I learned how to read when I was four years old. All credit there goes to my Mom. Since then, I’ve followed my insatiable thirst for a good read through the entire juvenile section of my hometown library, young adult series like the Hardy Boys and Narnia, and on up through mysteries, novels, stacks of nonfiction and reams of poetry. Other than a brief foray into some badly written, sappy Christian romances, I’ve kept my reading standards rather high: if it’s badly written, I put it down. If it’s depressing or dark, I put it down. If it doesn’t capture my attention, I put it down. And, up until just a couple of years ago, if I ran across a sex scene or profanity, I put it down.
I was raised by Christian parents who brought wonderful books into our home and taught me how to appreciate them. They were watchful over my reading, encouraging me to try new authors and experience new books but steering me away from the inappropriate. This was my reading world, with few exceptions, up until I turned 18 and entered a public university… with a major in English.
Four years later I graduated with eyes opened wide, a head full of knowledge, and a completed reading list full of “the inappropriate.” I wouldn’t say that I retreated from books, just that, as I walked away from college that day, I also walked away from book immersion. I was weary from four years of reading, writing, thinking, analyzing, digesting, defending, wading through the professorial picks, and trying to maintain that pure love for the story that had landed me in those classrooms.
But the thirst wouldn’t let me be. I began haunting the library again, a new one this time, searching for a good, simple book with no hidden agendas, no political diatribes, just a well-written plot and interesting characters.
They can be difficult to find, especially if your childhood standards come back and wave red flags at you every other paragraph. I was so hungry for the good and light and pure in literature that I bluntly rejected anything that tasted different. The problem was, though, that sometimes a little rough edge is necessary. Life is a juxtaposition of light and dark. And we Christians, whether in reading or in real life, can’t ignore both sides. No, that doesn’t mean we need to dwell on the dark side; but for me, as far as books go, it means that I need to acknowledge humanity in all our fallenness even as I read.
I’ve changed my reading standards a bit. I still put it down if it’s badly written or doesn’t capture my attention. And I still put it down if the whole feel of the book is depressing or dark. But I allow some leniency in the content; presenting real people in real situations means that, sometimes, things get inappropriate. I’m confident enough to think I can deal with the intrusion and see the bigger picture. I’ve been rewarded; I’ve waded through initial chapter that were off-putting, outlasted scenes that weren’t comfortable, and been rewarded with characters and plots that, all told, equal up to a story that is the good and light and pure of literature.
With three kids under three and a penchant for starting too many projects, Annie escapes by consuming books and writing about life, learning, and growth at SisterWisdom.
I can appreciate the gritty sides of life as portrayed in a novel, to me it adds to the realism, when things are sometimes dark and not necessarily 100% ‘clean.’
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here!
I’ve allowed some leniency in some the of the books I read, mainly because some of the characters wouldn’t be real without some of it. But if it gets to be too much, I lay it down.
I would fall into the other camp on this topic. I have a pretty narrow view, I guess. I’ve considered whether or not it’s acceptable to read a Christian book that contains sexual immorality or innuendo, even if the character is redeemed or learns a lesson in the end. I personally cannot do that in good conscience, even if the end justifies the means. It’s difficult for me to gel leniency with scripture, such as Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. ”
Whatever I allow to go into my mind will quickly take root in my heart. I’m far too weak to believe I can be unaffected by worldly influence, even if I think I can rise above it.
Thank you for bringing up this topic, though. I’ve been curious to know where other people stood on the issue.
Your story and mine are very similar, and like you, I *try* to get through the parts of books that make me uncomfortable (unless they are truly profane or blasphemous) if the book seems to have some redeeming qualities. If I don’t like it, though, I just put it aside.
Thanks for the guest post!
I agree that I enjoy seeing a different side of life than the one I live — whether it’s choices different from the ones I’d make, or something such as dependence on drugs or extreme poverty. Books take us places!
I think the perspective is key, as you said, Jennifer. I find that’s true outside of books, too. We have a lot of friends who speak/act in ways I don’t “condone” but I still value their friendship and want to be open so we can learn from each other.
Like Amy and Linda said, though, if it’s too much I put it down; a book or sometimes, a friendship. You do have to have lines drawn and stand on them. And Liz, I appreciate your comment. It is up to us to guard our hearts and minds, and there’s always a danger of being “so open your brains fall out” as my Dad would say! It comes back to balance, for me, and as Dawn said, allowing the realism in, but also being vigilant about the effect it has on me.
I am glad you are able to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. So many are not able to do that, unfortunately. Books get banned because people are scared of new ideas. Apparently there are people in the world who cannot entertain a thought or idea without accepting it, and think everyone else in the world is the same. I find Christians and anyone else who cannot be open minded enough to step outside of their comfort zone completely non-relatable. But I would never not listen to their side or not read a book or visit their church just because I think they are narrow-minded. I happen to be one of those people who think these people happen to be the least like Christ. Like Ghandi said, “I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians.” I often feel that way. Whether extremists are Muslims, Christians, or Right-wing conservatives, there is danger in taking on such an extreme viewpoint. My brain is not so open that “my brains might fall out”. My brain is so open that my heart is too.
Thank you for your honesty and your candor and for sharing it with us. I can be a bit of a snob at times, myself, and I am far from perfect, but I do think that the more open we are to new experiences, the better off we are in life.
After re-reading my comment, I want to be sure that you understand I was not trying to imply that you or anyone else here was an extremist or that all Christians are one way. I am Christian myself and my point was more that being closed-off is not healthy and not like Christ and that being open, like you are, is what is important and I very much respect that.