Christian authors these days often have a hard time discerning how to base their stories on the foundational morals of Christendom without writing “Christian fiction”.
“What’s wrong with Christian fiction?” you ask? The fact that such a genre label is deemed necessary illustrates the problem. And it’s no help that said label has become synonymous with “unoriginal” and “preachy”.
Let’s face it: The “Christian fiction” label is often slapped on works that prioritize overt messaging over storytelling. Characters in these books and movies tend to feel one-dimensional vehicles for a moral rather than dynamic human beings.
While well-intentioned, this approach tends to preach to the choir. Most people who consume this material already agree with the central ideas, so it never has a chance to challenge or inspire readers who might hold different views.
Worse, the propaganda often takes its toll on the story. Instead of gripping plots, full character arcs, and natural dialogue, the writing is dominated by sermonizing. That’s a great way to alienate readers who are looking for a good story; not a lesson. Which is most of them.
Sad to say, a lot of Christian entertainment has earned its stigmas. Lets take a look at ways to avoid these pitfalls while creating fun stories that reinforce the Gospel message.
The best way to communicate Christian morals isn’t through heavy-handed messaging. If it was, the spate of cringe novel and movie series marketed to Christians would have had some effect. The answer is crafting well-told stories wherein relatable protagonists triumph over adversity by acting in accord with Christian principles. This approach respects the audience’s intelligence, so it can spread beyond the choir to the genpop.
It’s worth repeating: Christian authors who want to convey Gospel truths should first write good stories. Strong plots, complex characters, and realistic conflicts are essential to any tale’s success. Write those, and you’ve draw readers in. Then you show Christian morals emerging organically from the interactions of those elements. The themes will feel authentic, not forced, and you are much more likely to have won your brother.
Obligatory Lord of the Rings example: Tolkien was deeply influenced by his Catholic faith, but he did not set out to write an allegory. Instead, he wrote a story with profound themes of hope, sacrifice, redemption, and the triumph of good over evil. These Christian elements are present, but they arise naturally from the world and characters Tolkien created. The story has struck a chord with generations of readers because it feels universal and isn’t out to advance a particular agenda.
How did Tolkien succeed where almost everybody since has failed? He made his protagonists feel real. Readers connect with characters who face struggles and doubts similar to theirs. It’s no accident his viewpoint characters tend to be middle-class everymen. So consider crafting characters who grapple with the same fears, temptations, and moral dilemmas we all face. Showing how your characters grow and ultimately overcome adversity through perseverance, faith, and adherence to Christian principles can leave a lasting impact on readers.
Don’t believe me? Reflect on the fact that the Enemy overturned the Christian social norms that held sway in the West for more than a millennium by using the same approach, only substituting their own anti-morality.
Play streaming roulette and stop on any random show; odds are the winning behavior will be going along to get along, doing what feels right, or upholding undefined “freedom” totally divorced from any concept of the good. You can easily supervert those inverted morals by rewriting them so the heroes win by demonstrating fortitude, humility, and charity. Those are timeless themes that any audience can take to heart, regardless of cultural or religious background. And that fact gives Christian writers a tremendous advantage that far too few leverage.
If you take only one lesson away from this post, make it this one: Show how acting on Christian principles helps the characters overcome realistic challenges.
That’s it. That’s the secret sauce.
Here’s an example based on forgiveness. Perhaps a protagonist is betrayed by a close friend. Fallen human nature left to its own devices would prompt him to seek revenge. Show the character choosing to forgive instead. Then, to close the arc and seal the deal, show the hero’s mercy leading to reconciliation that’s instrumental to resolving the main conflict at the story’s climax. That way you let audiences see the power of forgiveness through the character’s actions, not a moral lesson delivered through dialogue.
Now be honest: Who thought of Return of the Jedi while reading that paragraph just now?
Sure, many now consider Star Wars to be moral inversion patient zero, but Lucas openly acknowledged the Christian themes in the original trilogy. And RotJ retained enough of them to earn a glowing review from an Orthodox bishop.
That is how you do this, guys. We have the model. Avoid stale tropes associated with “Christian fiction,” and you can reach a much wider audience. You can still write stories that reflect Christian morality, just do it in a way that won’t send the heathens flocking to the exits. It’s a mystery why anyone finds this idea difficult.
All along, Christian authors have had the culture war equivalent of the nuclear football. Yet bafflingly, many have eschewed using it favor of slinging the “Christian fiction” Nerf gun.
Don’t compound their mistake. Instead, focus on telling great stories filled with complex, relatable characters who triumph over real challenges by adhering to timeless Christian principles. When readers see these morals played out naturally in well-told stories, it will bear far more fruit than any feature or novel-length sermon.
The deep lore of Tolkien meets the brutal struggle of Glen Cook in the dark fantasy prelude to the acclaimed Soul Cycle.
Originally published here.
English (US) · 