I wish I could walk into a Christian fiction bookstore, pick up any random Young Adult novel, and be greeted with something akin to The Chronicles of Narnia. But as the years have gone by, I’ve discovered numerous poorly written, violence-filled, darkness-glorifying novels sitting on bookstore shelves that bear the all-too general label of “Christian”.
Readers and parents of readers often allow themselves and their children to be satisfied with stories that misconstrue reality, sacrifice quality for trite conversion scenes, and present the all-powerful God of the universe as being weak and unimportant in the everyday events of life.
Here are three things to watch out for and avoid in Christian bookstores and in fiction books in general.
Stories That Misconstrue Reality
Stories have the huge responsibility to present truth as that which is good, and to reveal lies as being a dangerous deception. Do the characters in the story inspire us to mimic their good behavior, or do they “succeed” in the narrative through lies and deception? Does the story show negative consequences for disobedience, lying, or sinful behavior, or are these activities made to look harmless or even desirable? Is it clear that the villains are evil, or are the differences between right and wrong blurred by the characters and events?
Does the story maintain a true emphasis on hope? If we increasingly tell our children stories about broken families, destroyed marriages, gender confusion, depression and anxiety, is it no wonder that these very issues are the ones most prevalent in our culture today?
Yet we can’t deny that these are reality. The world is full of brokenness, destruction, and confusion. While stories shouldn’t hide these issues, they shouldn’t glorify them either. They shouldn’t normalize or celebrate them. They shouldn’t send the message that “it’s just how it is” and there is no hope.
Stories that address darker themes are necessary. But stories shouldn’t end in the darkness. That’s not real and it’s not true. Because one day, this world will never again be personally acquainted with darkness. The story God is writing now will not end in despair. Brokenness will be renewed, destruction will be redeemed, confusion will be reversed.
G. K. Chesterton, an author and contemporary of C. S. Lewis, wrote: “Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”
Read stories with noble heroes who face devastating darkness, fight with pain and valiance, and overcome with conquering victories.
Because this is real. And it is true.
Stories That Sacrifice Quality For Trite Conversion Scenes
Many modern Christian fiction writers have sacrificed the quality of their story for the label of “Christian” by settling for mediocre fiction tales that diminish the power of the gospel rather than show the truth for what it is.
S. D. Smith, a popular children’s author, has referenced on many occasions how a “regular” story can often have a more powerful impact than an outright “allegory”. As a lover of both The Pilgrim’s Progress, a directly allegorical novel, and The Green Ember, one whose allegorical themes are hidden, I understand the argument Smith makes.
Christian fiction writers will never be able to perfectly capture Christ’s atoning sacrifice with the power and gravity it bears. Rather than working harder to tell an incredible story that truly shows the power of redemption, hope, and light, some settle for a mediocre example, and in turn diminish the true narrative.
On the opposite side of the issue, some of my favorite children’s fantasy novels bear strong allegorical themes. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis as well as The Kingdom Series and The Knights of Arrethtrae by Chuck Black are incredible retellings of powerful gospel truths.
These stories don’t sacrifice their story quality for tritely written conversion scenes. Rather, the authors work the redemption arcs, the gospel truths, and the character changes into the story seamlessly.
Read stories with powerful allegories, heart-wrenching truths, and hope-filled futures. And beware of stories that sacrifice quality for the sake of being labeled as “Christian” to the mass market.
Stories That Present God As Weak
Is it possible for a finite human being with a mind immersed in this earthly, 3-dimensional world to accurately express an infinite and immortal God? When authors throw prayer, sermons, or church scenes into their stories as a way to “Christianize” their work, are these stories harming or helping our view of the God of the universe?
When we read stories with a God who is mentioned as only having begun the world, but then ignored for the rest of the story, we’re unconsciously preaching the lies of Deism to ourselves and our children.
When we read stories with a God who is only prayed to in sticky or uncomfortable situations, we’re proclaiming that God isn’t needed in our everyday lives, but is only useful when we can’t help ourselves.
When we read stories with a God who is antiquated, only for adults, and present only in church-related environments, we’re succumbing to modernity’s infectious poison and culture’s destructive lies.
If you are reading a story where God is present, then make sure that God is being represented as real, Christ as powerful, and the Holy Spirit as active. These kinds of stories will encourage your faith, strengthen your courage, and empower your resolve.
Scan Your Bookshelves
What we read impacts the way we think. The way we think impacts the way we live. The way we live impacts our eternity. If this is true, then should we settle for mediocre Christian fiction stories that misconstrue reality, sacrifice quality for tritely written conversion scenes, and present Christ as being weak?
Read stories with noble characters, captivating plots, elaborate worlds.
Read stories that seamlessly integrate redemptive arcs into beautifully developed characters and worlds.
Read stories that glorify God by highlighting his creativity in the intricateness of the human mind and the beauty of a well-told story.
