Christian Fiction: Reality and Necessity

If you're wondering, yes, I am still working on this blog. However, I had to write a post in relation to something I read recently.

There was a post over at the blog Novel Rocket titled The "Myth" of Secular Fiction. Though it was a play on words, the basic argument laid out by Mike Duran, the author, was that the line between the sacred and secular is unclear and should not be implemented when it comes to art, specifically fiction writing. One particular quote that caught my attention was the following:

By dividing the "spiritual" and the "secular," not only do we create potential animosity or suspicion between camps (the same animosity that forced Lewis towards unbelief), we simply miss God's larger work in the world.

There is much that can be said on Mr. Duran's assessment but I'm only addressing this particular statement since it's the culmination of the article's overall point. I'll address other points in upcoming posts.

Let me say succinctly from the onset that this kind of view is unbiblical.

Secular simply means worldly: of the world, by the world, in support of a worldly worldview. The term is often misused among both Christians and non-Christians and therefore it only creates more confusion. The problem when it comes to fiction writing or other art is actually getting the definition of the terms correct from the beginning.

The Bible is clear about separating  godly and ungodly. Good and evil. Holy and unholy. Spiritual and flesh. There is a fear in our culture today and it is sweeping through churches where to hold fast to this kind of antithetical view is unwise. Some even say un-Christian or unloving. Yet God has clearly laid this out in his word (Psalm 34:14, Proverbs 4:27, Isaiah 33:15, 2 Corinthians 6:17, 1 Thessolonians 5:21, 1 Peter 1:16).

When we separate Christian from non-Christian writing, we are actually fulfilling a biblical mandate not to make a brother stumble (Romans 14:13). While we still have the freedom to do so, we should make a distinction for those who may be weaker in the faith as well as to edify others in the faith (Romans 14:19). Art does not trump the well being of another Christian for the sake of liberty.

Writers who are Christian should not, in any way, support a secular worldview which can be extrapolated from the overall theme of a written piece. Whether we want to admit it or not, when we write something, fiction or nonfiction, we are writing from a presuppositional worldview. This can be deliberate or indeliberate but rest assured, it will come through. If that worldview is not biblically and doctrinally sound, we run the risk of muddying the waters for a lost world, adding more to the problem. In addition, there's also the risk of missing the overall point of our mission on earth as Christians which is to glorify God, standing and representing the truth at all times in all things.

The assumption that Lewis's unbelief was somehow fueled by the antithetical is erroneous. It is clear that if a man doesn't choose God, it has absolutely nothing to do with antithesis but with his own evil heart (Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 14:1-3, John 3:20, James 1:14-16). He simply blamed it on the antithetical which was the same thing that happened in the garden of Eden (by the way, I love me some C.S. Lewis so don't interpret this as some kind of negative referendum towards him).

Animosity between the secular and the Christian should be expected (John 15:19). We are not called to be friends with the world (James 4:4). We're not even called to change the world. We're called to be faithful and represent the truth, reproving the works of darkness that's in it (Luke 16:10, Ephesians 5:11). That means in everything that we do incuding writing (1 Corinthians 10:31).

In short, any writing that supports and promotes a secular worldview we have a duty to:

1. Reprove as false.
2. Warn other believers not to partake in it.
3. Shun it.

There should be a clear and unmitigated distinction in Christian versus secular writing, fiction or not.

All that being said, it does not mean that everything that's not in a Christian bookstore is secular. I'll cover this in my next post.

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Posted in: Christian fiction,Christian writing,fiction,writing life

The Christian Writer's Ten Commandments

While part of a discussion on a forum recently, it occurred to me that a Christian writer has a very different approach and outlook to writing then non-Christians. Our whole motive is different. Knowing that the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 are tenets by which we live, I sat down and put together a list of ten commandments that every Christian writer should live by when writing. In so doing, we can be sure that whatever we write will be pleasing to God and then others.

So, without further adieu, here they are. The Christian Writer's Ten Commandments:

1. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.(1 Corinthians 10:31)

If this isn't the ultimate motivation in our writing (and life), then we've just missed the boat entirely.

2. Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessolonians 5:17)

Think that's self-explanatory.

3. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22b)

This is actually the hard part because what if God is saying, "Don't write" or, "I'm calling you to do something else. Drop this." Let it be the Lord that's compelling you to write. If the desire is there, it's strong, and God has made a way for you to do it, run with it.

4. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? (Luke 14:28)

Do your research no matter which route you decide to go (legacy or self-publishing). Know what you're getting into and plan how you're going to get there. This is the is just wise. Write it out and stick it somewhere where you can look at it regularly. Like the old adage says, if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.

5. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5)

Lay these plans before the Lord and be willing to change them as He leads. Nothing is written in stone.

6. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Ecclesiates 9:10)

No half steppin folks. If you're going to do it, then do it well. Don't put out a low grade rag. Endeavor to put out a good, professional product and work it. As J Oswald Sanders says, Mediocrity is the result of never getting tired.

7. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. (Proverbs 10:4)

Being lazy is one way to fail at reaching any kind of goals for your writing, monetary or otherwise (there's nothing wrong with making money with your writing. However, see commandments three and four). Work regularly and diligently writing. Saying you're waiting on the muse is another way of saying you're lazy. As the mantra says, writers write. So, as another mantra states, just do it.

8. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. (Proverbs 15:22)

Work with people you trust that give wise counsel about writing and the industry. Read blogs and join forums like this to glean as much information that you can. Ask questions. No one is above learning.

9. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

Learn to be discerning in what advice you take. If it runs counter to biblical principles and ethics, chuck it and move on. It all goes back to the first commandment.

10. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:10)

Be willing to help others with whatever knowledge and wisdom God has given you and even to go beyond that. Guest blog for others or tweet helpful links. Suggest books that have helped you. Give and it shall be given to you because you'll reap what you sow. So sow helpfulness.

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Posted in: Christian writing,writing life

Christian Writer or Writer That's a Christian?

When I was a DJ over at a Christian radio station, I often met many music artists who identified themselves not as Christian music artists but music artists who are Christian. You may look at that and think that they're one in the same but actually that's not true. Each one distinguishes a different audience and also, to a lesser extent, what identity takes precedence.

I was thinking about this recently in my capacity as a writer. I'm a part of a forum at Christian Writers.com. The title of the site itself prompted me to think about how I was going to identify myself. Am I a Christian writer or writer that's a Christian? Then it hit me: I wouldn't use neither of these designations. I would simply say I'm a Christian that's a writer. The differences are subtle but there are differences.

The Christian Writer

The Christian writer is one who writes for a Christian audience exclusively. They may aspire to have their writing in Christian bookstores and publications. They are Christians writing for Christians.

The Writer That's a Christian

The writer that's a Christian puts their emphasis on writing. They think of themselves primarily as a writer and therefore may take on topics and assignments are questionable to some.

In my personal experience, out of the three, these are the most prone to compromise their faith for the sake of their craft because it's how they identify themselves chiefly. I saw this firsthand time and time again in the music industry and it never failed.

The Christian Who Is a Writer

This person identifies themselves as a Christian first. That is what taints everything that they do which includes their writing. Therefore, there are assignments they will not pursue and their writing may be Christian in how it is written and in content yet not necessarily be exclusively for Christians.

I sometimes crossover from a Christian writer to a Christian who is a writer, depending on the subject matter. But I'm never a writer that's a Christian. You may call it splitting hairs or being overly semantic but I beg to differ (obviously). The devil is in the details.

So...who are you (for those who this applies)? Inquiring minds want to know.

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Posted in: Christian writing,writing,writing life