Weekend Writing: The Stereotypes of Christian Fiction

I recently read a blog post explaining the "problems" with the Christian fiction genre. The novels tend to have the same general story lines, and the conflict is resolved when the protagonist realizes that God was right all along. The characters seem too "perfect." Their dreams come true because they're "good people." The answers come too easily for them. The novels don't focus on difficult issues, like alcohol, depression, or sex. The author might seem too "preachy." Finally, a lot of people don't read Christian fiction novels because they're "predictable, sugar-coated, and poorly-written."

It's hard to overcome stereotypes. However, Christian fiction has evolved in many ways. If someone hasn't read a Christian novel in 20 or 30 years, they might think the genre is still the same way now than how it was in the 1980s or '90s. They don't try to read a newly-published Christian novel because they think they already know what the book is about.

Today's Christian novels are very vast: contemporary, historical, suspense, murder mysteries, adventure, young adult, romance, science fiction, and more. The genre isn't just about Amish fiction anymore. It has changed significantly, and I am loving where the genre is right now. Many current Christian novels are not only well-crafted, but they artfully integrate spiritual themes.

Sure, there's the occasional cookie-cutter story with limp language, but this also happens with secular novels. Browsing the fiction section of a bookstore, you will find a novel that has a stereotypical, predictable plot with characters you have already read about. But people still read those books. Why is Christian fiction so different?

Christian fiction novels (photo/Heart of Wisdom blog).

Every writer--Christian or not--has a worldview and they tend to "preach" their opinions in their writing. This isn't unique to just Christian authors. Look at the novels by Dan Brown, Carl Sagan, or even Stephen King--all writers who periodically get on a soapbox and describe their perceptions of the world. So, why are these authors not shunned away in their own genre with a stereotype that turns away several readers? Why do people think Christian novels can't discuss the same themes other authors present in their novels?

Because they do. Today's Christian novels are tackling important, heartbreaking subjects: verbal bullying, abduction, stalking, struggling marriages, divorce, murder, adultery, addiction, mental health, infertility, etc. For example, Karen Kingsbury's most-recent novel, Two Weeks, heavily discusses abortion. Rene Gutteridge's 2009 novel, Listen, depicts the consequences of verbal bullying by opening with a teenager's suicide. Brandilyn Collins's 2011 novel, Over the Edge, is a riveting suspense novel about today's medical field. Beverly Lewis's Amish fiction novels don't shy away from discussing death.

Do Christian novels try to teach us something rooted in faith? Yes, absolutely. But are the characters always perfect human beings? Absolutely not. The characters have their struggles. Don't we all? Even the most loyal Christian experiences heartbreaking struggles. Christian fiction novels are about self-discovery, family, peace, love, acceptance, and so much more. They're about connecting to faith during times of need--when you're struggling in your marriage. When you're contemplating suicide. When you're experiencing infertility struggles. When you're bullied at school. When you feel like you don't have a friend in the world.

(photo/Jar of Quotes)

Christian fiction novels don't ignore the real-life struggles in our society. Instead, authors bring these themes to life and confront them the only way they can: through the power of words.

If you have strayed away from Christian novels because you've heard the stereotypes about the literary genre, I strongly encourage you to try reading a contemporary Christian fiction novel. Read a variety of genres and writers to discover which author's writing style works best for you. It's very possible you'll discover compelling stories and new favorite authors.

You'll understand that Christian fiction isn't that much different than "regular" fiction. The same themes are there--just presented in a different way. Give it a chance. You won't know if you like it unless you try.

Read on.

-KJL-