Into the Fire

Yes, horror. You can read Christian fiction which qualifies as “horror” but may not be labeled as such. So what’s the difference between intense suspense, supernatural thrillers, and horror? Don’t ask me for specifics. I can tell you this: CBA horror generally includes the supernatural element, whether outright or insinuated, and it can be scary and suspenseful. Which only proves how confusing genre labels can be at times.

Thrillers generally contain a horrific element but tend to focus that on the villain and his doings while keeping an intensive pace to find said villain. Real horror seems to contain outright bloodthirst in some capacity which is ongoing until the hero subdues or overcomes it. Horror generally illustrates the evil with acts of torture or violence or suggests that those events have occurred or will occur by demonically influenced or possessed individuals.

Travis Thrasher and Mike Dellosso write CBA horror even if their stories aren’t labeled as such. I think it’s interesting that of these two authors Travis Thrasher also writes romance/love stories which some would say goes from one extreme to the other. Steven James includes horror in his Patrick Bower thrillers. Robert Liparulo set the pace for true thrillers with real horror in his first novel Comes A Horseman.

Let’s talk strictly fiction here. It’s naïve to suggest Christians have no business writing scary books. I disagree. The darkness in this world warrants exposure and comparison to the light in the Lord. Depicting it by identifying the source of the darkness serves to enlighten readers. Contrasts prove interesting fodder for stories. While reading about demonic characters and their activities can be gruesome, cruel, or any other adjective you can generally apply to horror, it’s far less horrific to read it than it is to see certain elements graphically portrayed on a screen the size of a football field.

In May’s upcoming interview with Mike Dellosso you’ll hear his thoughts on writing about dark subject matter.

So what are your thoughts regarding “Christian horror”?

Thank you, Lord, that “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” In the Name of Jesus, Amen.