I just finished Green yesterday, and I really liked it, except for the fact that it literally completes the circle and thus frustrated me. He needs to write a true ending to that story and tell us all what happens to Samuel.please edit your spoiler for people who haven't read Green.
I agree with the Professor. I really liked Thr3e, Obsessed, Blink (the good edition) and Black. The rest just seemed like the same thing with differently named characters -- especially Adam and Boneman's Daughterand Kiss.
Wait, was Green a comic book?it probably will be.
I agree; Dekker is hit and miss. When he hits, though, he writes some pretty great stuff.Well as long as it isn't "DARK" and so unbelievable that its dumb. Books I wouldn't read because of certain issues that I believe don't line up with my worldview are Harry Potter and the Twilight series and there are others but I'm open to suggestions that are fictional as long as they don't have any characters preforming dark arts.
Anyway, what do you mean by "Christian books"? Are you looking for Christian fiction exclusively, or is nonfiction/theology open for reccomendation? ;)
Well there goes LOTR.I agree; Dekker is hit and miss. When he hits, though, he writes some pretty great stuff.Well as long as it isn't "DARK" and so unbelievable that its dumb. Books I wouldn't read because of certain issues that I believe don't line up with my worldview are Harry Potter and the Twilight series and there are others but I'm open to suggestions that are fictional as long as they don't have any characters preforming dark arts.
Anyway, what do you mean by "Christian books"? Are you looking for Christian fiction exclusively, or is nonfiction/theology open for reccomendation? ;)
When do they use dark arts? I personally have read and studied LOTR and this is certainly news to me! ???Well there goes LOTR.I agree; Dekker is hit and miss. When he hits, though, he writes some pretty great stuff.Well as long as it isn't "DARK" and so unbelievable that its dumb. Books I wouldn't read because of certain issues that I believe don't line up with my worldview are Harry Potter and the Twilight series and there are others but I'm open to suggestions that are fictional as long as they don't have any characters preforming dark arts.
Anyway, what do you mean by "Christian books"? Are you looking for Christian fiction exclusively, or is nonfiction/theology open for reccomendation? ;)
It's a shame you can't read the Chronicles of Narnia, too.The Chronicles of Narnia is parallel to the Bible. Both Tolkien (author of LOTR) and Lewis (author of Chronicles of Narnia) were Spirit filled Christians. Please, fellows examine these works more closely before you rule them out as non Christian! ;)
I suppose he plays Redemption because "it's Christian."By your above statement what are you implying? I don't understand this statement would you please explain further? Not to be offensive but yes I do play Redemption because it is a Christian game!
(I mean no offense by this, I'm talking about my own past before I realized basically what RR and Pol were saying.)
Well as long as it isn't "DARK" and so unbelievable that its dumb. Books I wouldn't read because of certain issues that I believe don't line up with my worldview are Harry Potter and the Twilight series and there are others but I'm open to suggestions that are fictional as long as they don't have any characters preforming dark arts.In this thread, you said you wouldn't read "DARK" Christian books because they don't line up with your worldview. You also said that you are open to other fictional series as long as they don't have the dark arts, then defend LotR and Chronicles because even though they have the dark arts, they have Christian authors. Wut?
characters preforming dark arts.
correction, you play Redemption because it's fun. it's also Christian, which makes you comfortable playing it because it's not going to have anything horrible. I was just chuckling because you remind me a lot of myself a few years ago.I suppose he plays Redemption because "it's Christian."By your above statement what are you implying? I don't understand this statement would you please explain further? Not to be offensive but yes I do play Redemption because it is a Christian game!
(I mean no offense by this, I'm talking about my own past before I realized basically what RR and Pol were saying.)
Harry Potter has a Christian author? never knew this. I used to not want to read Harry Potter because he's a wizard and uses magic... now I just don't want to take the time them. I still have Burn to finish, and Tea with Hezbollah comes out soon...QuoteWell as long as it isn't "DARK" and so unbelievable that its dumb. Books I wouldn't read because of certain issues that I believe don't line up with my worldview are Harry Potter and the Twilight series and there are others but I'm open to suggestions that are fictional as long as they don't have any characters preforming dark arts.In this thread, you said you wouldn't read "DARK" Christian books because they don't line up with your worldview. You also said that you are open to other fictional series as long as they don't have the dark arts, then defend LotR and Chronicles because even though they have the dark arts, they have Christian authors. Wut?
