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How We Choose
~ HOW WE CHOOSE ~
Some
of the determining factors in choosing whether or not to carry and
recommend a particular resource.
WHAT
MIGHT BE WRONG WITH IT?
Wickedness
• Are there any curse words
or their substitutes?
• Does the story have
magic, witches, ghosts, fairies, Halloween, etc.?
• Is it a fantasy, fairy
tale, or science fiction? Does it give a confusing idea about real life
or encourage fantasizing? Does it devalue the miracles of Christ by
exalting supernatural powers that are not of God?
• Is there too much
elaborating on sin? Could children get too many ideas of how to be
naughty by reading this book?
Marriage
Relationship
• Do married couples relate
properly? Is divorce excused or justified?
• Is there a
boyfriend/girlfriend relationship or an overemphasis on romance?
• Is there immorality or
sensuality? Is sodomy practiced or justified?
Honoring
Authority
• Is rebelliousness modeled
or justified in anyone? Are youth respectful to adults? Are family ties
and family authority seen as negative things?
• Are children or young
people acting independently of their parents and family? Do they have
their own goals and plans that do not involve other family members? Are
they portrayed as wiser, stronger, and having just as much ability to
make decisions as adults? Are they off on their own doing exploits and
changing history singlehandedly?
• Do children hide things
from their parents by lying or withholding details?
• Are “ordinary” parents
portrayed in a negative light compared to people who are well-known or
accomplished?
• Is Christianity, church,
religion, or the clergy ridiculed or made to look unnecessary or out of
step with the times?
Conflict
• Do siblings relate
harmoniously? Are conflicts handled scripturally?
• Is competition / winning
glorified, or is Christ-like servanthood exemplified?
• Are there unnecessary
details given of killing and war? Is fighting and killing glorified and
excused? Is human life devalued?
Feminism
• Are feminist philosophies
in evidence? Do girls complain about their lot in life or seem unhappy
with being girls? Do they think that boys have it better than girls? Is
“tomboy” behavior exalted? Are girls shown as aggressive or as leaders
of boys? Do women work outside the home? Are careers for women
glorified or recommended? Are mothers at home devalued, seen as
unnecessary, or shown as discontented?
Historical
Accuracy
• If the book is a
biography, has it been rewritten or slanted to portray a modern view of
things rather than giving an accurate historical portrayal of the
person’s life? If it is history, has the author added fictional events
or characters that supposedly greatly influenced history?
God’s
Design
• Are animals given human
characteristics or valued as much as humans? Do animals supposedly
teach spiritual truth, read the Bible, or pray?
Humanism
• Is the book basically
humanistic in its worldview? Is God considered a part of the picture at
all, or is everything man centered? Does advancement or character come
through self effort or through dependence on God?
• Is God mentioned at all?
Is the view given of Him scriptural?
• Is the law of sowing and
reaping shown to be at work, or does the main character live
dangerously and unwisely and somehow still come out on top?
Christianity
• Is Christianity
mentioned? Is it shown scripturally? Is it shown as a moral code of
conduct or a relationship with a living Savior?
• Are any of the characters
supposed to be Christians? What ideas do you get of how to become a
Christian? Are these ideas scriptural?
• Do the “Christian”
characters pray, or are they self sufficient? Do they ever read and
study their Bibles or tell others of Christ? Are their goals and
aspirations those a Christian should have? Do they serve God or expect
God to serve them?
Consequent
Fruit
• How do you (or your
children) act when you are interrupted reading this book? Do you resent
the interruption and complain? Does it irritate you to have to put it
down and do chores or be helpful to others? Is it so exciting that you
don’t remember other important things when you are reading it?
• What does this book fill
your mind with? Does it cause you to have ungodly thoughts or desires?
Does it cause fear or nightmares? Does it cause you to want a more
exciting life or at least more exciting books to read?
WHAT
MIGHT BE RIGHT WITH IT?
Our
Relationship with God
• Does it encourage you in
your walk with God? Does it help you love your Bible and make you want
to pray and draw close to the Lord?
• Does it help you
understand the character of God and how to walk in harmony with Him?
• Does it reveal God’s
sovereignty, showing His hand in the events of history?
• Does it show Christ as a
very present help and sufficient for every need?
Our
Relationship with Others
• Does it encourage you to
do right no matter what others are doing?
• Does it help you honor
authorities and live in harmony with your siblings?
• Do any of the characters
truly portray Christlikeness? Does it show you realistic and practical
ways that God’s Word can be lived out in one’s life?
• Does it set before you an
example of someone who truly loves the Lord and His Word, someone who
walks by faith, not being conformed to the world but being transformed
and made into the likeness of Jesus Christ?
• Does it help you “walk
with wise men” that you also might learn to be wise?
• Does this book
teach you important skills or give you practical help in an area that
your parents and/or the Lord have desired you to grow in?
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