CALVIN AND HOPS

JULY 5th (Yes...it's the day after the 4th!)

TOPIC: Wizardry in literature. Where's the line?

Some questions to ponder in preparation:

Is Harry Potter "good Christian literature" or "straight from hell?"
What if J.K. Rowling isn't a Christian...or is a lousy Christian? Is that a show stopper for reading her work? (Try looking here)
Is Gandalf part of the "lavender brigade?" (see Phillips below) How about Aslan?
Is loving the work of Lewis and/or Tolkein while despising Rowling intellectually honest based upon the reasons we often give? Or, is it a bit of mental gymnastics?
Does it matter if the setting is fantasy or recognizable as our world? If so, why?
If I'm pro-HP (and honest) then to what else must I give approval?
If I'm anti-HP (and honest) then what else must I abhor?
Given that God is sovereign, is it coincidence that the 7th HP book will be released on 7/07/07 (that's a lot of 7s) when 7 is the "number of spiritual perfection?"

Beware, some of these folks might challenge your thinking...whichever side you're on. This issue may not be as simplistic as you think...or maybe it is...hmmmmm?

PHILOSOPHY BEHIND CALVIN AND HOPS

Gentlemen,

One of my all-time favorite quotations comes from John Wayne. “Life is tough…it’s tougher if you’re stupid.” Though not necessarily related to stupidity, there exists a common failure on the part of Christian men to humbly sharpen their reasoning skills and learn from one another. We, like much of the heathen world around us, fall into the trap of failing to ever challenge one another’s thinking either because of personal cowardice or for unreasonable fear of causing offense. While I do not advocate offense for its own sake, I do advocate the sharpening of one another in the bond of true Christian love, toward the end of excellence in spiritual warfare with the forces of darkness around us. Let us help each other “take every thought captive to Christ!”

Calvin and Hops is a monthly (generally) meeting of men from a variety of Christian churches in the Spokane area in an informal setting to discuss a topic of general interest. Our primary objective is to grow in knowledge and wisdom and the ability to reason, for the sake of the gospel. Christ is Lord of all, and we need to be able to communicate that to others. This is true whether we are discussing Biblical canon or homosexual marriage. But, I ask you, which is the more likely subject in your workplace? Which is the more likely handle with the unbelievers around you that you can use to lead them to knowledge of the Holy One?

I will establish the topic of the evening as indicated on this blog. However, the topic of the evening may be trumped by another “hot” topic if it seems appropriate. Please use information posted on this blog to prepare for meaningful discussion. Also, I’m always soliciting for topics of interest. Just email them to me at: jack.jkfam@gmail.com

Please mark you calendars and feel free to pass this on to other men you think will be interested. If they want to be on the mailing list they’ll need to send me an email address and a name.

Press On!

Jn 3:30

CALVIN AND HOPS

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