It was proposed that a Christian’s theological perspectives and vision can be sharpened by a study of secular literature. In this position paper, the author supports that Christian’s theological perspectives and vision can be sharpened by a study of secular literature. Secular literature deepens the study of religious matters. It gives effective portrayals of the characters in the Bible of which the Christian theological perspectives are founded. In fact, different secular literature authors believe that there should be continuity between the Bible and other literature (Leithart, 2005, p.
1). The Bible presents stories through parables which include characters that were not familiar if not because of secular literature like Moses, David, and Noah. Secular literature also gives reflections on how true the Christian theological perspective in our society today. Stories on abortion and broken families of which the Christian world does not agree were proven to cause sorrow and sufferings of people. As a result, the teachings of Jesus Christ were proven by reflections of the secular literatures created by writers and artists.
Moreover, secular literature strengthens the teachings of Christian people. As it has been said, people should be in the world but do not be of the world (Champ, 2009, P. 1). Through stories and novels, people are taught that doing good things patterned by Christ-like attributes is a proper attitude in life. It would be easy to teach Christian doctrines by giving examples of its importance to the people through literary creations. Therefore, a Christian’s theological perspectives and vision can be sharpened by a study of secular literature.Without doing so, such teachings are not effective and will only be trampled by the people.
References
Leithart, P. J. Leithart. com. 9 March 2005. Sacred and Secular Literature. Retrieved June 27, 2009, from http://www. leithart. com/archives/001176. php. Champ, M. S. Helium. com. 2009. How Christianity is portrayed in secular literature? Retrieved June 27, 2009, from http://www. helium. com/items/255137-how-christianity-is-portrayed-in- secular-literature.