Every once in awhile you’ll see articles that talk about how terrible Christian fiction is. As an avid reader (I read over 75 books a year) and writer (I’ve seen 20 books + 3 repackages in print in ten years) I avidly disagree. Christian fiction can fill a gaping hole in our world and communicate messages we desperately need.
And because I love spinning things positively, today I thought we could chat about the benefits. So grab your mug of coffee or tea, and let’s talk about Christian fiction and whether it inspires us.
First, Christian fiction fills the space of parables, those stories Jesus so often used to illustrate profound spiritual truths. As a teacher, I know that if I can tie a principle to a story, my students are much more likely to remember the concept. A story takes an esoteric term or idea and gives it meat and weight. We see how things work in the story world and can then extrapolate to our world and lives.
Second, Christian fiction shares concepts that are missing in our world and in much (though certainly not all) ABA fiction. That concept is HOPE. The world can be a scary place. It is dark and some days feels oppressively so. It would be easy to give up and say things and situations will never improve. There are certain books that were raved about that I read and got to the last page and was left with a weighted down feeling. The storytelling was good, the characters real, but the tone so dark and hopeless that I felt depressed at the end. If I want that, I can read the headlines. When I pick up a book, I want the hope that at the end of the novel I will be more aware of how God interacts in our lives and how that can give us hope in the darkest circumstances. That is my sincerest hope that readers get that takeaway from my novels.
Third, Christian fiction is diverse to reach a diversity of people from all walks of life. Christian fiction is so broad now, there’s practically something for most readers. Romance? Check. Historical? Check. Women’s fiction? Check. Amish? Check. Romantic Suspense and Thriller? Check. There’s something for every reader. Heavy spiritual content? Check. Light spiritual thread? Check. It’s a great time to be a reader (and writer!)!
Fourth, Christian fiction is something a hurting friend might read when the thought of another how-to book makes them want to scream. There have been times in my life where I couldn’t read certain styles of books because life was plain hard. And I couldn’t handle reading books where people were struggling hard…or where one more person was going to tell me how I should feel. I needed something to help me laugh and see light at the end of the tunnel. Books written by this talented group of bloggers filled that heart-level need.
Fifth, Christian fiction can challenge us to think deeply about issues and struggles. Again, the guise of fiction can help us see issues on a complex level versus the surface level we get in many conversations or media recounts. There have been so many books where I walk away thinking about the very real struggles, and am challenged when I consider what my response would be.
What do you think? Am I off my rocker or do you have anecdotes of how Christian fiction has built your faith?
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I have read many Christian fiction books where the characters have inspired my faith! Sometimes it’s been with an idea I’ve taken away from the book, sometimes it’s been scripture that spoke to me through the book, and sometimes it’s just been with a particular quote.
I have been very inspired by Christian Fiction and I have learned allot about forgiveness in every way. There’s so many life lessons learned in every story and happy endings are the best. Great post!
Y’all are so right. So many lessons that can whisper to our hearts.
Thank you for this post, Cara!
“if I can tie a principle to a story, my students are much more likely to remember the concept.” Yes! I choose a theme for each of my books. For clarity, I limit each book’s theme to four words or less. So far I’ve grappled with the following themes: healing, growing stronger, forgiveness, finding hope, and leaving the past behind. I try not to preach my themes, but rather explore them in an honest, real way through the course of the stories. I often pray during the writing that God would show me what He would have me say and, once the books are published, I pray that God would bring them into the hands of the readers He intends, and use them to minister those readers.
I’m amazed by the different ways God can speak to different readers through the same book! Through our novels, He really does have the supernatural ability to renew hope, to whisper love, to refresh faith. I’m honored to write Christian fiction!
Your books do a great job of grappling with deep themes. As a writer I’m always amazed at the different ways God uses our books to talk to readers. He definitely talks to me, but He talks to readers in ways I never imagined as I write.
