Post by Tammy on Jul 23, 2007 0:29:35 GMT -5
Well, it's out. The last of the Harry Potter books has been released, and according to the newspapers, it caused quite a sensation across America and other countries. Something about this kid wizard captures the imaginations of young people, and many educators nod in approval of any book that will get a child to read. Others have criticized the books as being inappropriate for children for their subject matter: witchcraft. What is a Christian parent to do?
I think the first thing we should do is consider what the Bible says about the matter. What things should a parent allow and encourage their children to read? The answer is found in Philippians 4:8 "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, ...just ... pure ... lovely ... of good report; if there be any virtue [godliness] and if there be any praise, think on these things."
I still have vivid impressions of many of the things I read as a child, don't you? The word pictures formed in an impressionable mind by a talented author, stay with them for life. The things my children hear or read from a book are rehearsed in their play, and reflected in their attitudes. How important it is, what Mom and Dad allow them to meditate upon! Before reading any book or watching any video, we must first ask, Is it true? Honest? Just? Pure? Lovely? Of good report?
There are many books on the market for children and young people that definitely do not meet these criteria. But the teacher at your child's school may say, "These books are wonderful pieces of literature. They open the minds of children and encourage their imagination. Besides, if they really like it, they'll actually READ! Isn't that a good thing?" There are all sorts of programs and incentives to read, read, read; and some children learn to love reading. But is reading the most important thing? I've heard the slogan, "People who read, succeed." Is that absolutely true? Our culture puts a premium on knowledge, but has that helped our country as it falls apart at the moral seams?
Reading just for the sake of reading leaves us "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (II Timothy 3:7) We must read and encourage our children to read things that are godly and biblical. In the early schools of America, children were taught to read to the end that they might be able to read the Word of God for themselves. The ability to read and amass knowledge is not to be used to fog our minds with fables and untruths.
Which brings me back to Harry Potter. I've seen young people hazy for days on end as they spend hours into the night reading these books, and in the end, what good has it done them? Do these kind of books help the child live a godly life? Does it make them meditate on godly principles? Does it encourage them to walk in the light? Does it turn their hearts to their parents, whom God has given to them to raise them and guide them?
God help us Christian parents to love our children enough to give them good things to do and to read. They will one day rise up and call us blessed.
I think the first thing we should do is consider what the Bible says about the matter. What things should a parent allow and encourage their children to read? The answer is found in Philippians 4:8 "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, ...just ... pure ... lovely ... of good report; if there be any virtue [godliness] and if there be any praise, think on these things."
I still have vivid impressions of many of the things I read as a child, don't you? The word pictures formed in an impressionable mind by a talented author, stay with them for life. The things my children hear or read from a book are rehearsed in their play, and reflected in their attitudes. How important it is, what Mom and Dad allow them to meditate upon! Before reading any book or watching any video, we must first ask, Is it true? Honest? Just? Pure? Lovely? Of good report?
There are many books on the market for children and young people that definitely do not meet these criteria. But the teacher at your child's school may say, "These books are wonderful pieces of literature. They open the minds of children and encourage their imagination. Besides, if they really like it, they'll actually READ! Isn't that a good thing?" There are all sorts of programs and incentives to read, read, read; and some children learn to love reading. But is reading the most important thing? I've heard the slogan, "People who read, succeed." Is that absolutely true? Our culture puts a premium on knowledge, but has that helped our country as it falls apart at the moral seams?
Reading just for the sake of reading leaves us "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (II Timothy 3:7) We must read and encourage our children to read things that are godly and biblical. In the early schools of America, children were taught to read to the end that they might be able to read the Word of God for themselves. The ability to read and amass knowledge is not to be used to fog our minds with fables and untruths.
Which brings me back to Harry Potter. I've seen young people hazy for days on end as they spend hours into the night reading these books, and in the end, what good has it done them? Do these kind of books help the child live a godly life? Does it make them meditate on godly principles? Does it encourage them to walk in the light? Does it turn their hearts to their parents, whom God has given to them to raise them and guide them?
God help us Christian parents to love our children enough to give them good things to do and to read. They will one day rise up and call us blessed.
