What Is Christian Fiction?

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

What is Christian Fiction? How should Christians write?

I like writing fiction, and I am a Christian, so I have gotten involved in several groups that purport to be Christian’s writing fiction. But one thing that they seem to not be focused on is… writing Christian fiction.

Indeed several groups seem to be almost against the very idea that Christians should write Christian fiction. They seem to be pleased that there are Christians writing, but seem to be opposed to the idea that anyone should be able to tell, from their writing, that they are Christians.

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

I Peter 4:11

My brethren, these things should not be. I was involved in judging a Christian Fiction writing contest, and I was encouraged to judge on the use of the comma, but not on the use of the word Christ. Or, more specifically, on whether the work glorified God. I was told that the group were Christians writing fiction, but not Christian Fiction.

Quite frankly, I would rather judge atheists writing Christian Fiction, than Christians writing Atheist Fiction. Or ‘Secular Fiction’.

As Christians there should be nothing that we do which is not in captive to the mind of Christ. All that we do and are should be done to Him.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

I Cor 10:13

The first hallmark of something being Christian fiction is that it has the goal of glorifying God. We may disagree as to how that is to be done, and we might, indeed should, have different ways in which we do it… but that should be our goal!

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Titus 2:7

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

II Timothy 3:16-17

The second hallmark of Christian fiction would be that it adheres to the Bible standard of right, wrong, and truth. Not that of the world.

Christianity is not salt and light because it does things just as the world does. It is salt, and light, precisely because it is different. Because it holds to a different standard. A higher standard. God’s standard, as a matter of fact.

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Ezekiel 3:17-19

The third would be that it accurately attacks the sins of its age. Martin Luther is said to have said

If I profess with loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except that little point which the world and the Devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.

― Martin Luther

and, although there is some doubt as to whether or not he said it, there is no doubt that it represents Biblical truth.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Phillipians 4:8

On the flip side I would say that Christian Fiction doesn’t have a goal of ‘being realistic’. I read far to many stories by Christians that use foul language, blaspheme God, and get into morally perverse situations all under the guise of ‘being realistic’. The measuring stick that we should be measuring our writing against should be that of Scripture. And in Scripture the stories (both factual and the parables) deal with blasphemous men… without casually promoting their blasphemy. It deals with perverse men… without going into detail about their perversion. It promotes truth… not ‘realism’.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Romans 10:14-15

Nor does Christian Fiction have a goal of ‘not being preachy’. It is literally the goal of the Christian author to ‘preach’, in the broadest sense. But just like preaching at church, our preaching shouldn’t be boring. And given our medium, it should be integral to the story, and carry the reader along into the story. Are Christ’s parabables ‘preachy’? Then so should our stories be. Are they not ‘preachy’? Then that is how our stories should be. But lets us make no mistake… they are preaching.

Thank you for reading Von’s Substack. I would love it if you commented! I love hearing from readers, especially critical comments. I would love to start more letter exchanges, so if there’s a subject you’re interested in, get writing and tag me!

Being ‘restacked’ and mentioned in ‘notes’ is very important for lesser-known stacks so… feel free! I’m semi-retired and write as a ministry (and for fun) so you don’t need to feel guilty you aren’t paying for anything, but if you enjoy my writing (even if you dramatically disagree with it), then restack, please! Or mention me in one of your own posts.

If I don’t write you back it is almost certain that I didn’t see it, so please feel free to comment and link to your post. Or if you just think I would be interested in your post!

If you get lost, check out my ‘Table of Contents’ which I try to keep up to date.

Von also writes as ‘Arthur Yeomans’. Under that name he writes children’s, YA, and adult fiction from a Christian perspective. His books are published by Wise Path Books and include the children’s/YA books:

The Bobtails meet the Preacher’s Kid

The Bobtails and the Cousins

The Bobtails go to France

and

No Ordinary School

As well as GK Chesterton’s wonderful book, “What’s Wrong with the World”, for which ‘Arthur’ wrote most of the annotations.

Arthur also has a substack, and a website.

Thanks again, God Bless, Soli Deo gloria,

Von

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