Hey Everybody, I know the point of this site is to read the Bible, but I also like to read other books. I have just finished the Left Behind series, and I think it was a compelling plot, but I think the message is too strong. I think it's almost trying to be like a book of the bible. I just want good, interesting books, hopefully with a Christian message. I am looking for books for my kids (11 and 14) and I don't really feel comfortable having them read the Left Behind series. I have heard a lot of good things about Narnia -- anyone else? Any tips would be appreciated. Thank you
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The Lion [of Judah], the Witch and the Wardrobe
So, not to answer my own question, but I have been doing some research, and I just realized that one of my favorite books as a kid is great Christian book called the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.
A brief summary in case you haven't read it -- Four children, two boys and two girls, are kind of bored staying at a big manor house, and they come accross an enormous wardrobe. They walk....This enchanted wardrobe opens a porthole into a magical land called Narnia. The four children, who are part of the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, enter it and find Narnia in endless winter, and Aslan’s magical creatures under the White Witch’s evil control. Aslan represents the Lion of Judah -- Jesus Christ -- and I think it's fair to say the Witch represents Satan.
A lot of things come up -- How lust and self-deception lead to sin, what are the consequences of sin? Why was Jesus willing to die in our place? It's a gripping story for children, who will be very sad when Aslan dies. They'll want to know: why? And that's a key Christian question: Why did Christ die for our sins?
One idea is to read them the books first, then explain how the represent the stories of the Bible. The series is called the "Chronicles of Narnia"
Just a suggestion!
- Jerome
Another view of the Narnia books
I have not read these books, but I probably would have when I was a kid, if I had come across them.
I was raised reading all kinds of books, but as I've gotten older I find I should exercise a little more caution in my choice of reading material. Just so everyone knows up-front, I do not watch television and I do not read fiction. I'm sure most if not all of you would disagree with my convictions about this, but bear with me and I'll attempt to explain a little.
When Christ taught his disciples how to share the Gospel, he didn't tell them to put on plays and write ficticious stories. He told them to tell the truth about him and his work of redemption. It seems that to use something that is a lie (look up the definition of fiction in the dictionary, as well as the definition of acting) to tell the truth would not be the way God would bring people to Christ.
I'm not condemning everyone who reads fiction. What you do is your own choice, and I am not the judge. I just ask that you search the scriptures and pray the Lord will show you what He has to say about it, and consider it.
I have seen churches present fiction for the purpose of getting people saved (especially this time of year), and in my experience and knowledge of the results, it was not very effective. Skits and plays tend to evoke emotional responses. Salvation is not an emotional thing, it is a literal transaction that takes place when we place our trust in Christ and his finished work on the cross. Emotional experiences tend to give people an 'innoculation' that makes them impossible to reach. They go through their lives thinking they are okay, only to reach the end and discover they were not okay at all. Some manage to get it corrected before it's too late. Others never do.
The 'fundamental' view of christianity is not popular, but it has its merits and should be considered seriously before it is rejected. If you read the scriptures and see how Christ behaved and what he said when he walked this earth, you will find that he was very fundamental in his teachings.
I don't believe he would endorse such things as this book for use in the ministry or as reading material for his children. I could be wrong, but I'd rather err on the side of being too careful than not being careful enough.
If you still disagree after considering it, that is not going to offend me. I pray that none of you are offended by my position, either. This is what liberty of the conscience is all about.
Nancy Davis
Reaching the world through NW Arkansas
http://www.reproachofmen.org/
Smart Answer
I love it when people answer their own questions! Haha. Jerome, this is really valuable information. I went and found a link to these books you're talking about -- Amazon's got all the Chronicles of Narnia books as one paperback box set..
I read these books as a child and had NO idea that there was Biblical meaning to them. While I was poking around I noticed another book about this very subject called Finding God in the Land of Narnia.
Interesting stuff.
Oh, and as if that wasn't enough...
They of course came out with the Narnia movie version
But I would recommend the books instead!
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