Christian Speculative Fiction discussion

We've all heard complaints about "preachy" parts in Christian books, and how those parts are "awkward."

And many authors go out of their way to make sure their works don't contain these elements because they don't want to chase people away.

I do question, however, if there's a difference between people who have no tolerance for hearing Christian messages and doctrine, and those who merely complain of the discomfort it makes them feel.

If I may use my own work as an example, I chose to welcome my readers in the preface and frankly tell them that I intend to speak openly of Biblical concepts and doctrine, but also assure the reader that everyone is welcome to enjoy the story. The blurb for my first book indicates that the MC's relationship with God is a central facet of his character as well.

In the first book, the story only really contains Biblical introspection, as the MC is dealing heavily with sin in his life. As he repents, he becomes bolder.

In the second book, a hostile character approaches him and tries to get him to be complicit before others through silence, and as a result, he is forced to speak out. Later, another character says something very difficult about an equally difficult situation, frankly accusing God wrongfully, and the MC responds with the truth in love. The conversation that follows spans the next couple of pages, with honest input from both sides.

Even though they are only a tiny fraction of the overall story, I can guarantee the conversations in my second book--especially the second conversation--will be called "preachy and awkward" by some. But those conversations have to happen, just like they do in real life, as the story is largely about not being afraid to live and speak the truth. To be honest, I rather enjoyed writing those conversations, as they reflected discussions I and others I know have had. They also strongly influence the overall narrative, and lead into the subject of persecution.

I understand that we don't want our works to be bogged down with forced, awkward conversations and eye-rolling attempts at making a "tearjerker" part. As with anything, there are ways to introduce and explore Biblical discussion and witnessing well, and not so well.

However, if we're afraid of being "preachy," we'll never preach; and the villains in my books--and in real life--would like that very much. They want us to be quiet while they stand behind their own pulpits.

We do write Christian books, after all. How many lifestyle genres write about their subject matter unashamedly--boldly, even?

One can write a story extolling good virtues without giving God the glory; and if giving God the glory makes us cringe, then at what point is the reader simply unwilling to tolerate God at all?

And at what point is the author simply a coward?

I would love to hear input from others. How have you approached this in your works? I know it's a challenging subject, and most likely we've all struggled with it to some extent in the past.

We all have to decide to be honest about our life or not. As believers in Jesus, our lives have been given to another and we must follow that lead. At least that's true in the Kingdom in which I now live. I'm clear about that, up front, in my books. Worldly people don't have to read them. Just like I choose not to read worldly sin-ridden books with no hope or power to help change lives for the better.

In my books, I'm not preachy or awkward—but my characters share the life I live everyday. The book scenarios may be urban fantasy, but the characters live lives filled with spiritual power. That's how I live. I talk to Jesus constantly, throughout every day—so do my hero and heroines. I see miracles, large and small, in my life on a daily basis—so do my characters.

I've taken to calling the genre of my books Urban Fantasy, or Miraculous Reality. Lives of believers have become fantasy to non-believers. Yet, the reality of how we live is miraculous.

I know, to many, I'm probably dismissed as a raving Pentecostal or fundamentalist. In reality, I don't fit either of those labels. But I live in the Kingdom of God. I only pass through the world occasionally. Yet, my books, as my life does, bring me to tears of joy as I see the Lord at work. Often in the midst of writing, I find myself with my hands raised praising Jesus for what He's done in my life, the lives of other believers around me, and in the lives of my characters. It's an exciting life. Jesus is amazing.

How can I not share that? After all, very soon, the Lord will call us up to him while the world with go through the penalties of their sin and hatred. After that, the opportunities for salvation will change radically—as will the physical earth, when the King comes back to reign from Jerusalem which will then be situated on top of the highest mountain on earth [as far as I can tell from the prophecies].

The time to freely choose Jesus and to serve Him is almost over. The world will be relieved—but they won't like the consequences of flipping God the finger. He did create them, after all. He knows how things need to work for people to live blessed lives filled with love, joy, and peace.

David wrote: "We all have to decide to be honest about our life or not. As believers in Jesus, our lives have been given to another and we must follow that lead. At least that's true in the Kingdom in which I no..."

Amen and praise the Lord! Well said!

I especially like the part where you said you aren't preachy or awkward in your books, but your characters share the life you live every day. I think that captures an important point; in speaking joyfully of the Lord, and in turning to His word, we aren't being preachy or awkward. It's normal to do that in Christ, and we should rest in that. If someone recoils from that, it shows what is in their heart, just as we show what is in our hearts by the grace of God when we praise His name.

"Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things." Matthew 12:33-35.

And

"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John 3:20-21.

Very profound things to think about. Thank you for sharing!

