Comments on: IS IT TIME FOR CHRISTIAN FICTION TO DIE?

By: What Can Be Done About Christian Fiction?

What Can Be Done About Christian Fiction? — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:44:39 +0000

[...] book sellers, reviewers, etc.] about storytelling as it relates to faith. Last year we ran Eric Wilson’s thought-provoking piece and today we’d like to continue that conversation with a recent essay by a well-respected [...]

By: Bunmi

Bunmi — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:33:34 +0000

I think he makes a very good point… in general, as Christians I think we tend to water down art/talent and shy away from “real” stuff cause we’re so concerned about projecting a “Christian” image.

I read a lot of Christian authors, and I love many of them! But a lot are not necessarily well-written as the secular books I read. Or the messages are shallow, or they become too preachy and I feel like I’m not reading a novel, but reading a theology book! My cousin, who’s also a Christian, recently told me he hasn’t read a book labeled “Christian” in almost 10 years for these reasons…

Also, since as a Christian, when I read a really good Christian novel I find myself thinking, “it’s a shame a non-Christian may never read this…” since it’s placed in the Religious/Christian section and would most likely turn off non-Christians from buying it, or giving it a try. I also feel it’s a shame that the book is judge, not by its content or cover, but by it’s marketing and in the end doesn’t reach the people it might need to reach the most…

But I don’t necessarily think it’s time for Christian Lit to die… but maybe it needs some rethinking?

By: Mary Schneider

Mary Schneider — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:15:10 +0000

THANK YOU! You’ve put into words the battle I’ve fought for years. As a regular attendee at a “Christian” writer’s conference, I’m often disappointed in the unwillingness of Christian authors to step away from the stigma of religion and to go where our kids are living on a day to day basis.

So many of the YA authors out there are atheists or follow some watered-down brand of spirituality… and kids are starving for Truth. I don’t mean we need to slip the Gospel message into our books like tracts left with a waitresses tip, but the basic sense of right and wrong that drove Frodo on his journey, the recognition of the force that would “rule us all” is missing in today’s literature.

I would love to see more real authors writing real books for real kids.

Rejoicing in the day,
-Mary

By: Janalyn Voigt

Janalyn Voigt — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:00:05 +0000

I know where you are coming from, Eric, and I agree with you, to a point. While all Christians are called to evangelize in large and small ways, some are given to minister within the Body. It’s important to keep the flock. Trouble arises, however, when those called to sit among the sinners gather around the potluck table in the fellowship hall instead. It’s easier and more comfortable there but it doesn’t further God’s purposes for that believer or for those he would reach. It takes courage to step up and step out. Well done.

By: Nike Chillemi

Nike Chillemi — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:02:35 +0000

Thank you Eric Wilson for a marvelous article that’s spot on.

There’s too much sanitizing in the CBA world of fiction.

BTW…I hate the obligatory 10 questions at the end. Never read them. It’s like the author and publisher are saying I’m too stupid to formulate my own thought on the book, or too lazy to challege my mind to relate the book to issues in my own life.

By: Tracy Krauss

Tracy Krauss — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:07:39 +0000

Bravo! What an articulate post about a real issue. May many authors who are also Christians take it to heart!

By: C.L. Dyck

C.L. Dyck — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:50:34 +0000

I don’t think it’s exactly right to refer to Eric’s public statements as a rant. What I’ve perceived is a conversation that quickly got out of control as additional concerns about industry pragmatics arose. The original plea was to consider the value of outreach. Eric asked Christians to care about people dying and going to hell.

So, you know, if it is taken as a rant, I can’t think of a better topic. And yes, there have been misspeaks and unclear statements from a lot of people involved so far. But it’s not a valid argument to claim the people who speak up about the problem are themselves the problem.

We do have a problem. By and large, at the most practical, personal level, we don’t believe in hope anymore. In my experience, we individual Christians don’t believe in personal risk, person to person. It’s not about industry risk. It’s about reader risk. The industry is handcuffed to economics. It can’t change until the readers lead the way. What Eric is doing on a personal level, by taking a stand and putting the people “out there” first in his life, is inviting Christians to open their hearts, to find hope, to stop fearing. Yes, we go together, readers and writers and publishers.

But it starts with us as people, regardless of our industry role.

By: David A. Bedford

David A. Bedford — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:01:59 +0000

Powerfully put and true on the mark. I would be very interested in knowing what you think of my book, the first of a series of three. You can find out about it on my blog and website. Thanks!

By: Nikole Hahn

Nikole Hahn — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:32:46 +0000

http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/2010/07/26/so-tired-of-the-same-arguments/

I thought this was well put on the subject.

By: Nikole Hahn

Nikole Hahn — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:30:27 +0000

One more thing and then I’m done with this topic.

1) How far should a Christian book go?
2) Are we causing our brothers or sisters to stumble with our content?
3) Would our work please God?

I think these are questions we should ask ourselves when considering publishing in either market.