Those of us who are avid readers of Christian Fiction will admit to having experienced that “canned” testimony moment in some of its offerings. Or the tossed in “prayers” at critical crises. Or the “preachy” explanations of Christian-ese activities and dialogue. Or the goodie-two-shoes characters or even worse the holier-than-thou characters.
So. Is it the "Christian" in fiction that insults, irritates, or inflames its critics?
In one of the all-time best novels I’ve ever read, Lisa Samson writes The Passion of Mary-Margaret as a memoir of an aging Catholic Sister who’s been assigned to leave a record of her life. In that story of course readers would expect to encounter some “religion”, but in this book the miraculous comes so—the common word now is—organically, and so naturally, as to set it apart and make it “true” and real.
Going back in time to what is considered classic Christian literature, Frank Peretti dared to put “faces” on and give “personalities” to demons. Addressing spiritual warfare in a “down-to-earth” and completely understandable, fathomable way, This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness gave readers seeking an entertaining, exciting, and honest rendition of this neglected facet of Christianity an opportunity for spiritual exploration via story and accomplished setting the stage for future supernatural thrillers which no one took advantage of—or equaled—for years to come. Granted, C. S. Lewis wrote The Screwtape Letters many years before either of Peretti’s novels, but Peretti unleashed the decidedly contemporary and American flavor to the battle for souls conducted outside of our normal vision.
The “come to Jesus moment” expression has gained momentum in the media, often being mocked by those who hold disdain for anything they deem “religious” and other times referring to a spiritual wakeup call. In truth these supernatural moments can have amazing and exhilarating appeal if addressed with the substantive drama and humility they warrant. Or they can ignite wrath from those who happen to read a “religious” novel expecting it to be something other than what it is.
This inherent challenge remains the big deal for writers who serve the Lord. Addressing faith and the issues it incorporates in all the various forms and genres of fiction, while giving writers unlimited options, can be the critical measure in determining the wow factor of a story. This is certainly where the writer exercises his talent with words. Or not.
I confess to using multiple “come to Jesus moments” in my stories acknowledging that none of them are directly responsible for saving souls. That burden is totally a God-thing. He calls. People either answer with a yes or a no. He can certainly use novels as easily as anything else, and I’m sure He has, but to think any novel will be an evangelical tool in any form is a mistake at best, an arrogant assumption at worst.
I contend it can be the Christian factor in Christian Fiction that causes dissension and discontent because of how it’s sometimes handled and/or received. However, very few professionals who responded to last week’s Question/Poll gave any indication they assumed that the overall genre should not contain material related to our Christian faith. We are instructed to be in the world, not of the world, so that reasoning allows us to unashamedly explore our faith within stories. How this is done varies from writer to writer, dogma to dogma, and genre to genre. Our primary personal question remains: What does the Lord want me to write and how does he want me to write it?
Father, direct me in your ways always. Help me to hear your voice more clearly, more completely, and to follow with total devotion. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Into the Fire 
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