I'm Christian and I don't tend to like awkward preachiness--but just the awkward kind. I find "preaching" perfectly acceptable in books that obviously have a Christian message, such as yours, The Chronicles of Narnia, etc. What feels awkward to me is when a story with no direct thematic ties to Christianity starts going off on obtrusive tangents about the author's personal beliefs. That's when the message really starts to feel unnatural and forced to me, so much so that it makes me uncomfortable even though I agree with the author. For example, I would have found it really off-putting if Tolkien had suddenly plunked a sermon down in the middle of The Hobbit. It's just not the right place for that sort of thing. But I think it's silly for a reader to read a Christian book and be surprised - or even offended - when it contains Christian messages, as though they didn't see it coming.

I think what it comes down to is the approach one takes and how individual readers feel about that approach. Whether one wants to write books infused with Christianity, or ones that give a more subtle take on Christian values, depends on the personality, writing style, and intended audience of the individual author. Some people enjoy writing stories that focus on Christianity, and that's wonderful. Some people are more subtle about it and prefer to place their plot focus elsewhere, and I think that's okay too. As David said, just having joy for life, an optimistic outlook, and a heart that turns toward God in everything can still say volumes.

And as for individual readers, well, everybody has stuff they don't like. Rather than try uselessly to predict how to write something that nobody will take issue with, I just write what I want, make sure it's high-quality, and figure that if God inspired me to write it, there's an audience out there for it somewhere. I mean, I'm sure there are plenty of readers out there who would take umbrage at the fact that my novels are very lighthearted and kid-friendly. I'm not writing for those people. I'm writing for everybody who does like my books, finds value in them, and accepts the messages they contain.

And J.K., you make an excellent point. There are a lot of people who get angry at anything to do with God because they're obviously listening to someone else. That's their problem and I refuse to take responsibility for it.

T.K. wrote: "Very profound things to think about. Thank you for sharing!

I'm Christian and I don't tend to like awkward preachiness--but just the awkward kind. I find "preaching" perfectly acceptable in books ..."

Good points about the approach. Preaching and witnessing, like any topic really, can come out of nowhere like a breakneck change of subject, and it will be taken as such if that's the approach.

But there are times when it seems like a divine appointment has been set - and it most likely has. In those times where it seems so natural, or even necessary, to proclaim the Word of God, there are those who would still prefer that we stay silent.

Scripture says, "When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." (Ezekiel 33:8-9)

And

"If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?" (Proverbs 24:11-12)

And

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17)

Let's pray we take those opportunities to speak the Word into the lives of those around us as the Lord provides them, both in our lives and in writings.

J.K. wrote: "T.K. wrote: "Very profound things to think about. Thank you for sharing!

I'm Christian and I don't tend to like awkward preachiness--but just the awkward kind. I find "preaching" perfectly accepta..."

I agree. I really appreciate brave Christians like you who feel called to invite people to get closer to God through your writing, and who act on that inspiration. :) The world needs your writing!

The world needs Jesus! Thank you for the kind words, T.K., though I'm not really worthy of being called "brave." Boldness and zeal are things we need to seek the Lord over. I haven't been very brave in some points in my life - maybe that's why zeal is such a central point in my series. I asked the Lord for boldness, and I believe He began to underline to me how important it is as I read of it in His saints and martyrs, and in His Son, Jesus Christ.

It says in Revelation 21:8, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

That first entry, "the fearful," or as some translations say, "the cowardly," really jumps out at us and reminds us that the Lord expects us to bear fruit - and we will if we abide in Him like it says in John 15.

I find it's far easier and more secure to be zealous for the things of God than to beat around the bush about Him, but that's something He revealed to me in His Word as He gave me the boldness I asked for. It's all of Him; without Him, we have nothing and can do nothing.

This has been a great conversation! I hope I can live up to it in my comment.

I think my concern with "preachy" and "awkward" stems from the context in which many authors attempt it. When good authors, thoughtful authors, attempt to convey the gospel message or overt Christian messages, it often works well.

Where does it not work well?

When the "Christian" character is not substantially different from the non-Christian characters in the book? This can be in attitudes and actions.

When the "Christian" character has no character arc of Christian devotion.

When the message is a "canned" gospel presentation that has little to do with the themes addressed in the book.

I am sure there are more examples.

A few considerations that would be helpful, in my opinion, for Christian authors.

Col. 4:6 Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

After reading the preachy part, does the reader feel like he or she has just eaten a well seasoned meal - one he or she wants to eat again?

1 Peter 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect;

After reading the preachy part, does the reader sense hope in the face of hopelessness?

There are many more verses that could be considered.

What I too often see in the preachy parts is pushy, not just awkward. When I teach evangelism, I always remind people that "push" always creates more distance, it does not draw people closer. So, being pushy in evangelism often moves the hearer further away from Jesus than closer to Him. I affirm that the gospel message is offensive. But, we must make every effort for the messenger not to be the offensive part - our job is to be like a well seasoned meal.

