Cactus Game Design Message Boards

I've read quite a few of Dekker's books. Some of them I thought were great (the Circle Trilogy, Blink, Thr3e) and some I thought were a little too weird/boring (Sinner, Showdown, House). He has written tons of books, and in fairly short time frames, and I thought that some of them reflected the little amount of time he spent on them. But he also has a talent for writing some awesome books fairly quickly too.

Another Christian author whose books I have always enjoyed (with the exception of House, which he co-authored with Dekker) is Frank Peretti. This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness are his two most famous books, and they are great. Also, The Oath, Prophet, The Visitation, and Monster are all good too.

Well, you have to understand that Ted's entire life basically consists of writing. His inner circle often jokes that they are keeping him under lock and key while he writes his next novel.

Anyway, I have enjoyed every one of his books, except Heaven's Wager, which moved way too slowly for me to get into it. My absolute favorite book by him is When Heaven Weeps. I would also recommend Thunder of Heaven, Blink, and Obsessed.

EDIT: Spoiler...I don't think it really says a whole lot, seeing as how it pretty much states it on the cover, but I will oblige the request.

Spoiler (hover to show)

I just finished Green yesterday, and I really liked it, except for the fact that it literally completes the circle and thus frustrated me. He needs to write a true ending to that story and tell us all what happens to Samuel.

On a side note, I had a dream not too long ago that Ted offered to coauthor a book with me. I was very excited about it...until I woke up and realized it was a dream.

~Britta

I just finished Green yesterday, and I really liked it, except for the fact that it literally completes the circle and thus frustrated me. He needs to write a true ending to that story and tell us all what happens to Samuel.

please edit your spoiler for people who haven't read Green.

Green is fantastic. best Dekker book ever. Obsessed and Blink are VERY good as well. Burn isn't amazing so far...

I agree with the Professor.  I really liked Thr3e, Obsessed, Blink (the good edition) and Black.  The rest just seemed like the same thing with differently named characters -- especially Adam and Boneman's Daughter

and Kiss.

it gives away the end! yes, it was expected, but still.

Wait, was Green a comic book?

it probably will be.

Quote from: Tsavong Lah on January 23, 2010, 09:41:43 PM

I agree; Dekker is hit and miss. When he hits, though, he writes some pretty great stuff.

Anyway, what do you mean by "Christian books"? Are you looking for Christian fiction exclusively, or is nonfiction/theology open for reccomendation?

Well as long as it isn't "DARK" and so unbelievable that its dumb.  Books I wouldn't read because of certain issues that I believe don't line up with my worldview are Harry Potter and the Twilight series and there are others but I'm open to suggestions that are fictional as long as they don't have any characters preforming dark arts.

Well there goes LOTR.

I suppose he plays Redemption because "it's Christian."

(I mean no offense by this, I'm talking about my own past before I realized basically what RR and Pol were saying.)

Well as long as it isn't "DARK" and so unbelievable that its dumb.  Books I wouldn't read because of certain issues that I believe don't line up with my worldview are Harry Potter and the Twilight series and there are others but I'm open to suggestions that are fictional as long as they don't have any characters preforming dark arts.

In this thread, you said you wouldn't read "DARK" Christian books because they don't line up with your worldview. You also said that you are open to other fictional series as long as they don't have the dark arts, then defend LotR and Chronicles because even though they have the dark arts, they have Christian authors. Wut?

Also, Harry Potter has a Christian author and a more directly Christian message than LotR, but you won't read those books. Your logic is about as consistent as the current REG.

Quote from: Ring Wraith on January 26, 2010, 11:06:04 PM

I suppose he plays Redemption because "it's Christian."

(I mean no offense by this, I'm talking about my own past before I realized basically what RR and Pol were saying.)

By your above statement what are you implying? I don't understand this statement would you please explain further? Not to be offensive but yes I do play Redemption because it is a Christian game!

correction, you play Redemption because it's fun. it's also Christian, which makes you comfortable playing it because it's not going to have anything horrible.  I was just chuckling because you remind me a lot of myself a few years ago.

Quote

Well as long as it isn't "DARK" and so unbelievable that its dumb.  Books I wouldn't read because of certain issues that I believe don't line up with my worldview are Harry Potter and the Twilight series and there are others but I'm open to suggestions that are fictional as long as they don't have any characters preforming dark arts.

