What Exactly is Christian Fiction?
My book, coming out May 15, 2017 is being published by Written World Communications, a Christian publisher. This has lead to a number of people asking me if ALL THINGS NOW LIVING is a Christian book.To be honest, I don't have a simple yes or no answer. What is considered Christian varies from person to person, but I'd say in recent years two types of Christian literature have emerged:
Overtly Christian
In these books, the main character is usually a Christian. If not, they will undoubtedly become one before the story is finished. Bible verses are liberally sprinkled throughout the text, and prayer is an essential element. Often there is what I like to call a "Come to Jesus" moment.
Written from a Christian World View
These books may have no mention of God or Jesus at all. Words like "clean", "sweet", and "cozy" are often used as descriptors. They typically offer a positive message while avoiding graphic depictions of ideas, concepts, or behaviors Christians may find offensive.
So, which is ALL THINGS NOW LIVING? I would have to say it falls into the second category, as there is no mention of Jesus, no conversion, no bible verses, and limited prayer, but ALL THINGS NOW LIVING is a spiritual coming-of-age story. This make it heavier on religious content than many of the "Written from a Christian World View" books I've read.
What do you consider a Christian book? Do you regularly read Christian literature, or is it something you avoid? How do you feel about "Christian" books that lack overtly Christian content?
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Cortez
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May 23, 2017 12:28PM
I think you can read both, Rondi. I read, reviewed and enjoyed Ted Dekker's The Priest's Graveyard and Christianity wasn't overt in its message. You tend to know what the author is about in his world outlook/spiritual beliefs before reading him/her in a lot of cases. John Grisham claims he's a Christian and though he doesn't include biblical journeys of his characters in his work, they're clean reads and who can argue with his success? I look at the Captain America films and plenty of nonverbal biblical viewpoints permeate them. It can be done and I can read both. For me, the story has to be tight and right and grounded in reality though. Not too much saccharine.
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Good points! I've read authors, too, who I didn't know were Christian, but really enjoyed their books. I wasn't surprised later to learn they were, just because of the worldview presented in their story. And I agree, story has to come first.
