I’m a lover of books and movies. We read a lot and watch a lot in my household. Years ago, when Christian parents were denouncing the Harry Potter books and The Hunger Games series (the article I reference in my blog about this topic can no longer be found), I felt myself bristling.
I understand that witchcraft is a real thing and we should know its dangers.
I understand that putting kids into a situation where it’s kill or be killed would be pretty much no-win.
But I also understand that I can’t expect people who aren’t believers in Jesus to act like they are. And some of them make really amazing art.
I’m not saying that The Hunger Games ranks up there with the great classics of American literature, or that Harry Potter is on equal ground with The Chronicles of Narnia (which also, believe it or not, uses—gasp—magic). Sorry for the snark. It’s just hard for me to accept that Christians can only enjoy works by Christian creators.
As you will read throughout this issue of the Redbud Post, influencing our culture does not mean banning everything that doesn’t flow from a heart yielded to Christ. There is so much to be loved, and if all truth is God’s truth—and I believe that it is—then God reveals parts of himself in all things.
So when Dumbledore says to Harry Potter in The Chamber of Secrets, “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities,” I see traces of Joshua 24:15, “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
So be an influencer. Enjoy discussions about books, movies and TV shows. Reflect on what you can see of God in everything around you. He is surely there.
Let us know what you think.
Blessings as you read,
Stephanie Reeves
Editor in Chief