Book Giveaway: The End!

These last five weeks have been a great time of answering questions and giving away free books. All good things must come to an end sometime, though, so here we are, with the last winner of our five-week Ballantyne book giveaway.

Mrs. Elisia T. asked some wonderful questions that deserve to be answered, so I'll do my best to answer them. Instead of displaying the entire message and then answering the presented questions below, as I have in previous weeks, I'll go question by question through her list.

What influence would R.M. Ballantyne have on an unsaved mind? Specifically a man or boy?

Of course, I can't give a definitive answer because all people are different and react differently. That said, I see three likely responses from an unsaved mind after reading one of Ballantyne's novels.

1. "What a great book! The adventure was exciting and I loved the character. That Christian stuff was annoying, but the rest was great."

2. "What a great book! The adventure was exciting and I love the character. I wonder if any of that Christian stuff was true? Hmm."

3. "That book stinks. If I wanted religion I'd go listen to a sermon."

Ballantyne presents the gospel message unabashedly. He didn't care if readers were offended. His Christian characters were strengthened, not sissified, by their faith. How will an unbeliever respond? Each one will be different.

I desire to read what I would recommend. Within the guideline of Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption," who could I heartily recommend these books to?

In my opinion, you can recommend them to anyone. We already discussed probable effects upon an unbeliever's mind, and I don't see any reason not to recommend them to an unbeliever. His writing will strengthen believers.

Are there issues or perspectives presented that satan may use to hinder a mind not given fully to Christ?

Ballantyne was a flawed man and a sinner. That doesn't sound very good until you realize that we all meet those qualifications. Certainly, none of his books are perfect. On the other hand, he did his best to make them glorifying to God, and I think he succeeded. It's possible that there are some issues or perspectives that could be twisted by the reader in a way not intended by the author, but I can't think of any. If you're extremely concerned, I recommend reading the books yourself first, and then making your decision.

And toward a younger brother (or friend), what fruits have you seen develop from these books? Has it strengthened and challenged him? Or have his desires been turning away from Christ?

I have seen no adverse results from reading Ballantyne. There is one thing, though; if they start reading Ballantyne - they may not want to stop and do their chores!

Thanks for asking these questions, which I hope I've been able to answer to some extent. A copy of R. M. Ballantyne's The Pirate City will soon be in the mail, so you'll have a chance to form your own opinions on his writing! Congratulations!

Well, folks, we're done with the giveaway for now, but I'm sure it won't be our last. I look forward to a new year in which we have many more discussions about our hero and mentor, "Ballantyne The Brave."

Tueri a vulnere,

John