Christians And Secular Literature Assignment

Christians And Secular Literature Assignment

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In this learning activity, your goal is to get a sense of what your local community of believers believes a Christian’s relationship to secular literature (literature produced by non-believers) should be. You will survey at least three (3) Christians from your local faith community by asking the questions listed below. Your group should be as diverse as possible (ages, backgrounds, race, nationality, etc.)Christians And Secular Literature Assignment. You can survey them in person, through email, text, or phone.

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Survey Questions:

Do you believe Christians should read secular literature (literature produced by non-believers)? Why or why not?
How should a Christian approach reading secular and/or non-secular) literature?
Can (secular and/or non-secular) literature be a source of truth? Why or why not?
Do you personally read (or listen to) literature (secular and/or non-secular)?
Submit a one to two (1-2) page reflection on your survey results. What were the most unexpected findings from your survey? Based on your results, what does your local community believe about the relationship between Christian and secular literature? Do you agree or disagree with those you surveyed? Why or why not?

Assignment 1-1: Christians and Secular Literature

Participant 1: Teenager

Participant 2: Adult

Participant 3: Older adult

Do you believe Christians should read secular literature (literature produced by non-believers)? Why or why not?

Participant 1: Yes, it is important to know what others read in order to better prepare.

Participant 2: Yes, reading that helps you understand what they think.

Participant 3: No, it can influence you in unfavorable ways.

How should a Christian approach reading secular and/or non-secular) literature?

Participant 1: A Christian should read both literature to better understand the truth.

Participant 2: A Christian should read both literature as a way of seeking truth.

Participant 3: No, a Christian should not read non-secular literature as this can have bad influence. Christians And Secular Literature Assignment

Can (secular and/or non-secular) literature be a source of truth? Why or why not?

Participant 1: Both literature are a source of truth as they allow for comparison.

Participant 2: Comparing and contrasting the two literature helps in arriving at truths.

Participant 3: Secular literature cannot be a source of truth. It is secular and therefore shifting away from the truth.

Do you personally read (or listen to) literature (secular and/or non-secular)?

Participant 1: Yes, I read both.

Participant 2: I read non-secular literature and sometimes read non-secular literature.

Participant 3: I only read non-secular literature and never read secular literature as it is not good. Christians And Secular Literature Assignment

Reflection

The survey reveals a generation/age gap in perception of secular and non-secular literature. It is evident that non-secular literature is perceived as a source of truth. It brings attention to the idea that the younger generation of Christians perceive the older generation of Christians as being out of touch, behind the times and chained to the antiquated notions that secular literature is a bad influence. In essence, the older generation is perceived as being ill-equipped to minister to others and spread the gospel of Christ among non-Christians because they refuse to engage and understand the secular culture, and a Christian should engage in the prevailing culture offering to better understand it. On the other hand, the older generation of Christians perceive the younger generation as uncommitted to the biblical holiness as they are polluted by secular literature. In essence, the younger generation is perceived as compromising and sacrificing Christian faithfulness in order to be accepted by the broader culture and part of the world, and a good Christian should flee fast and far from secular literature.

Irrespective of how we look at the two arguments, the reality is that the Bible supports both positions. On one hand, the Bible has repeated warnings to Christians to resist from being part of the world. Matthew 20:26 (KJV) has Jesus Christ instructing his disciples not to behave in the same way as the rest of the world. 2^nd Corinthians 6:14-17 (KJV) has Apostle Paul warning the Christian congregation in Corinth not to associate too intimately with non-Christians. The message is clear that Christians should not be like the rest of the world. Christians And Secular Literature Assignment

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On the other hand, the Bible has support for Christians associating with non-Christians in order to bring them to Christ. Acts 17:28 (KJV) has Apostle Paul quoting secular literature when telling the Christian congregation in Athens to live and do all things in Christ. Apostle Paul borrowed his words from pagan literature that corresponded to Christian teachings, thereby indicating that he read secular literature. 1^st Corinthians 9:22 (KJV) has Paul acknowledging that Christians must become all things to all people in order to win more people to Christ, thereby indicating the need to be part of the world.

I think that John 17:15-16 (KJV) settles this issue when Jesus Christ intimates that Christians should not retreat from the world as they have a responsibility of being the light to others, and that Christians should instead persistently resist any negative influence from the broader culture on Christian behavior and value Christians And Secular Literature Assignment