I admire

I admire those parents, and would-be parents, who have such lofty goals as to how they are going to raise their children. They have determined in finite ways what their child will be exposed to. And that is commendable.

However, I think its more commendable to extend grace. We do not know what lies ahead for our kids. We can plan and furrow our brows and set to the chalk board many a scheme. So maybe this brings us back to a problem I've mentioned before about American sense of Democracy... you're free to do whatever as long as we choose it for you.

Anyway, I've just finished talking to two other guys and they have commendable goals for their kids. Their children will not read certain books, for instance. Again, commendable. But I wonder where it stops. The books in question, which have to do with a certain young wizard and friends, have some questionable stuff (like how the hero is constantly lying), but is it able to be cut away? Will their children instead be ok if allowed to read Dostovesky (Crime and Punishment, after all is about a murder). Or what about Lewis' Narnia series? There is magic in there, of the same sort of Potter's, and perhaps a bit more otherworldly as Potter's is Latin, and Narnia's is deeper still.

And, I know what you're thinking, as I'm thinking it too: It's all about the author's intent! Are they Christians?

Well, have you read Andrew Peterson's books? Honestly, I've only read the first one, but it was pretty dark, and I did not find Jesus in it.

And Hugo, whom I love, was Catholic. (I know, I know).

And Dostovesky was Orthodox.

And Lewis was Anglican; Tolkein was Catholic (I know, I know).

So, which Christians are you allowed to read?

Hmmm.... what is the major concern? Is it, perhaps, that our kids will come to us with questions we don't have answers for? And what good are we if we don't have the answers?

Or is it something else?

I'm not saying that I want my kids to listen to Black Sabbath or read Palahniuk, or even Rowling. But I hope that when they do hear it, they will be able to discern the truth from the lie in all things, from the book spine to the pulpit. And this doesn't necessarily mean that I plan on exposing them to all kinds of stuff. I just want them to be prepared, and to know the truth and to be ready to give an answer for what they believe.

What do you say?