Are Christian Fiction Writers becoming too secular?

[Nightelf]

I debated whether to post this here or in the book forum..... I may move the thread there after all, but this isn't about any specific book, it's about what's happening in the Christian writing world these days.

Working for a Christian bookstore this past year has given me a bit of an eye-opener on Christian literature, and I don't think I much like what I'm seeing.

Gone are the days of Grace Livingston Hill and Janette Oke (although the latter still publishes) when the main characters usually lived by Christian moral codes and each story was often a moral/spiritual lesson in itself. The reader was usually edified while being entertained by a story.

The first time I saw this veering off a cliff was about 15 years ago I read a story by Francine Rivers about a prostitute and her husband (it was an allegory I guess of the Book of Hosea) and it got rather explicit about when she plyed her "profession", and even during their marital relations Francine Rivers is well - loved by many of our customers but I won't ever touch her books again.

Now, there's Ted Dekker who's books I can't stomach because they are so...... evil, and explicitly violent. For Christmas I got my father a Christian fiction book by a different writer, and when he finished it I asked him how it was and he said "gory and violent". This is a man who loves murder mysteries, but even this was too extreme for his tastes.

What's going on here? Are secular writers going after a Christian audience by writting under a "Christian author" banner? Or are Christian writers just getting too worldly? Or are publisher like Zondervan, no longer run by Christians anymore so they don't have discernment themselves, on what they will publish for the Christian reading consumers?

[Tall Timbers]

I've found lot's of wonderful Christian fiction books our there... many hundreds. If you're talking about Francine River's "Redeeming Love" I think that's a wonderful book. I agree Re: Ted Dekker, I've found little redeeming value in most of his books and he seems better at creating absolutely wicked characters than Godly ones.

[Nightelf]

I've found lot's of wonderful Christian fiction books our there... many hundreds. If you're talking about Francine River's "Redeeming Love" I think that's a wonderful book. I agree Re: Ted Dekker, I've found little redeeming value in most of his books and he seems better at creating absolutely wicked characters than Godly ones.

I don't remember the title. I do remember that there were descriptions of what the main character did, as a prostitute, if you get my drift. Way too much information. Also descriptions of the physical desire her husband had for her. More explicit info there than most harlequin romances I think, and language that I can't repeat on this forum.

[jilly6]

I am an AVID reader. I use to read all kinds of garbage. I am almost an entirely Christian fiction type person now. Most of the secular stuff is so bad!

I don't have a huge list of authors I read from but the ones I do read are fabulous and I am so grateful for them... Dee Henderson, Beverly Lewis, Linda Hall, Earlene Fowler, Nancy Moser & a few more that I can't think of right now.

These authors are great and not explicit it in any way. I agree i can't tolerate Ted Dekker but even Christian books in comparison to secular books are very tame but then again, that is not a huge endorsement.

[Rebekah]

Melody Carlson is one of my favorite Christian authors... She writes what I call "Christian chick-lit" fun reads, but the characters face serious difficulties and real life problems, too. The faith is real, but so are the struggles with faith. They're a good balance. She also writes for teen girls, as well. I've even enjoyed some of those, and I'm a thirty-something woman. She is very prolific in her writing and writes a lot of series.

[Tall Timbers]

I don't have a huge list of authors I read from but the ones I do read are fabulous and I am so grateful for them... Dee Henderson, Beverly Lewis, Linda Hall, Earlene Fowler, Nancy Moser & a few more that I can't think of right now.

You might want to try Bodie Thoene, BJ Hoff, Leonard Wibberly, Francine Rivers, Mark Olsen, Tommy Tenney, John Bevere, Terri Blackstock, Judith Pella, Tracy Groot, and Karen Kingsbury, to add just a few to your list

[Accepted]

I think this is a great question to raise. There’s definitely a need to be discerning about false doctrine even when something is labeled ‘Christian Fiction.’ I’ve had the experience of reading a book, even from a known author, and suddenly realizing halfway through that something fishy is being promoted – I hate that!

I agree about Ted Dekker. Also Frank Peretti seemed to become more and more dark as time went on (though I never was a fan and haven’t looked at anything from him in a long time). I was given a copy of his book “Monster” once before a long trip, so I began reading it but had to stop early on. It was terrible, in my opinion. I heard an interview with him once, and really felt for the pain he experienced though bullying in his school years, so I find myself hoping he’s okay, and should remember to pray for him.

There are many excellent Christian authors, though. Off the top of my head, I like Randy Alcorn, Roxanne Henke, Lynn Austin, Lisa Wingate, Eva Marie Everson, the Thoenes (took me a while to learn how the name is supposed to be pronounced!), Alice Wisler, Jaimie Langston Turner (and yes Francine Rivers )….not to say I can vouch for everything each of them has ever written, but I’ve read at least something from each that I thought was very good. Some are more clear as to the Gospel message than others. So I certainly agree with the main point, which is to exercise discernment all along!

