The Beast That Will Not Be Tamed

Christian fiction, what is it? Sound familiar? Back in June, I did a short series on the subject. You can find those posts here and here and here and here.

In response to Mike Duran’s comment to yesterday’s post, I’m tempted to quote from those articles and leave it at that, but because Christian fiction is undergoing a significant change, I think this subject can bear further discussion.

You see, I believe if a person holds onto an expectation, then no matter what, the resulting action will be viewed through that lens. Mike’s expectation of Christian fiction is that it is written for Christians and is preachy, so no matter what developments—for good or ill—are taking place on the CBA side of publishing, he continues to see the books coming out of Bethany, Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, and company as preachy books for Christians.

First, not all books written for CBA houses are intended for Christians. Until recently the only outlet for these houses was the Christian bookstores. That’s why the publishers came to be known as CBA houses. And the only people who shopped in Christian bookstores were presumed to be Christians. So, yes, when Christian publishers started putting fiction on the shelves, the target audience, if it was defined, was for Christians.

But that isn’t necessarily the case any longer. For one thing, more and more secular sources are selling Christian books. Are they still shelved in the Christian section? Most are, yes, but not all. I first discovered The Door Within Trilogy because the first book was right next to Cornelia Funk’s newest release—face up, on a pile right near the clerk’s desk.

The issue of where Christian fiction should be shelved is actually an issue that those inside the business are addressing with book store people. In other words, change is afoot.

With more access to a secular audience, I suggest more authors published by Christian houses (or the religious arm of a secular house) will target non-Christians. Will those books find their audience? I think there is a way—the same way the Left Behind books found their way to non-Christians. It starts out by Christians giving the books to their non-Christian friends.

But I digress. The other “definition” of Christian fiction has been it’s “poor quality.” This is amusing because early in the last century, mass market paperbacks were decried for the same thing—and roundly condemned by Christians (though often on moral grounds). The plots were formulaic, the characters flat, the themes obvious or non-existent.

Christian fiction received that same “poor-quality” tag. But was Peretti all of that? Amazingly, he came along when Christian fiction—that put out by Christian publishers—was in its infancy. Why not more? Another topic that tempts me to digress, but I’ll resist.

The thing is, what once was does not define what always must be. Christian fiction is “growing up.” I say, let it. This is as difficult as letting a teenager take the car or go on a first date or any number of other firsts parents must stand back and watch.

Some say, What if they become wild? Others say, They’re still babies. In the same way, some Christians are troubled by writing that includes immoral behavior, while others are disturbed by stories that have happy endings.

What we must, MUST learn is that some plant, some water, but God gives the increase. Some writers are all about encouraging and edifying believers. Other writers are all about sowing seeds that lead back to Christ. And some are all about writing entertaining or artistic stories.

I have no quibble with writers in the first two categories. I think I do have an issue with the latter. Mark Bertrand says it is good, honorable work. I don’t discount that. But writing is communication, and I tend to think, when given the chance, a Christian should point to Christ.

NO, I did not say preach Christ. Point to Him. Dramatically or subtly—that’s up to however the Spirit of God leads. But to be silent about Him? Why would someone in love be silent about their engagement, or someone engaged be silent about their fiance?