OTHER CHRISTIAN AUTHORS ARE NOT THE ENEMY, EVEN IF. . .

...they write vastly different stories than you write.

I, of course, speak only for myself in this, but it’s often far too easy for me to get caught up in looking at other authors as subtle enemies. Threats. Hindrances to my success.

Competition.

I know this isn’t true. Or right.

Especially when it comes to other Christians.

(No author is truly competition, but if anyone out there is definitely not, it’s other Christians.)

Frankly, it’s a terrible way to view others who love the same things I love – telling stories, writing books, sharing their hearts.

Envy truly does rot the bones. Yet if I let my guard down, it’s right there, waiting to strike.

Humans, by nature, are cliquish. Tribalistic.

We find people who think like us, have things in common, and we stick with them. Anyone who comes along with different ideas is seen as a threat. IMHO, it’s a distortion/perversion of our God-given desire for community. 

And I think this cliquish instinct has, in many ways, permeated the author community.

Largely the Christian author community.

Amid the clean/no spice circle especially (which is in large part Christian-led from what I’ve seen), subtle and often blatant judgment lies everywhere.

It filters through passive-aggressive comments, blanket statements/utter lack of nuance, over-emphasis on what one thinks is “acceptable” in books, and many authors impressing their personal writing convictions onto others and furtively condemning anyone who doesn’t fall in line with those exact convictions.

And this is about all types of content in books. 

From sexual content to swearing to violence to themes, ask a group of Christian authors, “Is it okay to write _____ as a Christian?” and you’ll get nearly as many different answers as the number of people being asked.

Where this becomes an issue is when someone presents their personal conviction about a certain thing as the right conviction to have about that thing and judges those with different views.

**Please note, I do NOT mean things the Bible clearly defines as sin. I mean things that fall under gray areas, the “disputable matters” the Bible doesn’t directly address and that God leaves up to us to pray and form our own convictions about through the principles He’s given us in His Word.

I was thinking/praying about my secret project last night. How its biblical retelling premise may appeal to Christians but be horrifying to many once they realize how I’m writing it and whose story I’m “retelling.” Where it will belong genre-wise. How best to write it for God when it’s so...much. So heavy. So dark.

And a quote came to mind...

“Some wish to live within the sound of church or chapel bell. I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.”

~C.T. Studd

Some Christian authors write totally clean. They stay near the church/chapel bell. Where it’s overall safer. Where the light is stronger. Where they can surround themselves with the likeminded and spur each other on.

They write uplifting, overall tame stories.

Like how some Christians work in churches or Christian schools and their job is primarily building up the already-there community.

Then there are the missionaries in hostile places. Those who risk their lives to spread the Good News of Jesus to a desperately depraved, broken world. Those who get down into the grit and muck of humanity and dig until their fingers bleed for every last soul they can find.

We need both.

Both have their roles.

As well as everyone in between, because most of us don’t fall into either of these camps.

We need Christian authors who write for Christians. We need Christian authors who write for non-believers or struggling believers.

We need Christian authors who write clean or no spice – to give all those seeking clean books a place to go for that refreshment and healing.

We also need Christians who unflinchingly stare down evil and darkness and take light to places where darkness has reigned for years.

Despite what it often feels like for me, Christian authors who write clean(er) are not the enemy of those who don’t. And vice-versa.

One plants a seed. Another waters.

God alone makes things grow.

If Christians only ever write clean or for other Christians, then who reaches the people who need the same hope but who will never pick up a clean book?

It frustrates me and breaks my heart to see even quiet in-fighting among believers.

To see yet another dispute about what’s “okay” to write as a Christian based solely on personal convictions. Or another post condemning any Christian who dares to write violence or language or some level of sexual content.

The Bible is not clean.

The world is not clean.

I’m proud of those who write clean fiction. Who’ve found their convictions and principles. There’s a time and place for clean books – I have one out and plan to write more of them.

There is also a time for grit.

Clean does not automatically equal holier.

It does not automatically equal better. It does not automatically equal “pleases God more.”

What pleases God is faith. Obedience. When the wicked turn to Him for rescue, salvation.

If you are a Christian author, write what you believe God wants you to write. Determine your personal convictions and stand on them.

But also seek the wisdom to discern personal convictions from what God universally defines as right or wrong. Allow for nuance in disputable matters. We all have a different role to play, and God has unique audiences for us.

And He knows how our stories – clean, dark, or in between – could make all the difference in the world for someone we may never meet.

____________

I’m not sure how I feel about this post. I, of course, have spent hours on it, and just a little bit ago, when I was nearly done, I didn’t know if I would even post it. After all of that haha. I kind of don’t want to. It didn’t entirely come out the way that I thought it would, and I fear that it will be misunderstood.

In effort to stem some of that, here’s what I’m NOT saying:

1. That only Christians write clean or no spice books. I’m aware that it’s not just Christians by any means, but it is a lot of us.

2. That clean/no spice books are bad, shallow, unimportant, etc.

3. That gritty books are better, more real, more impactful, etc.

4. That Christians have outright judged me personally over what I write. This post is not targeted at anyone. It’s merely my thoughts on something that I have noticed over...a long period of time.

5. That I don’t think people should read and enjoy what they want, or that anyone is wrong for seeking clean or no spice books. Free will is a thing. Use it as you wish.

6. That Christians should not call out or stand against sin. Some things ARE wrong. Evil should not be tolerated. I don't think we should call evil things good. But on the flip side, I don’t think we should call good things evil just because we aren’t comfortable with them or we have personal convictions.

...Whew. With that out of the way...what do you think? Am I just being petty? Have you seen or sensed any of this in your circles?

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