Monday, May 30, 2011

Theology in Fiction

Have you ever wondered why all of the Christian fiction on the market seems so worldly? Have you ever wanted it to make an impact, but don't know why it fails to do so? Have you ever wanted to read a Christian novel that was actually Christian?

I have wondered this many times, and I have found that it is primarily because of it being more marketable when it contains less Christianity. Publishers seem to be more focused on producing fiction that will sell Christian fiction to the world instead of publishing Christian fiction for Christians.

I believe that as Christians, to do such a thing is immoral. Yea, sinful.

The Christian fiction market is hardly readable anymore. I have read books by the best selling Christian authors that contained obcene language. That is unacceptable. We need to go back to write all things for the Glory of God. We must turn things around, and instead as writers keep the Supremacy of Christ a reality in our fiction.

John Bunyan did this, he wrote Pilgrim's Progress and Holy War as fictional stories with a deep, theological meaning. It has been done and it can be done, why don't we try today?

I started this blog with the tagline "theology in fiction" which I hope will summarize what I try to do with writing. I study theological books and reference material in preparation for ministry, and I notice that most people don't read these because they find them to be hard to understand. I wondered if there was a way to fix this. In February, I began a rough draft of my first prototype of a theological novel to demonstrate the Sovereignty and Providence of God in human suffering and I finished the rough draft last week. This is my first novel that has tried to tackle theological issues practically. I found that the novel grew and grew, dealing with the Gospel, child evangelism and the careful measures that must be used, the Sovereignty of God, the Providence of God, suicide, abortion, guilt, forgiveness, and sacrifice. It dealt with child abuse, PTSD, grief of a lost loved one and more. It struck me how much larger it became than it's original vision, and I was struck with the fact that it can be used for more than just a hobby, it can be a ministry. I finished out at 102, 000 + words, and I tried my best to make theology applicable and easy to grasp for readers everywhere, I hope I accomplished that. I will rewrite it soon and hope it comes out better.

I have a friend who shares this vision with me, to write for the Glory of God and demonstrate theology in fiction. I grieve over the lack of truly Christian fiction and desire to change it. We have a gift, to communicate ideas through words, and when wielded properly it can bring glory to God. Why would we use it for anything else?

This post is entitled "Theology in fiction" and that is my ultimate goal and vision. If, by Providence, you run by this blog and read this post, I hope you will share this vision with me to reclaim the Supremacy of God in fiction and will pray that other writers will catch this, and we may see a new day dawn.

All that's left I can say is, Soli Deo Gloria.


Following Him,
Michael Wright
Rom 1:16; Phil 1:21

P. S. I hope to publish an excerpt of my writing soon. God bless.

8 comments:

  1. Oh, wow. Awesome. I just stumbled across this blog while looking at your profile, and I can't tell you how enthusiastic I am about it! :D

    I typically avoid modern "Christian" fiction like the plague, because, as you said, it is so worldly... not to mention that the majority of it is written so badly it makes me wince. :)

    I like what you're doing here, and look forward to reading excerpts of this book of yours. Keep up the great work!

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  2. @Inkslinger: Thanks, I was wondering if you might find it. I was going to have a few excerpts up before I really started to propagate it. I agree, that the modern Christian fiction today makes me wince as well. I read one of Ted Dekker's newer books "Immanuel's Veins" and found it to be awful. This is the prime on the market today, sadly enough. It's time to change. I hope to have a brief statement of faith up here soon. I need to work with Joel a little to see if we can outline it and get it ready.

    Thanks for the kind words, Soli Deo Gloria.

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  3. Yes indeed time for a change! I share Inkslinger's enthusiasm and look forward to reading. Glory!! Thanks Michael and Joel!

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  4. @thereformedtraveler: Thank you for the kind words. I should have an excerpt up in a few days, it will be from the prologue of the rough draft I just finished. I have to format it for the net.

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  5. I didn't even know there was such an animal as Christian Fiction since to be Christian it would have to be Christian. It is like saying Christian Stealing. These two words seem to be an oxymoron. I enjoyed your post and was glad to see it listed on inkslinger's flotsam and jetsam.

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  6. Amen, it seems there is a lot of faking going on lately. It's time to change.

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  7. I can't wait for Joel to get going, he's had some issues with that dizziness still and it has hindered his writing. Hopefully the Lord will see fit to heal him soon.

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