Welcome to Faith and Fiction Saturday, a weekly discussion of the intersection of faith and fiction. I invite you to write a post on your blog about the topic or participate in comments. Check the schedule for future topics to be read in advance!
About a week ago, I started a discussion on Christian fiction and the people who read it or would like to read it. Read post one and post two. Also check out the transcript for the first #CFChat on Twitter. The next chat is this Monday at 1 PM PST/10 AM EST.
The responses have been great so far and really given me a lot of food for thought. I've really enjoyed reading everyone's take on this issue and possible solutions and ways to move forward.
Hannah of Word Lily suggested a discussion about the definition of Christian fiction. I think this is a very fair point to bring up. How do you define Christian fiction? For purposes of this discussion, I've been defining it as books published specifically for the Christian market that are fiction.
Another point that's been brought up is that there are more than two camps. I do agree with this. It's very hard to ever categorize readers because each person is very unique and has a set of values that is uniquely their own, and things they prefer in fiction that is all their own. But I do think it's worth repeating that we're talking about readers who want to read faith driven fiction. The "two camps" are really just a way for us to understand generalized preferences and values. We certainly don't want a war!
Sherry from Semicolon Blog brought up in the #CFChat that she doesn't want racier fiction or Christian fiction, she wants good truthier fiction. I want to point out that I don't really want RACY fiction, I just don't want life to be sanitized so I don't recognize it. I agree about wanting good fiction, but again this is a discussion about faith driven fiction. I do like this statement very much, though.
While I enjoy camp one books at times, I think what I really long for are excellent, well written, compelling stories that resemble life, that ask hard questions, and that don't necessarily try to answer them. I'm not as concerned about receiving answers or "right message" as I am being allowed to explore those ideas for myself through fiction. Yet I long for these stories to include faith--in the lives of the characters or as a rational idea at the very least. Does this make any sense? I hope I have communicated well.
What kind of books do you long to read?
Again: Please join us at 1 PM EST/10 AM PST for the second round of #CFChat where we'll tackle gender and Christian fiction.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Faith and Fiction Saturday: The State of Christian Fiction
Posted by Amy at 11:51 PM
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I've said it before, and I'll say it again, that I love the Christian books that are more true-to-life... ones that don't hide, or tiptoe around, the issues that real people are faced with. We are all sinners... just because we've been saved, doesn't make us perfect. It just means --like you said in one of your other posts, Amy-- that we have hope for our future with Jesus.
I, too, don't want "racy" fiction... I could get that from the secular market, if that's what I was looking for. Instead, I just want Christian fiction to portray the truth of things... that we are still SINNERS, but saved by Grace.
"You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free." (John 8:32)
~MizB
I, too, don't want "racy" fiction... I could get that from the secular market, if that's what I was looking for. Instead, I just want Christian fiction to portray the truth of things... that we are still SINNERS, but saved by Grace.
"You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free." (John 8:32)
~MizB
I am with you on books asking hard questions sometimes and not having easy answers, which doesn't mean everyone has to be unruly and unhappy, just real. I love to learn from books :)
I posted my response on my blog: http://wp.me/p3G7i-1tN
For me, there are four distinct types of books that fall under the umbrella of "Christian" fiction:
--Evangelical Fiction: those novels written with a specific, evangelical spiritual message to get across. These always include a conversion scene, written out sermons, quoted scriptures, and lots of prayers.
--Fiction with a Christian Worldview: This, to me, is the majority of "Christian" fiction. The spiritual thread of the story is one of the most important elements, but there will probably not be an actual conversion scene (the "road to salvation" may not be spelled out as in Evangelical Fiction). Still, lots of praying, probably some quoted scripture, and at least one character will have a spiritual lesson to learn.
--Inspirational Fiction: The spiritual themes in these books are less overt. They may mention God but never mention Jesus in terms of a "personal relationship" or being a "believer" or being "saved." Few, if any prayers--and these are thought, not spoken aloud. No quoted scriptures (perhaps paraphrased here or there), and definitely NO quoted sermons. The characters are already Christians when the book opens and the ideals and morals of the characters are worked out through a Christian worldview. The spiritual lessons here are more "life affirming" than "life changing."
