Are Christian Fiction Writers becoming too secular?

[IamHis]

Bodie and Brock Thoene ( Tay-nee) series "The A. D. Chronicles" is absolutely wonderful. I have read the first four books in the series and am hunting the next one. All so far take place in the time of Jesus and the characters are so well created, you begin to feel that you know them. They flesh out the stories of Biblical happenings while following the scriptures. Definitely recommended. Here's a list of the titles: First Light, Second Touch, Third Watch, Fourth Dawn, Fifth Seal, Sixth Covenant, Seventh Day, Eighth Shepherd, Ninth Witness, Tenth Stone, Eleventh Guest.
http://www.thoenebooks.com/bookList.....D.+Chronicles

[JPE]

I don't read romance novels but because a friend so highly recommended "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers, I read it. I found it very disturbing on several levels.

First, it was way too explicit.

Second, I have been married for 20+ years to a non-Christian man and the main character in that book made my husband look like a total pig in comparison. I know the point was to see the main character as Jesus, but I kept comparing him to my husband. I couldn't help it. It left me depressed for a month afterwards. I would never recommend it to anyone.

[yimaocho]

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)

I don't think Lewis is saying that he believes in Sacramentalism.

There are three things that spread the Christ-life to us: baptism, belief and that mysterious action which different Christians call by different names - Holy Communion, the Mass, the Lord's Supper. At least, those are the three ordinary methods. I am not saying there may not be special cases where it is spread without one or more of these...And I am not saying anything about which of these three things is the most essential...Anyone who professes to teach you Christian doctrine will, in fact, tell you to use all three, and that is enough for our present purpose.
-Mere Christianity, p. 61

He also has a disclaimer in the preface.

But in this book I am not trying to convert anyone to my own position. Ever since I became a Christian I havre thought that the best, perhaps the only, service I could do for my unbelieving neighbours was to explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times.

[yimaocho]

I recommend Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos. I recently read it and found it very funny and deep. It's totally fiction, but it deals a lot with Theology too.

[Hosannah]

I like Terri Blackstock if you like mystery/thriller/suspense. I have read Dee Henderson some and I tried to read Karen Kingsbury but didnt get into the book, will try again. I like Amish fiction quite a bit by Wanda Brunstetter, Beverly Lewis, Suzanne Woods Fisher.

You do have to be careful because some of the "romance" scenes in christian books are a bit shaky from what I heard. I dont like any sort of romance stuff anyway so it doesnt matter.

Mystery is my cup of tea so if there are any christian mystery writers out there that you know of with no language or "romance" please let me know.

[lcolem]

Victoria Christopher Murray is an excellent Christian author. I've loved all her books. They are always clean and filled with memorable characters.

Her Amazon page: Click here

Her personal web page: Victoria Christopher Murray

[RaptureReady_7]

I only read a couple Christian writers. And they are still writing straight Christian style. I do shy away from a lot of them though.

[momoffaith]

So glad to have found this. I need some suggestions to send to my son Joshus, almost 21 yrs old. He's in jail.....
Has been since December. But it saved his life. GOD saved his life. Long painful story. He's been through 7 treatments centers for drugs. He's been raised in the word and knows the truth. I believe there is ministry in his future. He's starting to come around.
Anyway, give me ideas if you would of what you would recommend.
Thanks!

[NORAD]

Thank you.

[onthewalls]

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

Tommy Tenney and John Bevere are not worthy to be heard, in my humble opinion as a Bible believer. Google their name then the word false and see what I mean. Deception in the Church is a good website to check out preachers and teachers.

[onthewalls]

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*

Yes, steer clear she is very unscriptural and into the supernatural in an occultic way, that is my opinion. The whole God Channel is full of leaven and a little spoils the whole lump.

[Poppycat]

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*

I read the first three of her novels in the 'Brothers' series and quite enjoyed them but I couldn't stand Ted Dekker. I've dabbled in Beverly Lewis and Francine Rivers but apart from them only Joel Rosenberg and Jerry Jenkins.

[JJW81867]

I guess I'm one of the few (maybe only) here that likes Dekker and Perretti.

I know a lot here like Rosenberg (count me as one of those people) and he had plenty of violence and darkness in his Last Jihad series.

[Wishing4]

I guess I'm one of the few (maybe only) here that likes Dekker and Perretti.

I know a lot here like Rosenberg (count me as one of those people) and he had plenty of violence and darkness in his Last Jihad series.

I like some of Dekker's stuff. (The circle series and Burn) and I liked one of Perretti's. (This Present Darkness, but did not like the sequel).

[IMSAVED]

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.

"Redeeming Love"was one of my favorite books ever.

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.