Also, Harry Potter has a Christian author and a more directly Christian message than LotR, but you won't read those books. Your logic is about as consistent as the current REG.
Yeah, Twilight is no good in addition to being porn for women. But I digest.
Yeah, Twilight is no good in addition to being porn for women. But I digest.You digest? hahaha digress ;)
I've read quite a few of Dekker's books. Some of them I thought were great (the Circle Trilogy, Blink, Thr3e) and some I thought were a little too weird/boring (Sinner, Showdown, House). He has written tons of books, and in fairly short time frames, and I thought that some of them reflected the little amount of time he spent on them. But he also has a talent for writing some awesome books fairly quickly too.
Another Christian author whose books I have always enjoyed (with the exception of House, which he co-authored with Dekker) is Frank Peretti. This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness are his two most famous books, and they are great. Also, The Oath, Prophet, The Visitation, and Monster are all good too.
As for Chronicles of Narnia, this is CLEARLY not the "dark arts." Yes, there is a wizard or two, clearly representing demons or even Satan, and Satan has power. However, the witch never casts spells (am I wrong on this? It's been years), and it's a clear representation of real demonic forces, which exist.
As for Chronicles of Narnia, this is CLEARLY not the "dark arts." Yes, there is a wizard or two, clearly representing demons or even Satan, and Satan has power. However, the witch never casts spells (am I wrong on this? It's been years), and it's a clear representation of real demonic forces, which exist.as far as Narnia goes, see R101's post. although, the cordial could be mentioned as well.
LOTR, was NOT based on Christian views. You can draw parallels, sure, but he was not trying to, any symbolisms were just parts of his worldview leaking out in his writing. In fact, he insulted C.S. Lewis for making the Bible and God's story a series of children's books, and condoned that type of writing. As for the "dark arts" once again, I believe that it represents evil. Evil DOES have power, there's nothing wrong about that.
Which is why I make the distinction between the types of magic used in LOTR and Harry Potter (which I have not read, correct me if I'm wrong about any of my facts). In Harry Potter, magic is encouraged and regarded as good (as long as you use it right), and the best characters use magic and it's regarded as a good thing. In addition, there is an especially large amount of the theme of magic involving children, which I think is much less edifying. The difference in LOTR is that magic is looked upon as evil, the ring must be destroyed and even Gandalf didn't become corrupt in order to gain power, like Sarumon. Those who use sorcery are evil, and so LOTR keeps a common theme of "magic = evil, non-magic = neutral." The winning side didn't use magic, they destroyed it.
LOTR, was NOT based on Christian views.Blatantly false. LotR was not a Christian allegory (or pseudo-allegory like Narnia) but was very much based on Christian views.
Those who use sorcery are evil, and so LOTR keeps a common theme of "magic = evil, non-magic = neutral." The winning side didn't use magic, they destroyed it.Gandalf? Galadriel? Elrond? You seem to be saying that your problem with HP is that good characters use magic and it's seen as a good thing. Well...same with LotR. Narnia less so because no heroes actually cast spells, but they do use magic items fairly frequently. And in all of these cases, magic is a mere story device. There are no occult spells in HP, and the only one that's based on a real spell (Avada Kedavre from Abra Kedabra) is the most evil spell that's only used by the most evil characters and they are strongly condemned for it.
-Prince caspian they attempt to summon the white whitch through dark majicMy responses above in blue. :)
Yeah, the movie, they didn't do this in the book.
-Magicains nephew the white which kills every one with the "word"
Symbolic of evil
-the white whitch's wand
Same as above
-aslan comming back to life from "the deep magic"
Biblical reference, so did God.
- if you can say prophecy is magic in a land of magic then you also have the foretelling of the white which's death
the Bible has prophets, this isn't dark magic.
- magic horn that calls the kids back to Narnia
Given by God. I've always thought this symbolic of praying.
- a portal that send them back to thier world
Seriously? That's not magic.
-a bow that never misses - had to be imbude with something
David didn't miss, see the resemblence?
my responses above in glowy red!-Prince caspian they attempt to summon the white whitch through dark majicMy responses above in blue. :)
Yeah, the movie, they didn't do this in the book.
actually, it's in the book. "Draw the circle, and prepare the blue fire!" but in the movie they actually summon her, in the book, it's just beginning to happen before the Pevensies come in.
