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!

I am an Amazon affiliate and would receive a small percentage of any sales resulting from the links in this post.

This weekend, my review of The Illustrated Children’s Bible prompted a lot more discussion than I was anticipating!  I thought that this week, while I’m working on my behind the scenes blog transition, it might be beneficial to take some time on a “virtual field trip” to a Christian book store.

When I’m talking with new believers, or believers who just aren’t well grounded in their faith, few things make me more nervous than hearing them begin a sentence with the phrase, “I was looking around at the Christian book store…”

When people enter a Christian book store, their guards go down.  Unlike looking through books at a secular store, there is an inherent trust that these books are “good” books, “Biblical” books, books that will teach the truth.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

I went to our local Christian bookstore this weekend.  I love it there.  The lighting is soothing, soft praise music plays in the background, the store is attractive and inviting.  I am drawn to the seemingly endless selection of Bibles, Bible covers, piano music, Scripture-filled home decor, and even flannelgraph.  It feels homey.  I fit there.

And then… I turn to see a huge shelf labeled with “You Should Own These Books!”

What’s on the shelf?  Beth Moore’s So Long, Insecurity sits next to Dave Ramsey‘s The Total Money Makeover.  Not so bad.  But among other things, there also sits The Shack.  (I’ve made my opinions about this book quite clear!)  I’m sure that in a short amount of time Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christianity will be sitting there, as well – and if you’re thinking about reading it, I would highly recommend you read Mike Wittmer’s thorough reviews (which begin here) of this heretical explanation of a “new kind of Christianity” – which isn’t Christianity at all.

“So, what’s the problem,” you wonder?

Christian bookstores are a business, not a church.  They do not seek to make theological statements.  If it is a “Christian” book and it sells, they will usually sell it.

I would venture to say that we should walk into a Christian book store with as much, if not more, awareness that what all of these items are screaming out at us may not be true.

This week we’ll take one section of the “bookstore” at a time, and I’d like to share some concerns I have with you and what I look for in books and other “Christian” products.  Granted, this will be a very opinion-filled series.  You might not agree with me, and that’s ok.  I just want us to think about what we’re buying, reading, supporting.

There is only one Book that is truly TRUE in everything it says.  There is only one BOOK that can be trusted completely for an accurate depiction of our God.  EVERYTHING else must be judged in light of God’s only authorized biography.

The links above are amazon affiliate links.  I would receive a small percentage of any sales resulting from these links.  But please, don’t buy The Shack. ;)  Image from wikipedia.

Why did God give us the Bible? What’s the point of it all?

Many people think that the Bible is just a historical record - it tells us what happened in the past. To an extent, this is true. The Bible is absolutely correct and trustworthy in all of the historical details given, and the field of archaeology continues to show this to be true. However, if the Bible was meant to be just a history book, it seems like some very important details are left out.

Have you ever wondered why we don’t know anything about Jesus’ childhood? Or what happened to Joseph, his earthly “father”? In fact, hundreds of years will go by with no mention at all, while a very short span of history (say, the life of Abraham and his family) are described in detail. Why? Because the point is not just to record history.

Even more people believe that the Bible is meant to be a moral guide. Have you heard the Bible referred to as “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth?” While it again holds true that the Bible does give us guidance on how to live, not every story included in the text prescriptively tells me how to live. Take a cursory read through the book of Judges and you have quite a disturbing plot for an R rated movie! Why does God include these awful stories in His Word? Well, it certainly is not because they tell us how to live!

So, why do we have it? Why bother reading it?? Unfortunately, even if you were raised in the Church, you may have a two-dimensional view of the Bible. I like to call this “flannel graph theology!” We know the “who, what, when, and where” in detail. Maybe you were even on a quiz team and know lots of Bible trivia (Quick! How many cubits wide and long was the Ark of the Covenant?). But, what is far too often missing is the WHY. Many times we even discourage people from asking these questions. Why do we live this way? “That’s just what good Christians do.” Why is this weird story about a talking donkey in the Bible? (Sometimes we avoid that all together by not teaching the “weird” ones!)

Let me tell you a life-changing secret: The Bible is not about us, or even some amazing people in ancient history!! The Bible’s main purpose is to reveal God! HE is the primary purpose – to tell us about our Creator, Redeemer, Father, and Lord of the universe. The Bible doesn’t just tell us who did what, or how to live. The Bible reveals God’s character, His plan for the ages, and His relentless pursuit of His people. It tell us WHY we should do certain things (because of the character of our God), rather than just WHAT to do. It paints amazing pictures of complex characters throughout its pages, not to lift them up and glorify the people, but to show the amazing grace, sovereignty, justice, compassion, etc. of the God behind it all.

So, you want to know Who God is? Put down The Shack and pick up His Word – it’s all about God!