Evaluating Contemporary Christian Fiction by the Light of God’s Word
Christian fiction has exploded in the marketplace. Reading it used to be a pleasant escape. But nowadays popular Christian novels are featuring more and more of those disturbing elements that once were relegated to pagan, occult or secular worldviews . . .
“We’re safe at last!” we thought, after being devastated by countless bizarre occult ideas rampant during our fourteen years in the New Age-psychedelic lifestyle.
When Jesus Christ exploded into our lives in 1976 by miraculously healing Linda of cancer, and rescued us from our existence of living hell, we rushed into the arms of His Church. But during the more than 25 years that have followed, we have encountered innumerable strange teachings throughout the Body of Christ—often “baptized” in Christian jargon and echoing that which we escaped from—paganism, witchcraft, and the world.
Many Christians, we soon learned, are ignorant not only of the Word of God but of the enemy’s deceptions—and even his actual existence. Thus, for many years, we have taught classes and seminars designed to awaken the Church to stand in this battle. [See About Us]
In recent years, a new challenge has arisen. Christian fiction is hot!
Christian fiction has exploded. Not long ago in many parts of the Evangelical culture, Christians weren’t even supposed to read fiction. But since Frank Peretti’s breakthrough blockbuster, This Present Darkness, sales have been climbing skyward and boundaries expanding outward.
Christian fiction is becoming edgier and more realistic about life problems such as substance abuse, sexual abuse, and the occult. And, with the sweeping advent of Christianized fantasy by such masters as C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, vast numbers of Christian readers are opening up to powerful ideas and images they never would have embraced before.
Reading fiction used to be a pleasant escape. But all too often nowadays we are seeing it reveal those same disturbing elements we thought we had escaped when we came to Christ. Sometimes partial truths are unknowingly promoted, or they overlap with and include unbiblical worldly, syncretistic, and occult philosophies. Such mixtures appear even in otherwise excellent novels.
At the same time, some very powerful novels are appearing that kindle a fire of truth and faith in a darkening world. We believe these deserve to be praised.
Propelling this explosion is the rapidly growing trend of both the Christian and general markets to focus on potential best sellers. The May/June 2003 WIN-Informer[i] stresses how most publishers today are focusing on potentially big-selling books, are celebrity-driven, and are influenced by mass media, a view echoed in many other places. A major literary agent recently commented on how much the Christian market is driven by "glitz" and "star power."
Furthermore, publishers these days seldom can afford to invest long-term in lesser known authors. And, finally, in an attempt to be more genuine and to reach the unsaved culture, Christian fiction itself is moving more and more toward edgier stories with more realism. Thus, just as the need for discernment in publishing decisions increases, the ability or decision to do so appears to decrease.
Yet, authors are not only storytellers but teachers who have a great responsibility before God. The power of fiction to touch lives deeply is immense. It is a tremendous influencer of worldview.[ii] It models lifestyles. It shapes thought and attitudes. It reaches the heart in a manner that nonfiction often cannot.
Are we building a genuinely Biblical literary culture?
The power of fiction to touch lives deeply is immense. It is a tremendous influencer of worldview. It models lifestyles. It shapes thought and attitudes. It reaches the heart in a manner that nonfiction often cannot.
Because I was so deceived for so many years before knowing Christ, I began praying before reading a new book or article. I want to be transformed by the "renewing of my mind," whether it's reading for pleasure or for edification. "Give me your wisdom, Lord. Show me anything that displeases you in this work," I mutter over each new book. And He does. Then one day several years ago He directed us to create this website.
We believe it’s time for some evaluation. We’ve personally experienced the terrible fruits of worldly and occult thinking—and lived to tell about it—and we want to encourage all Christians to obey Scripture’s command to “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21 NIV). The Lord and the times demand it. We are each called as individuals to be "good Bereans," to "rightly divide the Word of God," to "examine our life and doctrine closely" and to be ready "in season and out of season" to give the reason for our hope.
Isaiah 28:17 says: "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line" (NIV). That’s the purpose of this "plumb line" on fiction—to try and apply God's Word and His gift of discernment to the burgeoning field of that which is called Christian fiction.
We hope you will join us. If you don't already pray over your fiction for wisdom and discernment, why not start now? If you do, we'd like your comments as we look at selected Christian literature from a Biblical philosophical and theological base. There will be a special place for your comments with each review.
Valkyries: Some through the fire – ISBN 0-8024-1513-X-Book One Valkyries: Some through the blood – ISBN 0-8024-1514-8-Book Two
How to deal with the problem of paganism in the culture is an ages-old problem that has plagued the Body of Christ since its beginning. Over the centuries, it has been confronted in various ways—none too successfully. See if you agree with what Linda has to say about Jeri’s attempts.
We hope you are challenged to read fiction with a clear eye, a prayer for discernment, and the Bible close at hand. Oh, and don't forget to enjoy your reading!
Sincerely in Christ, Richard and Linda Nathan
[i]WIN Informer, p. 4. http://www.christianwritersinfo.net/ [ii] See “Suggested Guidelines for Examining Christian Fiction” on this site.
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All topics are available online at www.fictionplumbline.com, along with a list of suggested guidelines for reading Christian fiction and an opportunity to give your own thoughts.
“I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line...” (Isaiah 28:17)
