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Post by fluke on Jan 31, 2013 23:31:53 GMT -5
I know this is something we all think about, but I want to get your feedback on it.
I recently downloaded a story from a Christian publishing house. This is not just a publishing house that is run by Christians, but its fiction has been very definitely Christian. The story was set in a world that I have read and enjoyed. The author is an active Christian and his other books I have read have been evangelical without being preachy (not that I mind preachy, just trying to describe the works).
I was excited to see this new work. I read it eagerly, then I sat back and thought, "what makes this story Christian?" None of the main characters were people of open faith (there's one I'm curious about). I think some monks were mentioned almost in passing. I don't think a deity was even mentioned, certainly not as important to the story. None of the characters had questions about God that were addressed either explicitly or implicitly. Most importantly, I had not learned anything about God in my reading of it.
So I asked the same question about my own works. What makes the Shylocke Averyson stories Christian? He doesn't come to salvation in "Sunset." In fact, he goes from indifferent to God to hatred of Him in the course of the story. But in the process, he has come to understand some very important things about God. The only Child of the Son character on the page is a young boy who has less than 5 lines. He doesn't mention faith, he's just happy that Shylocke hasn't killed him.
But the stories are Christian. At the end of the story, Shylocke has moved in his feelings toward the God of Aviterr. He has provided a negative example for the reader. The reader sees how Shylocke's attempts to be the hero have resulted in his failures. He has tried to be strong in himself and failed. And the story sets him up for further episodes with additional explicit Christian characters that will try to bring him further in.
The same can be said of "The Strong Survive." Granish is not saved at the end, but he has seen that his worldview is seriously lacking in some very important aspects. He has seen that the Children of the Son do not have these lacks, but he isn't convinced they are the completely right either. But he has heard the gospel and is better for his time with the Children.
Stories like Til We Have Faces might have similar critics of what I have said about the first book. The Queen is vengeful and selfish for almost the entire story. The gods are those of myth (with a caveat that a greater one is coming). But the Queen learns in the end. She sees that her actions were misguided and selfish.
What are your thoughts about what makes a book Christian?
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Post by metalikhan on Feb 1, 2013 4:40:14 GMT -5
To me, a book doesn't need to have a blatant evangelical message in order to be Christian. I look more at the thematic issues explored and what happens internally with the characters. Others may look for specific theological hallmarks according to the doctrine nearest & dearest to them; any work lacking those hallmarks could be labeled unChristian no matter how much Christianese there is or how much the characters discuss God simply because of what they (the readers) perceive as doctrinal error.
Different perspectives make it difficult to come to a complete accord regarding how to define a Christian book. What each reader brings to the equation (such as expectations, spiritual maturity, wide/narrow reading background, personal tastes, etc.) will vary. One reader may notice Christian or scripture-based themes that another may totally miss. This isn't a reflection on either person's intelligence; it's more a matter of where they are in their individual walks with God and what the Holy Spirit may be prompting in them.
I write both in the "for Christian, by Christian" arena as well as the "mainstream by Christian" arena, which is why I also edit for two publishers — each has a different focus even though both are owned/operated by Christians. But in my mainstream stories, I know in my own heart what scriptural themes are at work even though I don't have an evangelical agenda in writing them. They are an outpouring of who I am in Christ. Whether a reader sees it or not — anyone's guess. Will a reader finish such a story with some new yearning for God some new insight or understanding of God? Maybe yes, maybe no. For my part, I've written the story as I feel it needs to be written and then move on. I figure out how to label it for submissions later.
But all too often, approaching a story with evangelical formula(s) cripples the story. IMO, it's one of the things that's created the chasm between Christian fiction and fiction by Christians. The agenda becomes more important than the story, and the writing suffers.
The trend I've been noticing is more Christian writers turning away from specifically evangelical Christian fiction. And I don't think it's entirely because of wider market potential with the mainstream publishers. I've heard from a number of them who seriously want to distance themselves from the shoddy and hokey reputation so much Christian fiction has acquired. They've taken Malachi 1 to heart and believe striving for excellent storytelling—writing that can possibly hold its own alongside the secular world's best—without evangelizing (or even mentioning God) honors Him, too.
