Note: When I say 'literature', I am not refering to teaching books, devotionals or bible study helps. I am more or less referring to novels, stories, etc. So, here's the deal: I love reading and writing. I always have. I especially love fantasy, and was/am into video games, movies... any art form in media that allows the expression of different worlds. In the old days, I would often spend my time in my own little universe, shut off from all that is around me, brain-dead before the boobtube.Enter Christ and His glorious sanctification. Since I received Christ into my heart, slowly but surely He is beginning to change my affections and really do a softening job on my heart. Things I used to read, play, and watch like it was nothing now disgusts me to no end. For a season (a long season!) I would often wrestle with my convictions to indulge myself in the pleasures of this world and would always feel cheap because of it. Now, by the grace of my God, that season seems to have come to its end and I have come to terms with the inner work that He has performed in me. I let go of many things and regret nothing!Now here's comes the problem and the point of this thread. I still like reading but many of the authors I used to enjoy write on a content level that grieves my heart and I can't accept it. If there is any evidence that we are in the Last Days, it can be found all over the New York Times Bestsellers list! If the book is popular and well-regarded, it is packed with blasphemy (Steinback, Pullman), vulgar language (Stephen King), and racy sex scenes (George R.R. Martin). It is really upsetting because I sometimes feel like I am missing out on "the literature scene" and I feel alone because it seems that godly literature is a thing taboo. I am reminded of Abraham's dilemma concerning God's wrath on Sodom and Gomorrah. I sometimes ask myself "Is there not one righteous book in this library?" So my question is this... are there any good Christian-based novels out there that I could pick up? Iprefer fiction/fantasy but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. At this point I'll take suggestions that aren't even technically "Chrisitan" if they have high enough morals. I am at a drought for godly reading! Notice I said good literature. I say this because I have read Christian literature before, that was.... not so good (Joyce Meyer's The Penny. Lovely message, but was not an entertaining read). I am a bit of an elitist when it comes to what I read, unfortunately.:study:Also it should be noted that I am currently reading both Tolkien's and C.S. Lewis' work, so no need to suggest them. EXCELLENT writers, the both of them.Now, feel free to respond to this inquiry/praise report/rant. :angel9:
Any good Christian literature out there?
- Thread starter Apple of His Eye
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Not sure if it qualifies as literature - but I really enjoyed a series by a Christian author, Francine Rivers.. Voice in The Wind is the first & Echo in the Darkness is the second. The main character is a Christian living 50 (?) years after Jesus' death. I also liked The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom - very inspirational. Some other favorites that aren't "Christian" but good reads - The Good Earth by Pearl S. BuckMy Antonia by Willa CatherFrank Peretti is a popular Christian author who is good - He wrote This Present Darkness. As far as secular authors, John Grisham is pretty good - ... I read an interview once where he said somthing along the lines he tried to keep trash out of his books knowing that his mother would read them.
A really good christian trilogy( you won't know it until the last book) is the christ- clone trilogy. Stay away from the Left behind Series, its horrible writing, and Lahaye butchered the biblical aspect of it as well
Thank you, Peace, for the great suggestions. I'll look into them.(Letsgofishing;40432)
A really good christian trilogy( you won't know it until the last book) is the christ- clone trilogy.
Um, what? That is the name of the series (christ-clone)? The way you typed it is confusing.Keep the suggestions coming, folks!
A really good christian trilogy( you won't know it until the last book) is the christ- clone trilogy.
Um, what? That is the name of the series (christ-clone)? The way you typed it is confusing.Keep the suggestions coming, folks!
(Letsgofishing;40432)
A really good christian trilogy( you won't know it until the last book) is the christ- clone trilogy. Stay away from the Left behind Series, its horrible writing, and Lahaye butchered the biblical aspect of it as well
I don't believe in the rapture but I have still read most of the left behind series. As far as a story goes they are really good, and note that only one book in the series of twelve talks about the rapture, the rest are just about different events written in Revelations. I would actually suggest them, although their is no pre-trib rapture the stories are very good and well written.
A really good christian trilogy( you won't know it until the last book) is the christ- clone trilogy. Stay away from the Left behind Series, its horrible writing, and Lahaye butchered the biblical aspect of it as well
I don't believe in the rapture but I have still read most of the left behind series. As far as a story goes they are really good, and note that only one book in the series of twelve talks about the rapture, the rest are just about different events written in Revelations. I would actually suggest them, although their is no pre-trib rapture the stories are very good and well written.
Two years ago, I had two pieces of steel go through my eye, one of them went all the way through it. It was repaired as good as can be, and I still have it and am able to see out of it, although not as good as I once could. At any rate, during the healing process which took a couple of months, I listened to the Left Behind series on tape. I have to say, that while I don't follow it to a tee, it was really an awesome story, and the soundtrack was really quite awesome.So, as for books, I also love to read, always have. I used to read Stephen King, I read the Necromancer series by Lumly (I think). I love fantasy, I used to love horror as well, and the classics had alot of awesome writings. I seem to remember the Gunslinger series from Stephen King, I don't really recall anything to aweful bad in it, and I am tempted to pick up where I left off and read the latest ones. I don't have alot of suggestions though in the way of Christian lit. I did read C.S. Lewis, the screwtape letters, and mere Christianity, and I loved them both. Perretti, his books look good, and I want to get some of them. I really spend alot of time studying the Bible, and reading other books about Christianity and the Bible. I also should read more for pleasure. I look forward to seeing what comes of this.
