Christian Goodreaders discussion

The Christian Fiction genre isn't what it was 40 years ago.

That's a good thing.

Christian Fiction: A Changing Genre. You can find the blog post here:
➡️ https://wp.me/pwlMY-4VQ

What is Christian Fiction? About two years ago I wrote a Christian book (non-fiction) and while this was my first time publishing I was shocked to find out about the Christian Fiction Genre.
I think the word of God is truth and live and these are the books which believers in the Lord should publish.
That being said I read the fiction book "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti and loved it. So in essence I am caught in the middle somewhat.
Maybe we can answer this by asking the following question. If Jesus were alive today what kind of books he would want us to produce? I am not sure if he would say good reading literature as opposed to books that would grip men's souls and turn them to the Father.
Not to stray to far from Nadine's topic but I welcome all thoughts.

Dane wrote: "What is Christian Fiction? About two years ago I wrote a Christian book (non-fiction) and while this was my first time publishing I was shocked to find out about the Christian Fiction Genre.
I thi..."

Hello there, Dane! It's an interesting question for sure.

If you ask 100 different Christian authors and readers, "What is Christian Fiction?", you may get 100 different answers! Even established Christian Fiction publishers don't all have the same parameters or rules for what they publish as Christian Fiction, so the definition or explanation of what Christian Fiction is will vary depending on who you ask. :-)

I personally think Christian Fiction can come in different forms or packages with different kinds and levels of content, but all purposely written with Christian intent. I guess it would take more to explain that, and others may agree or disagree with me.

But as for the question, "If Jesus were alive today, what kind of books would He want us to produce?" Well, firstly, for those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, He IS alive today. :^)

Now, let me know if I've misunderstood your words, but it sounds like you are caught in the middle of wondering if Christians should write fiction, or if they should only write nonfiction, because nonfiction is true, as God's word is the truth. Is that what you mean?

Well, Christians believe in following the examples and principles of Christ. Among other things Christ showed Himself to be (a teacher, a healer, a friend, etc.), Christ was also a storyteller. Yes, He preached the Sermon on the Mount and taught in the synagogue, but Christ also sat among the public and told parables. Parables are fictional stories. In that sense, the earliest Christian Fiction came from the mouth of Christ Himself.

Storytelling is an ancient, universal tradition that spans different countries and cultures all over the world--a tradition that remains an effective form of communication generation after generation, even in our modern times. Through telling His stories, Christ used an ancient, universal tradition to show that there's more than one way to convey messages of truth.

There can be just as much truth wrapped up in a fiction story as there can be in a nonfiction essay. Fiction just conveys truth differently than nonfiction does. And different kinds of communication work differently for different individuals. For a lot of people (not all people, but a lot of people), messages and principles they pick up through good storytelling opens their eyes, touches their hearts, and remains in their memory better than what they read or hear in a nonfiction form. And I believe God knows that.

So, with Christ Himself being not only a preacher of sermons but also a teller of fictional stories, why wouldn't He want believers in Him to write fiction, if they have the heart and the talent to do so? Fiction can grip people's souls and turn them to the Father as effectively and powerfully as nonfiction can. It's just a different style and method of communication.

That's how I see it. :-)

Nadine wrote: "Dane wrote: "What is Christian Fiction? About two years ago I wrote a Christian book (non-fiction) and while this was my first time publishing I was shocked to find out about the Christian Fiction ..."

My thoughts exactly, but stated far better than I had thought to state them!

I think one issue though with Christian fiction is that much of it is cultural Christianity that rarely gets to the core of the teachings of the Bible. There is a persistent shallowness in much Christian fiction there days. So, I would add that Jesus' parables always took people (those with ears to understand) to theological and practical depths, very often confronting their shallow and incomplete understandings about God and faith and the life He has designed for us.

I've loved Christian fiction for a long time. The most obvious of this kind are Historical fictional writings about a Biblical character. I'm starting a series of this myself (my first fiction writing). Second are those who write about Christians of another time. I'm currently reading one about persecuted Christians in the early second century. Some of these are of famous historical figures of faith, such as Luther. If there is clear writing about faith in Christ (even struggles with faith) I consider it Christian fiction.
What would Jesus be writing? He certainly loved to tell stories but he also loved straight teaching. Let's plan to ask him, when we see him.

I just scrolled through the current giveaway books here on Goodreads, what a lot of garbage. No, I'm not going to be "tolerant" about the vast majority of the books being offered free, what has happened to American readers? Are we living so much on easy street that we have to compromise and read some of these below average novels, just to find some way to fill our time and our mind?

Kent wrote: "I've loved Christian fiction for a long time. The most obvious of this kind are Historical fictional writings about a Biblical character. I'm starting a series of this myself (my first fiction writ..."
I know your post was written 5 years ago, but do you remember the title of the book you read about persecuted Christians in the early second century?

I am not sure what to make of the comment above. Sturgeons law is that 90% of everything is crap. With the ease of self publishing, is suspect a lore more of that 90% has found its way to flood into the market....but always there is the 10%, and we are always scouring for it.

I think many offer their books for free cause it is so hard to get any traction at all. As a new writer myself (and I hope to be in the 10%), getting someone to read and write a review as like pushing the stone of Sisyphus.

Why would this be an American reader problem? And not a western culture problem?

Why kind of book are you looking for to fill you mind, and your time? What would make you feel it was worthwhile, and what do you think is lacking?

Defining Christian Fiction will be tricky. I could mean any of the following, Fiction about Christ, Fiction with a Christian worldview, Fiction by Christians, Fiction by a Christian publishing house, and fiction that is directionally Christian in some important aspect.

And it can be written with different readers in mind, written for believers, written for non-believers, written to try and catch fish, and written to tell a good story.

I don't know how I will define it, but I do personally find Christians very difficult to write for. For many, it seems if the work does not check the right boxes in their estimation, they will not give it a second look. For some christian readers, their devotion means a book without harshness, and others a book with a good message. And some will even insist that it must contain a story that would be the one Jesus would make....Well, it is Christian 'Fiction'. If I was trying to write what Jesus would write, I would just reprint the bible.

Personally, I think Christians do a disservice to their own genre, because many will not read stuff and give support to it unless it meets their own litmus tests. And thus, a lot does not get any type of lift off that might bring others in, cause it is still withering on the vine.

But...that's been true a long time, and I suppose will be true for a lot longer. It always kind of on the author to find a way to get noticed.

I would ask...Do you think LOTR is a christian fiction book? Many say it is, but...where is Christ in it?