Your thoughts about this?

[joyfulthanks]

So recently I went through my bookshelf and cleaned out 20-30 Christian non-fiction books. Most were by evangelical authors, a few Catholic, and one Orthodox.

I'm going to be going with my Dad to take a load of his books to Half Price Bookstore in a couple of days. I'd like to hear your thoughts as to whether or not I should take these books, as well.

Obviously, I don't endorse everything in them. But at the same time, many of them did help me in some way in my Christian journey at some point. So if they're not precisely accurate in their theology, do you think it's a bad idea to sell them to a bookstore?

 

[filosofer]

I would probably take them there as well, and a few bucks on the side never hurts.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Sure, unless they are really bad. I just cleaned out a book case, and gave all except one to Charity. It was so heretical I burnt it.

So recently I went through my bookshelf and cleaned out 20-30 Christian non-fiction books. Most were by evangelical authors, a few Catholic, and one Orthodox.

I'm going to be going with my Dad to take a load of his books to Half Price Bookstore in a couple of days. I'd like to hear your thoughts as to whether or not I should take these books, as well.

Obviously, I don't endorse everything in them. But at the same time, many of them did help me in some way in my Christian journey at some point. So if they're not precisely accurate in their theology, do you think it's a bad idea to sell them to a bookstore?

 

[WildStrawberry]

I'm with the others, if they're not actively "dissing" the Trinity or anything of that nature, go ahead and sell them. You don't know what might be used by the Holy Spirit.

Kae

 

[LutheranChick]

As they helped you in your journey, perhaps they will help someone else. God's Word always returns fruit! (To clarify- I am sure the authors used Scripture in their discussions...)

 

[Rechtgläubig]

So recently I went through my bookshelf and cleaned out 20-30 Christian non-fiction books. Most were by evangelical authors, a few Catholic, and one Orthodox.

I'm going to be going with my Dad to take a load of his books to Half Price Bookstore in a couple of days. I'd like to hear your thoughts as to whether or not I should take these books, as well.

Obviously, I don't endorse everything in them. But at the same time, many of them did help me in some way in my Christian journey at some point. So if they're not precisely accurate in their theology, do you think it's a bad idea to sell them to a bookstore?

Nothing at all wrong with selling them. I tend to hang on to any book, regardless if I agree or not, I like my little reference library lol. I wished I had all of my old Mormon books. I burnt some and threw others away and now I wish I had them.

 

[Edial]

So recently I went through my bookshelf and cleaned out 20-30 Christian non-fiction books. Most were by evangelical authors, a few Catholic, and one Orthodox.

I'm going to be going with my Dad to take a load of his books to Half Price Bookstore in a couple of days. I'd like to hear your thoughts as to whether or not I should take these books, as well.

Obviously, I don't endorse everything in them. But at the same time, many of them did help me in some way in my Christian journey at some point. So if they're not precisely accurate in their theology, do you think it's a bad idea to sell them to a bookstore?

Depends.

If you could differentiate what is OK and what is not and why, I personally would not get rid of a book.
However, if a book bothers you - chuck it.

In my opinion, if a book teaches salvation by grace through faith, it could be useful.

Catholic and Eastern Orthodox books often lean upon the authority of their respective churches when making a point.
I do not find them useful. Not because they make no sense, but because they seldom use Bible for their support. Tradition first and if a verse or two agree with it, then the verses.

However, Lutheran theology is pretty good in her teachings.
I think it is pretty complete.

Yet, there are many evangelical books that are very good while not disagreeing with Lutheran theology.

However, Lutheran theology has a distinct "flavor" of prioritizing the love of God towards all while some evangelical books dwell on the sinfulness of man as a foundation of one's understanding.

Hey, you asked for thoughts.

I never said my thoughts would be clear.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Radiata]

Sure, unless they are really bad. I just cleaned out a book case, and gave all except one to Charity. It was so heretical I burnt it.

Which one was it?

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Which one was it?

Today is your lucky day! It was still in the burn box.

Son of Man, Great writing about Jesus Christ
Edited by Clint Willis

My review: Christ died for all, but regarding the paper in the book; many trees died for nothing. Blasphemy, heresy, apostasy, the unholy trinity(in my humble opinion).

