Into the Fire

The chip I speak of here is the seeming “chip on the shoulder” toward Christian fiction by some Christians who are authors. It’s not unlike those who criticize the church. Noting and describing all the faults with the “American” church or the “mega-church” or the “small” church or the church in general, Christian fiction also receives its share of derision from writers who are Christians.

Believe me, I have my own complaints about some Christian fiction. Not all or not even the majority of it, but I have some gripes like anyone else who’s followed the market for many years and read my share of it—that being over 300 novels. So, having said that, I think I’m a bit more “qualified” to lodge a few complaints. I can’t speak to the writing of the bonnet books because if they were the only novels left on planet earth, that’s probably the only reason I might read them. Take note of this: I have nothing against the authors of those novels. Obviously, those books just aren’t my thing. And I don’t venture my opinion on historicals, historical romance, the chick/mom-lits, or speculative/fantasy fiction unless it’s spiritual supernatural.

I think the key is to speak as a matter of opinion based on your knowledge of a product. If I’ve driven a specific brand of automobile and had a bad enough experience, I don’t want to trust that automaker for another vehicle. Usually something that big/expensive warrants a succinct opinion and once there’s a bad experience it’s over for another trial. It's a judgment call based on one's specific experience with the product.

With novels the idea of subjectivity and preferences for genre, style, voice, plotting, etcetera, enters into the decision of judging the book. Just because I don’t like a book doesn’t mean someone else won’t love it. And just because I think the writing is poor doesn’t mean the average reader will notice or care. As a writer, I can shoot for a high standard of what I perceive to be quality writing, but that in itself might mean something to someone who shares my perceptions and mean nothing to those who don’t. In fact my writing might be considered superfluous, idiotic, boring, or uppity to those who don’t like my style, voice, or standards.

Those who criticize Christian fiction usually haven’t read much of it. There are some phenomenal writers who manage to organically include the gospel in their complex stories with beautiful writing and profound story concepts. It’s not a requirement to do so which so many non-readers of the genre seem to think it is, but it can be done magnificently with powerful writing.

If one wants to argue about the placement and integration of Christian novels into mainstream shelving, that’s another matter. Some would easily fit there, others not so much without garnering complaints from atheistic readers who feel “tricked” by picking up a “Christian” novel by mistake.

If one wants to debate the definition of “Christian fiction”, that’s yet another discussion and a conversation which seems to rotate around the blogosphere on a regular basis.

But criticizing aspects of Christian fiction should be made from those who’ve read multiple novels from the offerings of multiple publishers or narrowed to the specific genres and books they’ve experienced. Limiting their comments to their specific consumption of the product makes their opinion(s) more valuable in the discussion. Otherwise their criticisms ring like clanging symbols if you get my drift.

Father, lead us as we give our opinions of others’ works. May we be conscious of the labor of our brothers and sisters just as we are of our own. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.