Why Do Christians Write Fiction

A couple of months ago at my writers' critique group, we lovingly call ourselves the San Gabriel Valley Inklings, the subject of Christian fiction came about. Some of the writers in our group posed the question, "why do Christians even write fiction?" Why use fiction to "save" the unbelievers? (oh the Christian lingo is killing me here). Why indeed?

My response, a little childish perhaps, was that it's the gift the Lord gave me. You know, crazy, weird, off world, fantasy, werewolves, vampires, beastly creatures, fallen angels and whatnot. It's what comes out when I sit down behind my computer. If I can't write this to further the kingdom of heaven, I don't have much else. Well, that's not true but you know what I mean.

If you do not write speculative fiction would it be hard to edit my work? I don't read romance novels (I actually thought I abhorred them, I was wrong), but I can still edit them. As a matter of fact after reading a couple of historical romance novels I began weaving a romance into my Christian Horror/Fantasy manuscript. Made it way more interesting.

In any case, at the end of the debate our resident editor made a rather simple but eye-opening remark that made everyone go "Oooh, Mmmm, I see." It's a tool, it's a bridge, it's just another path to pointing readers to Jesus. And sometimes it's just great literature. I don't need to preach to them. Readers aren't stupid. They know what CS Lewis and his Chronicles are all about.

Anyhow, what are your thoughts? I'm writing chapter 23 of my manuscript today. I've decided to not hold back. The romance/love is pretty edgy for most Christian readers, I guess, the horror is a little dark and might get a little gory. I just can't see making monsters friendly and fallen angels stay pretty. It got messy there, just go read your Bible. Talk about horror. Okay, maybe the Nephilim didn't eat the flesh of their human mothers, but I happen to think so. And there's magic/k, blood, temptations and hell . . . oh my! And yes, I will pray before I get into the mind of a demon.

Well I didn't mean to get this gruesome so I'll end this post with my theme scripture found in Ephesian 6 verses 11 and 12: Put on the full armor of God . . . For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

As Tolkien wrote: "It's a nasty business walking out your front door."