Is It a Sin to Read Secular Books
Secular fiction, like Christian fiction, spans the spectrum of quality, content and story blazon and mode. However, fiction written by non-Christian authors is more likely to take sexual content, profanity and dealings and scenarios that generally wouldn't show upwards in Christian fiction. That's not to say that it never happens, but it'due south certainly less likely. The line betwixt "secular" and "Christian" fiction isn't always a articulate-cutting one. There's "Christian" fiction that people will presume is safe due to its "Christian" publishing house or author, however the story may present a horrible or confusing theology which plants seeds of heresy or doubt in the reader's listen. On the other hand, in that location are many non-Christian authors who write stories that may never mention God, yet they polish forth the Truth in a more Biblically accurate manner than its Christian counterpart. Instead of asking, "Should I read secular fiction?" what we really should practice is inquire a series of questions nigh each individual book that we are considering. Questions like: As Christians, we have the freedom to read books that are available to the states. But nosotros should keep in mind what Corinthians 10:23 says: "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, simply not all things edify." The Bible might not give an overall ultimatum on our media intake choices, but it does requite principles to follow to help u.s.a. brand the best choices every bit to what would be and would not be good for us. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, any is honorable, whatever is right, any is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Given that secular novels are more than inclined to accept certain elements of "objectionable content," the believer should be enlightened of their personal boundaries and sensitivities. Is picking upward a Stephen King novel going to make it more difficult for yous to continue your linguistic communication clean? And so y'all should pass. Is reading a romance novel with sexual content going to brand you struggle with lustful or covetous thoughts? And then you lot should avert it. On top of examining each story as it relates to your own convictions, if you experience the Holy Spirit telling you to stay away from non-Christian novels in general, then you should stay away from them. We are not to "grieve" (Ephesians 4:30) or "quench" (ane Thessalonians v:19) the Holy Spirit. If He says "no," so we are to obey and listen. The Holy Spirit's voice is the concluding say no thing what we think. One thing to be on guard against is that slapping a "Christian" label on a novel (or anything else for that matter) is not necessarily an indicator that the thing contains biblical Truth. Merely because something claims to be Christian or is published by a Christian publishing house that does non mean our guard should be totally down in what that book might be trying to teach us. Every book you lot want to read should exist put to that series of questions—regardless of whether it is labeled as "Christian" or "secular." Fictional storytelling is a powerful and cute tool. Jesus used it with His parables. C.S. Lewis, an apologist and writer, too used story as a ways to encourage people to think through what they believed. When it comes downward to deciding what stories a Christian should read (or watch or listen to for that matter!), it always comes dorsum down to motive and discernment (2 Corinthians xi:13-xv; one John 4:1). Nosotros are to ever be comparing things to Scripture no matter what spiritual labels take or have not been put on them. As well SEE: Which movies or books are safe for Christians? Is it okay to read secular or not-Christian fiction?
The REAL Questions
You Know What Makes You lot Tick
Christian Doesn't E'er Mean Christ-like
TL;DR
No matter what label is slapped on a book, fifty-fifty if information technology is "Christian", examine each story as it relates to your ain convictions. Cheque your motivations for wanting to read the book (2 Corinthians 11:13-15; i John 4:i). If you feel the Holy Spirit telling y'all to stay away from whatever given novel, then you should stay away from it (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
Writer/Editor: September Grace
September is an avid picture nerd from growing upward on weekend trips to Universal Studios Hollywood. She is passionate nigh the intersections of Christian spirituality, faith, and storytelling in popular culture. Outside of 412teens and digging up obscure horror flicks from the 2000s, she works as a freelance developmental editor and acquisitions consultant while comforting her clingy feline floof, Faust, from the anxiety of being.
Source: https://412teens.org/qna/is-it-okay-to-read-secular-fiction.php
0 Response to "Is It a Sin to Read Secular Books"
Post a Comment