Today's Discussion at MY Friend Amy: I was reading over at Novel Journey the other day (a great blog, by the way!) and this post caught my eye and just really really grabbed at the heart of what I think is the conflict around "preachy" Christian fiction. So I'm going to take this quote from the quote in the post, and ask you to share your thoughts about this topic."Too many Christians think we are supposed to use the arts to give people the answers. We’re not. We’re supposed to use the arts to lead them into a question."Barbara NicolosiWhat do you think? Do you think Christian fiction should provide answers or lead us to questions?
Most Christian authors aren't pastors, so I don't ask them to preach. I look for my pastor with his doctorate in theology to offer me weekly sermons. During the week, it's up to me to prayerfully search the scriptures to maintain my relationship with God.
All I ask from the Christian storytellers is to tell me the best story possible without leading me away from God. That's it. I can't burden an author with my salvation. They are burdened enough wondering if the story sags in the middle, whether their publisher will pay them on time, do they spend too much time writing and not enough time with the family, will they receive another contract, etc.
Some authors are gifted with the ability to weave a spiritual thread through their stories. Some are not and shouldn't try because the spiritual parts feel forced and tacked on. So why try? Those authors should stay true to their gift of storytelling and just tell me a story. A clean story that won't lead me away from God.
5 Your say:
Right on! I read Christian fiction for a good story, not a sermon. I'm so glad it's an improving genre. Happy Faith ‘n Fiction Day.
Perhaps you're right that some aren't gifted in making the spiritual thread realistic, and that's why it comes across as preachy or forced. Great point, Cee Cee!
I really like your point about how some authors may sound preachy because they don't have the skill or knowledge on how to "weave" spiritual messages into a story seamlessly. Good post.
Great answer, I think it is important that they don't include anything that would lead you where you don't want to go. :) I think it feeling authentic is key if there's to be a spiritual aspect to it. Humans are spiritual, and it can be presented in a natural and authentic way. But weak characterization can make that spirituality feel cheesy and cheap.
Well said! I want to read a good, clean story too.
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