And as chatty as it is, I know that answer isn't really much of an answer, but I don't always read (or write) specifically Christian work.
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Post by Bainespal on Feb 1, 2013 10:46:13 GMT -5
I think a story can contain Christianity as axiomatic, universal truth without at all referring to Christianity as a religion or a history. If we believe that Christianity is the truth, it has to be true regardless of the setting. Even in a hypothetical situation where there is no Bible or Christian church, such as high fantasy or far-future secularist science fiction, good stories will still echo universal truth, and we know that Christianity is the universal truth. But maybe that doesn't answer the question; non-believers can write books that demonstrate universal Christian truth, too.
Ultimately, I think it doesn't matter whether or not we use the term "Christian fiction," because books cannot really be Christian. Only people can be Christians, and even Christians produce mixed fruit so that it is impossible to tell exactly what is holy and what is sinful in a person's work.
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Post by Gwenllian on Feb 1, 2013 11:41:34 GMT -5
My definition of Christian Fiction is simple: fiction that is written by and stems from a Christian's worldview. It may or may not contain any mention of God; but it will true, regardless. (what Bainespal said.) Yes, some non-christian authors will write books that contain truth, but almost always their worldview will trip them up eventually, alerting the reader that though they may have a glimmer, they don't have the real truth.
And like what metalikhan was saying; I believe a good, well-written story by a Christian is honoring to God even if there is no mention of him at all.
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Post by Kessie on Feb 3, 2013 18:50:24 GMT -5
This is reassuring, reading you guys' opinions. I've been carefully stripping all the "Christian" trappings out of my WIP on the advice of my beta readers. "Put it all in or don't put any in," they said. Since I want to appeal to the mainstream with this, I took it out. Although one character remains a Christian because that's central to his character, and how he handles being a werewolf.
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Post by fluke on Feb 4, 2013 15:29:09 GMT -5
This is one of those threads where I wish we had a rep system. I'd give you all +1.
My wife and I were discussing this yesterday (maybe the day before). We agreed that if we could take a story of substative length and ask the question 'how would this be different if a nonChristian wrote it?' and the answer was "in significant ways no matter how much text was different," then it qualified as Christian fiction.
She gave the example of Peretti's The Oath, which is probably the only horror novel she has ever read. She said, once she figured out the symbolism, that a nonChristian writer couldn't have pulled it off. I agree with her. Likewise, Koontz has added a whole new level to the Frankenstein stories.
One of my favorite examples of a Christian writer in the secular market is Timothy Zahn. His villains are so real to me because he thinks of them from a Christian world view. They are broken, flawed, and selfish. And his heroes often struggle against pride.
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Post by beckyminor on Feb 5, 2013 13:01:15 GMT -5
I agree this is a great and important discussion, and it's one I hope we are able to address at the spec-fic conference we've got coming together in August.
I sincerely think the literary world needs more fiction out there that is good, praiseworthy, and above reproach, but doesn't need to present a parallel storyline to the gospel. As others have said, God is glorified when we do whatever we do as unto him. To create stories that cast Christian principals in a positive light is a valid writing goal, in my opinion.
Now granted, there is a call for writing "for Christians, by Christians" as well, but that creates a very small niche in terms of sales. But I think especially of readers like teens in the homeschool community, whose parents want to know the books they hand their kids are both excellent and promote Christian values and morality.
So as for what makes a book "Christian?" I think there are varying levels of that, but I would consider a book written with the goal of glorifying the righteous character that God calls "good" fits the bill.
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Post by Resha Caner on Feb 5, 2013 14:20:33 GMT -5
I can't give just one answer because I'm not sure the question is quite right (though I applaud fluke for starting the conversation).
There was a point in my literary journey where I was asking the question, "Does God really care if I write?" In the end, I broke "Christian" writing into 3 categories.
