Poster | Thread | Randilover Member
Joined: 2005/1/21 Posts: 17
| Re: | | Quote:
PreachParsly wrote: What spured that question is this quote I read today:
"I have loved the Narnia books since the first time I read them because I saw the merging of a fantasy world with the story of my faith" -Senior Pastor Bob DeGray of Friendswood's Trinity Fellowship Church.
What come to mind is "how good is 'fantasy?'"
I think fantasy is amoral. It's not really a good or bad thing, it is what it is used for that determines it's value. |
| 2005/12/12 11:23 | Profile | Agent001 Member
Joined: 2003/9/30 Posts: 386 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | 2005/12/12 16:02 | Profile | Agent001 Member
Joined: 2003/9/30 Posts: 386 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| Re: | | [b]PreacherParsly[/b]:
Questions for you:
All works of [b][i]literature[/i][/b], including novels and poetry, are all by nature imaginative. Are you suggesting that Christians should refrain completely from literature?
Is literature [i]inherently[/i] evil because it involves our imagination and fantasy?
What of [i][b]parables[/i][/b] (Jesus) and [b][i]allegories[/i][/b] (e.g. John Bunyan)? _________________ Sam
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| 2005/12/12 16:05 | Profile | PreachParsly Member
Joined: 2005/1/14 Posts: 2164 Arkansas
| Re: | | Quote:
Agent001 wrote: [b]PreacherParsly[/b]:
Questions for you:
All works of [b][i]literature[/i][/b], including novels and poetry, are all by nature imaginative. Are you suggesting that Christians should refrain completely from literature?
Nope
Quote:
Is literature [i]inherently[/i] evil because it involves our imagination and fantasy?
Nope
Quote:
What of [i][b]parables[/i][/b] (Jesus) and [b][i]allegories[/i][/b] (e.g. John Bunyan)?
Nope
I was just submitting a question. I was just thinking of TV in general. My personal interest if/when I watch TV is something that is real or actually happened. Something like History or Nature. Dorcas brought up a very good point that wasn't on my mind when I posted.
Quote:
Depends whether you think the characters Jesus put in His stories were real or fictional.
I'm not for or against the movie. I haven't seen it nor have I read the book. I know nothing about it. _________________ Josh Parsley
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| 2005/12/12 16:32 | Profile | Agent001 Member
Joined: 2003/9/30 Posts: 386 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| Re: | | [b]PreacherParsly:[/b]
I'm glad I asked, because I would have misunderstood your original question and motive, had I not asked.
It is interesting to note that majority of the Bible is in narrative form (i.e. story), rather than in the form of modern text books.
We really shouldn't get too uptight about being "for" or "against" a book/movie. Like all literature/movies, there will no doubt be the factor of personal preference. The literature/movie [i]might[/i] be used for the glory of God, but certainly nothing except for the Bible is indispensible.
_________________ Sam
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| 2005/12/12 16:57 | Profile | PaulWiglaf Member
Joined: 2005/8/31 Posts: 61 Hartselle, Alabama
| Re: | | Just another thought: If [i]we[/i] could be read like books, how many discrepancies, follies, and absurd imaginations concerning God's plan and kingdom would be found?
We're still silver being refined in the fire; therefore, that means all of us have some of the old ore to be removed--including writers.
Perhaps, we should be asking "Where is the person's line of thought leading?", not, "Does it line up with what I think?"
Ultimately, though, let's always keep the caveat: God's Word is the final verdict concerning where we put our faith (again, something that is quite a journey).
Blessings to all, Benjamin |
| 2005/12/12 19:22 | Profile | PreachParsly Member
Joined: 2005/1/14 Posts: 2164 Arkansas
| Re: | | I'm glad you asked too. I probably should have clarified my feelings. Fantasy in my mind does throw up flags. Not that imagination is bad, but when I think of fantasy I think of witches, magic, fairies and things of that sort. Something more like Pokémon.
Now that I think of it I have never read a fiction book written by a Christian. I own Pilgrims Progress, but have not got the chance to read it. I do plan on it. Hmm.. that still makes me wonder how we should use our imaginations. If we are to think on whatsoever is true... Maybe I will start a thread on that. I would like to hear some thought on the matter. _________________ Josh Parsley
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| 2005/12/12 22:22 | Profile |
| Re: Narnia series - imagination | | Quote:
Not that imagination is bad
Actually, if you do a Bible study on 'imagination', you'll find in the OT it is translated 'stubborness' and other uncomplimentary things. That makes what David prayed regarding the temple he wanted to build for God, [i][b]particularly[/b] instructive[/i], and also throws some light on what might be described as Jesus's 'imagination'.
1 Chronicles 29:18 [b]O LORD God[/b] of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, [b]keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and[/b] prepare their heart unto thee:
So, even David prayed for a good imagination to be kept in the hearts of the people..... |
| 2005/12/12 23:21 | | Agent001 Member
Joined: 2003/9/30 Posts: 386 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| Re: | | On imagination:
My way of seeing this would be through the threefold framework of creation, fall, and redemption.
God [i]created[/i] humans beings to include the physical and the spiritual, but also all of mental faculties such our mind, emotion, will, and imagination.
God [i]created[/i] humans in the image of himself. Does not his own wonderful creation demonstrate to us God's creative impulse? Is not the greatest artist God himself?
Man [i]fell[/i] and along with it we became slaves to sin and death. Not only are we dying physically but we are dead spiritually. That would include all of faculties, mind, emotion, will, imagination, etc. We distorted the good gifts of God by thinking evil thoughts, loving evil things, choosing evil, imagining evil schemes, etc.
But God [i]redeemed[/i] us. Spiritually, we are regenerated and so we restore our fellowship with God. Physically, we have the hope of receiving a resurrection body far beyond our imagination. But we should also sanctify and let God's redemption pervade in our mind, emotion, will, and imagination.
When I listen to Handel's music, appreciate Michelangelo's art, read Tolstoy, CS Lewis, and other writers, it feels wonderful knowing they are trying to glorify God by their redeemed minds. _________________ Sam
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| 2005/12/13 9:40 | Profile |
| Re: | | yeah, amen to that! God didn't leave it up to the world to save sinners, it's the duty of Christians. |
| 2005/12/13 9:47 | |
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