In this thread, you said you wouldn't read "DARK" Christian books because they don't line up with your worldview. You also said that you are open to other fictional series as long as they don't have the dark arts, then defend LotR and Chronicles because even though they have the dark arts, they have Christian authors. Wut?

Also, Harry Potter has a Christian author and a more directly Christian message than LotR, but you won't read those books. Your logic is about as consistent as the current REG.

Harry Potter has a Christian author? never knew this. I used to not want to read Harry Potter because he's a wizard and uses magic... now I just don't want to take the time them. I still have Burn to finish, and Tea with Hezbollah comes out soon...

on a side note, my youth pastor has read both Harry Potter and Twilight. He saw nothing wrong with Mr. Potter, and enjoyed it very much. Twilight on the other hand... has some things... not good... yeah...

now, if the books describe how to use dark arts, then I would say stay away from it. but if it's like Lord of the Rings or Narnia or Potter, and just explain what's happening because of the arts, then it's fine.

hahahahaha, REG logic...

Yeah, Twilight is no good in addition to being porn for women. But I digest.

What exactly are you digesting, may I ask? Or do I not want to know?

~Britta

This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darnkess are the two best Christian fiction books I have ever read.

As for Chronicles of Narnia, this is CLEARLY not the "dark arts." Yes, there is a wizard or two, clearly representing demons or even Satan, and Satan has power. However, the witch never casts spells (am I wrong on this? It's been years), and it's a clear representation of real demonic forces, which exist.

LOTR, was NOT based on Christian views. You can draw parallels, sure, but he was not trying to, any symbolisms were just parts of his worldview leaking out in his writing. In fact, he insulted C.S. Lewis for making the Bible and God's story a series of children's books, and condoned that type of writing. As for the "dark arts" once again, I believe that it represents evil. Evil DOES have power, there's nothing wrong about that.

Which is why I make the distinction between the types of magic used in LOTR and Harry Potter (which I have not read, correct me if I'm wrong about any of my facts). In Harry Potter, magic is encouraged and regarded as good (as long as you use it right), and the best characters use magic and it's regarded as a good thing. In addition, there is an especially large amount of the theme of magic involving children, which I think is much less edifying. The difference in LOTR is that magic is looked upon as evil, the ring must be destroyed and even Gandalf didn't become corrupt in order to gain power, like Sarumon. Those who use sorcery are evil, and so LOTR keeps a common theme of "magic = evil, non-magic = neutral." The winning side didn't use magic, they destroyed it.

As for Chronicles of Narnia, this is CLEARLY not the "dark arts." Yes, there is a wizard or two, clearly representing demons or even Satan, and Satan has power. However, the witch never casts spells (am I wrong on this? It's been years), and it's a clear representation of real demonic forces, which exist.

LOTR, was NOT based on Christian views. You can draw parallels, sure, but he was not trying to, any symbolisms were just parts of his worldview leaking out in his writing. In fact, he insulted C.S. Lewis for making the Bible and God's story a series of children's books, and condoned that type of writing. As for the "dark arts" once again, I believe that it represents evil. Evil DOES have power, there's nothing wrong about that.

Which is why I make the distinction between the types of magic used in LOTR and Harry Potter (which I have not read, correct me if I'm wrong about any of my facts). In Harry Potter, magic is encouraged and regarded as good (as long as you use it right), and the best characters use magic and it's regarded as a good thing. In addition, there is an especially large amount of the theme of magic involving children, which I think is much less edifying. The difference in LOTR is that magic is looked upon as evil, the ring must be destroyed and even Gandalf didn't become corrupt in order to gain power, like Sarumon. Those who use sorcery are evil, and so LOTR keeps a common theme of "magic = evil, non-magic = neutral." The winning side didn't use magic, they destroyed it.

as far as Narnia goes, see R101's post. although, the cordial could be mentioned as well.

LOTR was a mythology. read the beginning chapters of The Simarillion. necessary to be making any claims about LOTR, as Tolkien never intended The Hobbit to be the prologue instead of The Simarillion. a quick sum up, Illuvitar creates man and elves, angels (don't remember exactly what they were called), Valar, and Mayar. among the angels, Manwe was the greatest singer (which was how they praised Illuvitar), and eventually became prideful and rebelled against Illuvitar. changed his name to Morgoth. does this sound familiar?