Burning Books

[HAllyson]

A friend visited my house not too long ago, and asked me a question that caught me off guard. He told me of an incident that he had heard about on the news that involved a church burning Qurans. We had also spoken about how many people now categorize bible believing Christians as being fundamental, and extreme. He knows how I feel about my bible, and Christ, and asked: "Would you really take away someones Holy scripture and throw it into a fire?" Of course, I said "No. I wouldn't want anyone to take my bible from me and throw it into a fire."This began an intriguing conversation and made me recall a passage in the bible that I shared with my friend which helped me explain why I might in fact burn some of my own books, if I felt convicted to do so.

Acts 19:13 ¶ Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.


Imagine the faith these folks had!! To believe in Jesus as the son of God, and scripture, with such conviction that you would bring all your other books together to burn them as a show of faith... this is just astounding! 50,000 pieces of silver those books were worth. I explained to my friend that I could indeed see why people might want to burn books that they no longer had faith in. (I pointed to a stack of children's books that I'm not fond of in which we discover the earth is millions of years old, and exactly how many millions of years old each dinosaur is. Since finding my faith in the Word again, I just haven't read or used them with the children I take care of). This of course began the "evolution" talk, which most of my friends and family can't handle or don't want to have with me.


My friends line of questioning brought on a hundred thoughts I didn't see coming. Many of the Jews and Greeks used curious arts and books. After reading definitions for "curious" and "arts" I gather that people wanted to derive some knowledge or skill from studying the documents. Do you think these curious arts and books are comparable to some modern day text-books from which we gain "skill", "knowledge", or "understanding" today?
(I have found that there is more to gain from the Word of God than any other book; It is the true source of wisdom).

How do you feel about burning books? Do people and churches burn books?


Thanks for your thoughts, God bless!!

 

[B-A-C]

I would say it depends on the book.
Books about the weather, horses, and cooking, probably aren't such a bad thing.

Book about witchcraft (King James says curious arts) are another thing. If the Holy Spirit convicted me...
I would certainly hope I would get rid of anything that offended God.
A new Christian friend of mine was convicted to burn his pornography. Why not just give it to someone else?
Because he said he would feel responsible for influencing them. He would just be passing his sin on to someone else.

I suspect it's the same way with books about witchcraft. As far as I know, I've never owned any, but if I did, I hope
I would burn them rather than passing them on to someone else.

Any book that supports the philosophy of man, over the wisdom of God.... ... what should we do?

 

[HAllyson]

I appreciate your correspondence.


We do not have to agree about everything to continue to be loving neighbors. Thank you, and God bless.

Book about witchcraft (King James says curious arts) are another thing.

Yes! The Authorized bible says "curious arts." I have recently developed a new love for the English language, and discovered a new fascination with the etymology of English words. I believe the Authorized English version offers the best understanding for English speaking people. Therefore, I believe that the words used throughout are placed exactly where they should be. This being said, while examining the passage in question, consider the English definitions of the words "curious" and "arts". (I use Merriam Webster):

Acts 19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men:

While some of these books may have indeed contained information about witchcraft, we can only speculate as to what was written in the multitude of books that were burned. These books could have been instructional, educational, informative, etc...If one piece of silver was then worth just a dollar, imagine: 50,000 dollars worth of books full of practices, instructions, and works... My point is this: from scripture, we do not learn exactly what was in the books, but that the men who brought them to be burned them used "curious arts." It also seems to me that if the word witchcraft was intended to be used in place of "curious arts" here, it would have.

the word "witchcraft" is used three times throughout the entire bible:

1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

2 Chronicles 33:6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

I would certainly hope I would get rid of anything that offended God.

This is something I struggle with today. I have begun to realize that there is evil everywhere, and that includes my own life and home. This has brought about many intense conversations with my loved ones, and has me questioning some of my own lifestyle choices.
Television and movies have become a big issue in my home. The more I learn from the bible, the more I see perverseness in the world we live in. This hasn't stopped me from viewing, hearing, or being exposed to various forms of our sinful human nature on movies, television, the internet, and video games. Sure we can get rid of somethings that we realize may offend God. How, then, do we continue to abide in a corrupt world that is still as evil as it was before we realized it? Just because we decide we do not want to see, hear, or speak evil does not necessarily mean that we will succeed. How can a sinner stop sinning? How can the dead be made alive but by the grace of God? (I must say I still think it is fantastic that your friend torched his pornos; on a side note, a shredder + recycling would have been just as effective).

What is of this world that does not offend God?

