March 8th, 2010 by Kristi Stephens

Last week we started looking at the fact that Christian bookstores can be both a blessing and a trap.  On Tuesday we looked at what I affectionately call the “Jesus junk” section.  Today, I’d like to put a bug in your mind about “Christian fiction.”

In my opinion, one of the obvious symptoms of postmodern thinking in the church is a perception that if a book is fiction, it doesn’t matter what it says. This is the argument in support of The Shack which I most commonly hear.  “How can you say this book is heretical? It’s fiction!”  Usually this statement is spoken with a tone that basically implies, “Duh – fiction isn’t true.”

I realize that fictional stories, by definition, are not true. Thank you for filling in that gap in my understanding. [Pardon the sarcasm.] ;)

But hear me here: whether set in a fictional story or a nonfiction book, ideas have consequences.

Every single work produced by humanity comes attached to a world view – the author, the artist, the song writer, the blogger – no matter who is producing the work, an idea is trying to be conveyed.  The same is true with fictional writing.  Everyone who has received even a moderately well-rounded liberal arts education understands that great works of fiction can powerfully influence society – while the stories themselves are fictional, they are conveying a message which can change real people’s perception of the world.  From Farenheit 451 to Pilgrim’s Progress to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, fiction has the capacity to capture our imaginations, move our hearts, and influence or change our thinking.

As we approach a work of fiction, even”Christian fiction,” we must be aware that there is a worldview being expressed in this work.  The author’s framework for what is true, what is right, the purpose of life, the accountability of man, the nature and ways of God – all of these ideas can be woven, sometimes subtly, throughout a work of fiction.

As I discussed in my past reviews of The Shack, within the setting of a fictional story, Young presents clear statements about the natures of both God and humanity that are completely nonbiblical.  The fact that the storyline is fictional does not clear him of all accountability for the false ideas he is clearly presenting.  In my opinion, this fictional packaging can make ideas even more dangerous precisely because our guard is usually down as we read.  Instead of having to thoughtfully engage a nonfiction book which is upfront about trying to change our ideas and perceptions of God’s nature and ways, we pick up a fictional book expecting to be innocuously entertained – we are pulled into the story and emotion overrules logic.  We swallow false teachings much more easily when they’re sugar coated in a story.

My concerns with fiction do not end with The Shack. Like I said, every work of fiction comes attached to a worldview.  This can be a good thing when the author is grounded in truth and committed to communicating truth through fictional characters.  This is one of the reasons why I love to read books by Francine Rivers.  She is a beautiful example of a Christian author who writes fiction that communicates truth in a powerful way through the medium of story.  She is not the only one of course, and neither is Young the only author who weaves heresy into a gripping plot.

No matter what we read, we must watch for the communication of worldview.  How is the author presenting the nature, ways, and Word of God?  Does this line up with God’s clear revelation?  Does the plot blur the line between right and wrong?  Even within innocuous seeming books of Christian romance, is romance itself being deified in a way that leads us to dissatisfaction and could even tempt us toward sinful relationships?

If you’ve read any of my book reviews, you know that I am also a stickler for excellence in addition to doctrinal truth.  I am amazed how many Christian books I read that are full of typographical errors, poorly developed characters, and predictable or overly-simplistic plot lines.

Story, just like every other medium used to communicate, is a powerful tool in our “toolbox” of ways to communicate and teach truth within both Christian and secular circles.  We need to be sure it is communicating TRUTH, and then we need to use it skillfully.  We need Christian authors who are willing to be true masters of their craft – not for the purpose of selling books, but for the purpose of teaching Truth to a society that responds much more to story than to a reasoned argument.

We have a great model to consider – for no one told stories with a purpose like Jesus did!

Look for truth.  Look for excellence.  And keep your mind engaged!

Do you have favorite Christian authors of fiction? If you have found authors who communicate truth with skill, head on over to the fan page discussion and share your thoughts!

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