Into the Fire

The provocative Mike Duran posted a quandary/opinion over on Novel Journey Monday. And of course got the gamut of responses defending or defying his point. His observation had some bite to it which usually evokes stark differences from those who comment.

I’m going to veer slightly off the path he took—or perhaps pursue a parallel trail.

In and of itself there is nothing wrong with either writing or reading to escape. After all, if you’re a fan of fantasy or science fiction, your preferences are composed of imagination and speculation. The admission of favoring fantasy writing neither negates nor necessarily neglects important themes or other aspects of serious writing, but it can often be relegated to sheer escapism.

Readers have many motives for choosing to read fiction, certainly not the least of them being escapism or entertainment. Some readers in the Christian fiction market want to read about experiences with Jesus or how characters meet Jesus or what happens when characters turn their backs on Jesus—either to return like the prodigal or head for destruction.

The controversy often rages about the “market” and the “target audience” for novels written by Christians. Each writer is supposed to define his real or actual audience and possibly add to that assessment who else he might reach with his work. And this is where so many authors get caught up in the disputed areas of who novels are “supposed” to reach.

A new breed of Christian writers lament the short-sighted vision of the current CBA audience while other Christian writers insist an entire “seeker” market awaits daring stories which are not specifically designed to evangelize or “preach to the choir”. Reasonable participants in this argument will admit that multiple audiences should be reached by Christian writers, not just Christians, but fear the CBA is too restrictive for the outer reaches of whatever element they favor for inclusion.

So. Here’s my take on it. No person, which includes every possible kind of writer, can write anything to save a soul. That book’s been written by the hand of God. However, God can use any book he chooses to draw a person to Jesus Christ. It’s His choice to whom and how He ministers, woos, entices, and wins a soul. Praise God if it happens to be your ghoulish horror novel, but it might also end up being someone’s light fluffy romance novel. Not for you or I to determine.

Now I’m going to say a hard thing—something that won’t make professionals in the industry too terribly happy. They usually don’t stop by here, so I’m probably okay. There are Christians in the publishing industry who do not lean on the Lord for their decisions. Not all. But some. They go about their businesses using the same implements, worldviews, and practices as secular publishing because they believe those methods work for them. However, by being inclusive of certain “moral standards” within some of their novels or by leaving out the gospel in others as a business component rather than a prayerful decision, they end up with contrasting decisions and motives and controversy.

People who complain about the limited spectrum of CBA novels simply haven’t read much of them in the last five years. The lines have been stretched. Altered. Lengthened. Developed. Explored. And, yes, even exploited. And still there are complaints. More, more demands.

Some of the complaints I’m quite sure are legitimate. Others, not so much.

The point I’m stressing here is this: every writer and every industry professional must take personal inventory and assess motives for operating within this field of endeavor. As Christians, we know whatever we do, whatever our purpose, we are to glorify and serve God. To demonstrate the love of Jesus, to maintain Truth in our lives. Those are inarguable attributes of Christians. In that process different ones will be used in different arenas. We must obey God, set aside the accolades from man, and pursue righteousness in however the Lord uses us. Having said that, we need to withhold judgment of those who take a different avenue than ours, letting the Spirit direct their assignments while remaining true to our own.

You and I cannot save a single soul. All the glory for that supernatural event belongs to God. Not writers.

God, I bow down to you. Jesus, you are the Savior of the world. Holy Spirit, help me to keep to your perfect design for me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.