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BOOKS
AND ACTS 19
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2001
From: Mark
I'm mostly a
seeker, sometimes more seriously than other times, rather than Christian
in the sense that Christians around me seem to be defining Christianity.
I teach world literature, New Testament Greek, and the Bible at
a small private college. I'm wondering how Acts 19, specifically
the part where the Christians (I'm guessing it's the Christians,
although the pronouns aren't specific) or maybe the newly converted
Christian/Jews burn their books on witch craft, fifty thousand pounds
worth of books. Does that seem to indicate that people who want
to follow God and Christ should burn books like Harry Potter? Or
books that are about witchcraft?
I'm opposed
to any destruction on knowledge, of course, even really wicked knowledge.
That's my humanist background. The cure for bad books is good books.
But from a Christian perspective, reading Acts 19, is that what
the message is?
Response:
The burning of the books was a public expression of a changed life
from a magic religion to be followers of Jesus. They burned their
own books (symbols of thier old life stlye) and praised the
name of Jesus (the name of their new Lord) in public. This passage
does not give license to conduct witch hunts as is going on with
Harry Potter, nor is it an encouragement to burn non-Christian books.
-David
POOP
IN THE BROWNIES
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Thomas
Dear David,
A mom got into a discussion with her children about attending a
particular movie. They told her that the movie wasn't that bad,
had only a few swear words, a couple of objectionable scenes, but
had some good messages along with the bad messages. Besides, it
was very popular and all the kids were going to see it. The mom
said she would think about it, but she had a treat to make for them
and went into the kitchen. A little while later she came back into
their room with a plate of fresh-baked brownies. "Come and get em"
she told them.
As they approached
the plate, she continued, "by the way, I added a special ingredient
this time. I mixed in a little bit of Harry's (the family dog) poop
with the batch." Each child immediately pulled back, not even touching
the delicious looking treats. "Oh, come on," the mom continued.
"There's only a little bit of poop in it. The rest is the usual
good stuff. I have the best nuts and most expensive chocolate. I
gave the four extra sifting and baked at just the right temperature."
Still the kids
would not touch them. "I don't understand, you're willing to put
a little poop in your eyes through this movie but not put a little
poop in your mouth." Mom made her point. And this is my point. You
railed against "fundamentalists" for pointing out the poop in entertainment.
Phillipians 4:8 tells us to focus not ONLY on the "positive" but
on the righteous. Not ONLY on the "good" in something, but what
IS "good". Now, can "good" be shown even if something has evil in
it?
Of course, God
can and does show Himself in many areas outside of Scripture, but
He will never negate or contradict the Principals He laid out in
Scripture. Scripture is to be our measure, our first reference.
Just because Paul quoted a portion of a "poem", does not mean that
this whole poem is worthy of quoting. No, he quoted the part that
illustrated the point he was making to make the Scripture connect
with those to whom he was speaking.
I think the
problem here is that most people do not like being told what they
can and cannot do. Hagee, Falwell, Robertson have some legitimate
points to make about the state of our culture. We should be discerning
and cautious.
As a mature
adult, a scene where the couple falls in love only after having
sex is a message I know as false. To my 12 year old son, that message
is not as clear and it may be totally missed by my 3 year old daughter.
We need to be discerning and not embrace everything that comes down
the line.
We are to be
salt and light to the world. We ARE Jesus to the world, and while
He loved all, in that love He also told others things they did not
want to hear. Sometimes we have to do that, sometimes we have to
turn from something that has some good because it has just too much
poop to eat around, but is it necessary to eat it at all? There
are many alternatives and choices we have to make. Even if something
is "popular" does not mean it is good for us. Just because it is
"fun" does not mean it is okay for us to do. Just because we can
do something does not mean we should do it. And that is the point
of the messages of sirs Falwell, Robertson, Hagee.
Sometimes we
have to deny ourselves a brownie because there is just too much
poop in it and I am glad someone pointed it out before I took that
bite. What is important is our love and growth in God, not the pleasures
we put in our eyes. I use this adage: will what I am putting in
my brain increase my relationship with my Lord or pull me away from
Him. That is something only I can answer, but I can measure something
through Scripture to help me determine this.
Response:
Too bad there are sinful people in the church. Poop in the brownies.