So, I am all for including the gospel and overt Christian themes. I'm not a big fan of authors doing it awkwardly or in a pushy way.

To weave the gospel into a story well takes a lot of work, a lot of thought, and a lot of prayer. I personally find it to be a better presentation when the information is presented through several encounters that build on each other, where the non-Christians "hears" and "processes" the information and returns with a question or some additional interest. This does two things. It reduces the single event page count. But, it models for the reader that he or she should be thinking about this and that is it good to ask more questions.

Just a few thoughts. I'd love to hear the thoughts others.

J.K. wrote: "The world needs Jesus! Thank you for the kind words, T.K., though I'm not really worthy of being called "brave." Boldness and zeal are things we need to seek the Lord over. I haven't been very brav..."

Well, I'm sorry you don't see yourself as very brave, but I'm seeing something different. I also know that we're often our own worst critics, so I'll defer to A. A. Milne here: "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." :)

I think that's wonderful that you prayed for boldness, and it seems like God has really helped you cultivate that strength in yourself. That you allowed Him to help you like that is really something to be proud of.

And I agree, it is ultimately easier to be zealous. I honestly don't understand people who think it's hard. It may take some effort, sure, but it's vastly easier than dealing with all of the consequences of being a coward, and at least you won't have your conscience fighting with you the whole time. At any rate, stuff that lacks effort is boring and usually not worth doing anyhow. Joy lies in the challenge.

Stan wrote: "This has been a great conversation! I hope I can live up to it in my comment.

I think my concern with "preachy" and "awkward" stems from the context in which many authors attempt it. When good aut..."

Stan, you make some great points. I hope you don't think I was ignoring your thoughtful response; I've just been having a crazy busy morning.

I think you're absolutely right that the effectiveness of a spiritual message depends a lot on the skill and thoughtfulness of the author. I've read Christian fiction where the author was obviously trying to get gospel messages across, but did so in such a ham-fisted manner that it really hurt the entire story. I've also read books that superficially had Christian themes, but the author didn't seem to really have internalized their own faith enough to be able to write about it very convincingly.

I also agree that authors should write Christian characters who are not Christian in name only. It's very important for an author to consider how every aspect of a character's personality, culture, and values will impact their role in the story and how the plot handles them. I remember a co-written novel that I quit late in the game because, as we were finalizing the manuscript, my co-author decided we needed to change the ethnicity of the main character I had been in charge of writing. I didn't like this idea because I had conceived of her as being of a certain ethnic background, and to change that would have meant to have to rework large parts of her backstory, personality, and cultural background and values. You can't just change the color of a character's skin and call it done, and the same goes with religious beliefs.

You said it very well; preachiness is a form of pushiness, and nobody likes pushiness. Nobody likes to feel like the author is shoving personal views in their face unsolicited. What I always appreciate in a novel is an author who has obviously been thinking a lot about the message they're presenting and knows how to present it naturally, seamlessly, and non-aggressively within the universe of the story, neither obviously just using the story as a framing device for a sermon, or making the message too jarring and didactic compared to the narrative.

One of the ways I try to do this is by presenting my messages through character arcs. I don't try so much to say "this is the way the world works" within the prose, but have the characters come to important realizations about life by themselves. In other words, it's not that the narrator is forcing views or beliefs on them, but that through the narrative the characters are led to higher truths. I think that gives readers something to connect with, to see characters' questions, struggles, and triumphs on a personal level rather than just have the text lecture to them.

For example, my novel that's coming out soon has a lot to do with figuring out one's path in life, and who ultimately gets to decide it. Each of the characters has a character arc that is a variation of this theme. By the end of the plot, they've all come to important, empowering conclusions about themselves and how they should be living. It's my hope that a wide variety of readers will find something to connect with in one of these character arcs, to be able to see a bit of themselves in the character and their challenges, whether it's the shy boy who's worried he's incapable of achieving his dreams, the intellectual who feels obligated to let her society control her rather than pursue her passions, or the carefree youth who's secretly scared of growing up and having responsibilities.

At the end of the plot, I present all of their happy character arc resolutions as valid and real, because I believe they are, and I want to help readers believe it too. I like using the "it worked for these people and it can work for you too" approach. I think I'd feel the same way about using overtly Christian themes in a story.

Stan wrote: "This has been a great conversation! I hope I can live up to it in my comment.

I think my concern with "preachy" and "awkward" stems from the context in which many authors attempt it. When good aut..."

Excellent points, especially what you said about the preaching not working well because the "Christian" character doesn't show a difference to worldly characters in attitudes and action, and when they have no arc of devotion.

What did Jesus say? "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." (Matthew 5:13) That ties right into Colossians 4:6, as you brought up. How can we be well seasoned without good, savory salt?