[Crazed for Jesus]

Has anyone ever heard of Wendy Alec and her 'Chronicles of Brothers' series? I think it is awesome but the main characters (the De Vere family) are secular *stops for the sake of spoilers*

[jilly6]

You might want to try Bodie Thoene, BJ Hoff, Leonard Wibberly, Francine Rivers, Mark Olsen, Tommy Tenney, John Bevere, Terri Blackstock, Judith Pella, Tracy Groot, and Karen Kingsbury, to add just a few to your list

I love Karen Kingsbury and thanks for the others!

[IMSAVED]

I read Ted Dekker's Circle trilogy and I like those but then as I read more of his books I thought they were very dark. I also do not like Frank Peretti. He does alot of demon warfare stuff and his books can be very dark. I liked several of Francine River's books but I found her latest book disturbing. There are several Christian authors out there that are safe to read. I am currently reading a book by Lynn Austin and it seems that she has several really good books that I have not read yet.

[Rebekah]

I read Ted Dekker's Circle trilogy and I like those but then as I read more of his books I thought they were very dark. I also do not like Frank Peretti. He does alot of demon warfare stuff and his books can be very dark. I liked several of Francine River's books but I found her latest book disturbing. There are several Christian authors out there that are safe to read. I am currently reading a book by Lynn Austin and it seems that she has several really good books that I have not read yet.

Lynn Austin is very good! I've gotten a few of her books free on Kindle and love the history.

[Rebekah]

The first time I saw this veering off a cliff was about 15 years ago I read a story by Francine Rivers about a prostitute and her husband (it was an allegory I guess of the Book of Hosea) and it got rather explicit about when she plyed her "profession", and even during their marital relations Francine Rivers is well - loved by many of our customers but I won't ever touch her books again.

I loved Rivers' book Atonement Child. It was a great story about how abortion is not God's plan and how it can affect one's life forever.

I've done some research on Francine Rivers, and according to her website, she started her writing career before she became a Christian. Since then, she has retained the rights to those early books and they will never be published again. She even mentions that she doesn't recommend them.

About Redeeming Love, I have not read it, but from my understanding it was the first book she wrote after becoming a Christian (according to her website). Perhaps she was still working through her new faith when she wrote it?

[Jacinth]

Does anyone know anything good or bad about the following authors?

Liz Curtis Higgs
Ruth Axtell Morren
Lawanna Blackwell

[HJesusfreak]

I don't remember the title. I do remember that there were descriptions of what the main character did, as a prostitute, if you get my drift. Way too much information. Also descriptions of the physical desire her husband had for her. More explicit info there than most harlequin romances I think, and language that I can't repeat on this forum.

Having read both Redeeming love and harlequins, redeeming love isn't near as explicit. And the book WAS about sex, after all. She can be graphic, mark of the lion was a bit much for my sister to stomach, but i also think she was adequately describing the times of the day. I've read most of her books and really like them. Dekker isn't to my taste. A lot of christian authors i find don't write quality literature. I like the heavyweights like randy alcorn, francine rivers, c.s. lewis. The rest are easy fluff reads.

[IMSAVED]

Does anyone know anything good or bad about the following authors?

Liz Curtis Higgs
Ruth Axtell Morren
Lawanna Blackwell

I am familiar with alot of Christian authors but the above authors I have not heard of.

[Acts5:41]

I stick pretty much to the shallow end, with the Heartsong and Steeple Hill inspirational romances.

Guaranteed happy ending, nothing , and not dark.

I need light and joy in my life, not darkness. I have enough.

That's all the fiction I read these days; Heartsong and Steeple Hill. I am debating signing up for the auto-delivery.

[Leigh1917]

Does anyone know anything good or bad about the following authors?

Liz Curtis Higgs
Ruth Axtell Morren
Lawanna Blackwell

I've read and enjoyed all three. There was nothing I found objectionable in any of their books.

[deebama]

You might wanna try Terry Blackstock she writes wonderfully and has alot of books to choose from!

[Cherished]

Unfortunately, I think the term "Christian" has become even more of a stretched umbrella, and now encompasses just about any type of genre. It is somewhat of a catch-all. I just read The Pilgrim's Progress. I couldn't put it down!

More and more, I find myself desiring Christian Non-fiction. One book in particular. Actually, it is quite a deal, 66 books in one.

[Clouds]

I got some info from "Take Heed" Ministries that recommends avoiding C S Lewis, since his theology is VERY messed up.
Lewis believes in Sacramentalism to "spread the Christ life" and as a means of regeneration such as baptism, Holy Communion, and the Mass. ( See his "Mere Christianity" page 59 and page 62)
C S Lewis believes in Purgatory (See pages 108-111 of his "Prayer: Letter to Malcom")
His book ("Mere Christianity" page 173) also talks about "Buddists of good will" belonging to Christ without knowing it. This sounds just like what the recent popes and even Billy Graham have said about people being saved without knowing Christ directly.