If you are talking about "Redeeming Love"I did not have a problem with it at all and I am extremely selective about the Christian books that I read.I felt that all of that needed to be in their so you could see the very sad life that she led.Also the very compassionate and unconditional love that her husband had for her.

[Poppycat]

I guess I'm one of the few (maybe only) here that likes Dekker and Perretti.

I know a lot here like Rosenberg (count me as one of those people) and he had plenty of violence and darkness in his Last Jihad series.

I like some of Dekker's stuff. (The circle series and Burn) and I liked one of Perretti's. (This Present Darkness, but did not like the sequel).

I quite liked the Francine Rivers book Redeeming Love which was the subject of the OP and this only goes to show our diversity Just because Dekker doesn't appeal to me doesn't mean you can't find it a good read. Also liked the first two Peretti wrote and I think that Joel Rosenberg's writing has improved as he goes on. My main problem is quite a few 'christian' writers lack literary structure and style and have amateurish plotlines which of course is just my opinion and the reason for this post

[treasures]

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?

I believe this is due to a combination of everything you've listed (plus apostasy exhibiting itself in fiction wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination). Additionally, I know for a fact, having taken several writer's courses, subscribed to various writer's magazines and purchased quite a few books that advise writers on the topic of the best routes to publication (all secular), that writers are routinely informed that the #1 way to gain publication (and especially to get that first publication) is through Christian writings/publishers.

[BelovedChild]

Bodie and Brock Thoene ( Tay-nee) series "The A. D. Chronicles" is absolutely wonderful. I have read the first four books in the series and am hunting the next one. All so far take place in the time of Jesus and the characters are so well created, you begin to feel that you know them. They flesh out the stories of Biblical happenings while following the scriptures. Definitely recommended. Here's a list of the titles: First Light, Second Touch, Third Watch, Fourth Dawn, Fifth Seal, Sixth Covenant, Seventh Day, Eighth Shepherd, Ninth Witness, Tenth Stone, Eleventh Guest.
http://www.thoenebooks.com/bookList.....D.+Chronicles

don't forget to add Twelth Prophecy. The story of the woman at the well.

I have lately found Jill Eileen smith. she has already written the story of 3 of David's lives Michal, Abigail, Bathsheba., and the start of the new series Sarai.

[Jan51]

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...

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?

I believe this is due to a combination of everything you've listed (plus apostasy exhibiting itself in fiction wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination). Additionally, I know for a fact, having taken several writer's courses, subscribed to various writer's magazines and purchased quite a few books that advise writers on the topic of the best routes to publication (all secular), that writers are routinely informed that the #1 way to gain publication (and especially to get that first publication) is through Christian writings/publishers.

I agree with everything that has been said here. Christian publishers and Christian bookstores have compromised in favor of the dollar and "tolerance" by broadening the definition of "Christian books." It's the same slippery slope towards apostasy that we see in churches, denominations and para-church organizations.

don't forget to add Twelth Prophecy. The story of the woman at the well.

I have lately found Jill Eileen smith. she has already written the story of 3 of David's lives Michal, Abigail, Bathsheba., and the start of the new series Sarai.

When I first started writing, I saw a niche for this type of fiction and considered it. I recalled reading a fictionalized account of a Bible woman and liking it. But I found that forever after, extra-biblical imaginings that were added to the story stuck in my mind. Every time I read that Bible account, my mind automatically inserted those new details. That bothered me.

In teaching ladies' Bible study, I've given my slant on some Bible women, and others shared their totally opposite slants, which I realized made just as much sense as mine, maybe more. I was certainly glad I hadn't published my fictionalized ideas, adding details that no one could be sure of.

I think it is dangerous for a Christian to write this type of fiction (yes, I would include the "Left Behind" series). They may be fun to read, but I don't think they are biblically responsible. I do speculate about various people in the Bible, but I'd be afraid to put it in writing and sell it to anyone. I'll keep my speculations for ladies' Bible study, where we can toss them around a little and laugh about it!

[penbrat]

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.

I LOVE Heartsong and Steeple Hill - that's basically all I read anymore. Fluffy? yep. Predictable? yep. But clean and happy endings are what I like to read about at this point. Steeple Hill even has some Mystery/Suspense christain books and some of them are pretty good. I have been on auto delievery for Heartsong for years. They have been bought by another company but are still Heartsong. They are 12.99 a month for 4 books and they have been throwing in a free Steeple Hill book each month (historical fiction - which I love). The rest of the Steeple Hill books I just pick up at Wal-mart.

I am hoping that my home in Heaven will have a reading room with a cozy chair, a fireplace and shelves and shelves of great Christian fiction that I didn't get to read in this life!