I remember the first Christian novel I ever read. It was Love Comes Softly by Jeanette Oke. I was in high school, and my spiritual life was a mess. Around this time I was also reading things like The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough and Pet Cemetery by Steven King—books that truly vexed my soul.
Reading Love Comes Softly was like finding a cool spring of fresh water in a blazing hot desert. I went on to read more of the series. Even as I partied with my friends and got caught up in high school drama, my soul longed for the peace, love, and hope Jeanette Oke’s novels offered.
Every reader has a spiritual life, and what we read either feeds our soul or robs it. Don’t believe the person who tells you, “It doesn’t bother me to read (fill in blank), I just skip over the bad parts.”
When it comes to reading fiction it’s important to remember that the whole of the book is more than the sum of it’s parts. Whether a novel has sex, violence, or language is one thing, but understanding the author’s worldview is another.
How does the author live his/her life?
Where does the author put his/her faith?
Does the author have a personal relationship with God?
What message is the author trying to get across to readers?
What’s on an author’s heart is what you’ll carry away on yours after the last page. It’s impossible to read a novel and not be impacted. If you journey through a few hundred pages with an author your mind, heart, and soul will be molded and shaped to the author’s worldview—for the good or for the bad.
I could create a long list of some of my favorite authors … and they might be some of your favorites, too. They’re my favorites because of their spiritual imprint on their books. My favorites include my fellow writers of this blog, and all of my favorites can be labeled “Christian authors.” Why? Because I trust them, and I trust that my soul will be tended as I read their words.
Yes, I do read classics and sometimes even popular novels like The Help, but I can tell the difference in how I feel after reading one of those books and when I finish a Christian novel. With those other books, my soul doesn’t feel as refreshed, and my own spiritual walk doesn’t feel encouraged. I usually put the book down feeling as if it was “missing” something. Or I rewrite the plot in my head with a spiritual theme. (Please tell me that you’ve done that, too!)
The wonderful thing about writing Christian fiction is that I also get a view of the other side. I am blessed to be friends with many wonderful writers whose books fill the shelves of Christian bookstores. Their walk with God inspires me just as much (even more!) as their books do.
Writers can only write deep, spiritual truths within the pages of a book if they’re walking it out in their own lives. There’s no faking it. Some of my dearest moments with my writer friends include times of singing worship songs, times of sharing Scripture, and times of prayer. They seek God with their whole hearts, and it’s evident when I read their novels.
In my own life, the novels I write flow out of my relationship with God. As I work on plots, characters, and themes, I spend time in God’s Word. I listen to His heart. As a writer, I’m changed by every book I write as I allow God’s truth to flow through me.
I seek God as I write because it makes a stronger novel, but I also do this for you, my reader. As a writer, I believe in tending a reader’s soul. Knowing that you’ve given up hours of your time to read one of my stories makes me want to do my best. And to me my best is sharing God’s truth in ways that will impact your heart.
The spiritual life of a reader isn’t something that should be ignored or taken advantage of. Today in my quiet time I’m praying for YOU. I’ve also written a prayer that hopefully will inspire you to think more about the books that feed your soul and the authors who write them.
A Reader’s Prayer:
Lord, there are so many wonderful books to read and so many talented authors. Dear Jesus, help me to realize even more that the stories I choose to read impact my heart and my soul. Today and tomorrow, as I pick up a novel, help me to choose wisely. Help me to choose what is noble, good, and filled with biblical truth. May the wholesome messages that I read not only entertain me, but may they draw me closer to You. Finally, Lord, be with the authors who give their time, talents, and passion to writing God-honoring books. May they be strengthened and encouraged today. Amen.
How about you? How do the novels you read impact your soul?
Finally, what Christian novel provided just the right nugget of biblical truth at just the right time in your life?
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What a wonderful post! I treasure the time I spend as a reader reading books that lift me to a closer walk. It bothers me to see gifted writers using God-given talent writing books that don’t honor Him.
The last book I read that feed me was Mesu Andrews’ Pharaoh’s Daughter. Besides being a well-written story it reminded me of the lengths God will go to so His plan can be done in a person’s life. I’m no Moses, but He still cares for me and has a plan for me.
Shirley,
I love it when books speak to our heart and share God’s truth! That sounds like a wonderful book!
Beautiful post, Tricia! And a timely reminder for me of the huge responsibility I have as an author of inspirational fiction.
Lynn, your faith comes out in your novels! That’s why I enjoy them!
Tricia, your post says exactly how I feel about reading books that are good for my soul…THANKS!
Although it is hard to choose ONE (I read a lot!), I will say that Marlo Schalesky’s book “Beyond the Night” really touched and inspired me! It is one of her older books…I am trying to read them all!