May God have mercy on the Authors.

 

[joyfulthanks]

My review: Christ died for all, but regarding the paper in the book; many trees died for nothing.

Thanks for a great laugh this morning!

 

[Melethiel]

Nothing at all wrong with selling them. I tend to hang on to any book, regardless if I agree or not, I like my little reference library lol. I wished I had all of my old Mormon books. I burnt some and threw others away and now I wish I had them.

I like to have a reference library too...I have a number of Reformed, Catholic, and Orthodox books, and even a Mormon one. Always helps to know where a group is coming from in their own words.

 

[RadMan]

So recently I went through my bookshelf and cleaned out 20-30 Christian non-fiction books. Most were by evangelical authors, a few Catholic, and one Orthodox.

I'm going to be going with my Dad to take a load of his books to Half Price Bookstore in a couple of days. I'd like to hear your thoughts as to whether or not I should take these books, as well.

Obviously, I don't endorse everything in them. But at the same time, many of them did help me in some way in my Christian journey at some point. So if they're not precisely accurate in their theology, do you think it's a bad idea to sell them to a bookstore?

I see this theme or common thread in many of your posts and that is that you are wanting info from us on how to be a Lutheran. There is no equation, format or rules. There is not a right way to do it. The bible will lead you along with Walther and Luther's coaching. We are free in Christ and not bound by legalism. At least most of us aren't. If you gorge on meat you will miss the milk of the Word.

Many of us are not bound up in tradition either. Anything not found in the bible is adiaphora and not important and mostly just people's opinion. Relax

 

[joyfulthanks]

I see this theme or common thread in many of your posts and that is that you are wanting info from us on how to be a Lutheran. There is no equation, format or rules. There is not a right way to do it. The bible will lead you along with Walther and Luther's coaching. We are free in Christ and not bound by legalism. At least most of us aren't. If you gorge on meat you will miss the milk of the Word.

Many of us are not bound up in tradition either. Anything not found in the bible is adiaphora and not important and mostly just people's opinion. Relax

RadMan,

Perhaps you are right. I grew up as a military brat, and I can tell you from life experience that pretty much the ONLY way to survive when you move to a new place, culture, and/or country every one, two, or three years of your life is to figure out as quickly as possible how the locals think and why they act the way they do, and then do your best to blend in as best you can without compromising who you really are, which is quite a trick! If you don't, you're pretty much toast. That's why so many military brats are expert chameleons.

I don't think I'm trying to figure out how to be a Lutheran for the purposes of legalism. It's more a case of trying to figure out how you process various things so that I don't stick out like a sore thumb in my new surroundings. Many of you probably think that there's really nothing to figure out, but that's because it is your culture. It seems normal to you. But that's definitely not the case if you're an outsider. Sometimes, the answers to questions like the one in the OP can be very revealing about much larger issues.

Anyway, I guess I just ask you guys a lot of questions that probably
sound pretty ridiculous to you, but it's most for the purpose of probing and
uncovering areas where I might just hit on a hidden landmine; those cultural issues that lay below the surface and can blow up and injure someone who's just walking through the woods whistling a happy tune, until......BOOM!!!!! I've unwittingly hit a few too many of those kinds of landmines in my life to want to ever do so again if I can help it.​

At 43, I'm starting over again at a new church, with new people who have their own unique culture - a culture to which I have had very little exposure. My church life is profoundly important to me, and I don't want to mess things up by making some stupid misstep. So I ask a lot of silly questions. And you guys graciously answer me (which I appreciate very much )​

Does that make any sense at all?

(PS: Sorry about all the psycho formatting in this post. Something is wrong with my formatting, and I can't seem to get it to work right.)​

 

[sleepythesahm]

Today is your lucky day! It was still in the burn box.

Son of Man, Great writing about Jesus Christ
Edited by Clint Willis

My review: Christ died for all, but regarding the paper in the book; many trees died for nothing. Blasphemy, heresy, apostasy, the unholy trinity(in my humble opinion).

