tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post4105539358749500304..comments2023-08-23T10:17:46.732-04:00Comments on The Law, Books, and Life: What Makes a Christian Book Christian?Cara Putmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08316731047954376226noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-43070824404784478872008-12-17T10:19:00.000-05:002008-12-17T10:19:00.000-05:00I posted the last anonymous because I couldn't fig...I posted the last anonymous because I couldn't figure out how to put my name to it...after reading the comment I would like to leave a couple of replies...there are times in our lives when we live very close to God and what man thinks is not important and that can come across as being 'too good to be true' as we stand and struggle with our lifestyle knowing [actually thinking] we could never Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-32482853484280523612008-12-17T10:00:00.000-05:002008-12-17T10:00:00.000-05:00I cannot believe that I am this late in the loop t...I cannot believe that I am this late in the loop to see and leave a comment.<BR/><BR/>A Christian book, to me, is one where I think and feel about my Lord. Books that stick a peripheral tag of Christianity to a story is blah. <BR/><BR/> I want my character either strong in the faith or not but a 'lukewarm' story line leaves me cold. Francine Rivers' Trilogy on the fall of Jerusalem and the rise Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-15386161321283361302008-12-01T22:04:00.000-05:002008-12-01T22:04:00.000-05:00Wow, this is an interesting topic. At some point i...Wow, this is an interesting topic. At some point it's true that what is Christian to one person may not be Christian to another. And that's just because we're all different with different opinions. I know Christians who say it's sinful for a woman to wear jeans. I know Christians who say it is sinful to gamble. I know Christians who say it's not a big deal to cuss. Boy do I have strong opinions Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-9211887545008583222008-11-18T15:16:00.000-05:002008-11-18T15:16:00.000-05:00I just finished a book, labeled Christian, publish...I just finished a book, labeled Christian, published by a Christian publisher, but I could not call it that. Why? Because the "conversion" scene in it did not reflect the Truth found in the Bible. <BR/><BR/>This got me to thinking about what makes a Christian book, truly Christian? What makes a Christian Christian? Christ. In Acts, the disciples in Antioch were the first to be called Christians -Lynn Squirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17493660128797850584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-89633788351691824072008-11-18T06:53:00.000-05:002008-11-18T06:53:00.000-05:00This is a great question, Cara. I'm so glad you an...This is a great question, Cara. I'm so glad you and Karen are talking about this. I agree that it is written by a christian. <BR/><BR/>When I read a book, I want to be inspired and filled with hope. It doesn't have to have a salvation message to make me think of Christ.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-59293704569588609132008-11-17T15:05:00.000-05:002008-11-17T15:05:00.000-05:00Well, i think when I pick up a Christian book, it ...Well, i think when I pick up a Christian book, it will be patterned after the way a Christian lives. It does not mean the charactes will not make mistakes, but those mistakes will not be honored in the book. Swearing, filthy speaking, sinful living is not something i would think to find glorified in a Christian book. <BR/>i like a book that is true to life, and if it is too peachy keen, then I Martha A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02426112535240400393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-31119298580731698192008-11-17T12:20:00.000-05:002008-11-17T12:20:00.000-05:00Well I've always said what Allen Arnold said--almo...Well I've always said what Allen Arnold said--almost. A Christian book is one written by an author of Faith. <BR/><BR/>What is Christian to one may not be Christian to another. Christian Fiction, for the most part, is fiction geared toward a particularly large group of Christians with a very specific world view who want to see Biblical solutions in a very Protestant manner. <BR/><BR/>Catholics Author Sue Denthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15610585940904518767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-28552179597025012912008-11-17T11:48:00.000-05:002008-11-17T11:48:00.000-05:00My 11:38 comment was focused primarily on fiction,...My 11:38 comment was focused primarily on fiction,of course, and not that of a farcical or fantastical nature. Obviously, <B>Gulliver's Travels</B> is a great book filled with unrealistic characters and situations, unbelievable resolutions, and the author mounting his hobby horse and leaping it across twelve continents just for fun. <BR/><BR/>YMMV.Dal Jeanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03652296391869599080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-54782854777507938652008-11-17T11:38:00.000-05:002008-11-17T11:38:00.000-05:00I think there are two separate questions: (1) Wha...I think there are two separate questions: <BR/>(1) What makes a <I> good</I> book?, and <BR/>(2) What makes a <I>Christian</I> book?