tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8832410260230794314.post8684881113839829925..comments2023-05-22T04:57:22.141-05:00Comments on Homeschooled Authors: Book Review: King's Warrior by Jenelle SchmidtSarah Holmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904631370384156831noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8832410260230794314.post-10896932416568838742016-01-14T10:12:14.626-06:002016-01-14T10:12:14.626-06:00I'm very pleasantly surprised. When it comes t...I'm very pleasantly surprised. When it comes to the Christian fantasy genre, most Christians let their stand on magic/ witchcraft slide. It was very brave to write this review and you did a good job without criticizing the book too harshly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8832410260230794314.post-18846614848331222782015-12-01T00:57:51.297-06:002015-12-01T00:57:51.297-06:00Sarah,
Supernatural abilities are often called ma...Sarah,<br /><br />Supernatural abilities are often called magic in fantasy fiction. Biblically, many people have demonstrated supernatural abilities through the power of God. Think of Moses's staff transforming into a snake. That is a supernatural ability God allowed Moses to use. Elijah called down fire from heaven at least three times. Even Biblical people in the style of antiheroes were given supernatural abilities. Samson was gifted with incredible strength even when he did things that were clearly wrong. If an author chooses to use the term 'magic' to describe the supernatural abilities God gives to people, why does it become wrong?<br /><br />You said you could not find any biblical reason to condone magic. I have not read King's Warrior, but based on Kaycee's description I would answer that the magic present is a supernatural ability given by God, which the author has chosen to describe as magic. In history God gave many people supernatural abilities. Why is it wrong to depict supernatural abilities in fiction, even when these abilities come from God?<br /><br />I also believe the Bible is very clear on this issue. I read the Bible verses you mentioned as well as a few related ones and found nothing that condemned supernatural abilities. Supernatural abilities from demonic sources are forbidden, yes. But God does not forbid supernatural abilities which He gives, as the profusion of Biblical people He empowered attests.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09008395622501970026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8832410260230794314.post-67230510263530858662015-11-30T10:59:15.289-06:002015-11-30T10:59:15.289-06:00You are welcome, KateYou are welcome, KateSarah Holmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11904631370384156831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8832410260230794314.post-52597221575419093542015-11-30T10:43:02.591-06:002015-11-30T10:43:02.591-06:00Galatians 5:19-21 lists 'witchcraft' among...Galatians 5:19-21 lists 'witchcraft' among other forms of sin. Witchcraft is defined as 'black magic, the use of spells and the invocation of spirits'. Deuteronomy 18:10-11 again lists witchcraft as detestable alongside human sacrifice, consulting the dead, and divination. And Leviticus 20:6 warns against consulting spirits.<br /><br />The fantasy genre was founded on the idea of relating and comparing the abstract to the mundane in order to unpack difficult themes. C.S. Lewis created an allegorical world to help readers grasp the concept of salvation. J.R.R. Tolkien longed to remind his Oxford students of the mystery and wonder of the ancient Celtic and Nordic cultures. John Bunyan wanted to demonstrate the life of the Christian with all of its ups and downs.<br /><br />There is no black magic in King's Warrior. There are no spirits, human sacrifice, or divination. There is a God (based entirely on the Christian God) in the novel which gifts certain races of people with genetic magical ability. This ability can be used for good or for evil, depending on the intentions of the owner.<br /><br />In reality, there is no such thing as genetic magic. The only magic in existence is that of spirits (aka demons). The Bible warns against this magic, among other real vices. The Bible warns only against real sins. Genetic magic is not a reality. Therefore, the Bible does not warn against it. So the next question that begs to be asked is this; is non-real genetic magic evil, or is it merely a metaphor? I suppose the answer is up to the context of the novel, the discretion of the reader, and/or the views of the author.<br /><br />However, in the case of King's Warrior, I think it is hardly fair to discredit the entire novel on the basis of Bible verses which do not even apply to the type of magic utilized therein, especially without even a mention of the many wonderful (and Biblical) themes woven throughout the story: themes of Christ-like sacrifices, wisdom forged through hardship, a cautionary tale against jealousy and the destruction it can cause to a family, the condemnation of racism, the effect of loneliness, grief, humility, and many, many more such lessons.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoy reading this blog, and I appreciate your willingness to market me and my fellow homeschooled authors. I simply wish that the fantasy genre would be reviewed on the basis of it being metaphorical, rather than disregarded for its imaginative use of genetic abilities.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02987151094223559356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8832410260230794314.post-57273621348880250302015-11-28T14:11:14.082-06:002015-11-28T14:11:14.082-06:00Thank you very much for being honest and sticking ...Thank you very much for being honest and sticking to your beliefs! ; )Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03000585433448905685noreply@blogger.com