Welcome to the Australasian Christian Writers Tuesday Book Chat. This is where we encourage book lovers to answer our bookish question of the week.
Today’s question is:
Is the christian content you’re reading in books labeled christian fiction too heavy or too light?
We look forward to hearing your thoughts. Please join in the conversation by commenting on this post or on the blog post shared in our Australasian Christian Writers Facebook Group.
Let’s chat!
As I am not reading as much as I was I can’t say for the more recent books. The books I was reading I didn’t have an issue. I do believe there should be a definite faith element even if it’s subtle. On the other hand I do remember a book that I found heavy handed and it detracted from the story. While I understand the authors intend it came across as very preachy.
Your turn.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts. Please join in the conversation in a comment on this post or in a comment on the blog post shared in our Australasian Christian Writers Facebook Group.
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I don’t think there’s an easy answer for this one. It really depends on the book and what the author is trying to get across.
I recently read the Sensible Shoes series by Sharon Garlough Brown. Part of the focus of these books were the women in it learning about some spiritual disciplines and how to apply them in their life. Some people would say this is heavy Christian content, but in this case it didn’t detract from the stories because it was designed to be woven through and was part of the character’s journey.
There are some books where it just seemed to be parked in the book so that it could be considered for the Christian market – those ones often don’t rate a place on my shelves (sorry, I can’t think of any specific examples – but that’s probably just as well).
Then there are other books that are marketed as Christian Fiction, but there is no mention of God, faith, prayer or anything. I don’t mind that too much because they are generally a nice, clean book without swearing or sexual references.
I agree with what you are saying some books need the heavy content due to the subject and often don’t detract from the story.
I remember one author again won’t mention her but she wrote historical and like to put in sermons often several pages and it tended to pull you out of the story. A brief summary would have been enough. I have also read books where there doesn’t seem to be any christian content at all. I think Australians are less forgiving if there is no christian content where as many American reviewers will give it a low rating.
Having grown up in the Pentecostal church all my life, I can cope with both ends of the spectrum. 🤪 That being said, I agree with Beth above. If Christianese has been added for the sake of making a book ‘Christian’, it doesn’t come across as genuine. Not my style. I’d prefer to read the gritty story of a domestic violence survivor or former prostitute who grow in his/her Christian walk than to read a bunch of Christian platitudes.
Thanks for commenting I understand what you are saying. Its interesting we have a church library and its a Christian lady who complained some of the books were too preachy. Where as the same books were being read by non christians who attend our Friendship Centre and they think the books are great because they are a clean read. They also said about the so called preachy books. We expect them to have Christian content after all they are Christian fiction. It was later I wonder if the books were convicting her of something. (I myself didn’t see the same books as being too preachy they didn’t have pages of sermons).
I also agree when someone just puts something just to make it what they call christian fiction. I actually think you can have a Inspirational story where you can see the people have high morals and act in a christian manner without having to have a Church scene or a prayer before meals. If we look at the book of Esther God isn’t mentioned but you know he is thought of.
Hmm this is an interesting one, Jenny, thanks for asking.
I enjoy reading both Christian and non- Christian books. Honestly, I rarely read Christian books to learn about God, it’s more for the fact that I know they won’t have anything dodgy in it! In saying that, I can’t think of any that were too preachy so I can’t comment on that.
However, one thing I do find frustrating in Christian fiction is when a main character’s faith seems so minor and irrelevant to their life. A mention is made of then going to church or praying but that’s it. Their faith doesn’t change them so it doesn’t exactly inspire readers to want what they have! This is very token ‘Christianity’, I think.
Thanks for commenting Sally, I think what you are saying is basically what Beth is saying too. the book could be in the sweet and clean category but they want it to be a christian fiction. It would be better to not mention going to church or praying than just using it a token.
I agree on the reading. I read because they are a clean read and there are times I do get convicted or there will be something thought provoking which is good but on a whole I read for pleasure. In saying this while we read more for pleasure I know there are people who are non christians or lapsed christians that can be reached by these books. Sometimes its the theme verse (which is good when they have one) that may just touch someone. I know that has touched me at times.