Loyal readers know that I have a love/hate relationship with pastor Mark Driscoll. On one hand, I like how his church reaches out to Seattle's artsy/pierced/bohemian crowd. I love Mars Hill's worship music (Red Letter and Team Strike Force are my two favorite Mars Hill bands). And I like a lot of the things Driscoll says in his sermons.
But on the other hand, he can be a little too hardcore for me. For example, even though his penal substitutionary view of atonement is similar to mine, when Driscoll says things like, "God poured His wrath upon His son," it does sound like cosmic child abuse in a way. Plus, there is the now-infamous Avatar rant.
Well, looks like Mark is at it again, this time telling his flock to "be discerning" about the Twilight series:
Of course this is just an excerpt from a sermon, and words can very easily be taken out of context. Here's the full sermon. He doesn't mention Twilight until near the end; before that it's actually a pretty good sermon about Jesus casting out demons. But then he switches gears and starts talking about how Satan is "preaching sermons through music and film." Although for one brief second, he does tell Christian parents if their kids are reading the Twilight series, they should read the books together and talk about it.
So this leads me to my question: Should Christians be discerning about fantasy novels?
On one hand, it is kinda silly to get all bent out of shape over a fantasy book. I mean, the name of the genre alone should tell you that it's NOT REAL. Besides, I think that the Church has bigger fish to fry, like poverty and injustice.
But on the other hand, I can understand why parents would want to be cautious. A wee little one does not fully know the difference between fact and fiction, between what is real life and what is television. So I think parents should make sure their kids know the difference between fact and fiction. For example, I have a friend who explained to her daughter that the song "Friend of the Devil" is not a pro-devil song. It's just a Grateful Dead song about an outlaw. As far as I know she turned out just fine.
Actually now that I think about, if I had children I would not want them reading Twilight, but not because of vampires. I don't want my kids reading Twilight simply because it sucks. My kids will be reading The Catcher in the Rye and The Perks of Being a Wallflower, just like their old man!
writing again
1 month ago
I don't mean this to come off as snarky, but OF COURSE we should be discerning about fantasy books. Because we should be discerning about everything. Being discerning isn't the same as getting bent out of shape - as I am sure you realize. It just means being thoughtful and careful about what we put into our minds and bodies.
ReplyDeleteI for one think that many Christians (myself first of all) aren't careful enough, or are selectively careful. For example, they might reject Harry Potter or explicit sex, but be perfectly fine with violence or entertainment that glorifies materialistic, consumeristic values.
I love your last paragraph.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I really like this guy's sermon and agree with Amy. Sure he picks out a particular series of books when he could do he same thing with any number of things in today's culture, but like he says, his sermon is about what is most popular in teen reading and it's an example of filtering what we allow in our heads and hearts. And a sermon is designed to connect with the people it's geared toward, to be relevant. I think we should try to be discerning about everything we partake in. To take on a more controversial form of entertainment... Would you think that it's ok to let kids read or view porn because it's popular in our culture? Or even for an adult to read/view porn? Why or why not? Personally I say no to both. But not because everyone else says it's wrong or it's not accepted in our culture today (cause that could change tomorrow, we have seen our culture become increasingly desensitized to nudity and sex over the generations), but because I think that it is disrespectful to God's creation and to the way God made man and woman to enjoy and honor each other and His work. I may sound prudish, but I even change the channel or fast forward through sex or intimate scenes because I feel like it sticks in my head and heart and can pervert my relationship with my husband. that's my own struggle, perhaps you do not have the same struggle... But some struggle with demonic images, like werewolves and vampires and don't realize that these things are NOT of God. And demons are actually directly opposed to God, and to see value in them and their actions is the polar opposite of honoring God. And we were created for the sole purpose of glorifying God. It's the same concept with music and language and conversations that are not honoring to God. Are we perfect or even good at honoring God fully with out lives, no, but we are called to strive to glorify Him with every action and thought and part of that is filtering what is allowed into our hearts and minds. For what we let in, is what comes out, for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
ReplyDeleteOne of Satan's biggest tools is to desensitize us to the things that are out of whack with Christ's Kingdom. How can we even attempt to tackle things like poverty and injustice if our minds and hearts are filled with negative images and thoughts that pervert our view of what is right and just in God's eyes, not ours?
Do I think we should just ignore what is going on in our culture, no. We are told to live in this world, but not be of it. But we are also called to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. If reading, viewing or partaking in something causes your thoughts and heart to diverge from Christ, and you know it, then perhaps we should take a step away from that thing. Everything should be open to inspection and we should attempt to view it from the mindset of... is it in line with the Bible and of God... from sermons preached on a pulpit to books and tv shows and even conversations we have. If it's not of God, then we must be careful about letting it in too deep... And as a parent, children do tend to allow things to settle deeper in their hearts, not necessarily because they are young, but because they are not as sure of the rock on which they stand. Just as someone who is not solid in their beliefs, whatever they may be, tends to be very malleable to any thoughts or proclamations that come across as authoritative... well, yeah, that sounds good...
Please, don't take this as a self righteous post, I struggle with the same things and same decisions, it's part of living in a fallen world. But I think this sermon is Biblical and relevant to today and the world in which we live. Note that I'm only speaking on this sermon in that I've only heard what you've posted and have not researched him so I can't speak on his entire theological background.
Kelly--
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, I don't think you're self-righteous. If I did, I'd email you privately.
You bring up some good points, especially with avoiding triggering things. If you're a recovering alcoholic, you'd stay away from bars, right?