And that also ties right in with the importance of zeal for the love of the Lord, as He also said: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

T.K. wrote: "Stan wrote: "This has been a great conversation! I hope I can live up to it in my comment.

I think my concern with "preachy" and "awkward" stems from the context in which many authors attempt it. ..."

Yes, character arcs can be great tools for conveying a message, and can often get a point across far better than a series of statements ever could. It's like the difference between stating a truth and demonstrating a truth. I personally feel you can make the most poignant demonstrations in a world that has some basis in reality.

In pure fiction, you can write about anything and make it "just for fun," which is fine. I find it strange, then, that the world produces so many stories that are so heavily steeped in fiction, but they always have that little anchor in reality, and it becomes impossible to ignore when the characters (unfortunately) take the name of the Lord in vain. That tells me that those characters know who Christ is; they couldn't anchor their fictitious work in reality any more strongly than by including the Creator. I wanted to write a world like that, but I wanted to do it right.

I describe my series in its blurb as "...a parable with parallels to reality, designed to encourage readers to be zealous for the things of God." It's an adventure, sure, but it's a series of character arcs, and the characters inevitably experience things to which many of us can relate - sin and failure, cowardice, unwanted responsibility, being misjudged, being misled, addiction to evil things, hate, bitterness, and so on. I wanted to be able to bring these things into the characters' lives naturally, let them deal with them naturally, but also just as naturally open up the Bible and show what it says about these things when the time comes.

Some characters know they need to go to the Lord. Some look over their shoulder at Him. Some search for Him in their circumstances, not knowing who He is. And some characters aren't looking for Him at all, but they can't escape who He is. Because ultimately everyone is subject to God, and try as they may, no one conquers sin without Him. Either it fools them, or drags them down into the mire, or outright destroys them, or He sets them free.

In real life, those are the only character arcs there are.

No one has a happy ending without Christ - and if they think that isn't true, their sin has blinded them, and they're in very real danger.

It's so good for us to encourage each other like this!

J.K. wrote: "T.K. wrote: "Stan wrote: "This has been a great conversation! I hope I can live up to it in my comment.

I think my concern with "preachy" and "awkward" stems from the context in which many authors..."

Those are some excellent points. I commend you in what you're doing. I love the idea of writing a world that is realistic enough to include God and realistically portray characters' relationships with Him.

In the Air Force I shared the Narnia series with a coworker (who just happened to be a granddaughter of a famous World War 2 Army Air Corps General - no names - who was part of our unofficial household of friends in the SCA (Society of Creative Anachronisms, Inc.) and she was a fan of fantasy.).

She was a bit upset with me when we finished the series and concluded Asian was the Christ of Christianity. She made it clear that she felt blind sided by that. I guess I thought it was obvious.

She paused, apparently expecting some kind of apology from me, and when I did not volunteer one that moment was when our friendship seemed to wither away. I am told by others she felt I should have warned her of the “hidden message” in the books.

Huh, that's an interesting anecdote. I would have thought the allegory was very obvious. Then again, it's possible that those who just don't know that much about Christianity don't know enough to see the parallels. (I mean, if you don't start to suspect Christian allegory by the time Aslan sacrifices himself and is resurrected, you really don't know much about Christianity at all.)

It reminds me of when I was young and tried to share a VeggieTales video with my grandma. She really enjoyed it up until they started talking about God at the end of the story, and I was baffled that she hadn't seen that the entire plotline had been a retelling of a Biblical story.

I'm terribly sorry she let your friendship be soured because of that. I really think it's silly to get upset at someone else for not warning them about allegory, as though it was your fault that C. S. Lewis wrote Christian fantasy. At any rate, it doesn't sound like she'd even communicated to you beforehand that she would prefer not to read books with Christian themes, so I don't feel you were to blame.

It brings up a interesting idea--at what point are Christian themes "obvious" enough that people start thinking of a book as Christian literature? I know there are plenty of atheists/agnostics who like Narnia as fantasy and are willing to overlook the Christian parallels. But it sounds like your friend wasn't okay with Lewis even using Christianity as the basis for fantasy, which I think is rather unfortunate.

I typically don't get offended by fiction that takes inspiration from other religions, especially because I think it's usually an interesting insight into the author's culture and how they perceive a belief system. For example, I really enjoyed the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West when I read it in college, and that book is steeped in Buddhist mythology and folklore that were very much a part of the author's culture at the time. Of course I didn't think it was true, but I thought it was very imaginative and interesting.

I think what it comes down to is that people choose what offends them. I'm sure there are people out there who could get offended at even the vaguest hint of Christianity in a book, simply because they want to get offended. I pray for them, but ultimately they need to work things out between themselves and God, and their problems aren't my responsibility to solve.