“Every good story, well told, is a moral story”
Ben Marshall*
So, what is “Christian fiction”? Do we need “cross-over”
fiction? Where do you stand on the spectrum
between a strong, pure message and culturally relevant fiction?
It seems that in the U.S., “Christian fiction” is strictly
defined – no sex scenes, no swearing, avoidance of controversial or unsavoury
subjects (such as drug use, unwed mothers, avoidance of (extreme) violence). It
often includes saintly characters, conversion scenes, long prayers and
scripture verses. These strict criteria don’t necessarily reflect the
Australian Christian fiction scene and there is a move to write edgier fiction
even in the U.S. Nevertheless, the criticism of such highly sanitised fiction
is that it is unreal and a total put off to most non-Christian readers. Such
fiction is written by Christians, published by Christians, sold almost
exclusively in Christian bookshops (or shelved in the Christian section of
secular bookshops) and read by Christians.
In reaction to this ghettoisation of Christian literature, a
number of vocal Christians seek to write fiction for the general market, for
example Mike Duran, PortYonder Press (PYP). Chila Woychik of PYP wants fiction “devoid of preaching, Bible verses, conversion scenes” and prefers fiction that deals with “universal themes.”
Other less narrow definitions of Christian fiction include
fiction that is prepared to deal with the nitty gritty of real life in the
context of (redemptive) Christian themes; fiction that portrays a Christian
world view without necessarily having conversion scenes or overtly Christian
content; or even fiction that is written by a Christian. After all, Christians
are engaged in most occupations. Do Christian builders only build churches and
other religious buildings?
As I think about all this, I wrestle with a number of questions:
- If characters are so saintly that they never struggle with temptation or the realities of modern life or fail in any significant way, isn't this escapist? Not only does it not connect to people outside the Christian bubble, it gives Christians a dubious picture of what it means to be a Christian.
- Could the Bible be published under such strict criteria? It deals with realities of life, tells the stories of prostitutes, incest, massacres, murderers and doesn't spare the details.
- Does all Christian fiction have to conform to one template? The Bible is composed of 66 books – different authors, contexts and genres – some put prayer, conversions scenes, revelations, supernatural occurrences etc at the forefront (Genesis, Exodus, the Gospels, Acts) while others are more subtle (e.g. Ruth, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Esther, Jesus’ Parables) or highly symbolic or cryptic (Parts of Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation). In fact Esther doesn't once mention the name of God though His presence and actions are clearly implicit in the story.
- On the other hand, if prayer, reliance on scripture and even miracles (God at work) are a genuine part our Christian experience, why shouldn't these be portrayed in our fiction?
While the Christian fiction scene in Australia doesn't seem to display such passionate polarisation, these questions are still relevant. In many ways, it reflects the difference stances on how Christians should
engage with the wider society. Should we be part of a holy enclave (a beacon of
light against the darkness of night that draws people to them), should we be
ambassadors of hope (who learn the language and rub shoulders with people Jesus
died to save) or is it our job to change society (moral crusaders against
decay)? Jesus uses the analogy of both salt and light - a light on a hill that attracts
but also salt which needs to mix with the world to do any good (Matt 5:13-16). We are to be in
the world but not of it (John 17:15-16). This is as much about who we are as what we say. Jesus
embodied this – as both the light of the world and the incarnational saviour
who eschewed religious jargon and rubbed shoulders with the wrongdoers.
Western society is changing and at a rapid pace. It is
becoming increasingly secular, postmodern and even (in some quarters)
virulently anti-Christian. We need to be its salt and light. So let’s avoid being hermetically sealed off
from society – so foreign that we might as well be speaking an unintelligible
language. On the other hand, let’s beware becoming so like everyone else that
we have lost our life giving “savour”.
Our God loves variety. We can see this in the created world,
in the nature of the Bible, in the body life of His people (one body, many
parts and giftings). In fact, the health of the body depends on the functioning
of its different parts. Love builds the body up, disunity destroys it (1 Cor13).
So let me encourage you to be true to the calling God has
given you. Hold on to the truth of the gospel, the need to incarnate it to a
dying world and to do everything in love. Let’s acknowledge that what it means
to be a Christian writer is different for different people. Let’s continue to encourage
each other and to explore what it means to write as Christians – whether this is overtly
Christian, cross-over or just good fiction that subtly radiates the grace of
God.
Jeanette
lives in Brisbane, has practiced medicine, taught theology, spoken at various
groups & is currently caring for her children, studying writing at
Swinburne & writing her Akrad series.
Images by Jeanette O'Hagan
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