Better not go to church. Your logic has a huge flaw, because there
is poop in everything. Despite all the evil in the world -major
poop in the brownies- Jesus came. Jesus specializes in transforming
poop into fertilizer for growth. Please teach your 12 year old son
how to process poop. He will see films and listen to music. Teach
your son how to process. Please do not be a Thomas Kinkade isolationist
Christian. Go ye into all the world -poop and all- and take your
son with you, teach (disciple) him with the wisdom of God. -David
STRONG
THEME OF SACRIFICE
Subject: Harry_Potter_Can_Be_Used_Positively
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Phil Clark
Harry Potter
film has a strong theme of sacrifice running through it. Harry's
mother gives her life so he can live: Ron Weasley offers his life
during the chess game, so that Harry can continue in his attempts
to thwart Valdemort: Nicholas Flammel permits the Philosopher's
stone to be destroyed for the greater good, though it will inevitably
cost him his life. Theme verse for the film - John 15:13 "Greater
love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends".
If we cannot use all of this to point to Jesus then we have a big
problem.
Phil Clark
Response:
Thanks, I appreciate your insight. So many attack Harry Potter -and
yet have not read the books. Oh well. So I appreciate your input.
-David
IN
ONE SCRIPTURE
Subject: Satanic_Hysteria_Newsletter_30
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001
From: Gloria Lee Young
"Greater is
He who is in you than he who is in the world." I grew up in fear
that the rapture was going to take place and I would be left behind
for some unknow sin Id inadventantly comitted. I am glad I had a
pastor who untaught me so many things by getting down to the real
Greek. I know now without a doubt that God loves me and His Grace
is Sufficent for me. Focucising on Satan gives him the glory and
not our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He our Lord is the redeemer
and those of us who know Him need have no fear, the opposite of
fear (hate) is Love and Our God Is Love..
Gloria Lee Young
Response:
You had a great pastor. -David
WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE?
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: "Don Gollahon"
I understand
your points and will take them to heart. I have a 6 and an 11 year
old son. I know the kind of garbage that is trying to be shoved
down our youths throats these days and I want to protect them from
it as best I can and help them make wise, Christ-honoring choices.
One thing that
bothers me about the church these days besides those you speak of
as being Witch Hunters, etc, are those who want to see how much
like the world they can be and still be "Christian". Many "Christians"
go around with the attitude that "I can still drink, I can still
smoke, I can still cuss, I can still lust, etc, etc" and God will
love me and forgive me. And God will do that. But then they wonder
why people don't listen to them if they try to tell them about Christ.
And they also wonder why things happen to them like cancer or some
other kinds of hardships. We just hate to accept the fact that this
loving God disciplines His children, even drastically at times.
The Bible is full of examples of this.
Also, one must
be very careful with statements like "...God's word is not limited
to just the Holy Bible". Many cults are built on this type of thinking.
Yes, God can and has spoken through evil leaders and even donkeys,
but in these days He has spoken to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:2).
All other utterances claiming to come from God must be verified
through His Word and rejected if not in compliance.
Where does one
draw the line? I think we, as God's people, should be less concerned
about the "line" and should instead ask the question, "How much
like Christ can I become in this life and still keep my feet on
the earth." It is then that we will have Christ's attitude and draw
people to Him by our reflection of Him. What is Christ's attitude
toward any and all evil? It is that not even a hint of it be allowed
in His people. We should not be entertained by it nor laugh at it,
let alone partake in it.
I know where
you are coming from on many points you make in your reviews. I
appreciate them. We have to be careful though. Francis Schaefer
(excuse the spelling if it is wrong) has a good booklet on "The
Bible and Art" where he tries to help us, as Christians, know how
to admire and appreciate secular art without condoning the message
it may give. I will be digging that one out soon to read it again.
Thank you for your time and for allowing us to give feedback.
Don Gollahon
(dlgllhn@theinter.com)
"What in Eternity does it matter?"
Response:
Thank you. In response to some of your questions: I am a Christian
who "drinks beer" and blinks at smoking. Such moral issues
have little concern to me. CS Lewis had wine, Martin Luther enjoyed
beer. Important theologians smoked. I really do not care about such
issues. However, lust is forbidden in the light of the Ten Commandments.
God speaks outside of scripture because the Bible says so (Romans
1:20). The essence of Christianity is being a follower of Jesus
as Lord of one's life. Christianity is not what you don't do as
much as what you do. That is where I draw the line. And thanks for
your good words and kindness. I appreciate that. -David
JEN'S
COMMENT ABOUT TOLKIEN
Subject: Newsletter_30 Harry Potter
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001
From: "Bill Yates"
Love the newsletter.
