Pilgrim's Progress is allegorical, with the journey being the allegory part. The names of the characters and situations are not veiled, and are things every Christian encounters. There is no way to enjoy this as a novel. The only way to truly enjoy this work is from the point of view of a practising Christian. It is not a ripping good yarn. In fact, it's really pretty tame by itself. As Mrs White said, getting excited by fictional stories interferes with one's ability to concentrate on things of scripture. She also said people would be as addicted to reading exciting novels as they would to drink. Addicts regularly defend their behaviour, justifying it and denying there is any problem. I believe someone who wants to follow Jesus askd how far from the edge they can go, not how close to the edge before they risk toppling over. I wonder if there is a punishment reserved for us if we "put the cup to the lip" of those who then become addicted to exciting novels? There is an abundance of wonder in nature, great bible stories, lots of little lessons to be learned by children that don't involve electronic media. Give them a taste for that which is not artificial. Narnia is a science fiction story.

Zyph have you ever read one of the Chronicles? If you did you would realize they are not science fiction. Fiction yes. Maybe some would consider them fairy tale/fantesy in nature but there is no science in them at all. They are set in a very technically backward world.

Now maybe for some they are just a good yarn. For me they were much more than that, they opened my eyes to certain aspects of Christianity that I'd not seen before, or at least had not fully considered. Are they for everybody? Likely not. For a small child or those not well versed in Christian principles they would just be a tale to read, rather like the Hobbit or some other work of fantasy, however for any discerning Christian the parallels with Christianity are not only obvious but prominent through out the whole series.

If a person choose to not read them that's fine. I do not believe they should ever be in a Christian school libary. The choice should be left up to a parent or, if a young adult, to the person themselves to read or not to read. I first read them in my 20's and was thankful I did. And once again I'll say they should never ever take the place of the Bible or SOP, however like most books that teach Christian principles I feel that they have their place in some homes.

Redfog

To me there is no point in teaching the plan of salvation by way of witches and mystical nonsense.

Whatever happened to the plain "Thus saith the Lord?"

Since when are movies necessary anyway?

...meanwhile, back at "Little house on the Prairie"...

....Meanwhile back to God and His true Words to us:

Quote:

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There is another class of books--love stories and frivolous, exciting tales--which are a curse to everyone who reads them, even though the author may attach a good moral. Often religious statements are woven all through these books, but in most cases Satan is but clothed in angel robes to deceive and allure the unsuspicious. The practice of story reading is one of the means employed by Satan to destroy souls. It produces a false, unhealthy excitement, fevers the imagination, unfits the mind for usefulness, and disqualifies it for any spiritual exercise. It weans the soul from prayer and from the love of spiritual things.

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The above words are taken from:

Chap. 15 - What Shall Our Children Read?
Councils to Parents, Teachers, and Students
Page 132-135

Praise God for His Word to us to warn us about books like Chronicles of Narnia. Amen

I've always found it a little amusing, and sad, that there are those within the SDA church who will not set foot in a movie theater but will gleefully watch prime time on TV for two or three hours every single night. They will schedule things around "their shows", discuss plots with others etc but won't be caught dead in a public theater. The same movie is fine to be showed at a church school, academy or home but it's wrong to see it at a theater? How much more hypocritical can we get?

Redfog

I seem to remember that EGW liked the tails of King Arthur. Now there was a King Arthur, but I highly doubt the true story was anything like the myths. I believe she even had a fire place with depictions of the stories around it for the last 15 years of her life. It seems an odd thing to have if we are to avoid all fiction.

As for theaters, I like to have the luxury of having the ability to turn off the programming. I am shocked at some of the filth that is slipped into movies that are rated G here in America. I am not in control of what is presented on a screen in a theater, although I could walk out but that is a huge waste of money, but I do control what appears on the screen in my house. I am not trying to pass judgment here; I am only saying I need to have control and not someone else.

It would be wise then to avoid and do not read or listen to the "stories" that George W Bush is spreading around the world, he is a modern day King of Fiction!

I made a couple posts closer to the beginning that mildly endorsed the Tales of Narnia. You're posts Avalee and Zyph are leaning me towards your view. I borrowed and watched the first of the Lord of the Rings trilogy last week. One reason I did was because I know Tolkien (sp?) was a good friend of Lewis. It convinced me that the good elements of the plot and the breathtaking scenery don't compensate for the toll the movie exacts on your imagination. The movie was full of violence. Lewis' material is not as objectionable, but I can certainly see why parents would want to think twice about giving the books to their kids. Of course if the kids are already reading and watching things that are lower in value then Lewis is an improvement, but shouldn't we be giving out kids nothing but the best?

I wonder if this applies here?

Quote:

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You guide the people, but you are blind! You are like a person who picks a fly out of a drink and then swallows a camel!
Matthew 23:24 NCV

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If we do not like Narnia, I am sure that Lewis wrote other books that all Adventists could appreciate. I find that his writing is a lot better than many of the Adventist authors we have today.

I would also not recommend judging Lewis' work by those who kept company with him. Judas Iscariot kept company with Jesus, but that did not lesson the effect of Jesus' ministry.