There are authors on this BlogSpot whose books I have loved, too……just want to say how much I appreciate all of you fantastic authors!
Blessings~~~
Thank you so much, Jackie! Marlo is a dear friend of mine and we’ve been prayer partners for years. She’s such an inspiration!
Your post encouraged me today, Tricia! Thank you. You’ve articulated why I love writing and reading Christian Fiction. The difference between Christian worship music and secular music is, I think, similar to the difference between Christian fiction and secular fiction. Music and books with Christian themes in them have deeper significance and meaning for me. They resonate with my spirit and stir my emotions and give God a vehicle to speak to me and me a vehicle to offer Him my praise. They’re soul therapy!
Oh, I like that … Soul Therapy!
I’m just so thankful for all Christian writers who put out clean and wholesome books and stories. I can’t thank you enough for the fact that I can pick up one of your novels and read it knowing I won’t see cuss words or sex scattered through out the book. It means a lot to me and I look for books by Christian authors to read.
For the Christian novel that most inspired me at the right time in my life , I enjoyed 2 of them. First is Karen Kingsbury’s Like Dandelion Dust. Second is The Shunning by Beverly Lewis. Both spoke to me in a very special way. But almost all Christian fiction speaks to me so this was a tough choice. Woman of Courage by Wanda Brunstetter was also very good as was Josiah For President by Martha Bolton. Currently reading Plain Faith by Irene and Ora Jay Eash and also by a young lady named Tricia Goyer. Though this is not fiction it speaks volumes to my heart.
Blessings
Shirley
Thank you, Shirley!! I hope you’re enjoying Plain Faith! Also, I’ve enjoyed many of the same books as you!
Tricia,
That was beautifully said. I was telling a young woman about Christian Fiction verses non Christian books and the danger of the whole…”garbage in /garbage out” of the mind. It is so true. I love reading things that are uplifting and edifying. Thanks for sharing that.
Dana:)
You’re welcome, Dana!
What a lovely, encouraging post. I so agree with what you have said and what Becky said about music too.
Thank you, Sylvia!
I totally agree! Fiction impacts your heart in sometimes surprisingly powerful ways. I’m picking 3 books because they stick out to me so much. A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist showed my all about submission and perseverance. It was also the first time I ready realized that Christian fiction was better than mainstream fiction. The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander was powerful. I have read it at least 3 times. This last time I read it during a study about being the bride of Christ. It was amazing to see the spiritual inheritance and legacy evident in that book. The Threshold Series by Christa Kinde was all about spiritual warfare and God’s overwhelming presence at work in this world. I was walking through a battleground when I found it and God used it to encourage me in many ways. I have also been able to teach it to my middle-schoolers since it is a youth series.
That is awesome, Megan! Thank you for sharing!
I loved the reader’s prayer. Hope you don’t mind my borrowing it.
Feel free to use it!
Tricia, having just finished a book from the NYT bestseller list, but definitely not from a Christian worldview, your post means all the more to me, and you’ve explained perfectly the empty feeling I was left with after turning the final page…despite the fact the book was riveting, well-written, and no doubt deserving of its bestseller status. But there was no soul! And I was left with a very negative view of life, of men, and of friendship. I don’t understand why an author would want to write a book with those messages. Very sad. And makes me so grateful for the wonderful Christian worldview with HOPE, that is available in novels. Thank you, Lord, for Christian fiction!
So I have to ask, Deb, did you rewrite it in your mind with a spiritual thread? I always find myself doing that!
MANY of my novels have been written because I saw a worldly book/movie/song lyric, etc. that SO needed God’s perspective to make the story triumphant! I totally get that!
Tricia, it’s impossible for me to start naming titles that have affected me on a spiritual level. It seems like every book I pick up is one God uses to touch me in some way. Thank you (and the other ladies here at Inspired by Life and Fiction!) for tending to our souls as you write your books to honor God. It means so much that you care so greatly about how your words and stories impact us for the Kingdom. I hope to follow in that tradition with every aspect of my life, whether or not I ever have any of my stories published. Everything I do and say impacts those around me. May I always act and speak in ways that point to my Savior and eternal life.
Blessings,
Andrea
I love what Andrea said. It seems like all the books I read have a great spiritual lesson in them. I go back to some of my earliest books to find really good messages. Grace Livingston Hill has been a favorite of mine for at least fifty years. Looking through the comments here I see many familiar authors and books. I too really liked Plain Faith. And yes the Oke books were great favorites. I think I have all of Beverly Lewis’s books. Since I am not a writer, I am very glad so many good Christian authors are writing and sharing their faith through their books. Thank you one and all.