-Magicains nephew the white which kills every one with the "word"
Symbolic of evil
it's still magic.
-the white whitch's wand
Same as abovesame as above
-aslan comming back to life from "the deep magic"
Biblical reference, so did God.
so then, if God uses magic, then how can you say it's evil :P
- if you can say prophecy is magic in a land of magic then you also have the foretelling of the white which's death
the Bible has prophets, this isn't dark magic.
I agree.
- magic horn that calls the kids back to Narnia
Given by God. I've always thought this symbolic of praying.symbolic, maybe, but still magic.
- a portal that send them back to thier world
Seriously? That's not magic.
the portal could be arguably said to be made by magic. if it's not magic, what is it? haha.
-a bow that never misses - had to be imbude with something
David didn't miss, see the resemblence?
David didn't miss, but he could have (and probably did a lot of the time). "If you trust in this bow, it is not likely to miss" I believe in the quote, so then, it must have had some magic in it to be able to feel the trust inside of susan, and magically hit the target.
My responses above in blue. Why? Just to make it inconvenient and hard to read? My responses in black.
hahahahahaha. win.QuoteMy responses above in blue. Why? Just to make it inconvenient and hard to read? My responses in black.
First of all, to clarify, I did not say "DARK" Christian books as this would be an oxymoron. A dark book cannot be a Christian book. The scripture clearly states that we are not to dabble in the occult or traffic with mediums or we will pollute our souls (Lev 19:31, 20:6). I have not read Harry Potter but I do know that the author is not a Christian. The LOTR's author was a Christian. In Tolkien's biography, by Humphrey Carpenter, Tolkien was quoted as defining a wizard as somebody who is extremely skilled in or knowledgeable about something, which coincides with the Encarta Dictionary's definition of wizard. The only magic in LOTR was used by evil characters. The theme of good v. evil is clearly depicted in the LOTR books (not so clear in the Hollywood movies). In Harry Potter and Twilight magic is used by the "good" characters, therefore indicating occultic practices are acceptable. Neither of these series (Harry Potter and Twilight) depict anything even near Christianity. I fail to find any fallacies in my logic, having studied logic extensively. Lastly, as long as the dark arts are clearly shown as dark arts, as in LOTR and Chronicles and Perreti's or Dekker's books, I am not opposed to reading. But in Harry Potter and Twilight the good v. evil is subtley twisted. Making it difficult for those not strong in their faith to discern the evil therein. P.S. wut is spelled what.QuoteWell as long as it isn't "DARK" and so unbelievable that its dumb. Books I wouldn't read because of certain issues that I believe don't line up with my worldview are Harry Potter and the Twilight series and there are others but I'm open to suggestions that are fictional as long as they don't have any characters preforming dark arts.In this thread, you said you wouldn't read "DARK" Christian books because they don't line up with your worldview. You also said that you are open to other fictional series as long as they don't have the dark arts, then defend LotR and Chronicles because even though they have the dark arts, they have Christian authors. Wut?
Also, Harry Potter has a Christian author and a more directly Christian message than LotR, but you won't read those books. Your logic is about as consistent as the current REG.
A. you (and I) haven't read Harry Potter, so it's hard to judge what's in it based off of biased opinions of others. and B. Pol meant to spell it wut. it's what he uses when he doesn't get something, usually preceded by an "lol," making hilarious objections.First of all, to clarify, I did not say "DARK" Christian books as this would be an oxymoron. A dark book cannot be a Christian book. The scripture clearly states that we are not to dabble in the occult or traffic with mediums or we will pollute our souls (Lev 19:31, 20:6). I have not read Harry Potter but I do know that the author is not a Christian. The LOTR's author was a Christian. In Tolkien's biography, by Humphrey Carpenter, Tolkien was quoted as defining a wizard as somebody who is extremely skilled in or knowledgeable about something, which coincides with the Encarta Dictionary's definition of wizard. The only magic in LOTR was used by evil characters. The theme of good v. evil is clearly depicted in the LOTR books (not so clear in the Hollywood movies). In Harry Potter and Twilight magic is used by the "good" characters, therefore indicating occultic practices are acceptable. Neither of these series (Harry Potter and Twilight) depict anything even near Christianity. I fail to find any fallacies in my logic, having studied logic extensively. Lastly, as long as the dark arts are clearly shown as dark arts, as in LOTR and Chronicles and Perreti's or Dekker's books, I am not opposed to reading. But in Harry Potter and Twilight the good v. evil is subtley twisted. Making it difficult for those not strong in their faith to discern the evil therein. P.S. wut is spelled what.QuoteWell as long as it isn't "DARK" and so unbelievable that its dumb. Books I wouldn't read because of certain issues that I believe don't line up with my worldview are Harry Potter and the Twilight series and there are others but I'm open to suggestions that are fictional as long as they don't have any characters preforming dark arts.In this thread, you said you wouldn't read "DARK" Christian books because they don't line up with your worldview. You also said that you are open to other fictional series as long as they don't have the dark arts, then defend LotR and Chronicles because even though they have the dark arts, they have Christian authors. Wut?