First, there is writing that is inspired by God. When you get down to it, this is really the only writing that I would label as "Christian" writing - something for which God has a purpose and has, therefore, breathed his Spirit on the writer. The purpose could be to convey a message, provide support to those who are hurting, challenge the evil purposes of others, etc.
Next, there is what I would call the "recreational" use of literature. I don't mean anything hedonistic. God recognizes the need for peace and rest, and literature can provide peace in many different ways: entertainment, aesthetic ventures, intellectual exercises, etc.
In that regard, there are two possibilities. It could be that the author wants to provide an alternative to the literature of the world that doesn't violate Christian principles (either theologically or morally).
It could also be that the author himself seeks peace through writing.
Personally, I started off wanting option #1. I see worldly ideas creeping in all over the place ... and I'll admit that much of what is called "Christian" literature disappoints me in that regard. But, after agonizing over it for years, I have to admit that I just don't think God is calling me to deliver some kind of message.
So, at this point, I'm at option #3. I'm into the aesthetics of literature as a means for making peace with myself.
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Post by newburydave on Feb 8, 2013 15:50:57 GMT -5
Resha;
Don't give up on your vision/concern. I am definitely called to write, it was as clear as my call to preach the gospel; however, in a discussion over on the Anomalous Sandbox one of the members wondered if his efforts were properly designated as "Christian" since sometimes he writes about historical or merely secular stuff.
In the discussion that followed we explored what constituted Christian writing, much as we are doing in this thread. Since I was an oblique cause of his original question I felt that I had to get my oar in the puddle.
I feel that I had a bit of inspirational insight once I sat down to address this issue. "If a person who is a committed believer, sold out to do the will of the Father and filled with the Holy Ghost sets their hand to write it seems to me that the result will be "christian writing."
If we believe that He leads us and inspires us in the lives we live, it seems that the position of faith is that when we do most anything, that our Sovereign Lord will use it in His redemptive plan even if it doesn't pass some set of "test conditions" proposed by some human "conservator" of orthodoxy.
As Christians we are to be led by the Holy Ghost in all things (Rom. 12:1-2), when we intentionally submit to him in this way we become instruments in His hand and He has only one plan for the human race, redemption. As he wields us, in our living and avocations, trust that He is working in us to accomplish His purpose as we pursue the Godly desires and avocations that He has providentially put into our hearts and lives.
This led me to assert that it wasn't so much the "queues" or "tags" in the thing done but rather the commitment and devotion of the heart behind the doing. It's us, the writers and our character in Christ that makes the difference. If we are holy people through Jesus, then "out of our inward being rivers of living water will flow out to bless the ends of the Earth."
So, my two cents worth on the question would be this. First look to our own soul and our commitment/devotion to Jesus; then believe the promise that if the "tree is good, it will bear good (godly) fruit".
This being said, we are not infallible; it would be wise to look at the "fruit" of our work in those who partake of it and make adjustments to our own souls if it seems to be lacking; but in all things we must fist walk by faith.
Write on my brother and sisters
SGD dave
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Post by Resha Caner on Feb 8, 2013 21:41:23 GMT -5
Don't give up on your vision/concern. It's not so much that I gave up on it as I was content to let it go. That doesn't mean I've stopped writing. If we believe that He leads us and inspires us in the lives we live, it seems that the position of faith is that when we do most anything, that our Sovereign Lord will use it in His redemptive plan even if it doesn't pass some set of "test conditions" proposed by some human "conservator" of orthodoxy. This is somewhat true, but it has a few dangerous aspects to it. Such a view could lead one to say that anything they do is blessed by God (a sort of self-aggrandizement). Or, it could lead to the "everything that happens was meant to happen" view, which simply isn't true. I'm not saying that's what you meant, but some people might go there. It's us, the writers and our character in Christ that makes the difference. I'd have to disagree with this. It's God who makes the difference. Once we start looking at ourselves, we've lost our way. I see it as a very worldly - and a very American - position to feel we need not submit ourselves to any authority. Christ has set us free (from sin), but he never said he set us free from authority. In fact, he made it clear we should obey authority. So, I think it fitting to have a bit of orthodoxy hanging over us. We all want to be special. I get that. But IMO one sign of spiritual maturity is selflessness - putting aside that inward desire - the drive to justify what we're doing - and surrendering to Christ. So, I don't really care if my writing is considered "Christian". I think some people may be feeling guilty that their writing isn't "Christian" enough. If that guilt becomes too legalistic, the battle is lost. My bottom line would be this. I would draw a distinction between "Christian literature" and "literature written by a Christian author". I think of myself as more the latter. And, as an example, I would call C.S. Lewis the first, and J.R.R. Tolkien the latter - so, I'm in pretty good company (or I have impossibly large and scary shoes to fill, depending on how you look at it). When broken down that way, I would say "Christian literature" will take care of itself. It's more the second category - the literature written by a Christian author - that carries the burden of answering the moral & theological questions.