Does not our flesh always fall short of God's glory? From what I gather from scripture, it is the self not seen outwardly that the LORD is most concerned with, (inward man) as we will never achieve "salvation" by works here on earth. The bible does say that God will, however, judge every man according to his works. (Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.) (Of course I believe we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus and his words).

How, then, are works and salvation connected? I think I am starting to see that personal salvation has a direct impact on a persons "works." Repenting, confessing Christ, calling on God, believing in the bible, and loving God above all others greatly affect our personal motives. I, and all others who have trusted in Jesus and his words, live with a certain desire to "do better." Of course I couldn't possibly be perfect, especially if I tried! I am simply quite wretched at times. I (like everyone) struggle with sin. I fail often, but still live seeing that difference that is put between good and evil; right and wrong, and truly desire to rid my life in this world of evil and sin, impossible as it would seem to achieve. I find myself wanting to try more and harder the more I search the word of God...

Any book that supports the philosophy of man, over the wisdom of God....

Imagine the titles this list would include!

 

[B-A-C]

In the NASB... witchcraft is mentioned 5 times.
Deut 18:10; Deut 18:14; 2 Kings 9:22; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Chron 33:6;

The "seer" of Endor ( 1 Sam 28 ) is called a witch in some versions of the Bible.

There are also verses about mediums, casting spells, and divination, sorcery, spiritists...

Lev 19:31; Lev 20:6; Lev 20:27; Deut 18:11; 1 Sam 28:3; 1 Sam 28:7; 1 Sam 28:9; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Kings 23:24;
1 Chron 10:13; 2 Chron 33:6; Isa 8:19; Isa 19:3;

Deut 18:14; Judges 9:37; 1 Sam 9:37; 1 Sam 6:2; Isa 44:25; Jer 27:9; Jer 29:8; Dan 2:27; Daniel 4:7; Dan 5:7;
Dan 5:11; Micah 3:7; Zech 10:2;

Gen 41:8; Gen 41:24; Exod 7:11; Exod 7:22; Exod 8:7; Exod 8:18-19; Exod 9:11; Dan 1:20; Dan 2:2; Dan 2:10; Isa 8:19;

Exod 7:11; Deut 18:10; Jer 27:9; Mal 3:5; Rev 21:8; Rev 22:15;

Lev 19:31; Lev 20:6; Lev 20:27; Isa 19:3;

There are more... but this is a good start about how God feels about these things.

 

[B-A-C]

This is something I struggle with today. I have begun to realize that there is evil everywhere, and that includes my own life and home. This has brought about many intense conversations with my loved ones, and has me questioning some of my own lifestyle choices.
Television and movies have become a big issue in my home. The more I learn from the bible, the more I see perverseness in the world we live in. This hasn't stopped me from viewing, hearing, or being exposed to various forms of our sinful human nature on movies, television, the internet, and video games. Sure we can get rid of somethings that we realize may offend God. How, then, do we continue to abide in a corrupt world that is still as evil as it was before we realized it?

Something I think every Christian struggles with. I know I have.
Jesus sometimes hung out with tax collectors, sinners, and prostitutes... sometimes we have to put up
with worldly things to go where the world is.

Paul said in order to get away from these things, we would have to out of the world ( 1 Cor 5:10; )
But are you a light against the darkness? Is your faith strong enough to overcome the darkness?
Or is the darkness overcoming you? Is it affecting your thinking? Is it making yo compromise?

The good thing here is... if God is convicting you of these things (and it sounds like He is)... then you always
have a chance to turn away from these things and repent of them.

 

[B-A-C]

Any book that supports the philosophy of man, over the wisdom of God.... ... what should we do?

Imagine the titles this list would include!

About 90% of all the books written since the beginning of time?
95% of school/college text books?
Almost every self-help article in every woman's magazine since the dawn of magazines?
All the writings of Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, etc...
that's just scratching the surface I think.

 

[Bendito]

A friend visited my house not too long ago, and asked me a question that caught me off guard. He told me of an incident that he had heard about on the news that involved a church burning Qurans. We had also spoken about how many people now categorize bible believing Christians as being fundamental, and extreme. He knows how I feel about my bible, and Christ, and asked: "Would you really take away someones Holy scripture and throw it into a fire?" Of course, I said "No. I wouldn't want anyone to take my bible from me and throw it into a fire."This began an intriguing conversation and made me recall a passage in the bible that I shared with my friend which helped me explain why I might in fact burn some of my own books, if I felt convicted to do so.

Acts 19:13 ¶ Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.


