The Rebelution discussion

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I was trying to find something to share with you guys and came across my report for "The Fault in our Stars". I wrote it last year as a school project for my mom. It's a compare and contrast report. I would love to hear the thoughts of anybody who has read this popular book or is meaning to.

'The Fault in our Stars'
Comparing and contrasting a Biblical worldview with a secular book

1. The book’s view on life and death
In "The Fault in our Stars", Hazel talks about our existence on earth. She thinks that we are just useless organisms, and only worth something when we’re alive. She also believes we will be forgotten when we die, and that our lives will all be for naught. The book talks about the inevitability of human oblivion, and how meaningless our lives will be then. We supposedly are not even supposed to think about life or death, but instead just live our lives to the full.

2. The Bible’s view on life and death
We will all die, that is true, but our lives will have meant something in the end. We will not be forgotten, nor will our lives be for naught. Instead, if we have belief, we will dwell forever in glory. That life will be so much better than this, and we will see the purpose for our life here on earth. We are not just useless organisms either, we were made for a purpose. There is more beyond this world, we just can’t see it yet. Human oblivion is sure, but not in vain.

1. The book’s view on freedom
During the story, the characters take a trip to Amsterdam, (The city of sin). A comment is made by the author about how the city is not a city of sin, but that ‘it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin.’ Freedom is then seen as an opening for sinful actions, if people are allowed freedom, they will follow the flesh.

2. The Bible’s view on freedom
The story's view is actually not far from the truth. Freedom of the flesh is a sure opening for sin. But the author only mentions the freedom of flesh, he does not mention freedom in Christ. The Bible says we will be free in Christ, this freedom does not include the permissiveness that freedom of the flesh does. Freedom in the flesh is what leads to sin. But freedom in Christ is what leads to purity in the end.

1. The book’s view on parenthood
Hazel’s parent aren’t careful in the training and raising of their daughter. They allow her continuously to go out alone with a boy she barely knows, even encouraging her to do what she likes since she’s dying. Jokes are even made about the carelessness of the mother during the trip to Amsterdam. The parents negligence may play a part in leading to the not so surprising bedroom scene at the end of their stay in the city.

2. The Bible’s view on parenthood
In the Bible, parents are commanded to raise their children Biblically. This includes teaching them right and wrong, as well as how to respond to peer pressure, alcohol, drugs, and premature sex. Parents are also supposed to teach their children to honor authority and speak respectively to their elders, things, that in the book, are considered unimportant.


1. The book’s view of love
"The Fault in our Stars" has a very worldly outlook on boyfriend girlfriend relationships. Hazel and Gus’s relationship is depicted as more of an infatuation than true love. Their relationship has no solid meaning behind it other than their being able to relate to each others struggles. There are no consequences for their actions and they spend no time maturing their feelings for each other. Yet all this is seen as okay, even justified, in the book. Although their love for each other is touching and sweet, it fails to bring the meaning a Godly relationship brings.

2. The Bible’s view of love
A Biblical romantic relationship is one of understanding, compassion, affection, and loyalty. Love is of God, our first love should be for God, we should give all to him, even the lives of our loved ones. Love is not a crush or an infatuation, it is one that lasts, that does not fail to be faithful and true. It does not give in to temptations of the flesh, but lives in the heart and thrives in purity. God is love, there is nothing impure or sinful in that love. Romantic relationships should be based on the love of God, it’s the only way it can truly stay alive.

Final conclusions on 'The Fault in our Stars'
In all the story was well written and a good point for discussion. It’s description of young cancer patients was a stirring and poignant picture. But although it may have been well written, the end failed to bring meaning to a world full of hurt, pain, and death. That much is to be expected. Only through Christ can we see anything meaningful in life. Without Him, we are lost in a world of darkness and suffering. “The Fault in our Stars” does not answer most of the questions it raises, leaving an opening for those with the right answers to explain to those who are searching.

Sorry it's so long. :(

Thanks Astrid! I'm glad you got something out of it even if you hadn't read the book. I agree completely with what you said!!

That's awesome Astrid!! I really need to do more Bible memory, but I've always had trouble with it. I need to make that a to do hard thing.

Yes, definitely!

I use this for school, but it's interesting to browse if you like history.

http://www.ushistory.org/us/

Interesting! This might come in handy for me, I'll have to browse nyself sometime. Thanks for sharing Raevyn!!