Well, I would classify this chapter as a bit of a speed bump for me. See it goes into just how far Blue and Father Teddy “went,” or just how far Father Teddy coerced Blue into going in this priest-boy relationship. I think that this is a defining moment in how I would classify this book for it steps into material which is grayer than other areas. Should I say it is a starker gray? Or maybe a darker gray?
While I do not perceive any God-direction to stop reading the book or writing this series the description of events jumps out here more thoroughly than in previous passages. It goes father than just language delving into more specifics.
Those descriptions will induce a variety or reactions even among Christian and non-Christian alike. For some people the events described will not even need classified as okay or not. They will simply be in a reality bucket staying right there: “not offended.” This group will probably consider that my even classifying the chapter as a speed bump will seem preposterous. Others, on the more conservative end of the spectrum, would be offended that I would even read a book “such as this.”
Part of why I would classify this book as “good” or “legitimate” despite such descriptions is that it properly classifies the behavior as wrong, terrible, to be avoided and fought against to prevent others from having such experiences.
I am writing this a couple of days after reading the chapter so things have gelled in m mind a bit. The passage in the Bible that has seemed to gain the most relevance is the following:
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. (Romans 14:5-6–NIV)
While eating food sacrificed to idols is a thing I have little awareness of I think the matter of entertainment might be a parallel for our era. The partaking of certain matters of entertainment is like eating meat. In that prior era it would be unconscionable for some and not others (Paul included). Please don’t decide that I am blanket approving all manner of entertainment. I certainly do not.
It is important that I do not flaunt, or maybe even mention, in some circles that I am reading a book such as this. Verses 13 and following of that same passage introduce the concept of stumbling blocks. That has relevance too. Others who find my reading of a book like this synonymous with sin have to leave the reading of this material between me and God.
I have no conviction of sin in regard to the reading of the material as presented in this book. Believe me, I have spent time in my past having a judgmental attitude toward the entertainment approaches of others. In those times it was difficult for me to conceive of how certain people would “allow such sinful things into their living rooms.” I suspect that some might figure I have seared my conscience or something. I get that conceptualization, but it is not that way. I absolutely view the behavior of the priest on the boy as sinful. Other things could be said, pro and con, but the take away rests with the verses in Romans. God is my judge and other’s judge.
That is my two cents (and the second edition of this entry…the first I just erased)
Other entries in this series
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