KNOW WHO YOU'RE READING

[IamPJ]

Didn't micah have a post on C.S.Lewis awhile back??

[SteveJM]

Didn't micah have a post on C.S.Lewis awhile back??

IamPJ, yes he did, and thank you for mentioning it. I've gone back to it, and found that post#6 and post#18 were quite illuminating. The thread from Micah719, I believe, is titled "Lewis a bridge to Romanism." It's in the Ecumenism and Roman Catholicism section.

[Meg]

What bothers me about Lewis is he seems to have never given over his love for Norse mythology. He spent a lot of time with JRR Tolkien, who wasn't exactly the best influence... I couldn't find a "clean" link, but there was a lot of evidence including quotes from Lewis' own autobiography and from writings of men who knew him.

Unfortunately, since Lewis never perceived anything wrong with mythology, it remained a stumbling block in his life that shows in his fiction. Having repented from similar interests (it was the Irish for me, and I divested myself of every trace of that material), it is my opinion that the Narania material in particular should be firmly avoided. As to his views on Christianity, there is some good to be had from the non fiction he wrote. Other material he wrote, notably Screwtape Letters, maybe better left by the wayside.

Mattfivefour thinks Lewis was Saved in the end and I hope he was. But I can think of better examples to follow in heroes of the faith and good teachers with much to offer and less divided hearts.

[WKUHilltopper]

Mattfivefour thinks Lewis was Saved in the end and I hope he was. But I can think of better examples to follow in heroes of the faith and good teachers with much to offer and less divided hearts.

I think you're right on, Meg. I'd also like to see movies about the prophets, Tyndale, Boniface, Spurgeon, etc--heroes of the Bible and post-Scriptures--without the 'Hollywood' conjecture/"interpretation". I'm sure movies on some of these guys would cause fits with the pope and one reason we won't see many of these.

[Everlasting Life]

Tiptoing into the thread here.

Interesting about Voltair. I've been reading a great history book about Catherine the Great (of Russia) and her interactions with Voltair, as a result I've learned a bit more about this guy. Most unfortunately Voltair's major "Christian" interactions had to do with the Catholic Church at the time in France, around the early 1700's, when the "church" was actively persecuting anyone who was not a Catholic. Businesses, families, and whole countries were turned upside down because of this persecution. Many, too many were killed unjustly.

So, understandably Voltair had great disdain for the "christians" (Catholics) he saw, people who caused great pain, hardship and oppression. I wonder if much of his words were not written in reaction to this these things that he saw. I wonder if he would have different ideas if he had run across ones who actually lived out Jesus tenants at the time in that country.

I'm not defending this man or all his views (quite a few are un-Godly, I know that), but I think it would be good to look at the historical context of some of these people. I hope that in his asking for forgiveness on his death bed, Christ, knowing what Voltair had seen in France, was mercifully giving Voltair a choice.

Here is a little bit about Voltair:

Voltaire - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Voltaire is remembered and honored in France as a courageous polemicist who indefatigably fought for civil rights—the right to a fair trial and freedom of religion—and who denounced the hypocrisies and injustices of the ancien régime. The ancien régime involved an unfair balance of power and taxes between the First Estate (the clergy), the Second Estate (the nobles), and the Third Estate (the commoners and middle class, who were burdened with most of the taxes).


I suppose that when reading works from authors, knowing your bible is the best way to have inner alerts to unbiblical ideas. Again, I'm not advocating Voltair, but think it would be good to understand the times he lived in.

[WKUHilltopper]

Interesting about Voltair.

I seem to remember reading something about Voltaire and his hatred about Christianity. When he vowed to personally destroy Christianity. After his death, some Christian Bible worldwide distribution organization bought his house and it served as a point of worldwide distribution of Bibles during the time.

I'm not sure where I read or heard this because it's been a long time. And since I've been out of school since "forever", I've not had to read anything from Voltaire (Yes, we had to read his stuff) in a long, long time.

[Everlasting Life]

Yes, he was not a fan of Christianity.

Was thinking about this thread this morning and realized that I felt compassion (but not acceptance for his views) for this man after reading about him. I think it's because when I was growing up I too saw great hypocrosy in the church I was in and it almost very much led me completely away from anything to do with God as well as my husband in response that. We both observed hard, harsh and uncompassionate attitudes, which of course, is not of God.

As I was reading about this man and the even worse atrocities he saw in France and his response, it made me think about how very important it is for me, as a Christian, to be very careful to reflect Christ for the sake of the Gospel.

If anything it is a lesson to me and history to learn from.

Wouldn't it be cool if Voltair did accept Christ in his last moments and as an honor his home was used for God's purposes?

Anyhoo....I think I may have hijacked this thread..sorry about that, forgive me.

It is true, we do need to be very careful of what we read. Even more now, during our time there is such an increase of un-Godly ideas, and within "christian" literature the steps in between the steps (and at times gaping leaps) towards un-Godly principles. It is disturbing.