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Post by newburydave on Feb 10, 2013 21:03:07 GMT -5
Resha;
I believe I may not have tied my thoughts together strongly enouth.
I'm very much aware of the danger of presumption or "carnal brass" in the actions of immature and unspiritual "Christains". As an inner-city storefront mission pastor I saw, and had to deal with, most of the examples of this that are common to men. I saw examples come through our doors on a regular basis. It's amazing how many drunks and druggies have "strong Christian opinions" and wanted to argue theology rather than seek God for Salvation and Deliverance.
--------------- Please consider the full context and caveats of my observations.
The full context of your first concern was:
"If a person who is a committed believer, sold out to do the will of the Father and filled with the Holy Ghost sets their hand to write it seems to me that the result will be "christian writing."
(In this relation) If we believe that He leads us and inspires us in the lives we live, it seems that the position of faith is that when we do most anything, that our Sovereign Lord will use it in His redemptive plan even if it doesn't pass some set of "test conditions" proposed by some human "conservator" of orthodoxy."
This caveat about our totally surrendered devotion to Christ and His kingdom is the key to my thought here. Believe me when I say that I've seen the absolute destruction that comes from professed Christians who get the heretical notion that they are infallible.
Remember that it's God who makes our "always inadequate" efforts fruitful, when we do the best we can for Him. I've seen him use my (objectively) "failed" efforts to reach souls many times.
----
I was trying to draw a practical distinction between "Christian Writing" and mere "Writing about Christian stuff".
A fully committed Christian will write life giving prose and minster grace to his/her readers because the work flows out of a good Christian heart and God will use it to reach souls. It's kind of like the woman who lives in a passionate love relationship with her husband is more likely to have children than one who is cold and distant.
An uncommitted person who has some Christian notions won't be able to give a certain sound even if they try to write about Christian things. This usually isn't the kind of writing that God uses to reach souls. It frequently doesn't have the kind of internal consistency that draws people in. (I honestly don't think this applies to anyone that I know on the Anomaly. We're all pretty over the top in our commitment to God and our craft or we wouldn't be here. IMHO)
In essence what I was trying to say is that, "A truly Godly man or woman leaves Godly tracks in all that they do in this world. Even the secular things that we do have the flavor of Christ about them and this is perhaps one of the most powerful witnesses we leave behind us in our generation."
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I believe your second concern is a similar misunderstanding.
Once again the full context of what I tried to say was this:
"As Christians we are to be led by the Holy Ghost in all things (Rom. 12:1-2), when we intentionally submit to him in this way we become instruments in His hand and He has only one plan for the human race, redemption. As he wields us, in our living and avocations, trust that He is working in us to accomplish His purpose as we pursue the Godly desires and avocations that He has providentially put into our hearts and lives.
This led me to assert that it wasn't so much the "queues" or "tags" in the thing done but rather the commitment and devotion of the heart behind the doing. It's us, the writers and our character in Christ that makes the difference. If we are holy people through Jesus, then "out of our inward being rivers of living water will flow out to bless the ends of the Earth."
