It’s not the first time I’ve heard someone say that about a parent who doesn’t allow their child(ren) to read this or that latest book/series. Some even go as far as finding ways to encourage or help a child/teenager to read the forbidden subject matter in secret. Thus undermining the God given authority of the parent(s) and supporting the child in rebellion and disobedience.
“Bucklands Complete Book of Witchcraft” is also “just a book” , would you want your child reading it? So that one is pretty obviously off the recommended reading list, but these others over here are okay? After all they are just harmless fun and a pretty good read. You only have the right to make that choice for yourself and those under your authority. You cannot make it for another person or their family.
We have a clear duty at Parents:
De 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
De 11:19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Pr 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Tit 2:1-8 ¶ But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine [shewing] uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
And Children are to Obey and Honor:
Pr 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Pr 6:20 ¶ My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Eph 6:1 ¶ Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Col 3:20 Children, obey [your] parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Ex 20:12 ¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
De 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Eph 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
Mal 1:6 ¶ A son honoureth [his] father, and a servant his master: if then I [be] a father, where [is] mine honour? and if I [be] a master, where [is] my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
As long as that child lives in the house of his/her parents and under their authority the parents have every right to decide what they want influencing his/her mind and thoughts while they are still grounding him/her in his/her faith and God’s commandments.
Just as you don’t get between a husband and wife, you don’t get between a parent and a child. Even if you don’t agree with them it is no one’s business. If anything by not allowing certain books to be read in their home they are attempting to keep him/her away from things that might influence his/her mind away from God. “Just a book” has been the path into witchcraft and other forms of problems for many a young person. Young Christians included.
Real Love is tough – Real Love thinks first of the concern for the spiritual and eternal welfare of the child(ren) the parents are blessed with to bring up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It thinks beyond the temporary and fleeting of popular entertainment. It is the right of the parent(s) to use the discipline they choose and govern as they wish over the child(ren) in their home.
When a child becomes an adult and no longer the parent’s responsibility then they have the right to choose their own entertainment. Hopefully by that time they will be grounded enough in their faith to make wise choices and it will not influence or turn them from God.
Some further food for thought:
That they may teach the young women to be sober: young women, especially conversing amongst heathens, are prone to be light and airy, and over frolicsome, following the heat of their youthful temper, and forming their converse after the manner of others; which is a behaviour, though it may suit their youth, yet if they be Christians it will not suit their profession, which calls to them for more gravity: speak to them that are aged to mind them to be sober. – Matthew Poole