What makes for good Christian Fiction?

[LookingLand]

I'm a writer working on a new book and would like to plug in to what Christians want to see in "Christian" fiction.

What specifically makes a novel "Christian" as opposed to plain ol' vanilla?

Can you name some books you consider specifically "Christian" in tone?

Thanks!

~ Alice

 

[Glenn316]

Hmmmm, I would have to say that a "Christian" novel would be one where the claims of Christ are presented in some way, either directly or indirectly. I read the novel "Yucatan Deep" by Tom Morrisey, It's an adventure novel sort of along the lines of a Clive Cussler novel. The hero is a technical diver. I must say that it has the most unusual location for a salvation experience I've ever read. It has believable characters and a good story line, even if you are not into diving. Stephen Lawhead has written some "Christian" sci-fi The Emperion saga (2 books) and Dream Thief. both are good sci-fi and the way he works God into these is quite different.

 

[Blessed-one]

God oriented. We are christians because we believe in Jesus.

however... i think christian values are important in christian books, the fruits of the Holy Spirit, etc etc. If you didn't put God into the book, that's fine, maybe it can be written in a way that reveals the emptiness in heart without God so as to lead the readers to wonder and think about it.

 

[LookingLand]

Thanks Glenn and Blessed!

That's really helpful.

I love it when a book can be Christian without being so overt that it seems to be plugging a particular WAY to be Christian; where even if the Characters are Catholic or Orthodox or Pentacostal, what you see are people living in Christ.

I'll have to check out that Morrisey book. It sounds interesting!

Anyone else have any thoughts or recommendations?

 

[Kookaburra]

I always loved the books where the main character's belief was questioned once or twice by others, but in the majority just being believable and doing whatever with the proper fruits of the spirit, as mentioned. Subtle undertones are more important, they leave more of an impression.

 

[LookingLand]

Kookabura,

Thanks!

You don't think the theme has been sort of done to death: the character who loses faith or is challenged and then overcome?

Just wondering.