<BR/><BR/>Regardless of the exact definition of either, you can see that the intersection of the two categories is not complete.<BR/><BR/>Aside from personal preferences, there are certain things that generally disqualify a book from being a good book, such as :<BR/Dal Jeanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03652296391869599080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-57385148476705907802008-11-17T09:44:00.000-05:002008-11-17T09:44:00.000-05:00I'm not a very analytical person, but I know God i...I'm not a very analytical person, but I know God is good and I like for the books I read to show this fact. And I think that has been the theme of the books I've authored so far: God is good. You can trust Him.Melanie Dickersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09752176517296691824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-51862775433073201132008-11-17T09:41:00.000-05:002008-11-17T09:41:00.000-05:00Whether Fiction or Non-Fiction, a Christian book r...Whether Fiction or Non-Fiction, a Christian book reveals biblical truth.<BR/><BR/>Some Christian Fiction publishers won't publish a book that doesn't have a "happy ending." As Christians, we know life doesn't always have a "happy ending." But, like some of the other posters have mentioned, their must be a ray of hope. That, itself, is a biblical truth.Deleted due to hackers...https://www.blogger.com/profile/06033538555695875578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-30962803757902081102008-11-17T09:27:00.000-05:002008-11-17T09:27:00.000-05:00In a nutshell, this is my definition of Christian ...In a nutshell, this is my definition of Christian fiction, and one I keep posted on my computer monitor to keep me on track when I write:<BR/><BR/>"Christian fiction is a realistic portrayal of characters in conflict, which at some point exposes them to the truth of God's Word, shows His pursuit of them through the Lord Jesus Christ, and offers them an opportunity to enter into and develop a Mom Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03108205243845889800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-48158760300309029902008-11-16T09:58:00.000-05:002008-11-16T09:58:00.000-05:00(And that's a good thing, BTW, that we find both k...(And that's a good thing, BTW, that we find both kinds of fiction in CBA because everybody needs a book to read . . .)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-36915019804945951242008-11-15T22:54:00.000-05:002008-11-15T22:54:00.000-05:00I suppose there's no "wrong" answer to this questi...I suppose there's no "wrong" answer to this question, only preferences. I recognize I'm in the minority when I say most books "preach" something whether it's godlessness or godliness or anything in between. Giving a worldview is making a case for something, be it overt or covert.<BR/><BR/>Christian fiction definitions seem to presently range from a novel written by a Christian to a novel which Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-55510410976772605232008-11-15T22:29:00.000-05:002008-11-15T22:29:00.000-05:00Since the first Christian books I read were Grace ...Since the first Christian books I read were Grace Livingston Hill books, I really avoided Christian fiction for a long LONG time. In the late 80's someone turned me on to Frank Perretti's books. From there I just kept going.<BR/><BR/>I like the idea that Christin fiction is fiction written by a Christian, however, I have read books that carry a deep message of hope and have Christian themes Lalycairnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16254966710642184737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-87580891569535460672008-11-15T15:57:00.000-05:002008-11-15T15:57:00.000-05:00I love this discussion. I have asked myself this v...I love this discussion. I have asked myself this very question when I read a book that I questioned on that very aspect. One thing nobody has mentioned is cursing. I would not expect expletives in a Christian fiction novel. Maybe that is just a duh, but I think it is something to consider also. There are references to the such, but not actually using the word. I have picked up books before to Pattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00909999659001025499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-10786771870011692642008-11-15T15:34:00.000-05:002008-11-15T15:34:00.000-05:00I think that a Christian book should protray real ...I think that a Christian book should protray real life, hopes and dreams, happiness, sadness, every possibel scenario, but I think it should all be handled in enlightening ways. We all know that with God All Things Are Possible. We also know that all the books won't have a happy ending, but that IS real life. As long as we have our faith, we can get through it.