I just finished the Screwtape letter and am working on Mere Christianity and those are both GREAT!
(followerofchrist;40573)
I don't believe in the rapture but I have still read most of the left behind series. As far as a story goes they are really good, and note that only one book in the series of twelve talks about the rapture, the rest are just about different events written in Revelations. I would actually suggest them, although their is no pre-trib rapture the stories are very good and well written.
You haven't got to book 8 yet have you
I find the characters are pretty much pretty much paper cut out ( AKA no depth), the same conflicts seem to repeat, the writing, while decent in the first book progressivley gets worse, and nobody in real life would elect that series antichrist to the management staff of Mcdonalds, and definitley not the "supreme pontificate" of the world. Can you guys tell I'm a critic
The christ-clone trilogy is just like the left behind series, except much shorter, with better characters and better events. And you'll start to root for the AC ( scary !!). It is by far my favorite end times series. It still is off on scripture but what are you going to do.----------------------------------------------------------------------- You said no teaching books but I'm going to advertise this author anyway. I don't agree with everything he says but he's fascinating. The names Anthony De Mello. he pretty much changed the way I think
I don't believe in the rapture but I have still read most of the left behind series. As far as a story goes they are really good, and note that only one book in the series of twelve talks about the rapture, the rest are just about different events written in Revelations. I would actually suggest them, although their is no pre-trib rapture the stories are very good and well written.
You haven't got to book 8 yet have you
(followerofchrist;40579)
I just finished the Screwtape letter and am working on Mere Christianity and those are both GREAT!
Im almost done with Screwtape Letters, is Mere Christianity worth it?
I just finished the Screwtape letter and am working on Mere Christianity and those are both GREAT!
Im almost done with Screwtape Letters, is Mere Christianity worth it?
Thanks for the suggestions, every one! I just picked up This Present Darkness at the library, though I haven't started reading it yet.(sevver;40577)
So, as for books, I also love to read, always have. I used to read Stephen King, I read the Necromancer series by Lumly (I think). I love fantasy, I used to love horror as well, and the classics had alot of awesome writings. I seem to remember the Gunslinger series from Stephen King, I don't really recall anything to aweful bad in it, and I am tempted to pick up where I left off and read the latest ones.
You mean the Dark Tower series.
Gunslinger is the name of the first book in that series.And yes, the aweful bad was definitely there. It was actually the last Stephen King book I read before I said "enough". There is a scene where he is having (detailed) sex with an evil apparition. Swearing is rampant as well. I don't know what your taste or convictions are, but there's only so much of that I can take. I think the only King book I would feel comfortable reading is The Green Mile.
So, as for books, I also love to read, always have. I used to read Stephen King, I read the Necromancer series by Lumly (I think). I love fantasy, I used to love horror as well, and the classics had alot of awesome writings. I seem to remember the Gunslinger series from Stephen King, I don't really recall anything to aweful bad in it, and I am tempted to pick up where I left off and read the latest ones.
You mean the Dark Tower series.
(Red_Letters88;40672)
Im almost done with Screwtape Letters, is Mere Christianity worth it?
Mere christianity is definitley worth it!
Im almost done with Screwtape Letters, is Mere Christianity worth it?
Mere christianity is definitley worth it!
(Red_Letters88;40672)
Im almost done with Screwtape Letters, is Mere Christianity worth it?
ABSOLUTELY!
Im almost done with Screwtape Letters, is Mere Christianity worth it?
ABSOLUTELY!
(Apple of His Eye;40688)
Thanks for the suggestions, every one! I just picked up This Present Darkness at the library, though I haven't started reading it yet. You mean the Dark Tower series.
Gunslinger is the name of the first book in that series.And yes, the aweful bad was definitely there. It was actually the last Stephen King book I read before I said "enough". There is a scene where he is having (detailed) sex with an evil apparition. Swearing is rampant as well. I don't know what your taste or convictions are, but there's only so much of that I can take. I think the only King book I would feel comfortable reading is The Green Mile.
You have to get Francine Rivers the mark of the lion trilogy.EXCELLENT BOOKS. I ASKED THE SAME QUESTION ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND THESE WERE SUGGESTED. BY FAR THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ! YOU DONT EVEN REALIZE YOUR READING A CHRISTIAN NOVEL. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN GLADIATOR WITH RUSSEL CROWE ? THESE BOOKS BLOW THAT MOVIE OUT OF THE WATER.
Thanks for the suggestions, every one! I just picked up This Present Darkness at the library, though I haven't started reading it yet. You mean the Dark Tower series.
