Christian fiction is dead. There, I said it again. I wish it wasn't true, but I have proof. The first inkling I got was when I was visiting a Barnes and Noble - yes, an actual brick-and-mortar store with shelves. It was glaringly obvious because then you can see it all in one place, can't you. Like a tiny microcosm of literary content. In an entire two-story bookstore (with an escalator, mind you), do you know how many shelves there were with Christian books on them? One and a half. And a lot of that was Bibles.
Then there was the Goodreads Best Books of 2015 list. Twenty categories and Christian Fiction wasn't one of them.
Which makes me wonder...are Christians not reading? Or are they just not reading books with Christian material? And if they are reading secular books...why? Why are they choosing secular books over Christian books?
I get that Christian fiction, by and large, has been a little sugary: too much fluff, not enough substance. The label "Christian" on fiction is often nothing more than just that...a label slapped on for marketing reasons. The characters are no more deeply spiritual than anybody else, the Christian part of their activities limited to having church-going friends or a scene involving a potluck or a church-based craft bazaar.
But does this really explain why the genre has no pulse? I don't have any answers here. I'm just asking questions. Rubbernecking at a funeral. Wondering if it's too late. Can Christians care again about fiction that seeks to probe deeply into the human condition and unmask the culprit of all suffering and pain? Do they want to read about men and women who are striving to develop a real relationship with God? Who hurt but know Who heals, who fall but know Who to turn to for the strength to get back up?
Do you? I'd love your feedback. Leave a comment below to add your two cents.
Christian fiction is dead. Long live Christian fiction.
Then there was the Goodreads Best Books of 2015 list. Twenty categories and Christian Fiction wasn't one of them.
Which makes me wonder...are Christians not reading? Or are they just not reading books with Christian material? And if they are reading secular books...why? Why are they choosing secular books over Christian books?
I get that Christian fiction, by and large, has been a little sugary: too much fluff, not enough substance. The label "Christian" on fiction is often nothing more than just that...a label slapped on for marketing reasons. The characters are no more deeply spiritual than anybody else, the Christian part of their activities limited to having church-going friends or a scene involving a potluck or a church-based craft bazaar.
But does this really explain why the genre has no pulse? I don't have any answers here. I'm just asking questions. Rubbernecking at a funeral. Wondering if it's too late. Can Christians care again about fiction that seeks to probe deeply into the human condition and unmask the culprit of all suffering and pain? Do they want to read about men and women who are striving to develop a real relationship with God? Who hurt but know Who heals, who fall but know Who to turn to for the strength to get back up?
Do you? I'd love your feedback. Leave a comment below to add your two cents.
Christian fiction is dead. Long live Christian fiction.
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