--Moral Fiction: Good, clean fiction with morality that isn't specifically religious. Characters might or might not go to church, but personal spirituality doesn't really play a role in the story. There may be a "moral" lesson to be learned in the story--but more along the lines of Aesop's fables than Jesus' parables.
I call what I write Inspirational Romance, but because of the publishers I'm with, they're pushed more into Christian Worldview after all is said and done in the editing/revision process. Instead of straddling that line, I'd rather straddle the Inspirational/Moral line. Because I am a Christian and I do attend church and that's a normal part of life for me, it'll probably always be a normal part of life for my characters. Unless, one day, I have one who doesn't feel that way. But will I ever be allowed to write it? Who knows.
--Evangelical Fiction: those novels written with a specific, evangelical spiritual message to get across. These always include a conversion scene, written out sermons, quoted scriptures, and lots of prayers.
--Fiction with a Christian Worldview: This, to me, is the majority of "Christian" fiction. The spiritual thread of the story is one of the most important elements, but there will probably not be an actual conversion scene (the "road to salvation" may not be spelled out as in Evangelical Fiction). Still, lots of praying, probably some quoted scripture, and at least one character will have a spiritual lesson to learn.
--Inspirational Fiction: The spiritual themes in these books are less overt. They may mention God but never mention Jesus in terms of a "personal relationship" or being a "believer" or being "saved." Few, if any prayers--and these are thought, not spoken aloud. No quoted scriptures (perhaps paraphrased here or there), and definitely NO quoted sermons. The characters are already Christians when the book opens and the ideals and morals of the characters are worked out through a Christian worldview. The spiritual lessons here are more "life affirming" than "life changing."
--Moral Fiction: Good, clean fiction with morality that isn't specifically religious. Characters might or might not go to church, but personal spirituality doesn't really play a role in the story. There may be a "moral" lesson to be learned in the story--but more along the lines of Aesop's fables than Jesus' parables.
I call what I write Inspirational Romance, but because of the publishers I'm with, they're pushed more into Christian Worldview after all is said and done in the editing/revision process. Instead of straddling that line, I'd rather straddle the Inspirational/Moral line. Because I am a Christian and I do attend church and that's a normal part of life for me, it'll probably always be a normal part of life for my characters. Unless, one day, I have one who doesn't feel that way. But will I ever be allowed to write it? Who knows.
I think that's a really great breakdown, thank you so much!
First, let me say how glad I am that I found your blog!
I've just recently started reading Christian fiction, again. One of the ones I read recently, left me wanting more. I guess if I'm reading a Christian romance novel, I want to feel the emotions and read what is going on between the characters. I don't mean racy, just realistic thoughts and such. It seems that some leave you hanging on the edge of what is to happen next.
However, IMO, I think that fiction should be that. Yes, I enjoy reading the scriptures and the trials that people go through. But, I think that a devotional should be a devotional and a fictitious book should be just that. This is something else I've ran into also.
As for real life, I think that should be out there. Do we not accept alcoholics, drug-addicts, or other types of people into our churches and help them become saved? Are their struggles not real? Why not write about it. I would think that's why there is a "fantasy" section.
I really hope what I've said makes sense...LOL!
I've just recently started reading Christian fiction, again. One of the ones I read recently, left me wanting more. I guess if I'm reading a Christian romance novel, I want to feel the emotions and read what is going on between the characters. I don't mean racy, just realistic thoughts and such. It seems that some leave you hanging on the edge of what is to happen next.
However, IMO, I think that fiction should be that. Yes, I enjoy reading the scriptures and the trials that people go through. But, I think that a devotional should be a devotional and a fictitious book should be just that. This is something else I've ran into also.
As for real life, I think that should be out there. Do we not accept alcoholics, drug-addicts, or other types of people into our churches and help them become saved? Are their struggles not real? Why not write about it. I would think that's why there is a "fantasy" section.
I really hope what I've said makes sense...LOL!
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Comments by IntenseDebate
Faith and Fiction Saturday: The State of Christian Fiction
2011-01-28T23:51:00-08:00
Amy
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