[SteveJM]

Everlasting Life

I'm not defending this man or all his views (quite a few are un-Godly, I know that), but I think it would be good to look at the historical context of some of these people. I hope that in his asking for forgiveness on his death bed, Christ, knowing what Voltair had seen in France, was mercifully giving Voltair a choice.


I suppose that when reading works from authors, knowing your bible is the best way to have inner alerts to unbiblical ideas. Again, I'm not advocating Voltair, but think it would be good to understand the times he lived in.

Agree!

[SteveJM]

Everlasting Life

Anyhoo....I think I may have hijacked this thread..sorry about that, forgive me.

Hijacked the thread? Not at all. In my opinion, your comments have been a very nice contribution to it. Context is so very important, whether it be in history, text, or a persons life. Thank you!

[mikhen7]

Yes, he was not a fan of Christianity.

Was thinking about this thread this morning and realized that I felt compassion (but not acceptance for his views) for this man after reading about him. I think it's because when I was growing up I too saw great hypocrosy in the church I was in and it almost very much led me completely away from anything to do with God as well as my husband in response that. We both observed hard, harsh and uncompassionate attitudes, which of course, is not of God.

As I was reading about this man and the even worse atrocities he saw in France and his response, it made me think about how very important it is for me, as a Christian, to be very careful to reflect Christ for the sake of the Gospel.

If anything it is a lesson to me and history to learn from.

Wouldn't it be cool if Voltair did accept Christ in his last moments and as an honor his home was used for God's purposes?

Anyhoo....I think I may have hijacked this thread..sorry about that, forgive me.

It is true, we do need to be very careful of what we read. Even more now, during our time there is such an increase of un-Godly ideas, and within "christian" literature the steps in between the steps (and at times gaping leaps) towards un-Godly principles. It is disturbing.

You bring up some very good points. Definitely worth thinking about. Yes, Voltaire adamantly spoke against Christianity. Inside we, as Christians, all want to feel compasssion, I hope, for any lost soul who leaves this world without Christ. Understandably, some murderers etc.. have hurt many a family, even Christians, making it hard to feel compassion when they live in the midst of pain. But even, then God knows how to turn bad into good. That said, the Scripture is clear that we are to be Salt and Light in this poisoning dark world ruled by the 'Prince of the Power of the Air" that "wicked beast" who prowls in circles throughout the world seeking whom he may devour. If one is always living around pseudo-Christianity and the witness they see is fruits of pure unholy wickedness then-and-even-then one may say the evil of the world is better than the good of the church. But nevertheless it does not rule out individual responsibility.

For the individual:
Rom. 1:18-20,
¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

For the Church: (PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE WITH THE FIRST VERSE IN MIND - This way you can follow James' thought through the Holy Spirit.)

James 3:1-18 (ESV)
¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ---> It is this point of teaching with the tongue James has in mind. read on.

² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

<sup>Our Teaching can sway masses either toward God or away from Him

3</sup> If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. ⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

<sup>Our witness matters and it should always be with God's glory, mission, and purpose in mind -->If our heart is right with God we will seek those things that please him-He then, will give us peace.

13</sup> Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Had Voltaire and millions of others seen God's love shown to them from a pure heart--> peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere <-- his life may have been different. Makes you think doesn't it??? Those Who Are Wise Will Shine! and never forget vs. 18 -> repeat --> a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

God Bless

[Everlasting Life]

If one is always living around pseudo-Christianity and the witness they see is fruits of pure unholy wickedness then-and-even-then one may say the evil of the world is better than the good of the church. But nevertheless it does not rule out individual responsibility.

Yes, ultimately we are responsible for our own choices, no doubt!

Had Voltaire and millions of others seen God's love shown to them from a pure heart--> peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere <-- his life may have been different. Makes you think doesn't it??? Those Who Are Wise Will Shine! and never forget vs. 18 -> repeat --> a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

I do feel this is the way to bring people to Christ. The world already does a good job beating people up, what attraction is there if Christ followers are themselves also harsh?

[WKUHilltopper]

It is true, we do need to be very careful of what we read.

Yes and no...I guess it depends on the individual and how strong they are in their belief systems. I wouldn't recommend reading just anything thing for those weak in spirit or confused in the first place (I've heard some people claim "people should keep an open mind. I prefer a "guarded mind". Because some open minds are like open fields and people will dump their trash in it--at least here in KY! LOL)

When I was in HS, having to read Voltaire, we also had to read the Communist Manifesto, Mein Kampf, Das Kapital, etc...more in the spirit of "here, check out these nuts".

Guess it really depends on who is leading and what's the motivation. In our case in HS, it was usually "know thine enemies". And, although, I wouldn't read some "witches chant", I read about evolution--mainly to know what kind of nonsense they're advocating these days and sometimes just for a good laugh.