Imagine the faith these folks had!! To believe in Jesus as the son of God, and scripture, with such conviction that you would bring all your other books together to burn them as a show of faith... this is just astounding! 50,000 pieces of silver those books were worth. I explained to my friend that I could indeed see why people might want to burn books that they no longer had faith in. (I pointed to a stack of children's books that I'm not fond of in which we discover the earth is millions of years old, and exactly how many millions of years old each dinosaur is. Since finding my faith in the Word again, I just haven't read or used them with the children I take care of). This of course began the "evolution" talk, which most of my friends and family can't handle or don't want to have with me.


My friends line of questioning brought on a hundred thoughts I didn't see coming. Many of the Jews and Greeks used curious arts and books. After reading definitions for "curious" and "arts" I gather that people wanted to derive some knowledge or skill from studying the documents. Do you think these curious arts and books are comparable to some modern day text-books from which we gain "skill", "knowledge", or "understanding" today?
(I have found that there is more to gain from the Word of God than any other book; It is the true source of wisdom).

How do you feel about burning books? Do people and churches burn books?


Thanks for your thoughts, God bless!!

Some books, artifacts, trinkets, or anything that is used in 'curious arts' carry a , let me use the word curse, with it...
As an example....a statue of a saint...people kneel before these things and pray to them...There are spirits involved. They tie to these images, statues and follow along with them....Anyone who takes possession of that item is the target of these spirits...
You have a quaran in your house? Demonic spirits accompany that book and will influence and harass people in that house, the end of which is to steal, kill and destroy the people nearby....
Acts 19:19Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
19 and a considerable number of those who had engaged in occult practices threw their scrolls in a pile and burned them in public. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, it came to fifty thousand drachmas.
So here's a question for you.....If you had something linked to the occult in your home, you would want to get rid of it right? Would you pass it on to someone else? Or would you burn it?

 

[Julie.S]

I would not take away someones religious book. I would be asking myself how would I feel if someone did that to me and burnt the Bible in front of me? Do to others what you would want them to do to you.

 

[Bendito]

I would not take away someones religious book. I would be asking myself how would I feel if someone did that to me and burnt the Bible in front of me? Do to others what you would want them to do to you.

Then Julie, you have to show them something better that works..Right? You don't want them trapped in their deception do you?

 

[Julie.S]

Then Julie, you have to show them something better that works..Right? You don't want them trapped in their deception do you?

In thinking from their point of view I would actually be bad for trying to due to them believing what they already do. I would of course tell them if they come and seek to know about my religion but do so in a peaceful way. Each denomination goes about this slightly differently also I think.

 

[Chad]

Very interesting post @HAllyson

I agree that evil is everywhere around us and let's be real honest, were drawn to it even as believers. I'll give you obvious examples:

Movies / TV Shows
Radio / Music
Internet especially social media
Advertisements
The list goes on...

I grew up listening to rock 'n' roll and my favorite band was and is Guns N' Roses. The songs are not godly by any means yet I enjoy the music itself. I do not let the lyrics affect me or determine how I feel, behave or think. Being a Christian I know better to live by the word of God.

What about TV shows or movies? Obviously we should not be watching pornography or sensually related movies, or even movies that promote witchcraft or the likes. What about TV sitcoms?

I don't believe Christians should be superstitious but God has given us wisdom in his word. It's not about trying to be perfect or attempting to avoid evil completely because it's not going to happen before Christ returns. It's about living as a light of Christ, using wisdom and applying it daily. We walk in Spirit in a world full of darkness.

I do agree that certain things should not be in your home such as anything related to witchcraft, anything that deliberately promotes evil (i.e. Quran, ouji board, Satanic bible).

I don't think there's any useful point of burning Quarans like the example you mentioned. That's up to the new believer to do that if they convert from Islam to Christianity, and should rid of it immediately. But we as believers should preach the gospel of Christ as mentioned in the great commission, Matthew 28:19

 

[Julie.S]

I just do not see what burning books honestly does in the end. Mostly because someone is just going to make more anyway.

 

[Bendito]

In thinking from their point of view I would actually be bad for trying to due to them believing what they already do. I would of course tell them if they come and seek to know about my religion but do so in a peaceful way. Each denomination goes about this slightly differently also I think.

How would Jesus handle it? With love, of course, but He would also handle it in a straight line...'This is what you need' type of thing..Nicodemus was a good example of this...What did Jesus answer Nicodemus' question? As far as denomination go...Jesus is the only real denomination that one has to be concerned about...How would He do it?

