Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Fiction: Is it safe?

I have recently come across some questions about fiction, and whether it is something that we as Christians should be using. It is true that Jesus used parables as a way of illustrating, but I think we could all agree that there are fundamental differences between parables, and fictitious stories. For instance, Jesus used an example of the sower going out to sow, and the eventual destiny of his seed, as an illustration for what happens when the gospel is preached. This is a true to life happening, and would be virtually the same as the way that Mrs. White compares Jesus to the sun. These are examples taken from things that surround us, to make the point more clear, and to help us to retain them in our memory. I have a few references listed below, about truth. Fictitious stories, obviously, are not true, unlike parables, which compare spiritual principles to the things that surround us. First, I would encourage you to take a deep look at Philippians 4:8, Which begins; “Whatsoever things are true,” etc., and ends with; “Think on these things.” That verse does not seem to include room for fictional stories, whether in book form, or as acted dramas, etc. I have listed a few verses below, they are as follows: Psalm 119:30; “I have chosen the way of truth; thy judgments have I laid before me.” 1 John 2:21; “I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” That is an interesting thought! If it is fictional, it is breaking the 9th commandment! John 8:44; “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar, and the father of it.” The following are a few quotes from the Spirit of prophecy: The first one is from ‘Messages to young people,’ pg 286; “ Let everyone who claims to be a follower of Christ read only that which is true and of eternal value.” Next see ‘Ministry of healing,’ pg 446; “ It is often urged that in order to win the youth from sensational or worthless literature, we should supply them with a better class of fiction. This is like trying to cure the drunkard by giving him, in place of whisky or brandy, the milder intoxicants, such as wine, beer or cider… The only safety for the inebriate, and the only safeguard for the temperate man, is total abstinence. For the lover of fiction the same rule holds true. Total abstinence is his only safety.” So, just because our fiction may be “Better,” it still has no place in our lives. Now see ‘Counsels for the church,’ pg 168; “Love stories, frivolous and exciting tales, and even that class of books called religious novels-- books in which the author attaches to his story a moral lesson-- are a curse to the readers. Religious sentiments may be woven all through a story book, but, in most cases, Satan is clothed with angel robes, the more effectively to deceive and allure.” Do you think we will readily recognize Satan in his angel robes? Our only safety is abstinence. Now see ‘CT,’ pg 383; “ Even fiction which contains no suggestion of impurity, and which may be intended to teach excellent principles, is harmful.” So, even in its best form, it is harmful. I don’t want to risk it, how about you? Here is another quote. It is from ‘The review and herald,’ Nov. 9, 1886; “Truth is what our youth should read and study, not fiction-- truth to be practiced every day, that truth which Christ prayed might sanctify His disciples.” Now see ‘Signs of the times,’ Feb 3, 1876; “The Christian world is cursed with religious fiction.” That does not sound like something I want to promote! Now see Revelation 22:18; “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (verse 19) “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the Holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” This is perhaps one of the most serious warnings in the Bible. Why did I use it? Well, because it describes something that happens often in our church, as well as others. We will take Bible stories, and “Add to them,” as they are obviously not fit for theatrical performance, as they come straight from the Bible. Such examples as the “ Jesus Videos,” which I have unfortunately seen small parts of, are prime examples of this, as well as every other “Bible based” video, plays, etc., that I have ever seen or heard of. This also includes dramatized Bible stories, which you can hear on most any Christian radio station around. Also, The above mentioned “Jesus videos,” are a violation of the 2nd commandment, as they take a sinful human being, and portray him as the Son of God. How blasphemous! I hope and pray that we will see the light from the word of God, and put away all fiction from among us. There is also so much more to study on this subject, and I have barely scratched the surface. I always like to encourage anybody to study these things for themselves, as there is a great blessing in the study of God’s word. God bless, as we seek to do His will!
--Schane

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