How should Christians view such things as fantasy tales and science fiction?

I grew up with Disney movies such as Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, etc. My parents read me fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm. I never thought these things were real and I never felt they skewed or damaged my view of God or relationship to Him. Likewise, my brothers grew up on Star Wars, alien space ranger stories, and things like that. Obviously, we knew they were all “pretend”.

I’m at a place now where I’m wondering what God thinks of fantasy and fairy tales involving fairy godmothers, magic spells, etc. If a person doesn’t believe in those things and understands that these plots and stories are just “make believe”, what is your opinion of what God thinks of that? Are we allowed to indulge in childlike imagination or are these things that add fantastic creatures to what He’s already created intrinsically wrong and the gateway to the occult as I’ve heard argued by ultra-conservative Christians?

I want to please God and pursue a holy life, but as I near a point in my life where I move towards marriage and begin having children of my own, I find myself wondering if princess fairy tales for any daughters I may have and space ranger stories for any sons are wrong in God’s eyes or if they fall under disputable Romans 14 matters. What do you think?

I am currently involved in a Christian chat room whereby debating and fellowship occur. One of the debates that comes up frequently is whether man has free will when it comes to choosing our Lord. Many feel that it is predetermined and those that will be saved are the ‘elected’.

I know the Lord is all knowing and knows who will come to him and who will not. But I am having a very difficult time thinking that the Lord has predetermined who will be saved and who will not. I truly believe that the Lord is love and he would not create some simply for them to go to hell.

Can you clear this up for me? Do we have free will or is there predestination? Thank you.

What is the proper context of Matthew 7:1 regarding judging? Is it wrong to judge? Unbelievers love to toss “Judge not” around. How should we respond?

Some Christians are saying Jews are the “elect”; I know they are God’s chosen people. Question is… Who exactly are the “elect”? Are Christians, born-again believers part of the “elect” as well?

I have a question concerning the identity of Melchizedek. Who was he? I have an old Wall Chart History of the World book that hints at him possibly being Shem, however Hebrews 7:3 speaks about Melchizedek having no father, no mother, having neither end of days, nor beginning of life. However, in verse 4 it says he was a great man. I’ve also heard that he is the pre-incarnate Christ. Can you shed light on this? Thank the Lord for your ministry.

Our bible teacher told us that “SIN” is a person. I cant seem to get that idea in my mind, I believe that the Holy Spirit is a person, but that i can understand. I am having a real hard time with this one. I know God has given you wisdom in the Bible, seems like one of our household is always calling upon Gracethrufaith for answers Thank you so much for being around and God bless you.

I’ve been hearing and reading lately that Dallas Seminary is drifting away from the seven dispensations and is leaning to “progressive dispensationalism” which, I’m told, say there are four. Do you have any insight into this? Thank you, again, for your ministry. We are all blessed from it.

At the feeding of the 5000 Why did Jesus divide them into groups by rank, 100’s, 50’s? (Mark 6:30-44)

I have a quick question concerning to the Jew first. Jesus commanded his disciples to only witness to the Jews at the beginning of his ministry. We see in Acts Paul also went to the synagogues first before sharing the gospel with the gentiles. Do you feel this is an example we all should follow, to share with Jews first and then to gentiles if we cannot reach or find any Jews? I have a fuzzy idea why Jesus and Paul did this, but any ideas you might have as to why the Jew first would be greatly appreciated.

Will you please explain II Corinthians 5:6-8. Does this mean when a believer dies he is going to be immediately present with the Lord?