New Direction for Christian Publishing? – byFaith Online
I really appreciated this article in the Presbyterian Church in America’s on-line magazine "by Faith" — some time ago there was an interesting discussion on the WORLD blog site about fiction written from a Christian worldview. I argued then, fairly strenuously, that if in fact we want to write distinctly "Christian" fiction then the distinct message of the Gospel needs to be included. I am fairly sure I still feel that way. I’m uncomfortable with labeling "Christian" anything that does not specifically and clearly articulate the Gospel, but…this article makes many good points about just how bad "Christian" fiction has become. I’m not for that either. Take, for instance, those dreadful "Left Behind" books. I tried to start reading the first one and was so revolted by the horrible writing I could not go any further. No piece of writing should get a free-pass just because it is "Christian." Well, I continue to muse on these things. This article was an excellent opportunity for such musing. What do you think of it?
Link: New Direction for Christian Publishing? – byFaith Online.
I’m generally suspicious of anything that uses the word “Christian” as an adjective. A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ. There is no such thing as Christian fiction, Christian music, Christian plumbing, Christian jazzercise, Christian tacos, etc. Now a novel, a poem or a film might portray biblical truth in varying degrees. Is Leornardo Da Vinci’s “Last Supper” painting a Christian painting? Are the paint and the canvas Christian? No, but it portrays well a scene from the life of Christ and can be used devotionally or catechetically. Sometimes even non-Christians can produce art or literature – either intentionally or unintentionally – which portray truths and realities which parallel the outlook of Christianity.