Once again it is only when were are fully submitted to Christ and Abiding fully in Him (so that the power is of Him not ourselves) that we can have the assurance of being used of Him for kingdom work.
One old preacher once said we are like golden pipes through which God is pleased to pour His oil of Grace into this sin cursed hurting world. Our whole job as Christians is to keep ourselves clear of "Obstruction" (covered sin, questionable life choices, selfcenterdness, lack of faith, etc) so God can pour out through us without hindrance.
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And in my final summation I give a strong practical test (a-la John Wesley) Our Christian Devotion is always at the root of our effectiveness in God's Kingdom work:
"So, my two cents worth on the question would be this. First look to our own soul and our commitment/devotion to Jesus; then believe the promise that if the "tree is good, it will bear good (godly) fruit".
This being said, we are not infallible; it would be wise to look at the "fruit" of our work in those who partake of it and make adjustments to our own souls if it seems to be lacking; but in all things we must fist walk by faith."
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And one more aside. We are all special to God and Christ. The prophet says that God had chosen us for His Inheritance. Think about that.
And Jesus desires us to be His Bride. If that ain't special then I don't know what is.
Write on my beloved siblings God doesn't waste the sincere labor of any of His dear children.
SGD dave
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Post by Resha Caner on Feb 11, 2013 11:57:33 GMT -5
The first thing I need to make clear is that I'm not judging anyone's faith or their desire to serve God through writing. It would be wrong for me to do that. I don't know the people at the Anomaly that well, but everyone seems to be a committed follower of Christ. That makes this a great place to discuss this very topic. I feel I can express an honest opinion and the response will be thoughtful and respectful. So far it has been that way, and that's a great thing. So, while I'm not questioning anyone's faith, I do question some of the views of what constitutes "Christian literature". It's not that I think I can force my view on anyone, but I do hope to get people thinking and checking some of their assumptions.
My first concern is a general one about the church in America. I see too much of the warm and fuzzy god that accepts everything. God is not a housecat who curls up in your lap to keep you warm. While he might be loving, he is also a lion, and as C.S. Lewis says, he is not a tame lion.
My second concern is more specific, and centers around the idea of a "call". At times some Christian authors give an impression of saying, "Well, I know my writing is Christian literature, so let's start with that as a definition." I'm being a bit sarcastic, but in my opinion it is not the author's decision whether what he writes is Christian literature. It's not even a publisher's decision (sorry Jeff). Let me use my church as an example, and how we handle the idea of a call (FYI, my church is the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS)).
We have what is called a "congregational" organization. What that means is that an individual church can do pretty much anything it wants. They could hold an Islamic service if they chose. A horrible thing to do, but they could do it. The pastors all the way up the ladder of church administration to the President function as servants to the congregations, not overseers ... except ... they have two hammers they can use. First, the seminaries are run by the LCMS, not the congregations. So, any pastor who is called to serve a church will be adhering to LCMS doctrine. Second, a congregation cannot speak in the name of the LCMS. So, nothing is endorsed as a statement of the LCMS without approval of the President. Therefore, if some congregation does go rogue, they can have their LCMS affiliation revoked. The church can continue on as it pleases, it just can't call itself an LCMS church, which would mean losing access to seminary trained staff, financial support in times of trouble, etc.
So, back to the idea of a call. A person may think they have been called to serve God, and indeed everyone is called in some form or another (in what we call "vocation"). So, in that regard, I agree with everything you've said. In fact, anyone can enter an LCMS seminary if they feel called to do so. You don't have to be an LCMS member. You don't have to agree with LCMS doctrine. But that does not guarantee them a role pastoring a church. As a second step, a specific church must call them to serve as a pastor (or teacher, deaconess, etc.). Until that happens, the LCMS does not officially recognize that the person has a call.
So, the individual cannot decide they have been called by the Church. The Church decides. I can't tell Jeff he has to publish my novel. That's his decision. Likewise, I can't decide my novel is Christian literature. That's God's decision.