I think it may be useful for your readers to know something in regards
to Jen's comments "I am sure that Tolkien's (Lord of the Rings)
work will come under fire as has Harry Potter but I believe in this
case that the story is what you take away from it. I have read the
Hobbit and the Trilogy at least 7 or 8 times now and every time
I have learned more from it. Although Tolkien himself may not have
been a Christian, there are Christian values that are still presented
to readers in his story." Tolkien was most certainly a Christian
and extremely instrumental in leading his fellow Oxford professor,
C.S. Lewis, to the Lord as Dr. Lewis tells us in his autobiography.
Makes any talk about the magic in Lord of the Rings so ridiculous,
I am waiting for that discussion to take place.
Thanks for the discussion,
Bill Yates
Response:
You are so very right. Tolkien was a Christian. Thanks. -David
ALLEGORY
IS ALLEGORY
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001
From: C.A. Sowards
If you read
the Narnia books without knowing that C.S. Lewis was a devout Christian
and without knowing that they are meant as Christian allegory, then
they too could be deemed to encourage the practice of magic and
wizardry. Animals talk, children walk through pieces of furniture,
magical things happen and tranformations take place.
There are so
many people who use Christianity as an excuse to stop thinking.
We are never, regardless of our religious beliefs, allowed NOT to
think. In examining the lessons that Harry Potter has to teach,
how can you find fault with a series of books that emphasize (in
much the same way that the Narnia books do - Rowling was very much
influenced by Lewis' writing, I'll wager):
Courage
Compassion
Persistence
Tenacity
Love
Loyalty
Industry
Mercy Using one's powers (whether they be natural or supernatural)
for good and not evil
Are these lessons
made any less potent because Harry waves a wand or flies on a broom?
Nonsense. Allegory is allegory, nothing more or less. It is the
message in the story that must be sussed out and understood. It
is a little more difficult when the author isn't banging you over
the head with a crowbar and telling you that Harry Potter is some
euphamism for the Devil.
People, puhleeeze...
can we just take time to think just ONCE before we go all hysterical
and panicky?
Thanks for letting
me vent, David.
~C.A. Sowards~
Response:
I tis time to think. Yes yes yes. I totally agree with you. Thank
you, Thank you, thank you. I hope others take to heart what you
are trying to say.I so appreciate your contribution. -David
IT'S
FICTION -WITH POWERFUL LESSONS FOR CHILDREN
Subject: Harry_Potter_Can_Be_Used_Positively
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001
From: "John H. Pavelko"
Dear David,
I agree with you, Harry Potter is fiction. It does not have the
depth of Tolkein's (would someone please tell Jen, that Tolkein
was a Christian and instrumental in Lewis conversion), Lord
of the Rings or the theological truths of Narnia but it is enjoyable
and contains some valuable insights into human behavior. For example,
Dumbledore shows brilliance in hiding Harry with the Dursleys. It
not only protects him but teaches him humility in contrast to Malfoy.
This can be used as a powerful lesson with children. It not the
toys, the experiences, or the situations that bring happiness but
in how you respond to the circumstances in which you find yourself.
John H. Pavelko
Walled Lake, MI
Response:
You are so very right. Tolkien was a Christian. Thanks for your
insight concerning Dumbledore and powerful lessons. -David
ABSOLUTELY!
Subject: Harry_Potter_Can_Be_Used_Positively
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001
From: "maria"
Absolutely!
CHRISTIANITY
IN HARRY POTTER
Subject: Harry_Potter_Can_Be_Used_Positively
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001
From:
Jason
Dave I have
always seen the wizarding world as parrel for the Christians in
our world. We try to hide from the world and preserve our traditions.
Our ways seem weird and mystic to outsiders. I have read all four
novels and love them. I put them in the same boat as The Narnia
books and LOTR trilogy. The magic is not realistic the books. It
is used for Harry as we use technology. They kids are taught not
to use it for evil. That is the over all them of the book. Not to
turn good Christian kids into Satan worshiping wiccans.
Over the summer
I was at the movies with some buddies. before the film, they showed
a trailer for LOTR. I was amazed, I was so excited. After the film
we were talking about the trailers and what looked good. I brought
up LOTR. He replied I don't know it looks not so good. Insulted
I asked how it could not look good. He replied that it looked bad
because of the magic involved. I laughed and snapped back "Tolkein
was a Christian!!!"
