Christian Goodreaders discussion

http://www.epm.org/blog/2014/Mar/26/g...


As readers with a Christian worldview, I'm sure that you have shared with me the experience of reading a fiction and being lifted up by the reflection of a spiritual truth.

In the referenced blog article Randy Alcorn talks about redemptive fiction. A story that reflects the ultimate story of redemption. These experiences can be reflected in all types of genre, not limited to (but certainly including) Christian fiction. As a avid fan of science fiction, I am constantly drawn to these eternal truths.

It would be an enlightening discussion to share these experiences with the group.

In what reading have you engaged that has drawn you into a greater understanding of the ultimate truth? What reflections of the redemptive story have you experienced in your reading?

I just saw your post today.
I have read several novels that have inspired me to reflect on ultimate truth and the redemption story:
The Great Divorce;
Perelandra;
The Lord of the Rings;
The Chronicles of Narnia;
The Pilgrim's Progress;
Fuse of Armageddon; and
The Last Disciple.

This is a very interesting discussion point. Ted Dekker is the first author that comes to mind. I attended his Ragged Edge conference where he, Tosca Lee, Steven James, Eric Wilson and Robert Liparulo shared from their hearts the difficulties and blessings of being writers. Ted blew my mind with his advice, saying how he sometimes gets so into his characters as they are driven to the depths of despair that he also gets depressed, but then when he writes them out of that despair into magnificient joy he feels that way too. That was always my aim, but his advice really solidified my conviction that that is why I tell stories. I highly recommend his books, but the best one with this kind of moment was Forbidden, which he co-wrote with Tosca Lee. I'm looking forward to his new book,
Outlaw, for similar reasons.

In my own fiction, I've written many stories that just didn't work. I waver between how much of my faith to include, partly because I don't want the ending to become obvious, but also because I'm not trying to write for the Christian market.

My first published story, Cornhusker: Demon Gene, was written for a Christian Horror anthology that never got published, so I published it myself. I'm proud of the arc in that one if you don't mind some body horror. It's a kind of werewolf story with religious mythology attached to him becoming a monster.

My second published short story, Scavenger, is also a kind of redemption story, but instead of focusing on the relationship between man and God, it is between man and wife.

The novel I'm editing right now goes back toward man and God, but in a way that is ambiguous enough to focus on matters of faith without being explicitly Christian. I think my current motive for writing fiction is to work out my faith and relationship issues and if it starts a discussion on religion, I'd rather have that outside of fiction.

Thanks Beverly and Timothy for adding to the post.

I love fiction wherein the gospel message is interwoven in the real life of characters. I get what your saying Timothy with not wanting to come across as too obvious with faith. I'm often reminded of a quote attributed to C.S. Lewis (sorry I can't provide reference..this is also a paraphrase). "What we need are not more Christian writers, but writers who are Christians". That speaks to what I want to read as well. Of the authors you mentioned I'm most familiar with Steven James. I'm interested in his new book, The Blur".

Beverly I absolutely love Perelandra (and the trilogy). I think it is some of his best work. I have not tried the Last Disciple but it looks very interesting. I tend to lean toward the science fiction side of fiction (not exclusively).

I think the theme of redemption is very characteristic of fiction written by Christians, because its the most central truth of our faith and of our own experience. It's difficult to cite specific examples because of "spoiler" concerns, but it's certainly a message I encounter again and again (and never tire of!) in the work of fellow Christian writers, and one that's at the heart of my own novel.

@Banner:
Are you familiar with Stephen Lawhead's two novels:
The Search for Fierra and
The Siege of Dome? Those are some really good SF books from a Christian perspective.

Beverly yes I did read those. I actually read Empyrion which has both books. I enjoy Lawhead and wish he would have done more science fiction, but he seems at home in the fantasy genre.

I'm just discovering Jeremy Robinson. He is not strictly Christian Fiction but he does write from a Christian worldview. He has several science fiction books.