Activity

What should be the limits on violence in Christian books?

I think this one should be approached prayerfully and with thoughtful consideration of your target audience.  Some stories organically call for a certain degree of violence, however, there is a point at which the portrayal of violence can do more harm than good.  There is a term often used for this: “gratuitous.”  However, that term is subjective and personally defined.  Often based on what we have been acclimated to by exposure, whether in movies or in personal experience.  A war veteran often knows more about violence than they may want to speak about, but because they have seen hard extremes, they may be more inclined to avoid it.

The questions for an author on when to use these physical threats are dependent on the goal of the scene, which should always include a subtle awareness of the responsibility one has to their target audience.  If the violence is used for shock value, I believe this qualifies as a gratuitous use, and often it can weaken the impact of a scene rather than strengthen it.

Crime novels more often show the aftermath of a particularly violent scene, only hinting at what transpired as the investigator unravels the mystery to lead to the identity of the perpetrator.  I think it does a disservice if our works are used to glorify violence and depict it as a first resort rather than a last resort.  Sometimes violence is necessary.  Bloodshed bought our redemption.  Scripture says (Hebrews 9:22): “without the shedding of blood there is no remission [of sins].”  Leviticus 17:22 forbids the ingestion of blood, telling us that our life is in our blood, which we know to be true even more so, now that we have learned more about DNA.  The impact of Christ’s story would not have near the sobering effect on us if not for the violence of the crucifixion.  Jesus did not come to wither away with cancer.  The brutality of the scourging and the torture of the crucifixion shows us that Christ’s suffering was not simply an inconvenience or a light penalty for carrying the weight of mankind’s sin. He paid a terrible price for us.  His death was the most excruciating in mankind’s lurid history.  Isaiah prophesied:

See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him–his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness– [Isaiah 52:13-14 NIV]

Think about that statement: “his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being”.  What’s more, God knew He would have to endure this outcome, when He created us and chose to give us “free will”.  Hebrews 12:2 says:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:2 KJV]

What possible “joy” could He foresee that would make the sufferings and shame of the cross worthwhile to Him?  In our own humanity, that is hard to comprehend.  Even angels do not understand it and long to look into it.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. [1 Peter 1:10-12 NIV]

Violence is ubiquitous because our fallen world chooses it, however, those of us who can prevent it from coming to our very doorstep should be prepared to do so.

 

Is it possible to maintain innocence without living in ignorance?

Depends on what is meant by “innocence.”  If we are talking about sinlessness, the verse in Romans 3:23 comes to mind using the term “all”, which seems inclusive, save for Christ Jesus, Himself.

There is no pure righteousness, save that which comes through Christ. (Romans 3:20)

If we are not raising the standard of “innocence” as to be synonymous with sinlessness, we may look to the verse in James 4:17, which requires an understanding of the expectation, and a choice arising from that expectation, then perhaps the possibility is there for innocence.  Adam and Eve, knew of God’s command while in Eden, but it wasn’t until they had taken the fruit and eaten from the tree, that their eyes were opened to fear and shame (Genesis 3:7).  They knew what was expected of them up until that moment they took action.  It is no sin to be tempted.  If it was, Satan’s temptation of Jesus in the wilderness would have disqualified Him from being our perfect sinless sacrifice.  It is the choice made that crosses the line, not merely the knowledge of the expectation.  This is not to say that there are no mental sins.  In Matthew 5:28, Jesus says to look lustfully on a woman has the effect of having committed adultery with her in a man’s heart, however, there is an implicit choice being made.  A man may look at a beautiful woman and feel a temptation to imagine more than admiration for her, but he is choosing to do so if he follows that impulse by entertaining the idea.  A thought may show up as a salesman on a doorstep, however, one may not allow the salesman into their house.

 

I will address the free will /predestination question more thoroughly tomorrow when I have more time to respond.
I do not think God’s foreknowledge of our eventual decision precludes us from our responsibility to make the choice.  We do receive the consequences of our actions.
God meets us, even in our fallen nature, and empowers us if we choose Him.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: [John 1:12 KJV]
Jesus’s death on the cross has the capacity to save all mankind, but it is contingent upon a free will choice that He empowers.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [John 3:16 KJV]

The “whosoever” here seems to include and extend the invitation to the “world”.
Remember we live in the limitations of time. He does not.  Anyone who does not follow Him, has chosen not to respond to His drawing, and if they persist in this until death, they will by default get the consequence of that choice.  James 4:17 comes to mind again.