I get that allot.
I am a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire slayer. People at church always
used to look at me funny for saying that. I see a huge correlation
between her fight against evil and our walks as Christians. I see
this all the time. God working through TV shows that seem unlikely.
I fact I wrote an essay on for English compaction this year. I see
huge evidence for this in the old testament. In Jeremiah God used
the opposing army to speak to the Israelites. They would not listen
him any other way. I agree with you Dave that we should use Harry
potter for good, not tear it down.
your brother
in the struggle,
Dan Cramer
www.morethenamovie.homestead.com
Response:
Thank you. And Yes Church folks can have strange reactions. They
are well intentioned, however. But I am with you. Long live LOTR
and Buffy. -David
WHEN
HEAVEN WEEPS
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001
From: Danny
I am glad you
are welcoming responses. I believe that most Christians as stated
above, do not believe that this is a no-Satanic film, or just harmless
fiction. Satan is the great deciever, and he loves to twist what
looks like innocent fun into something entirely for his purpose.
Judging by the mass hysteria about Harry Potter, and the huge number
of pre-order tickets (so I've heard), Satan has already decieved
many. Wicca is becoming a prominent pre-teen, teen and adult lifestyle
now, and is being thought of as the harmless alternative to Witchcraft.
This is another one of Satan's lies. I had an EIGTH-GRADE Wiccan
tell me that she loses a tiny part of her soul every time she casts
a spell or uses her power. And Wicca is being presented as harmless???
I am shocked and saddened by the fact that a supposedly "Christian"
website could endorse such a film as this. Harry Potter is also
presented as harmless, and kid-friendly. What an easy way for Satan
to target the youth audience. Though the battle is already won by
God, Satan thinks he's winning the war, and writing a review like
this that Christians and non-Christians alike will read, is ENCOURAGING
him. I would ask everyone at this website to consider their relationship
with Jesus, and their walk with God, and why they are promoting
such awful movies like Harry Potter as Christian material. That
is what SATAN does. But, I gues that anyone who would work for a
website called "Hollywood Jesus," must be a "Hollywood Christian."
Jesus never once twisted bad things and promoted them as good- he
told it like it was. And I would ask you to do the same, when reviewing
Satan's tools.
Response:
Thanks for your sharing views. We have totally different views and
approaches, but I am glad you are a follower of Jesus. -David
THE
HARRY POTTER THING..
Subject: Satanic_Hysteria_Newsletter_30
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001
From: Paul Jacoby
First of all,
I have not read the HP books, but book 3 was released back when
I worked for a major book chain. So I had the chance to talk to
alot of people who have read them, asking key questions as to the
nature of the content, what parts were considered "dark", and the
like. So I made the decision to go to the movie. Hopefully, nobody
will see me there & scream "HYPOCRITE" or something. Maybe I'll
wear an invisible cloak or something :)
Yet, it was
the hype that actually drove me to being more curious about seeing
the movie. But the movie isn't the issue, the evangelical hype is.
It seems to pop-up everytime some entertainment trend makes the
big time. And it goes WAY back. I'm surprised no one else sees a
pattern to the whole thing.
I first encountered
this phenomena as a child when my Grandmother forbade me to watch
the cartoon "Smurfs" based on something she heard from a televangelist.
The smurfs were created by a good wizard, and were chased around
every Satuday by a mean wizard. Not that I wanted to watch the Smurfs
to begin with, but my Mother & Grandmother closely scrutinized my
TV/cartoon/movie habits every time they were informed of any "suspected
satanic" forms of entertainment from their fave preacher. I don't
have the space to list every program or movie I was forbidden to
see, but the fact was that the list was (a.) numerous and (b.) contradictory.
For example,
I could watch the MGM classic The Wizard of Oz every year, but I
couldn't watch Disney's Witch Mountain series. The Hobbit & LOTR
animated movies from the 80's were okay with Mom, but I wasn't allowed
to watch He-Man or Dungeons & Dragons on TV. All of these programs
are works of fiction, contain pretend "wizards & witches" and have
absolutely no basis in real-world occult practice. One deals with
fairy-tale entertainment, the other deals with actual religious
worship. I understood the difference, why didn't Mom & Gran? Later
on, I used their fear and paranoia as one of many lame excuses to
leave the church myself and renounce Christianity. It took me five
years to figure out that Christianity isn't supposed to run on narrow
mindedness & fear. And since then I've returned to Christ.
