Discernment

A while back Kim posted this article on Discernment. In that book she made reference to a book that someone I know recommended that I read.

At the time, I had felt a check in my spirit about reading it. I've learned to listen to that "check" as it keeps me from reading things I aught not, even if at the time I have no earthly clue as to why I shouldn't read it.

I forwarded a link to that post to this individual.

This is the initial response I received

With regards to the books I suggested you read, I agree with the assertion that these are not theologically sound books. I go to a church that is not always theologically sound. I listen to music that is not always theologically sound. It is my opinion that there are some good thoughts in these books, so when I read them, I let go of that which I disagree with and glean the good out of it. The book 'wild at heart' has some good thoughts into the minds of boys/men, and while it does not depict all men, it nevertheless does have some good ideas.

And this was my response back

I guess I wonder then, knowing that something is not theologically sound, why would you deliberately expose yourself to it? Particularly if you are reading to learn from it.

I can understand fiction, who cares, read whatever you like as long as you don't find it negatively influencing your life and witness for God. BUT from a book that you purchase in order to learn and grow from? Why purchase something that is unsound, if there is better stuff out there on the market?
1. seems like a waste of money - like why not get more bang for your buck and purchase something that is more theologically sound
2. seems like you are rewarding a poor author by purchasing an insufficient book
3. seems somehow wrong to encourage someone to read a book to learn and grow from, when you know it is not a theologically sound book

I just thought you might find it (the post) interesting reading.
It certainly helped me understand why I felt this "check" on my spirit in regards to reading the book(s).

Just as I wouldn't continue to go to a church that had really bad theology.
Just as I wouldn't continue to listen to Christian music that taught bad theology.
Just as I wouldn't read a Christian fiction book that has bad theology.

God gives me these "checks" in my spirit for a really good reason. Protection. :)

If it has the label Christian to it, I have learned to expect a whole lot more from it.

It's way too easy to say I'll take this point, but that point which is sorta connected, I won't take.
Or this premise which builds to that premise is wrong, but this premise over here is okay.

Where do you draw the line?

I'm glad that you are able to glean the good out of it. But aren't you at least a wee bit concerned that some of the "not so good" and the "downright wrong" won't influence you in some way?

Further Communication from this individual

Thanks for your thoughts! I hear were you are coming from, and the basic question becomes "how does one deal with those one disagrees with?" How far do you take it? I have read stuff from 'focus on the family' I didn't agree with, do I therefore stop reading their material? Should I support their ministry? I don't agree with some of the things 'world vision' does, should I stop sponsoring a child? Do I reject all worldly teaching as wrong because it is not biblically based? These are difficult questions to answer. I'm sure you remember having to read things at _______ for the exercise of practicing discernment. Many of the books I read are not totally theologically correct, so for me the question is ' what can I learn from this?' , or 'what do I think about that?'. With the book I suggested, the author, while his theology may not always be correct, does have some interesting thoughts into the minds of boys. Boys do have a natural tendency toward conquer and overcome (or destroy) much more so than do girls. How many girls are drawn to 'daredevil' (maybe even dumb!) actions compared to boys? I understand and appreciate the need for theologically sound books, but they can be hard to find, and we also need to consider who is making the review of a book. What if you disagree with them on some theological points?

I have to admit, I didn't know what to say. This bothers me. I still haven't responded because I do want to make a good response.

I talked with my hubbie about it, and he said....hmm... you're not wrong in being bothered, let me think on this some. :)

Then he came back with.... what bothers him is that there is no line drawn between big theological differences and the little, the differences are being equated and they shouldn't be.

And as I've taken time to think on this a bit, I agree.

The person with whom I have been communicating with is not drawing those distinctions.

For instance, I can read something from a person who firmly believes in adult only baptism. Not a problem, even though I don't agree with the stance, I can somewhat understand where they are coming from, and it's not a salvation issue. But someone who denies the death and resurrection of Christ...a different story.

I love reading sci-fiction/fantasy. Just love the genre. But there are some authors I don't read because they try hard to redefine the Christian God, and I find that bothers my spirit, and causes me to think about things that I don't need to waste my time on.

I won't recommend those books to other readers.
If I read a adult-baptism only author and find it good to read and refer others to, I will let them know the authors stance ahead of time so that they can decide if they can or even should read it.

I won't just say.. read it, it's a good book and you'll learn lots from it.
If I read a book and find lots of stuff in it that I can't stand/tolerate/agree with, then I won't recommend it to others even if I glean something good out of it.

I don't know, I do feel bothered about it.
I just don't understand the concept I guess. Why read something that you know is filled with errors, when there are other good books out there?

If you want to know how the male mind thinks, well... you don't have to read a Christian book to learn that.....there are good books out there... I'm sure of it (even if I haven't looked for them).

If you want to know how the female mind thinks...well...find a good solid book, Christian or not, and read it. Or talk with a bunch of women. Or ... whatever.

Why expose yourself to bad theology just because the author says something interesting? Isn't it a slippery slope to be on? For if their thinking is faulty in one area, doesn't it lead that some of their other hypothesis are potentially wrong as well?

I just tend to avoid stuff that is wrong in big ways, and I don't understand the "overlooking" the wrong stuff, and then recommending that others read it too. I don't get it. I probably just need to think on this a bit more. :)

Your thoughts?