Into the Fire

If you've followed this blog or read articles on it here and there, you'll find multiple posts about or regarding the general genre of Christian Fiction. Much of those posts have expressed some frustrations. Not because of the authors who write it – after all, I'm one of them. Not because of many of the books published by the remaining publishing houses because I've read so many great stories written by remarkable authors. 

My problem with Christian Fiction can be the audience they cater to. Those readers who look for reasons to be offended, who challenge authors that don't meet what they consider their high standards or doctrinal demands, and those who insist that the novels they read must be "clean." The trendy "clean fiction" on the cover(s) is telltale to the segment of readers who seem to view themselves as the guardians of upright and proper Christian Fiction. 

I think most of us have learned that life is not "clean" all the time – even for devout followers of Christ. We're born into sin, we must confront it and repent for ours in order to be redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ. Sin is dirty. To portray those who are not yet saved – whether or not they will be – is a prerequisite to telling a real story. In order to do that, there will inevitably be those characters who are living in their sins. That's truth. How it's handled is of course important and critical to making the story meaningful. I can guarantee the process won't be "clean." Unlike in the general market, Christian authors imply cussing/swearing/etc., and we don't use graphic descriptions of sexual acts and situations. However, to eliminate references to those events is to ignore the majority of conduct in this world. 

Sometimes making a story real requires that an author show the down and dirty parts of people in the world. They need Jesus. Every Christian has been down and dirty whether or not they admit it to themselves or anyone else. If they repented to come to Christ, they acknowledged their down and dirty sins to get salvation. 

Father, thank you for forgiving me, for continuing to give me grace and mercy as I travel the road of life. Help me to be the one you designed me to be. I'm always desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.