Post by newburydave on Nov 15, 2008 23:05:52 GMT -5
Maybe the Left Behind series does it, but in my opinion that is one of the most poorly written series of books since the old Tom Swift series in the 1950's. They were so poorly written stylistically that they are cliches for how not to write good fiction.
I did read most of the Left Behind books. We were Christians before the first one came out and we followed them as they were all written. Just because something sells a lot of copies doesn't mean it's written well, it could just mean that it has good advertising and a not very discriminating audience. As a Christian I was embarrased by that whole series. As an author I'm doubly embarrased.
Back when I was reading the series whenever I got to one of the "sermons" I just turned pages until I got back to the Action. So did my children and wife. Nobody reads those sermons. You can bet that sinners didn't read them if they bothered to read the Left Behind Books at all which most didn't.
Not even the semons in those books are well written. They read like a liberal baptist theology textbook. Nobody but theology students reads that kind of stuff unless they have to.
I would say "Do Not" try to put overt preaching aimed at the reader in an Sf story; especially not in an "As you Know Bob" moment. It will kill the story. I've put in some scenes where spiritual leaders eulogized the heroic dead or officiated at sacrifices of atonement but you have to keep it short and "storycentric" or you lose your audience. The spiritual element must grow from the preceeding action and lead to the following action or it is a false note in your story.
Best of all, do like Jesus did, put the spiritual truths you want to communicate into the feet, hands and actions of your characters. Write them showing the truths of the Gospel in how they are reacting to wealth, power, stress, loss, rejection, danger and impending death. What you put in their mouths should a short germaine testimony about the hope that controlls them.
When and if people want to hear (or read) sermons they will go to Church (read their Bibles) and get sermonizing from God called and trained sermonizers. I am a preacher for the last 37 years. Sermons are for Church where people go because they "want to hear a sermon." Outside of that context sermons drive people away.
Trying to slip a sermon into what is supposed to be an entertaining book is like trying to catch a cat by chasing it. You wind up scratched, you'll probably break something, and you won't get close to that cat again for days if ever.
I did read most of the Left Behind books. We were Christians before the first one came out and we followed them as they were all written. Just because something sells a lot of copies doesn't mean it's written well, it could just mean that it has good advertising and a not very discriminating audience. As a Christian I was embarrased by that whole series. As an author I'm doubly embarrased.
Back when I was reading the series whenever I got to one of the "sermons" I just turned pages until I got back to the Action. So did my children and wife. Nobody reads those sermons. You can bet that sinners didn't read them if they bothered to read the Left Behind Books at all which most didn't.
Not even the semons in those books are well written. They read like a liberal baptist theology textbook. Nobody but theology students reads that kind of stuff unless they have to.
I would say "Do Not" try to put overt preaching aimed at the reader in an Sf story; especially not in an "As you Know Bob" moment. It will kill the story. I've put in some scenes where spiritual leaders eulogized the heroic dead or officiated at sacrifices of atonement but you have to keep it short and "storycentric" or you lose your audience. The spiritual element must grow from the preceeding action and lead to the following action or it is a false note in your story.
Best of all, do like Jesus did, put the spiritual truths you want to communicate into the feet, hands and actions of your characters. Write them showing the truths of the Gospel in how they are reacting to wealth, power, stress, loss, rejection, danger and impending death. What you put in their mouths should a short germaine testimony about the hope that controlls them.
When and if people want to hear (or read) sermons they will go to Church (read their Bibles) and get sermonizing from God called and trained sermonizers. I am a preacher for the last 37 years. Sermons are for Church where people go because they "want to hear a sermon." Outside of that context sermons drive people away.
Trying to slip a sermon into what is supposed to be an entertaining book is like trying to catch a cat by chasing it. You wind up scratched, you'll probably break something, and you won't get close to that cat again for days if ever.