I grew up reading alot. After "Little House", we read "Little Women", still a favorite for me. Also "The Little Princess" and "The Secret Garden". As a teen, I read all the Jeanette Oke books my Aunts sent me. I loved them. I read about Marty, Elizabeth, and my favorite, Josh.
Since the Lord sent us here to the End of the Earth, I haven't had much opportunity to get new books. I did read most of the "Left Behind" series. Well, two weeks ago, several friends in Santiago lent me some new novels. And boy was I surprised! The first day of our trip we were visiting with some missionaries, and the lady told me that her husband didn't like for her to read fiction. I thought at the time that he was being silly. Now I know that he was probably right. The books I'v read have been interesting, but disturbing at the same time.
Why, you ask? Well, first of all, I know that most drama is born out of conflict. No conflict and you have no story. But the stories being told now are all the same: "Christian" girl get involved in great moral sin, repents, deals with the consequences of her actions, marries wonderful Christian guy after all and all live happily ever after. What is disturbing is that it seems that American Christians have given up the idea that young people, with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit, can triumph over the flesh. It also seems that everbody knows that everybody is going to mess up, and its no big deal. Yes, God can, will, and has forgiven every imaginable sin, but it is foolish to play around with sin. Grace and mercy should be saved for those ignorant of the things of God. Romans 6 says , What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid! We should not abuse the grace and mercy of our Redeemer.
The other thing was the descriptions of the romantic scenes. Gone are the first kisses at the end of the book. I won't go into detail, but I was scared at seeing how far "Christian" fiction has come. I am beginning to think that my missionary friend was right.
Sometimes I feel like I come from a different era. But I know that our Holy Lord is always the same. What greived Him last century grieves Him today.
Oh Lord, help me so that I may never grieve You!
Odds and ends and breaking the silence
2 years ago
5 comments:
I know I sound like a broken record but that's partly why I like Keepers of the Faith so much. They reprint fiction from the old days (anywhere from 17-early 1900's)and the fiction just wasn't as fanciful and romancy.
I've given up on most contemporary fiction.
{{{Rhonda}}}, you made a tear come into my eye when you said about missing me. You sweetie! Yes I do stop by your blog, when I get chance, to see how you are doing.
I'm reading the Left Behind series for the first time, I've just read the first two and am waiting on a sister from church to lend me Nicholae (the 3rd one). Did you enjoy the Left Behind books?
Hi, Mrs. B, I knew you would chime in on this one! When I get more book money, I'll definitely stop by "Keepers".
Hi Sarah!, So glad to know you're still there. Yes, I did like the Left Behind books, at least the first five or so. They seemed to get a wee bit repetitive. So I skipped ahead to the last one. That was great!
Blessings to you, my friend,
Rhonda
I think you'll really like them Rhonda and their books are so inexpensive!
I read every Left Behind book and for the most part I really liked them. I did think that they could have done the series in half the amount of books that they did. By the end I was kinda tired of it all.
Hi Sarah! {{waves hi}} I miss you too! (o:
I am very scared to read much Christian fiction for the reasons you gave. Wanda Brunstetter writes excellent books that are based on a tragedy in the girl's life trying her faith. Very good and pure books.
Post a Comment