I am, however, a redeemed child of God washed by the blood of Christ because of divine grace. So, I am a Christian who writes, and it is my desire to make what I write as edifying as possible.
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Post by newburydave on Feb 11, 2013 17:30:50 GMT -5
Resha; "I am, however, a redeemed child of God washed by the blood of Christ because of divine grace. So, I am a Christian who writes, and it is my desire to make what I write as edifying as possible." To my, albeit limited, understanding this last statement of yours would make the results of your literary efforts "Christian Writing". Your discussion of a "Call" is interesting. My understanding of it is much more personal. I became convinced by both an abiding conviction that I could not please God unless I did so and by the outward facts that He began to use me as His instrument to bring some of my lost friends to a saving knowledge of Jesus. I was saved into the Primitive Methodist tradition. The old Methodist protocol on whether a person was truly called of God to preach the Gospel was both personal and inward (the abiding conviction from the Holy Ghost that you had to preach if you were to please God [like Paul when he wrote 'woe is me if I preach not the Gospel']) and the practical fruit from your efforts (that God bore witness to His calling by using you to save souls and edify the saints). I guess I apply the same kind of test to writing. Writing doesn't usually give you the same kind of immediate feedback as having people come to seek God at the end of a sermon, but over time I am sure that God will reveal what our writing is accomplishing in the work of the Kingdom. --------- As to the original question of what constitutes Christian Writing my feeling is that Christian Writing will contain Christian themes (a whole other topic for discussion) which spring from and enforce a Christian world view at a bare minimum. C.S.Lewis said that in his Christian fiction he was trying to remind people what it meant to be human again. In stories for the CBA audiences (Christian Book Sellers Association market), that is for church people, religious scenes and perhaps formula's are considered necessary. I really don't like to write that kind of stuff, as a reader I don't have the patience to wade through the formulaic "preaching salvation" and "four laws conversion" scenes that some CBA writers cram into every one of their stories. I find them painful to read and quite unrealistic relative to my experience in Christian life. Stories for the ABA audiences (American Booksellers Association market) have to be more careful to make any overtly religious stuff really flow naturally in the overall narrative. Heavy handed proselyting will lose the unbelieving reader pretty quickly. So the Christian elements have to be more subtle thematic matters. Since I feel called to write for the secular market in a sort of asymmetric evangelism mode I wrestle with this issue quite a bit. My initial leading was to try to claim the Space Opera genre for Christ with realistic Christian characters acting and reacting in classic space opera scenarios. But then, as in every area of our Christian lives and service "It is not you, but it is the Holy Ghost." He is the one who makes redemption happen, not our efforts. So I just try to follow the inspiration He gives me and trust His grace to make up for my deficiencies. Would my writing pass muster before some conservators of orthodoxy? Undoubtedly not; but then those who hurl the religious cynic's ban don't pass muster against the standard of Vital Christianity that the Lord has taught me. Thank God we're saved by Grace, not by perfect understanding or conformity to some human idea of Orthodoxy. Write on my brother "If one soul get's saved, it's worth it all." SGD dave
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Post by Resha Caner on Feb 11, 2013 20:37:08 GMT -5
To my, albeit limited, understanding this last statement of yours would make the results of your literary efforts "Christian Writing". By my definition it does not. But as I tried to note in my first post, it depends somewhat on what one means by "Christian literature". If one means it was written by a Christian author, then declaring the work Christian is solely in the hands of the writer. If one means a publisher who is trying to appeal to a Christian audience, then it depends on how broadly they make that appeal. Given that more readers means more profit, my experience has been that most resort to a type of cultural Christianity (i.e. the lowest common denominator). If one means it is inspired, that's not something where we can take a certificate of proof to a publisher. Your discussion of a "Call" is interesting. My understanding of it is much more personal. I became convinced by both an abiding conviction that I could not please God unless I did so and by the outward facts that He began to use me as His instrument to bring some of my lost friends to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Note that I specified two different kinds of calls. I'm