Into the Fire

Over the course of time those of you who've read this blog have noticed my complaints concerning the reality of romance writing in Christian fiction. I've argued that the restrictions placed on writers of romance have been decidedly partial to a surreality because of their lack of accurate and real portrayals of the sexual attraction and tension assigned to characters who become involved in romance. The SOS pad scrubbing of words, phrases, references, and emotional feelings regarding bona fide sexual attraction make for much squeaky clean CBA "romance" novels. While there are some fine exceptions, the bulk of Christian romance novels demonstrates the publisher's/editor's versions of chaste and proper "romance".

Tuesday's post (The Burden of Truth) revealed my opinion of the necessity of a foundational truth from which to build sound stories. That truth is not exclusive of sexual attraction. How can there be romance without sexual attraction? And please tell me how this came to be a bad thing in the minds of Christians, who, of all people, have been given the truthful creation and definition of the oneness God gave to mankind? I dare you to contemplate all of what Adam must have felt when presented with Eve. God's gift to him to remedy his loneliness, his incompleteness. I mean really think about it. The magnificent sin-free female given to the first God-designed, unblemished man. If you picture anything but wonder, admiration, and absolute fireworks, your passion meter needs revolutionary adjustment.

I can't help but wonder why the self-appointed Christian reader-police render their opinions and judgments of romance novels superior to the authors who dare to pursue truthful depictions of sexual attraction. The majority of Christian romance novels give those readers nearly unlimited books to satisfy their desire for pristine literature. If they happen to select a novel that doesn't adhere to their strict code of "appropriate", no one compels them to finish it.

If Christian authors wish to pursue truthful writing in their fiction, it's time they were given a larger license to express the reality of the contrasts that exist in this world. Portray the fallen and the redeemed. Tell the truth about the struggle. Write from the heart of the matter. Reveal reality.

And those who "can't handle the truth" need not read these truth-telling novels.  

Father, help us to be truthful and to carefully tell this truth in stories. Lead us. Direct us. Comfort us. Help us in all things. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.