May God have mercy on the Authors.

Ive never heard anything good about it

 

[joyfulthanks]

I see this theme or common thread in many of your posts and that is that you are wanting info from us on how to be a Lutheran. There is no equation, format or rules. There is not a right way to do it. The bible will lead you along with Walther and Luther's coaching. We are free in Christ and not bound by legalism. At least most of us aren't. If you gorge on meat you will miss the milk of the Word.

Many of us are not bound up in tradition either. Anything not found in the bible is adiaphora and not important and mostly just people's opinion. Relax

PS: Long, rambling discourse that I posted above aside, I do hear you.

And thank you!

 

[Edial]

RadMan,

Perhaps you are right. I grew up as a military brat, and I can tell you from life experience that pretty much the ONLY way to survive when you move to a new place, culture, and/or country every one, two, or three years of your life is to figure out as quickly as possible how the locals think and why they act the way they do, and then do your best to blend in as best you can without compromising who you really are, which is quite a trick! If you don't, you're pretty much toast. That's why so many military brats are expert chameleons.

I don't think I'm trying to figure out how to be a Lutheran for the purposes of legalism. It's more a case of trying to figure out how you process various things so that I don't stick out like a sore thumb in my new surroundings. Many of you probably think that there's really nothing to figure out, but that's because it is your culture. It seems normal to you. But that's definitely not the case if you're an outsider. Sometimes, the answers to questions like the one in the OP can be very revealing about much larger issues.

Anyway, I guess I just ask you guys a lot of questions that probably
sound pretty ridiculous to you, but it's most for the purpose of probing and
uncovering areas where I might just hit on a hidden landmine; those cultural issues that lay below the surface and can blow up and injure someone who's just walking through the woods whistling a happy tune, until......BOOM!!!!! I've unwittingly hit a few too many of those kinds of landmines in my life to want to ever do so again if I can help it.​

At 43, I'm starting over again at a new church, with new people who have their own unique culture - a culture to which I have had very little exposure. My church life is profoundly important to me, and I don't want to mess things up by making some stupid misstep. So I ask a lot of silly questions. And you guys graciously answer me (which I appreciate very much )​

Does that make any sense at all?​

(PS: Sorry about all the psycho formatting in this post. Something is wrong with my formatting, and I can't seem to get it to work right.)​

I think this is an awesome post.
I really appreciate such an openness.
When I came here I had zillion questions. Yet my style was different.
I argued. And this is another way of hiding oneself.
Think about it ... a Baptist who decided to leave the Baptist denomination ... with no church to go to ... and winding up in a different land called Lutherandom.

I argued strongly, but not in a bad way.
I just argued until I understood. That's the way I process sometimes ... OK, more than sometimes.

But you know what is the upside of being here?

I learned sooo much here with all these discussions. If I would not have been here and just went to church - I know I would have understood significantly less.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[joyfulthanks]

PS: Long, rambling discourse that I posted above aside, I do hear you.

And thank you!

BTW, I meant my long, rambling discourse (which I had posted two posts earlier). I was not at all referring to the quote from RadMan that I posted along with the stuff above.

I was meaning to thank you, RadMan, but I just realized that my language was unclear. It could be read two ways and might come across as an insult, which definitely not my intention!

Sorry if it was confusing.

 

[Rechtgläubig]

I like to have a reference library too...I have a number of Reformed, Catholic, and Orthodox books, and even a Mormon one. Always helps to know where a group is coming from in their own words.

You got it! You generally get a better response in a discussion when you are using say, a Roman Catholic Catechism as opposed to Jack Chick tracks lol.

 

[joyfulthanks]

You got it! You generally get a better response in a discussion when you are using say, a Roman Catholic Catechism as opposed to Jack Chick tracks lol.

You mean Catholics don't like Chick tracks? Who would've ever guessed?

I actually kept a whole lot of my Catholic, Orthodox, and Evangelical books, including the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The only ones I got rid of were the ones that I was pretty sure I would never want to read or refer to again.

 

[DaRev]

You mean Catholics don't like Chick tracks? Who would've ever guessed?

Lutherans don't care for them, either.