Christian writers?

[Strider1002]

What is a Christian writer?
I am wrestling with this like Jacob wrestled with God.
Is it someone who tries to sanitize the world in their stories, afraid to depict anything evil or anything that might upset anyone?
Or is it someone who shows just exactly how evil and corrupt the world really is and assures you that God can and will prevail anyway?
Discuss.

 

[bekkilyn]

Not sure why this is a conversation only for singles, but I'd say that a Christian writer is anyone who primarily writes based on a Christian-based worldview and marketed towards Christians and what they believe Christians want to read. Some may sanitize and some may not based on the type of book they are writing. For example, a romance may be very sanitized of sex compared to secular romances, but a Christian thriller may be just as bloody as a secular thriller. It just depends.

"Christian writer" is really more about marketing than anything else.

 

[Saucy]

I've been attacked often for what I write, but because of my childhood, I enjoy writing stories where people face monsters of all kinds and overcome them. It helped me grow and get over the trauma in my life. But I don't always write happy endings, either. It's a real depiction of life. If Christians want to judge so harshly, the bible is one of the most vile books with plenty of lude behavior, mass murder, etc. It's a true reality. Write whatever you want. Not everyone will like it, but others will.

 

[Jenniferdiana]

thats why i dread writing stuff because of peoples opinions..

 

[Strider1002]

Not sure why this is a conversation only for singles

Because Singles is my safe space

 

[Strider1002]

Maybe I should phrase it this way... what is expected of a Christian who is a writer? Whether or not they brand themselves as a “Christian author” or their novels as “Christian novels.”

 

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

I agree with king Saucy about what he said about looking thru the Bible and seeing some of the graphic stuff God chose to include in His written revelation to man. It gets pretty intense. As for Christian writers today, I think all is fair as long as they don't go past the boundaries of Ephesians 4:29 and always give the hope and redemption that's in Jesus thru the message of the gospel.

 

[kittysbecute]

Maybe I should phrase it this way... what is expected of a Christian who is a writer? Whether or not they brand themselves as a “Christian author” or their novels as “Christian novels.”

Write what you want to write. If you aren't sure about including some content, pray about it and follow what you believe is right. It might help you to get second opinions as well.
If you aren't marketing your book as a christian book then you don't really need to fit it into a specific frame.
Along those lines, I think is important when writing to think about your target audience as well.

 

[dreadnought]

What is a Christian writer?
I am wrestling with this like Jacob wrestled with God.
Is it someone who tries to sanitize the world in their stories, afraid to depict anything evil or anything that might upset anyone?
Or is it someone who shows just exactly how evil and corrupt the world really is and assures you that God can and will prevail anyway?
Discuss.

I think you've made your opinion clear. I just think a Christian writer is someone who is trying to make the world a better place.

 

[Strider1002]

Perhaps I am a Christian who wants to write stories that bring non-believers closer to God... rather than writing stories just to appease fellow Christians.

 

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

Perhaps I am a Christian who wants to write stories that bring non-believers closer to God... rather than writing stories just to appease fellow Christians.

How many have you written so far?

 

[dreadnought]

Perhaps I am a Christian who wants to write stories that bring non-believers closer to God... rather than writing stories just to appease fellow Christians.

Then do so.

 

[JAM2b]

Answers are going to vary by perceptions and by authors intents.

I view it as you can be a Christian writer, or you can be a Christian who writes. To me a Christian writer is someone who specifically writes to encourage/entertain/teach other Christians or to spread the truth as they see it to unbelievers. A Christian who writes may or may not do that, and could write about anything that includes something Scriptural or about Christian life or not.

Regardless of what kind of writing we do, as Christians we are representing Christ, no matter what we do. So our behavior, attitudes, and choices should reflect that. What does that mean in specifics? That's something that the individuals need to come to terms with between themselves and God.

I write a lot of children's stuff (and have a hybrid deal in the works!!!! ) but I also like Chick Lit and creative non-fiction. I have a few works in progress that toe the edge, and I'm wondering how far over the edge should it go? What would an audience think? If my intent is to draw in people who might have a hard life and not be aware of the love and compassion of Christ, do I care what the sensitive Christian crowd that has it all together thinks? Is unnecessary violence or sexual content going to promote the message or hinder it? How much do I WANT to think about the bad things?

It's important to ponder these things, search Scripture about how to imitate Christ, and follow the convictions from the Holy Spirit.

 

[bekkilyn]

Maybe just ask the question is what you are writing drawing you closer or farther away from Jesus? It's going to be different for each person. One person can safely write about a topic and it's not going to affect the spiritual relationship at all, but another can write about the exact same thing and the relationship may be severely negatively affected. Whether you write secularly or religiously, always write prayerfully.

 

[Willing-heart]

Virtually all my writings on www.femiroyalblog.com have come about through my heart's desire to draw near and know the heart of my Heavenly Father. This desire has been significantly aided by "Leading the Way (LTW)," – a Christian ministry with Dr Michael Youssef entirely committed to passionately proclaiming uncompromising truth... At school, we often kept a notebook handy to take notes on the teacher's lecture. How much more important is it for us not only to take notes but also to discern when we see, listen or read about what is been proclaimed about God, or what God is teaching us through people? When something is important, you write it down. For this reason, God Gave us His Living Word - The Holy Bible. I keep asking the Holy Spirit to help me write His story and not my own. To God alone be all honour and glory.