Should a Christian read or watch science fiction?

It is a mistake of course to suppose that the renewed mind must never occupy itself with any other book than the Bible. Ignorance is not a virtue nor does scripture call it “bliss.” The renewed mind will not be content with idleness, and even reading for instruction will take on a new interest as we look at all subjects against the background of our knowledge of God's word and will. As for reading for recreation, one would only say, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Rom. 14:5) But whatever we read, or indeed listen to or look at, let us not forget that the great enemy is on the watch to find an opportunity to break down our loyalty to Christ. Satan will try to educate us along a path that leads to doubt and unbelief; and will turn a means of recreation into one of desecration if he can. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (John 5:21)

As to choice of books, there can be no fixed rule to apply. History is always instructive. Science is dangerous when it is the product of unsanctified minds. Novels and other works of fiction which diminish our appetite for reading the Word of God are harmful and should not be read. Never read valueless books. Shun literature that is frivolous in character. Worse still, avoid that which directly or covertly denies the absolute inspiration and supreme authority of the sacred Scriptures.

Beware! The communication media of the day form the mind and character. Immoral and violent TV, radio, movies and literature wreck morals.

“Be a man of one book!” wrote Wesley. But he was himself a voluminous reader. What he meant was that the Bible should have the central place, and all other books should be read as subservient to it. If the Scriptures are not neglected, but thoughtfully read and meditated upon, one’s spiritual judgment will soon become sufficiently clarified to enable him to discern what other books can be read with edification. The godly soul will instinctively shrink from trashy novels, light, frivolous literature, and anything unclean and unholy. But Paul shows himself familiar with the history, science, and poetry of his day. He refers on occasion to historical events; he illustrates by the use of scientific facts; he quotes, when in keeping with his theme, what “certain of your own poets” have said, and in this we need not fear to follow him, if there be in us but the heart for Christ there was in him. It is to be feared that many Christians have been hindered by a hard, legal spirit on this very line. All reading has been tabooed that was not exactly spiritual. This is a grave mistake, and leads to extreme narrowness of mind and even positively hinders mental development, thus restricting one’s ability to enjoy what God Himself has given us in His Word. “Reading makes a full man,” is an old saying that is worthy of remembrance; only be careful to “take forth the precious from the vile.” And now, a word as to companionships. Paul enjoyed association with others. He loved fellowship. He appreciated friends, but his friends were among the people of God. To an Aquila or a Priscilla he could pour out his heart, and could enjoy to the full their tender affection. But, you may be sure, he never was found lounging about with an Elymas or even Gallio! And right here is where many a saint is not faithful. There is no clean break with the world. Old companionships are still sought and enjoyed. No wonder there is little or no growth. No wonder there are so many stunted Christians. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17) is the Word of the Lord to all who are dilly-dallying with the world after confessing Christ. “The friendship of the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4). Find your friends among the friends of Christ! Let your companions be those who love His name, and then be careful not to let good fellowship degenerate into careless levity.

We can make no rule about entertainment. The buoyancy of youth demands a certain amount of liberty which, if kept under godly limits and controlled by godly principles, is all right. For my own part, I have no desire to visit exhibitions and other shows, not on the ground that these amusements are sinful, but simply because I am satisfied without them. Christ and His interests are enough. Besides, souls are perishing and eternity is nearing, and I have neither time nor inclination to mingle with the world in admiring its toys and sharing in its pleasures.

Questions about music, painting, dress-making &c. - how far one could carry them on with Christ? If a thing is a snare to ME, I must give it up entirely. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Different things are snares to different people. If I can go on simply with God with my calling, all well. If I cannot, I must give it up. It is an individual thing with God. I cannot judge what may be a snare to you. If it is a snare, let it go.

There are a few books in which great epochs in the Church's history have been described in the form of a narrative, in which there are fictitious individuals. Some of these books may be profitable for the young in giving them a clear view of historical events. Some of them we would hesitate to condemn absolutely. We cannot say without qualification that fiction of every kind is evil, without including such books as these; but we do say most distinctly that fiction as a whole is evil and demoralizing, for the reasons just given above.

But enough of this distasteful subject. We must leave it with every one's conscience,asking them only, if given to reading of this character, to glance back over a year and recall all such books and literature they have read, to estimate how many pages it would make, how many hours it has taken, and then do the same with their Bible and helpful Christian literature, and compare the two. For those who might object that we had given too long a list of notes and comments on the Bible, it might be a surprise to learn that many a young man and woman reads thirty-five novels and more in the course of a year.

We would seriously lay it upon our own heart and that of God's people, that such reading is not only in many cases positively injurious, implanting infidel notions and a worldly habit of thought, but creates a distaste for solid, mental food, and particularly for that which has to do with our eternal interests. If there were no other reason why the young Christian should abstain from literature of this character, this would be sufficient. Anything that makes the Bible distasteful, or makes it a task to read helpful books that explain it, can surely not be a friend to our souls' growth. It cannot be from God, and therefore must be from an opposite direction. We cannot as to these apply the Scripture: "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." We do not wish to be narrow or legal, but that is not the special danger of the times in which we are living. If refusing to be turned away from Christ to enjoy this sinful world going on to destruction be narrowness, then with all our soul, let us be narrow!

You must build your own towers, and you are sure to require a great many. I can only suggest one or two of the points that need to be watched, leaving you to map out a line of defence for yourself according to your circumstances. First of all, as reading is a general practice now-a-days, you will be wise if you keep a sharp look-out at this point. What do you read? The world is full of poisonous literature, some of which corrupts rapidly, some slowly, but all insidiously and inevitably. As you value the health of your soul, beware of them all. If the reading of a certain book weakens your love of reading the Bible, you may be sure it is doing you harm; abandon it, before it is too late.

These fables that the Apostle speaks of are the things that have turned them away from the truth. It is just what is at work today. Take what is called “light reading.” These books fill the libraries of Christendom. Like a plague of locusts they darken the light of heaven, and people give themselves over to such reading, as the inveterate tippler does to strong drink. And when this appetite is created—and it is created by tampering with such fictitious productions of corrupt and blighted imaginations—there is no satisfying it, but every desire for better things becomes strangled in the human soul; profitable reading is almost altogether neglected, and the Word of God might just as well be cast upon the ash heap it is little, or never, looked at. Sound doctrine is not to the taste of the enfeebled minds of such inebriates; desire for the truth has perished in the soul, if ever it was there, and the dreamer drifts like a helpless derelict upon a stupefactive ocean of fabulosity.

Perhaps, at the close of this part of our subject, we might say a word as to the great dangers of mental dissipation and the destroying of our spiritual appetites by indulging in mental food which can only work injury. We say nothing against newspaper reading, for instance, or general literature in itself, but only ask, How much of our valuable time can we spare to those things which tend to destroy our appetite for the word of God and rob us of precious hours? We would particularly urge young Christians who are forming their habits for life, to avoid reading of this character. We need not specify. Conscience, and our own experience, will soon enable us to detect that which interferes with our regular work. We are living in days of superficiality. Even in secular things there is a light, trifling habit of mind which has taken possession of all. Many never touch a thoughtful book; have taste only for fiction, often of a most injurious character, and always tending to lead the mind from sober things. The love of amusement, the frivolity which seems to become a part of the very life, how often these little foxes are allowed to spoil the vines! May the Lord then lead us into true, systematic diligence, meditation and sobriety: "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them that thy profiting may appear unto all."