• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Makes Fiction Christian and Is That Good?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

David Rawlings and I have a lovely conversation about Christian fiction, what makes good fiction, good writing, and what makes fiction, Christian. via @chautonahavig

One of the highlights of my year was spending a couple of hours talking to David Rawlings last May. He was on the show (Episode 12) to talk about his upcoming (now released) novel. After we finished an interview about his writing and his upcoming release, Where the Road Bends, he stayed online to record another episode with me–one I’d tried to record myself and failed.

See, I wanted to do an episode about what makes fiction “Christian” but there was one problem.  It came out horribly negative.  While I’m not one of those people who thinks everything needs to be sunshine and roses all the time, I did want this podcast to mostly be encouraging about something we all love rather than a downer.

That got David talking, and a little like E.F. Hutton, when he speaks, you really oughtta listen (and I now feel every one of my 50 years).

What Makes Fiction Christian and Is That Good?

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Makes Fiction Christian and Is That Good?

In this episode, David Rawlings and I have a lovely conversation about Christian fiction, what makes good fiction, good writing, and what makes fiction, Christian. It begins with trust with your readers and ends with knowing that there is purpose in your words.

We need something more than, “What would Jesus do (talking about Charles Sheldon’s book, In His Steps)?”  As good as that book was, it’s been written. We need to write the book for today.

Cara Putman defined Christian fiction as not just salvation stories but REDEMPTION stories.  The gospel is about more than just what Jesus DID do… it’s also what He continues to do in our lives.  Too often we make Christian fiction all about these salvation stories, but if Christian fiction is only about salvation, then where does that leave Christians? But how does a prayer, a verse, or walking into church make it Christian fiction?  Too often if you remove the Christian element from the story, nothing changes. So, after sin on the page, if going to church doesn’t change the story, how is it Christian?

A few things to note about writing as Christian authors.

Just having Christian on it doesn’t make it immune to critique. In fact, despite many people thinking you shouldn’t criticize a Christian author’s work, David and I both hold the opinion that all Christian fiction should be held up to the measure of quality and the Biblical standard.  It’s actually good when readers push back against something.

I used the illustration of how readers often ask me why I believe this or that, assuming that because my character does, I do. But I have my characters believe and do all kinds of things I don’t agree with, not as a “how-to manual” for Christian living, but as a reflection on why people believe things and do the things they do.

Christian fiction has come a long way!

From back with one of the first novels, Pilgrim’s Progress in the sixteen hundreds, to David’s The Baggage Handler from 2019, Christian fiction as a genre has grown!  In particular, in the past 25-30 years, it has gone from a rather sanitized genre at times to a more realistic representation of mankind, the sinful nature, and the redemptive arc Christ works in our lives.  When I first started reading, you couldn’t have wine mentioned (unless in a very derogatory way, out of wedlock babies had to be from prior to salvation, and similar things. It’s as if we recognize that it’s time for the genre to grow up a bit.  We can handle solid meat now.

What is Christian fiction?

  • Evangelical?  To reach people?
  • To challenge one another?
  • Entertainment?
  • To justify a worldview?

Possibly to push back against the secular criticism of a Biblical worldview?

The church used to be known as the standard for excellence in the arts.

After years of being kind of the “trendsetters” in art, music, and literature, and then somewhere in the last hundred or so years, we lost it.   Christian fiction is one area–the first stuff I read wasn’t the quality writing that it is today.  There were exceptions, of course.  Even amid the meh stuff I read in the nineties, there was Michael Phillips’ awesomeness.

David Rawlings is new to Christian fiction, but he’s noticed that it is often defined by genre (i.e. it’s romance) or something. Do we collectively define it by genre since we haven’t defined it well otherwise?

When I went to Avid Readers of Christian Fiction, I saw, “no sex, no foul language, no gratuitous/graphic violence).

If that’s the definition, Dan Brown is a Christian fiction author, and David and I both agreed that he probably wouldn’t agree to that definition.

Next, we explored the idea that Christian fiction might be that which flows naturally from a life sold out to the Lord.