not going to question how God called you. Again, in the LCMS, these non-pastoral (i.e. not officially recognized) calls are called "vocational" calls. The position of the LCMS is that everyone receives a vocational call. ... and the practical fruit from your efforts ... That's the part that makes me uncomfortable. It requires a human judgment of fruit. My family was Methodist when I was young, and I've seen too many people agonizing over how paltry their faith is because the fruit isn't there ... in whose eyes? One point of the seed & soil parable is that we sometimes don't see the fruit of our efforts. God uses people who aren't "Christian" for his purposes, and God's determined will cannot be thwarted. So would such a case be "Christian literature"? As to the original question of what constitutes Christian Writing my feeling is that Christian Writing will contain Christian themes (a whole other topic for discussion) ... I think it's the most important part of the discussion, given my position that most of us all fall into the "Christians who write" category. Who is to decide what is a Christian theme? You seem to have an aversion to Orthodoxy, but my concern is the door that opens. Doesn't it mean people can write about whatever they choose and call it Christian? On the flip side, per your mention of CBA and ABA, what appears to happen is a very legalistic approach. It is not themes one must adhere to, but a particular version of morality. And that creates a very interesting situation, because in my experience many Muslims, Hindus, etc. actually have stronger moral convictions than many of the those who call themselves Christian. It's the disturbing truth of Ghandi's quote about liking Christ but not Christians. Since Luther is my touchstone, I'll note that in his essay On War Against the Turks, he notes something similar - that the Turks were actually, for the most part, a very moral people. So, all the propaganda against them used to whip people into a frenzy for a Crusade was in fact slander. I guess I'm just not sure we can come up with a neat and general definition of how Christian authors should approach literature. Maybe the discussion - the struggle to produce something God-pleasing - is where the benefit comes more than developing a litmus test.
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3ffractusanct1
New Member
Baby of the family, waiting for MAMA!
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Post by 3ffractusanct1 on Feb 13, 2013 14:31:21 GMT -5
It seems to be sticky ground these days, stating what Christian fiction is. It's no wonder that Ted Dekker said he cringes whenever someone calls him a Christian. Personally, I used to think it would be a story that glorified God somehow and had to be restricted to no swearing at all (minced oaths were okay). Now, though, I've opened my mind more. Take Stephen King, for example. He has been called an antichrist by the orthodox church (and traditional denominations) for his very dark writings. Yet I've noticed that, whenever he makes an explicit (not implied, but flat-out making an actual quoteto it) Biblical reference, he never speaks ill of the Bible. The only bad people in his books that speak of the Bible seem to be those who disregard God and the Bible, while those who are faithful Believers make entirely positive references. Is he a Christian? He's said he isn't, and frequently swears like he does in his books, yet he still glorifies God in his horror. Personally, living in the Bible Belt for the past 3 years, I've felt nearly turned off from the church because of the legalistic "must do this and can't do that", which, truthfully has sickened me. Only 1 church in the state of Oklahoma have I become completely comfortable going to every Sunday (even my gothicly dark, agnostic brother said positive things about that church, something he never did for any other church in his life). In my writing, I am currently writing 3 stories. In one, my main hero is an agnostic with an open mind. (spoiler) He doesn't get saved, but he does reveal a deep knowledge of the Scriptures that shocks (and, at times, infuriates) the religious townsfolk of the town he's visiting (referentially modeled after the town I'm living in) and he helps an ostracized woman at the same time. In another, the world goes back to its deep, dark nature like in the days of Noah and 4 people (not all of them Christian) are chosen by God to bring back Biblical moralism (not through preaching, either) into the lawless U.S. In my intended debut novel, (still WIP) a dark agnostic detective is challenged by a psychopath to confront his religious past in order to find a missing author and has to question the intentions of his past religiosity in order to know if God has always been there, and the psychological torments of his tormentor is pushing him to the brink of total madness. Any of them Christian by the CBA's standard? I sharply doubt it (especially with one of them having R-rated content), but it's how the idea of exploring comes to me.
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