Will We Stand?

[Linda Beed]

There has been ongoing debate as to what content of Christian works should and should not be. Authors have been vilified and praised by the masses. In a recent interview I was asked how I felt about authors jumping on the Christian fiction bandwagon.

My response is one that raised both eyebrows of the journalist. I do have concerns about those I (can only speak for myself) crossing-over for the sake of a cash register receipt and those who have been there, stretching and in more instances than not, crossing the line of (in my opinion) of what Christian content should be. More than that I take issue with the 'Christian' readers, authors and promoters supporting the suspect works.

Years ago the quote from Field of Dreams 'If we build it they will come' resonated across the nation and sparked many into community action. It seems that the quote has been readjusted and effectively marketed for the CF genre - 'If we write it they will buy, read and promote as worthy."

This should not be so. As Christians we have a standard to uphold. We're not perfect nor do we always get it right, but, I believe that we stop compromising and promoting what is not Christian, the genre (AA in particular) would not struggle under the dark cloud of suspicion it now endures.

Now before you bite my head off I need to be clear. I'm not talking about what industry refers to as gritty/edgy topics. I love that we're applying the Gospel to life situations that have been kept under wraps for far too long. We are called to do so. We are called to do do so without compromising the Christian standard.

What I speak of is the unnecessary dramatization/presentation of situations; that which can easily be interchanged with content in mainstream romance, etc. Content for the seekers of drama and the graphic.

I close with my title -- will we stand? Will we discontinue promoting that which is sending mixed signals. Will we continue to love our peer authors and lovingly let them know that their books belong in general fiction rather than Christan fiction. Will we continue to embrace those whose ministry is to publicly speak on this topic? Will we stand for the Cross in spite of the industry/personal snubs that may come as a result of our stance? Will we stand?

Linda!

[Dee]

Hey, Linda.

As reviewers we both have a responsibility to divide the two types of genres. At RT we have the right to tell our editors that a particular title does not belong in the inspirational department and then have it moved to the correct genre. I've done that often this year.

Last month at the Faith in Fiction Retreat we talked about what Christian Fiction is and what it isn't. The discussion was great and we will talk about it further on September 30 on Ella Curry's Blog Talk Radio Show.

However, I think this problem doesn't just lie inside reviewers and the AA author enclave we belong to, but this challenge is also a mark of our spiritual immaturity. I believe--wholeheartedly--that Christian Fiction should do one or more of three things:

1. Edify the Body of Christ
2. Glorify God
3. Serve as a Kingdom Building Tool

#3 is the action that may be the challenge for authors who don't share the opinion that like Christ we have to meet people where they are.

I have interviewed authors who have expressed to me that they are not Christian Fiction Writers. Yet when they began to explain their writing process, and share what the nuts and bolts of what their story is about it is apparent like a light shining down on them that they are Christian Fiction Authors. And what I have also found is that these authors once they surrender to that fact their stories become more vertical, the dialogue becomes more vertical, the sex scenes become less explicit.

On the other hand, there are authors who don't care to think about God in their writing, their not tapped into their soul's source, they are only in this genre because their agent told them to. I believe and I have seen the backlash from Christian readers. So I think the marketplace eventually moves those people out the way.

As Christian authors we should help our weaker brother/sister writer. Pray for their revelation that their stories matter more than dollars. We continue to dialogue about this topic and we take the time to have authentic, personal, one-on-one conversations with our writer family when we are concerned by what they are doing.

Great discussion. What do others think?

[Shelia E Lipsey]

We will STAND! You Ain't seen nothing yet!

[Linda Beed]

Good morning all. It has been a day or two since this thread began. I appreciate the response here and those verbally rendered.

Of late I have received many CF books for review. I have been so saddened and offended by the content of more than a few. So much so that I have actually returned several to the author/publisher.

As Dee stated, we must dialogue and pray for our authors as they make their way. That said I am now drawing the line at promoting via reviews, those that are not meeting the criteria.

When returning these books my goal is not to discourage the author, but I would have been remiss if I did not candidly (not harshly or unkindly) state the reason. The response has ranged from gracious to less than gracious.

I pray that as we are honest with authors, a clearer view of what CF is will be planted into the fertile soil of their creative minds. I for one am looking forward to the day that our reading options in this genre will be abundantly blessed.

Linda!

[Dee]

Just had a conversation with an author about the same thing. Please keep us posted with what you do. I think it is important to dialogue and think about this genre. I think what makes Christian fiction hard to categorize is that we do not understand what the genre is and what it should entail. what do you think christian fiction must have to fit the criteria?