Creative Writing as Ministry - 2. Fiction

 By. Sophia B.

Pixabay

Despite the narrow focus of many bookstores, which restrict Christian writers to the “Christian Fiction” section of the store, there are many historical and contemporary writers who have successfully entered the various genres of fiction. C. S. Lewis wrote fantasy and science fiction works. Dorothy Sayers wrote detective mysteries. Karen Kingsbury writes romance and realistic fiction. The list continues with Andrew Peterson, J. R. R. Tolkien, Jane Austen, Flannery O’Connor, and George MacDonald, among others. However, the question still arises if writers can minister to others through their works?

Fiction and Theology

In an article for the Anglican Theological Review, a theologian details his thoughts about becoming a writer and pursuing an MFA in creative writing. Jake Andrews realized that he could reach more people with theology in fiction writing than in academics (716). Not only does fiction provoke Christians to deeper thought, but “it can challenge different readers in different ways, whether within the church or without it” (Andrews 725). Thus, he saw the potential for fiction writing to challenge Christians to a deeper understanding of God and to engage people beyond the church.

Stories with the Gospel Message and Biblical Themes

Many novels by Christians have accomplished Andrews’ vision for fiction. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis portrays the death and resurrection of Jesus through the character of Aslan, presenting readers with the gospel. Aslan takes Edmund’s place and is sacrificed on the stone table. Although the White Witch believes she has prevailed over the King of the Wood, Aslan is resurrected and returns in triumph to defeat the witch. Therefore, the theme of the gospel is woven throughout The Chronicles of Narnia because of Aslan’s role in the books.   

Other authors present biblical themes in their books. Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga displays the impressive and resonating theme of sacrifice (483). Janner Wingfeather’s willingness to protect his brother at any cost displays Christlike love and stays with readers long past the last page of The Warden and the Wolf King, the final book in the saga. Although I read this series as an adult, Janner’s sacrifice is just as moving to me as it would be to a child, who can understand the significance that Janner “never left his brother’s side. He loved him to the end” (Peterson 489).    

Biblical themes are also found in unexpected places, like in Jane Austen’s novels. As an author who is widely acclaimed for her literary contributions, many of her works display the biblical theme of love, which is built on “action, character, and honor” reflecting the principles of 1 Corinthians 13 (Woolsey, “Introduction”). One of Austen’s most impactful works for me is Sense and Sensibility. The protagonist, Elinor, consistently places the interests and well-being of others before herself, including her emotional sister Marianne. Even though Marianne becomes deathly sick after walking in the rain, pining for the villainous Willoughby, Elinor nurses her sister and stays with her at the risk of her own health (Witherington 7). Austen’s story of sisterly love shows us that true love is sacrificial and looks out for the interests of others (Witherington 7).

The examples of Janner and Elinor point to Christ-like love and compel Christians to give of themselves to others. Although the characters are fictional, their lives challenge us with the biblical truth: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends” (John 15:13). Readers not only gain a glimpse of Jesus’ sacrificial love in these stories but are also moved to show the same love to others.

Books and Apologetics

Fiction also lends itself to an apologetic-type purpose of probing challenging issues, like the problem of evil, suffering, and death. Not only do these works help Christians understand the complexity of ministering to others, but they can touch readers who are hurting or going through difficult circumstances. Contemporary author, Karen Kingsbury, tackled the issue of sex trafficking in her book A Distant Shore. She does not avoid this challenging and painful topic. Instead, Kingsbury wrote with the hope that a reader might say, “I read A Distant Shore. I couldn’t put it down. It changed my life. And now I know that I need Jesus and he’s got a plan for my life, no matter what I’ve been through” (Mwaura, par. 14). Her purpose was to impact people for Christ.

As Jake Andrews recognized in his article, “the lives of people are messy” (724). Fictional works can show the messiness of people’s lives while offering hope through biblical themes or a Christian viewpoint. More effective than an impersonal discussion of human suffering from an academic standpoint, fiction can engage readers with issues of everyday life and probe tough questions of suffering.

Closing Thoughts

Fictional works are my favorite types of books to read, especially fantasy and classic novels. Numerous respected and highly skilled authors have written from a Christian perspective with the purpose of pointing people to the Savior. As Steffany Woolsey stated in her introduction to A Jane Austen Devotional, which applies to all writers, “Jane did her readers a great service when she used the gift God gave her to touch the world with her writing and wisdom. May each of us do the same with our own talent.” We can influence people’s lives through stories and tales that highlight biblical themes and address genuine human concerns from a Christian viewpoint.             

Works Cited

Andrews, Jake. “Farewell to Theology?” Anglican Theological Review, vol. 96, no, 2014, pp. 715-725.

Austen, Jane. Sense and Sensibility. Modern Library, 2001.

Lewis, C. S. The Chronicles of Narnia. HarperCollins, 2004.

Mwaura, Maina. “Lessons from Karen Kingsbury on writing novels and living in faith.” Baptist News Global, 30 July 2021, https://baptistnews.com/article/lessons-from-karen-kingsbury-on-writing-novels-and-living-in-faith/#.Yl2KJYXMLIV. 

Peterson, Andrew. The Wingfeather Saga: The Warden and The Wolf King. WaterBrook, 2014.

The Bible. New International Version. Zondervan, 2011. 

Witherington, Laura S. “For the First Time in Forever: Sense and Sensibility and Frozen.” Jane Austen Journal On-Line vol. 40, no. 2, 2020. ProQuest. 

Woolsey, Steffany. A Jane Austen Devotional. Thomas Nelson, 2012.

Suggested Works for Further Reading

Fiction works:

• Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
• Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
• The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
• The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
• The Prince Warriors by Priscilla Shirer
• The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
• The Winter King by Christine Cohen
• Wraithwood by Alyssa Roat

Exploring Biblical Themes in Literature:

• A Jane Austen Devotional by Steffany Woolsey
• Finding God in the Lord of the Rings by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware

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