all you need is some chocolate and a good book...

So the whole topic of Christian fiction was brought to my attention when I wrote the blog about the Judsons. Emily was a fiction writer, and she faced some criticism for it. Adoniram was not Emily's first or only critic. She faced much more criticism for her writing throughout her blossoming relationship with Judson. Those who opposed her writing the most were those within the religious circle. It is the same way today. Many still have harsh views on fiction especially Christian fiction even now. Some say it is a frivolous waste of time and pointless, but I beg to differ. I believe that Christian fiction can be just as God-glorifying as any other book for many reasons.

One of the first things I learned in college was there are different types of learning. The professor explained each one in hopes of helping us find out our particular learning style. She did this in order for us to get the most out of our education. If people do learn in different ways, then obviously there should be different types of books that approach learning from different angles. Christian fiction allows an author to take Biblical principles and create a story that shows practical application. This same type of thing occurs in the Bible when Jesus used parables. It's also used today when a pastor uses a story illustration in his sermon. If the novel is based on a specific Biblical account, then it gives the reader a behind the scenes view on a well known story. It allows the reader to understand in a new light, but also when done correctly can raise further questions and inspire further study.

Another positive to Christian novels is when an author writes with the sole purpose of bringing Him glory than it does nothing other than just that. It brings Him glory when a person uses the talents and abilities He has blessed them with in order to bring Him honor. It will show through their words and all throughout their story. It can be infectious to the reader and God will be glorified.

Most people pick up a book as a reason for escape. I personally did this very thing. I needed my mind to take me away from the reality of my situations. I wanted to hide from it all, so I escaped in books. I thank God that there are good and godly authors out there that allowed me to escape into their stories and come face to face with the Answer to my problems. Those books only led me back to Him and His Word. What an honor and privilege it would be if my books became an escape for someone who was struggling and running and wanted to hide and I have the opportunity to lead them in the direction of the One who holds the answers.

I've read books all of my life. I remember the first “real” book I read all the way through. It was the first in a series about Jenny McGrady, a sixth grade mystery solver. I started that book in sixth grade and continued the series until I was finished. I still own the series to this day. It opened a whole new world to me. I did like to write even then, but it all changed when I read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. That book changed the landscape of Christian fiction for me. I HAD to start writing once I finished that book. Francine Rivers inspired me to pick up my pen and create and to begin painting pictures with my words—pictures of God and His love for us. Yes, its a story and it is not the Bible, but I was finally able to grasp the depth of His love and all He had done for me. It took the Biblical account of Hosea and Gomer and added a depth and complexity and brought it to life for my simple mind to understand.

It did not discount the Bible. It only led me to search deeper and to know more. I put that book down, picked up my Bible and dug deep into the story of Hosea, but I didn't stop there. I wanted to know more about the Bible. I wanted to know what else the Bible had to offer. This is one of the joys of Christian fiction. It paints a picture using words and brings their imagination to life and ultimately drawing them to Him. That's my purpose in writing. I want the reader to experience my God through my words. That they will understand Him more through a story I might tell.

I know, my work will never include a deep theological concept or an exegesis of any type. My work will never be considered scholarly or held in high esteem at any prestigious seminary. I know there will always be those who do not approve of Christian novels, but just as Emily, I will continue to write, knowing that I am doing it all for the glory of God.