You have to get Francine Rivers the mark of the lion trilogy.EXCELLENT BOOKS. I ASKED THE SAME QUESTION ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND THESE WERE SUGGESTED. BY FAR THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ! YOU DONT EVEN REALIZE YOUR READING A CHRISTIAN NOVEL. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN GLADIATOR WITH RUSSEL CROWE ? THESE BOOKS BLOW THAT MOVIE OUT OF THE WATER.
I'm just about finished with "Twelve Ordinary Men" by John MacArthur. It's been really good. I have "Twelve Ordinary Women" on its way now. Donnie
Although they may not be strictly christian books, if you feel uncomfortable reading modern literature due to the levels of swearing and sex that they contain, go further back in literary history and read books by authors such as Austin, Dickens and Gaskell to name but a few. Their novels were published at a time when society was far more moral then it is now, so you can be assured af a high moral standard.
(DONNIE;43574)
I'm just about finished with "Twelve Ordinary Men" by John MacArthur. It's been really good. I have "Twelve Ordinary Women" on its way now. Donnie
I went through the "Twelve Ordinary Women" book with a Bible study group. It was a good book. You'll like it :-)
I'm just about finished with "Twelve Ordinary Men" by John MacArthur. It's been really good. I have "Twelve Ordinary Women" on its way now. Donnie
I went through the "Twelve Ordinary Women" book with a Bible study group. It was a good book. You'll like it :-)
smokey the dog
New Member
A good resource for finding Christian fiction is the Christian Fiction Review site;http://christianfictionreview.com/I'm going to list several novels some are fantasy and some are of the action/adventure genre;Vanished by Alton Gansky - X-files meets Christianity. What sinister secret lies hidden in the town of Roanoke II? How did the entire population of this desert military instillation simply disappear? High-level Pentagon orders call J. D. Stanton, retired navy captain, back to active duty to investigate.Alton gansky has written quite a few novels so if you like this one there are others to choose from.The Shadow at Evening, Lamb Among Stars Series #1 By: Chris Walley This is a sci-fi series set 12,000 years in the future, and has to be the best Christian sci-fi series I have ever read.Imagine a future that today's generation can only dream of. A trillion people live under the gentle rule of the Assembly on over a thousand inhabited worlds. Peace and stability have reigned unbroken for nearly twelve thousand years, and war and evil are merely ancient history. But everything is about to change. On Farholme--a Made World at the very edge of the Assembly--strange things are happening. A girl sees an impossible creature, a stranger from Ancient Earth arrives in response to a troubling vision, and people begin to say, do and think things that oppose everything the assembly stands for. And slowly, incredulously, and handful of men and women come to recognize the unthinkable: Evil has returned once more, and it must be fought. the rest of the series; The Power of the Night , The Dark Foundations , The Infinite Day Gideon's Dawn by Michael D. WardenThe Inherited Lands were a place of legend--a mystic realm in a world rich in miracles. From here, Life flowed to the four corners of creation. Or so it once was, before High Lord Gideon used a Word of Desolation that Abaddon had taught him, unleashing a corrupting perversion. Two thousand years later, another Gideon has appeared. No one knows where he came from or how he arrived. But they know he has power. This is no ordinary sojourner, they whisper. This may be the answer to ancient prophesies of doom and deliverance. Or he may just be Gideon Dawning, a graduate student from Texas, in over his head in a world beyond time. . also Waymaker by the same authorArena by Karen Hancock A Journey She Did Not Choose Will Change Her Life Forever. Transported surreptitiously to a terrifying alien world, with limited resources and only a few cryptic words to guide her, Callie Hayes finds herself engulfed in a perilous battle for freedom—and her very life. She must unravel the mysteries that shroud her only route of escape, or risk succumbing to the deadly deception of the Arena.
Well the best Christian literature is the Bible.However there is a writer known as Adrian Plass who does a lot of good books, they are extremely funny and well written.
Dear Apple of His eye,Here's one that might fit your interests:Heaven by Randy AlcornThe book details what Heaven and the post-Armageddon New Earth will be like. He also uses MANY Scriptural references to support his conclusions on the different topics covered in the book.He also quotes many other writers - like C.S. Lewis - comments on the topics in the book. It's my opinion that we'll be in one place or the other very soon. Like Billy Graham and other Anointed Ministers, I think we're in the Last Days or what's also referred to as "the beginning of sorrows" and the "days of vengeance".There are SO many ungrounded beliefs about Heaven and the New Earth. The things he points out are amazing and almost sound fictional (why I thought it might interest you) but they aren't. Good luck in your search and may God guide you to books that will further your growth as a Christian, help you to love Him and others more, or even just books that will merely entertain you! On that last one - it is written in Psalms somewhere - "delight thyself ALSO in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart". I interpret that as meaning that He doesn't expect us to exclusively limit ourselves to things of Him. All things in moderation. I think as long as we stay away from things that will tempt us or otherwise hamper us as Christians, He is okay with it. He created us and knows our diverse needs!!Jim
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