Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God
For the vastly different responses to these touchy (pun intended) topics, go here:
http://noveljourney.blogspot.com/
and here:
http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/05/18/can-romance-novels-hurt-your-heart/
Father, how do you put up with all of us? Your patience is overwhelming. Please keep me level and loving, Lord. Please. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
How does God put up with us? Very good question.
Interesting that both of those blog posts appeared yesterday, isn’t it?
First, I want to say that Athol Dickson’s writing was superb (No surprise there) and it makes me even more excited to read The Opposite of Art. The scenes he shared show conflict in an authentic, honest, and beautiful way.
As for Russell Moore’s blog, I think he touched on some truths but needs more education. I agree that many of the CBA novels I’ve read have husbands or love interests that are far too perfect, the equivalent of a Proverbs 31 man. Does their portrayal set up unrealistic expectations from women? I’d guess that at times it does.
He does make a lot of generalizations, though, and that’s where he gets into trouble. Equating porn to Christian romance? That’s certain to garner emotionally charged responses, as opposed to well-thought out debate.
Russell’s use of Laura Frantz’s novel cover was out of line as she writes historical fiction with romantic elements. Her novels are not at all typical of CBA romance.
Well, I could say a whole bunch more, but it’s time to get to work.
What are your thoughts, Nicole?
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You know we think similarly on these topics, Brenda. I wholeheartedly agree/endorse both what Athol commented on and his lovely example from The Opposite of Art. And your comments are right on.
The self-appointed judges and jurys of novels who write those scathing letters to publishers questioning the Christianity of authors because of the content and expression of a story need to shop for their reading material using more discernment. The idea that something like Athol’s piece could be “offensive” riles my sense of justice.
The other man (Russell Moore) is clearly out of his element. Most men have no idea what is written in romance novels, although a fair bunch of them in CBA and most of them in ABA have predictable scores/plots. Nevertheless, lumping them all together and proposing that they can be as addictive and dangerous as porn is taking a small group of obsessives and calling them the norm. Any woman who compares her man to a fictional character needs to stop reading novels for awhile.
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Into the Fire 
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