My mother-in-law immigrated to this country from The Netherlands. she spoke English well, but with a strong accent. After my father-in-law died, she was very lonely and needed to fill a lot of hours. A Bible study was not a place where she felt comfortable. She didn’t think she knew enough. She had a hard time writing in English. I began loaning her Christian novels, and then giving them as gifts when she exhausted my library. She devoured them, reading them over and over. She would ask spiritual questions that I knew came from the nooks I gave her. We gave her a Kindle for her 90th birthday and it opened a whole new world. Every Sunday afternoon, I downloaded books. She read a lot! She would keep the Kindle near her bed to read when pain kept her awake. She watched little TV but read hundreds of books. She was disciples by Christian novels and her faith was solid as a rock because she saw that God worked in anyone’s life, was always working, and there was always hope. She suffered more pain than almost anyone I know, but her life was enriched through Christisn fiction.
Norma, what a wonderful story! What a great way that Christian fiction ministered to her!
If you’re off your rocker, Cara, there’s many of us on the porch rocking right along with you. Thank you for this encouraging post.
🙂 Thanks, Leslie!
Thank you. That is exactly why I read Christian fiction.
Yeah! And you aren’t alone. Many of us long to experience hope…and if that comes in the pages of a novel, then awesome!
I do like this. May I re-post it in my Amish fiction book club group’s discussion page? Your listed reasons are the reasons I chose to start and be the administrator of Amish Books and Charity Crafts in ravelry.com. We read a new book each month, and it must be a clean, decent book. I’ve been pleased at the large amount of available Christian fiction there is.
Nancy, you may absolutely reuse it. Thanks for the work you are doing with that discussion page.
You’re “spot on” with your comments about Christian fiction. Being a librarian, I try to display Christian fiction as much as I can … this world needs HOPE!
Thank you for the work you do as a librarian and for spreading the word about Christian fiction.
I think you are right on target. I have learned so much from Christian fiction. I am still rereading old time favorites; especially books written by Grace Livingston Hill. There is so much good teaching going on in her books and it never gets old.
I grew up reading Grace Livingston Hill. Such sweet stories.
While I can’t think of a specific example, over time – and much reading – I begin to absorb spiritual truths in novels that entertain me with a spiritual message included. Those novels can be much less threatening than a small-group or large group Bible study. I learn that others may share my feelings, have crises that seem insurmountable, yet get through a situation when someone in the same story encourage them and show them the tools. I read a lot, both Christian fiction and mainstream cozy mysteries – at least the mainstream ones that are ‘clean reads. I learn or re-learn things about our country in historical fiction. My only regret is there isn’t enough time to read all that I want to! So keep writing…many of us will keep reading!
Sounds like you are an avid reader! So glad you’re enjoying our books 🙂
The Christian genre is expanding with a universe of great writers in a variety of formats. Truly stars that bring hope to many. I remember when I first found books with a Christian foundation. I was so sick of trying to find a book that wasn’t filled with violence, such vulgar language & sex verged on porn, science fiction, & wierd, abusive stories.
Faith based fiction is so uplifting & insightful with clean language. Love it!!!!!
I try to leave each Christian author with words of thanks, & inspiration because of their message of Christ’s love & sacrifice for the world
I LOVE Christian fiction! One fiction book that truly impacted my life (I even took notes as I was reading it) is “The Wisdom Hunter” by Randall Arthur. One line especially has stayed in my heart; it went something like, “The kingdom of God is not about swinging swords, but it’s about planting seeds.” Having been raised in a rather harsh home-life, I understood more clearly how kind and gracious the Lord is through this story. I have recommended this book to many people.
Thank you for the reminder! I didn’t learn as much about Christian living at home or living alone nearly as much as through Christian fiction – it held up a model to me without pointing fingers or heaping more guilt or shame, rather it showed the love of Jesus. Thank you, Lisa, for reminding me of one of the best benefits I have found!
It can make you think about stuff differently or see a bible story in a different light