But the paranoia
remains. We've just seen the latest kid-entertainment fad make a
transition from Pokemon (remember that?) to Harry Potter & many
evangelicals still don't have it figured out. I have many close
friends feeling very strongly that these forms of entertainment
are like a "gateway drug" of sorts into the occult. They have gathered
quite a bit of evidence that appear to back it up as well. By the
same token, I regrettably found myself behaving like my mother whenever
I was around my friend's daughter, "You can't watch Sailor Moon!",
I hollered, "One of the characters reads from the Tarot!" So where
to draw the line? God isn't the author of this here confusion, but
that's what we are dealing with as a Christian community. There
is a solution though.
I believe the
Bible is very clear on this subject. If you are unsaved, if you
were once dead in you trespasses & sins, it doesn't matter what
books you read whether truly "Satanic" or not, you're D E A D in
your sins and already held in the thrall of the Prince of the Power
of the Air. But, if you are saved by Grace through faith, then the
Holy Spirit will guide you through the world which is passing away
with it's lusts (WHOOPS, I meant "fads", silly me. . .) that is.
. .if you are 100% committed to walking with Christ. That's all
that matters isn't it?
Jesus looks
straight through us, right into the very motives of our hearts,
and tells us, "What's that of any concern to you? Turn away from
the world & follow me." This may mean having to shelve the Harry
Potter book for awhile if it detracts from prayer, or your daily
devotionals, or serving Christ in any way. Like Paul wrote. . .
"All things
are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things
are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of
any." -1st Cor. 6:12
Expedient -
profitable, good or best
Lawful - permitted or possible
If, after some prayer & self examination you are truly convicted
that the entertainment form you enjoy is not an idol or a stumbling
block to yourself, then you have that form of entertainment as a
"freedom in Christ". But it doesn't end there man. If Harry Potter
is a freedom to you, don't hand the book to someone who is weak
in that area. Don't make the freedom you enjoy become a stumbling
block to other Christians. In this light, I might have to reconsider
seeing the film myself and stay away in case another Christian sees
me there. But that's a living sacrifice of my own personal entertainments
and comfort. . .and as a modern American Christian I couldn't POSSIBLY
do that ;D --hehe!
But that's a
whole 'nother can of worms. . .
Paul Jacoby
Response:
Thanks for sharing your journey. I would challenge you to not be
afraid of the "weaker" Christian. Rather, take the weaker
Christian and help them to understand how to view popular culture,
turning it into opportunity. -David
TEACHING
CHILDREN TO BE GOOD
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Bec
The Harry Potter
books, especially the latter ones, teach children to be good, kind,
inclusive of all races and genders. They help children and adults
to understand that what is on the inside counts. There are clear
allusions to the KKK in one of the novels, which raises notions
of anti-racism, anti-essentialism, anti-class and feedom of thought
and religion. One would think Christians of all people would be
cherishing these ideas.
The most important
thing that these books teach children however, is that hope for
the future, faith in ourselves and others, and the active imagination
are crucial ingredients for happiness and success. Children are
well able to establish the difference between fantasy and reality,
they are just very good at participating in the former with gusto.
I think it's the adults we should be concerned about - how unhealthy
to be reading those ridiculous criticisms into HP, i'm sure Freud
would have much to say about it!!
Bec.
Response:
Thank you for your insights. You are refreshing. -David
Harry
Potter main page -Reviews
HP more Reviews -Reviews by Hamm
and Wiertra
Harry Potter page 1 -Sol O Mann Top 10, Great HP Links
Harry Potter page 2 -Interview with
JK Rowling, Vision of Dark & Light
Harry Potter page 3 -Bulletin Board
(Comments)
Harry Potter page 4 -Bulletin Board
(Comments)
Harry Potter page 5 -Bulletin Board
(Comments)
Harry Potter page 6 -Bulletin Board
(Comments)
Harry Potter page 7 -Bulletin Board (Comments)
Harry Potter page 8 -Bulletin Board
(Comments)
Harry Potter page 9 -Bulletin Board (Comments)
Harry Potter page 10 -Bulletin Board
(Comments)
Harry Potter page 11 -Bulletin Board
(Comments)
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