Does adding a facet of Christianity into writing alienate people?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Deborah G. Hunter on January 23, 2010 at 10:19pm

As a Christian writer and now publisher, I write to the audience that supports my beliefs, but understand that many other people may pick this book up. They have the choice to read for themselves, and usually the category on the ISBN label will determine what this is. I pray that non-believers will pick up one of my books, or the ones that we have published, so that they will see a new perspective on life. Sometimes, this is how God draws people to Him. So, write as you are led by God to write and do not worry about the rest:)

Permalink Reply by edward mooney on July 11, 2011 at 7:18pm

"I generally find when I'm writing (especially poetry and novels) that I automatically assume my target audience are Christians. I will write in one character gets home from Church on Sunday or prays because things are tough it's almost subconscious does this alienate non Christian readers? "


EDWARD CALLED ENOCH BY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WRITES

Permalink Reply by Scott A. McPherson on August 2, 2011 at 1:13pm

Cheryl, I know that your post is over a year old, but very poignant.  I have just seen the release of my first book and hope that including a facet of Christianity does not alienate readers.  You are right.  If your faith pervades your life how can you not include what you believe in your writing.  All of the characters in the book do not believe, just like in our lives.  By the same token some are true believers.  In a realistic story I think it is only natural to have some discussion of how our Lord is involved in our lives.  This first book which I have written has characters who have no use for God and some who get to know HIm in the story, yet it is a "murder mystery" not a Bible story.  It is like life is to me.  If that alienates some, it will attract others and, hopefully, bring about some discussion or thought provoking ideas in some.

Permalink Reply by Scott A. McPherson on November 21, 2011 at 2:29pm

In my first novel (now in print :-) my main character is a Christian.  He lives his life as I do, before the world, believers and non-believers.  He isn't perfect.  He makes mistakes.  Given an opportunity he tells others about Christ.  I did not intentionally write to Christians, but found that it is considered "Christian Fiction."  It won't attract people who love gore and sex, but many people tire of that kind of novel.  If some are alienated by this approach they would probably be alienated by my life too, but I find that people are usually more attracted to Christ, than pushed away by His example.  I have never had a patient (believer or not) say that they don't want me to pray with them.  Especially if they are ill.

 

Christ's teachings drew people to him at times (healings, the Sermon on the Mount, riding into Jerusalem), but at times He was seen as an offense by them, "You brood of vipers . . ."  What we write should be honoring to Jesus, in whatever genre we work.

 

Permalink Reply by Darlene Shortridge on December 14, 2011 at 7:45pm

Recently I was at a book festival in Nashville TN.  It amazed me how many people didn't know that Christian Fiction existed.  We were asked several times how there could be Christian romance...or Christian fiction.  Explaining that our stories were stories about every day people...except with a Christian world view...seemed to give pause to quite a few curious attendees.  It was interesting to say the least. 

 

In my novel, Until Forever, as I was praying about it, I felt the Holy Spirit's leading in switching chapters one and three.  It was the absolute best thing I could have done.  Now, when non-christians pick it up and start reading...they get hooked in the first two chapters and are introduced to the gospel in the third.  I have read quite a few reviews of non-christians unable to put the book down...yet at the same time complaining that Jesus is in it.  I love it!

Permalink Reply by Geoff Hall on January 11, 2012 at 11:46am

I think it does, because the image of a Christian is not a great one. People think we have an agenda, are trying to proselytise all the time. (As Hans Rookmaaker said, "There are more important things to be done than evangelism!")

When you look at Jesus' storytelling you could not claim they were just propaganda, because I believe they were in the 'lingua franca' of the day and not Institutionalised soundbites (or worms for the unsuspecting to bite on).  We however seem to think that redemption is for the soul and has no other Creational or Cosmic intent. We've reduced truth to a message and disconnect this from how we live.

We need to learn how to communicate to a generation who are basically skeptical of the claims of religion and want something a little more credible, liveable and less dogmatic. Or should I say less controlling and more enabling.

Regards,

Geoff