<BR/><BR/>thanks for sharing<BR/><Carolyn Sharkashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07197589879672376230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-28074072258027264902008-11-15T11:05:00.000-05:002008-11-15T11:05:00.000-05:00I've been working on my first book, and have put a...I've been working on my first book, and have put a lot of thought into this, as I try to decide where exactly to take this. To be Christian, or "wholesome" and geared to the world, without a pervading Christian theme? I've read many Christian books that just preached and preached and preached, or, they make the heroine so "perfect" because of her faith, that you just want to gag and can barely Lora Leasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15153555405302611096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-27400129340209720452008-11-14T23:52:00.000-05:002008-11-14T23:52:00.000-05:00This is an excellent question. I had something hap...This is an excellent question. I had something happen that really caught my attention and want to throw it into the discussion. <BR/><BR/>I was reading "Always a Mother" by Linda Warren in the SuperRomance, HQ Everlasting Love line. <BR/><BR/>A 43-year-old woman is pregnant and on page 10 she drives by an abortion clinic. All she had to do was "go inside, take another pregnancy test and make a Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-40167293615073317252008-11-14T23:28:00.000-05:002008-11-14T23:28:00.000-05:00Great comments, guys. Thanks for sharing your thou...Great comments, guys. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Keep em coming.Cara Putmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08316731047954376226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-90016786960055003062008-11-14T23:15:00.000-05:002008-11-14T23:15:00.000-05:00What a good, challenging question. When a Christia...What a good, challenging question. <BR/><BR/>When a Christian fiction novel is watered-down in Christianity I can't get comfortably into it. <BR/><BR/>I think the best way to determine what makes a Christian novel christ-like is when they walk "the walk."<BR/><BR/>I can't say I mind a Christain book that "preaches" if the character practices what they preach. I mean, my preacher preaches and I Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-4756164681655786002008-11-14T23:05:00.000-05:002008-11-14T23:05:00.000-05:00Mae Nunn, Virginia Smith, and others who's books I...Mae Nunn, Virginia Smith, and others who's books I read while laid up from an ankle fusion, made me laugh, cry,and encouraged and uplifted me in my faith. They never preached but they just told a story that made you realize that you aren't alone in your walk in life. <BR/>I have read your books and they are great too.<BR/>I just read one of DiAnn Mills books and it left me so uplifted and squiresjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14116632619184218017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-83892711962426792692008-11-14T21:59:00.000-05:002008-11-14T21:59:00.000-05:00When I think of books that have incited change I c...When I think of books that have incited change I can't help but think of <I>Uncle Tom's Cabin</I> because it helped to highlight the problems of a very dark time in our nation's history. While the novel isn't devoid hope, Uncle Tom dies at the hands of a cruel master. I very much doubt the book would have had the same impact if Uncle Tom had lived. By leaving an injustice unresolved, the author Timothy Fishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06554064732811895577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-5207012345548986302008-11-14T18:19:00.000-05:002008-11-14T18:19:00.000-05:00I think Christian fiction can come in many differe...I think Christian fiction can come in many different forms. <BR/><BR/>I don't like reading books that have a preachy message, but that may be because I grew up in a Christian home. My mother attributes her salvation to a preachy book, so clearly there is a need for it.<BR/><BR/>My books tend to have Christian characters who are a lot like me- no flashy conversion stories, but just a solid, Avily Jeromehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08201659100248261370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29771877.post-61385370339085167732008-11-14T10:51:00.000-05:002008-11-14T10:51:00.000-05:00I feel that a Christian fiction book should mirror...I feel that a Christian fiction book should mirror the world that is the story should follow life. And include all of its ups and downs. It should not end on a negative note, but give a sense of hope. <BR/><BR/>Sometimes when I read Christian fiction the story can not happen the way the writer had written it, i.e. "too many miracles". And that ruins the story.<BR/><BR/>So I guess the bottom Slice of Heaven Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13430705307037441548noreply@blogger.com