David brought up the example of C. S. Lewis and his Narnia series. In that series, Lewis never mentions God at all, but you see Him in Aslan, a type of Christ.  I also recalled the movie The Shadowlands where they show Lewis stating his thoughts about prayer. I embedded that clip below:

 Why we need varied fiction:

One of the other things we discussed was how people in different situations of life and with different personalities need different kinds of fiction.  Two women both abused as children and struggling to survive in rough neighborhoods might need opposite encouragement.  One may need an Amish romance to escape the harshness of her world. She may desire an escape from the reality that is her hard life. The other may hate that and find it fake. For her, the reality of fiction that shows people in her circumstance rising above or plowing through life makes all the difference.

As authors, we have to consider the parable of the talents.

How do we use our gift or our calling to do what we’re supposed to do? What do we write that best showcases what the Lord wants for and from His people? And ultimately, if our focus is to glorify God with the talent He has given us, then whatever we do with that focus in mind could be argued as the definition of Christian fiction–at least on the one hand.

Why do we write?

If we are authentic to who we are and what we believe, then what we write will reflect our faith and values and the God we believe in.  Maybe that’s what Christian fiction is, or at the least, where it begins.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email

Related

Filed Under: Because Fiction Podcast

Previous Post: « Announcing: The Top Foodie Items You Loved
Next Post: The Best Romance in History in One Stop »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
March 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 211: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn about Under Fire
February 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 210: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel about The Maid of Ballymacool
February 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
February 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
February 14, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 207: A Chat with Daniella Rushton about Portal Fantasy
February 10, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
February 7, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • Why I Can’t Wait to Read the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing Series!
  • What Kinds of Lessons Can We Learn from the First People?
  • Why Would Anyone Send Beautiful, Thorny Roses with Strange Messages?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Reposted from @sunrisemediagroup Incoming! Expired Reposted from @sunrisemediagroup Incoming! Expired Hope will be released next month—be sure to pre-order it at the discounted price of $3.99 before release day!⁠
⁠
@LisaPhillipsBks ⁠
@MeganBesing⁠
⁠
#LastChanceCountyCollection #LisaPhillips #suspense #romanticsuspense #christianfiction #christiansuspense #cfauthor
It's here!!! Eeeep! Have you read @author_jocelyn_ It's here!!! Eeeep!
Have you read @author_jocelyn_green 's newest release?
#AmReading 
#ChristFic 
#historicalChristianFiction
Found this book at our local bookstore, Red Rock Found this book at our local bookstore,  Red Rock Books. It changed one direction of my next Bookstrings novel. I think we need more emphasis on picture books. So... this will sit around to inspire. 
#Bookstrings 
#bookishbooks
Reposted from @lornaroseboutique Annnnnnnd here th Reposted from @lornaroseboutique Annnnnnnd here they are!!! I’ve been anxiously waiting to see how they turn out, and they’re AMAZING!!! Gahh I love these post cards! 
If you love them too, you can check out the link in my bio!!

#digitalart #redbubbleartist #iloveart
When @kathleendenly offers to send an ARC, you squ When @kathleendenly offers to send an ARC, you squeal and accept before she changes her mind d. Eeep! I love her Chaparral Hearts series!
#AmReading 
#historicalromance 
#ChristFic
My first Goudge this month was a DNF. However, I My first Goudge this month was a DNF. However,  I found this while sorting my books in our home library and decided to read it now. Delightful. 
#yearofgoudge
#ChristianFantasy
Reposted from @susankbeattyauthor Take a trip to t Reposted from @susankbeattyauthor Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart with Book 2 in the series, Wheelers Design.

Clay is messy and so is Sabrina’s life sometimes, but will God mold it into a work of art?
	
Wheelers Design releases March 28, but you can pre-order now: 

Pre-order the ebook copy now to get a special pre-order price of $2.99 https://buff.ly/3TPO7NT

Preorder the paperback copy to get 30% off plus free shipping. Just fill out the form https://buff.ly/40aLI2s 

#preorder #newrelease #cleanreads #contemporaryfiction
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!