Into the Fire

I write Christian fiction. I call it that because it’s redemptive. The redemption comes through Jesus Christ. Within the stories there are all kinds of characters, some saved, some lost, some who will find the Lord, others who will not. Because of this, I call it Christian fiction. Now your definition might differ substantially from mine, and that’s okay with me.

The question is if I say I write Christian fiction, it brings up all kinds of expectations from readers and writers. As I’ve read more and more novels produced in the CBA market, it’s apparent the definition has been stretched to include novels which might mention God but not Jesus, might imply a prayer here and there, or mention church or someone who attends church, but these stories do not feature Christianity in any real capacity in the protagonist’s life. Other stories slide a Christian into the story via a peripheral character who either has no real influence on the protagonist or occupies a meaningful place in the story.

The title of “Christian Fiction” irritates some writers because they assume the name boxes in, typecasts, or misdirects the readers of such stories, resenting the classification and implied limitations associated with being included in this category.

Some others cringe at the term “Christian Fiction” because for them it means the books will show sloppy or poorly written stories. However, this is usually commentary from the self-confessed readers of a few Christian novels. There are a lot of excellent novelists writing Christian fiction today if you know who to pursue.

So, when you hear the label, what do you expect?

Lord, whatever we write, help our work to be meaningful as you intend. Let us always consider we’re doing this gig for you—pleasing you is the ultimate goal. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.