 

[Julie.S]

How would Jesus handle it? With love, of course, but He would also handle it in a straight line...'This is what you need' type of thing..Nicodemus was a good example of this...What did Jesus answer Nicodemus' question? As far as denomination go...Jesus is the only real denomination that one has to be concerned about...How would He do it?

I honestly believe Jesus would sit a person down and talk about it in a way that seems welcoming.

 

[Bendito]

I honestly believe Jesus would sit a person down and talk about it in a way that seems welcoming.

I believe you're right...Then the person converted can burn his own book...LOL

 

[Christ4Ever]

Always a fine line between what one desires and what is acceptable to God.
This includes books. In an attempt to deflect on the basic topic of books like Harry Potter, some Christians have attempted to expand upon certain aspects as signifying something other then what the topic is about. Examples of Tolkien who was a friend of C.S. Lewis and then the Narnia Series of Books themselves. A fine line indeed!

As far as burning books. If you own them, then you should keep/dispose of them as you feel moved to do in keeping in what you believe or feel moved by the Holy Spirit to do. Just don't confuse what you enjoy, are entertained by and what is in accordance to renewing of your mind entails. An old adage is "garbage in garbage out".

Let me share a personal story in my own life as it pertains to books. At one time I was an avid reading of fantasy. There was a series which consisted of 12 books to it at the time I quit reading them. I had increased my study of the Bible and research into the occult during this time. It was then that I could not longer deny/lie to myself. That the books I so looked forward to reading each year from start to finish as the next new one came out. Made the occult which I knew scripturally was wrong. Look within its pages as something positive and not all that dangerous to anyone. So was I to continue accepting the lie I kept telling myself, because I truly enjoyed them or do something about it because I knew the subject matter was not beneficial to my continued knowledge of scripture and where this subject fell as it pertained to scripture.

The value of the books I had accumulated in this series was probably over 300 dollars. Both hard and paperback copies of each! After prayer. I decided to destroy the books. Not having a fire place or allowed to open burn them. I pilled the books and preceded to rip the a part. Book by book, page by page in shreds and place them in the trash can as garbage.

The interesting part was that my family, wife, daughter, son all looked at me from the windows as time passed, as I destroyed each book. Wondering if I had lost my mind. :whistle Not understanding why I was doing what I was doing. My son finally came out and asked me if it wouldn't it be better to sell them or just give them away. I answered him. "If I believe what I'm doing is right and the contents of these book are poison to myself." "Why would I want to pass on this poison to another even if they don't believe it is?"

Would I go out of my way to destroy what someone else owned? NO! Just like I can't save another. I would not presume to take away the right of another to choose. Now would I fight to keep certain books out of libraries etc. Sure. If they still place the book in library then it's my decision on whether I will continue to support it or not. We all have to make certain decision in life and that includes ones that others may thing is closed minded on my part, but then it's me who has to answer for the things I've done, and choices I made in this life. I'm sure they won't be standing next to me say "Well God.........I'm with him on this.........."

Just a little of my perspective on this. Now back to work!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope there aren't too many typos.. Couldn't check it prior to posting.
YBIC
C4E
<><

 

[HAllyson]

@Chad,

What about TV shows or movies? Obviously we should not be watching pornography or sensually related movies, or even movies that promote witchcraft or the likes. What about TV sitcoms?

Agreed! I spent a lot of time in my youth being quite interested in "supernatural" themed movies and television shows. For years, I spent countless hours watching religious horror movies, and loved shows like "Charmed" and "Supernatural." (There is not enough time in the day to elaborate on the rest of my sinful ways past or present). I used to think: wouldn't it be neat if I had "good powers" and could "fight evil." I had the right idea, but the all the wrong influences. Looking back, after God having helped me to better understand His word, I now realize I was walking in utter darkness. Even though I was saved, and wanted to learn from God, I just didn't understand things then like I do now. At that time I was searching for answers in all the wrong places.

Praise God where I once was blind, I now do see. Your reply brings to mind a passage:

1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

It's not about trying to be perfect or attempting to avoid evil completely because it's not going to happen before Christ returns. It's about living as a light of Christ, using wisdom and applying it daily. We walk in Spirit in a world full of darkness.

Amen. Amen. Thank God for amazing Grace!


Thanks for reading, and the reply. God bless!

 

[HAllyson]

@Christ4Ever ,

Thank you so much for sharing! God bless!

 

[Julie.S]

I believe you're right...Then the person converted can burn his own book...LOL

Yes and now do you see how much time is waisted by burning other people's books? Instead you could be talking to them.