Also, Harry Potter has a Christian author and a more directly Christian message than LotR, but you won't read those books. Your logic is about as consistent as the current REG.
A dark book cannot be a Christian book.Is The Shack a Christian book? Ok, bad example. Is The Screwtape Letters a Christian book?
but I do know that the author is not a Christian.J.K. Rowling is a Presbyterian. Blam.
The only magic in LOTR was used by evil characters.1. Gandalf starting a fire on the mountainside. 2. The river was horses. 3. Gandalf, Galadriel, and Elrond have and use magic rings. So, 0-3 so far.
The theme of good v. evil is clearly depicted in the LOTR booksAs it is in Harry Potter. Voldemort means "he who runs from death," and the only reason you could be making this argument is addressed in my next point.
(not so clear in the Hollywood movies)This quote is another all-too-painful reminder that you're talking about stuff you know nothing about. You haven't read the books, so it's understandable that you're woefully ignorant.
I fail to find any fallacies in my logic, having studied logic extensively.Let me do it for you. You have a red herring when you start talking about Hollywood movies and Twilight in a discussion about Harry Potter. And then there's the part where, you know, none of your facts are right.
Lastly, as long as the dark arts are clearly shown as dark arts, as in LOTR and Chronicles and Perreti's or Dekker's books, I am not opposed to reading.Ok, so you aren't opposed to reading Harry Potter? Finally you're talking sense. I'm glad you're going to read them now; once you get past the first couple--which are children's books--they're some fantastic pieces of literature, grounded in the classical tradition (and I was educated in the Trivium, Mr. Logic, so I know what that is), and send a clear message of the fallen nature of man and the need of a savior who conquers the power of evil by sacrificing himself.
wizard as somebody who is extremely skilled in or knowledgeable about something,Wait wut? By that definition being knowledgeable about the bible makes you a wizard? I am confused on that.
He's not an allegory for Christ, but he certainly meets the requirements for Christ-figure. Harry has a many-faceted role during in the books and it changes as the books progress.Harry Potter is Jesus now? Wow.
Pol said just the opposite. he was saying it's like a Christ figure. just like Gandalf. I'm not saying that Gandalf is God, cuz he's not, cuz I pwned him in teh face. Saruman FTW.He's not an allegory for Christ, but he certainly meets the requirements for Christ-figure. Harry has a many-faceted role during in the books and it changes as the books progress.Harry Potter is Jesus now? Wow.
Wait... you said Pol said the OPPOSITE, then you said he thinks exactly what I said. Just so we're clear, Jesus is Christ right? ;)
He's not an allegory for Christ
I agree. That's why I was very clear about my position on Harry being that he's a Christ-figure, not a Christ-allegory. Among other things, Just as Frodo is a Christ-figure but imperfect. He didn't plan to go through with destroying the ring at the end. But the whole point of extra-Biblical literature is that all Christ-figures should be less than Christ. The only true Christ figure is in his autobiography, and literature is simply a retelling in some way or another.IMO, Gandalf is the one who has the Christ-figure in LotR
The only magic in LOTR was used by evil characters.
i have been reading alot of a good christian artist. not techinicaly a christian series, but i believe his other series's are. his name is Stephen R. LawheadHood? yeah. read those. thought about getting the Pendragon Cycle too, but then Dekker came out with a book and I remembered why I never have any money for other books...
Stephen R. Lawhead<3 this dood. Pendragon Cycle and the Song of Albion are my favorites by him.
im about to read tuck as soon as i finish sinner by dekker. then, after that im readin the albion serios. then im prolly gonna order pendragon from half.com best way to buy books period.!!!Sinner was fail. with Showdown and Saint being so intense, Sinner was a huge disappointment to me.