my eye.

Big Chris
mrclm.blogspot.com

Shawn said...

Agreed. You have hit my thoughts on the topic exactly!!. Weird huh, fellow camper!

Dave said...

Thanks for the book recommendation Jeremy. I will see if I can get a copy of that.

Carla, you are very welcome. My wife happened across Vision Forum a few months back. SHe is a home school mom and was doing so book/curriculum search and found a link. We have been very pleased. My daughters are 7 and 5m but right now they are sufficiently occupied reading the Americal Girl books. We made the family trek to Mecca (The American Girl Place in Chicago)in June after the girls had saved up their $100 each. But the "Beautifful Girlhood" Collection will probably be our next destination for birthday and Christmas gifts.

Carla, my wife doesn't blog, or even post, but she does read a few blogs regularly. Yours is one she frequents!

Shawn said...

This is a great Blog! Thanks for the good reading material here!

AllanM said...

Three days after the original post, and almost two full days after the last posted comment ... but still.

I'll risk taking a beating from some people, and confess that I have read all but the most recent of the Harry Potter books. We do have a copy, and I have not even looked at it yet. My priority is church on Sunday morning, other ministry on Monday night, and every night right after eating is to read my Bible, to get through as many chapters as I need to in following my annual pilgrimage from beginning to end. Later I read, or research something else that has some value in my life. I'm also busy reading The Pilgrim's Progress and just recently finished Chuck Colson's new release The Good Life, so now is the time to start on one of the many other books in pile to be read, like Franklin Graham's biography.

I have previously been referred to at least one book condemning the Harry Potter series, and chose not to read it. I don't read anywhere near as much fiction as I used to, but I still read some occasionally. I read the Harry Potter books in the way I believe they were intended, as entertainment, not with the attitude of paranoia and demon-hunting I see some people display. I see them as just another fantasy series aimed at attracting readers.

I see the Harry Potter books as far less harmful than the majority of trash that comes on TV and even the big screen, another reason I very rarely watch any TV or movies. I see far more harm in people allowing their kids to watch Will and Grace, Sex in the City, Charmed etc., and even the "nicer" series like One Tree Hill. I have at various times watched occasional episodes, or parts thereof, and changed channels or left the room. I see a far bigger problem with kids watching and becoming de-sensitized to the border-line pornography on TV, people jumping from one bed and/or relationship to another even within the same episode. I see a far bigger problem with kids watching series like Will and Grace because it makes an arguable amusing story of the antics of a few people, both homo-sexual and hetero-sexual, thereby desensitizing viewers into accepting that all they see on TV is normal and acceptable.

I see at least as much of a problem with people celebrating Halloween (which I do object to), as with the Harry Potter books. I was once given a book called Redeeming Halloween. I read a little of it, disagreed and stopped reading, and still am not convinced. We have at times taken tracts and handed them out with candy, and seen kids dumping the tracts in the driveway as they walk away without even looking at them. I no longer support Halloween in any way and make my feelings clear to my family, but won't dictate to them what to do. I would prefer they listen to my argument and make their own decision. My kids are old enough to decide, and over time I think the love of sweet things will be overcome by what they know I don't believe is right.

I knew somebody else once questioned by one of their children, when talking about good family values and the Bible, the kid pointed out that the Bible is full of stories of incest, adultery, murder and other violence. Absolutely true, but we need to look at things in the right perspective, and treat what we read in the appropriate fashion. We need to recognize when to study and analyze a book in great detail, and when to treat a work of fiction as just that, fiction.

It's time to get down off this very tall soap-box I've built.

Shawn said...

allan,

I agree to some extent, I don't think Harry Potter is as bad as much of the evangelical hype is about, however for me and my family I just don't see a need to get my kids into that so I don't read it. I don't feel a need to bring it into my home, but I don't think. Yes I think Naria is a good equivalent for my little kids. I have been watching the movies with them and talking about it and how it relates to the bible.

So you are right normal tv is many times worse than HP.



I do read sci fi and many times have to stop reading it because of the bad stuff in it. I wish I could just find good fictional sci fiction that is newer, but many times I just read the stuff from the 50s and earlier because of type of language, etc. There is lots of humanism in the 50s books but I am careful about that and important for Christians to have a good worldview and recognize the purpose of the book.

For me though fiction should have a place, but not as big of a place in our lives as the Word and other books that help us focus on the Lord.

AllanM said...

I have a suggestion for some good Christian fiction Shawn. Some time ago, through an interest in writing, I stumbled across Randy Ingermanson, a Christian in San Diego, with a Ph.D. in theoretical physics. As I remember his story, Randy worked for some time as a physicist, then moved onto software development involving computational physics. Along the way, he learned Hebrew from Messianic Jewish friends, and also became a writer.

He has written a number of books, some with science fiction themes, and I have enjoyed all three that I have read. Premonition is a story about an American Messianic Jewish woman archeologist who meets an Israeli Jew, and they go back in time to Jerusalem in AD 57, meeting up with Paul, James and others.

Retribution continues their story. Double Vision is a story involving modern technology, software encryption, espionage and intrigue along with some Christian characters and their impact on other characters.

Randy is a good writer, the kind who keeps me turning the pages, and has some very good tips on his web page and newsletter for writer wannabe's
http://www.rsingermanson.com/

Another series of books I really enjoyed were historical fantasy based on legends, also (for me) a very absorbing writer - Juliet Marillier (http://julietmarillier.com/) with her Seven Waters Trilogy and the Saga of the Light Isles