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Pulpit or Stage? A Critical Look at the Criticism of Christian Fiction

Have you ever read a book review where a critic slammed a work of YA Christian fiction for not being “Christian enough”? 

“Lacks Biblical substance. Doesn’t mention Jesus even once. Fluffy entertainment.“

Let me first say that, as a Christian, it is of utmost importance to guard the integrity of your faith and the purity of Biblical truth. Not every book that parades as “Christian” fiction is truly Biblical in its message, and—WARNING!—some even contradict God’s Word. (See 6 Red Flags to Watch for In YA Christian Fiction.) So what about those books for which the Biblical message is sound but not necessarily in-depth? Is that okay?

A common criticism of Christian fiction is that it isn’t Christian enough. It’s a valid point but then we must ask ourselves: Are we Christian enough?

Lauren Thell, author of YA Christian Fiction

Hey, I’m Lauren, author of YA Christian fiction and

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The Great Christian Fiction Debate: What’s Christian Enough?

As a teen, I was really into contemporary Christian music. Plus One, Jaci Velasquez, ZoeGirl, Burlap to Cashmere, Newsboys . . . These had the catchy beats and bright tones of pop music without the cuss words and racy, female-degrading themes. Safe, fun, and fulfilling entertainment as far as I was concerned.

My father didn’t see it that way. In his opinion, the lyrics were shallow, vague, maybe even a little weird. I always joked that he would rather I listen to Queen—a decidedly unChristian band—than the Christian music station. 

Dad wasn’t completely wrong. By itself, one Christian pop song might contain very little in terms of Christian doctrine. Someone who sings “There’s a God who you can trust” (Jaci Velasquez) could be referring to any god. “I know right from the start your love was written on my heart” (Plus One) could be about a girl, for all we know. And check out this lyrical gem from Newsboys: “

​​Where we go, little glow-worms glow, little roadrunners run ahead. Gonna tell their friends, little mice, little men. Get ’em all excited, all invited.” 

Um, what?

Books for Christian Teens clean YA sci-fi, fantasy

If I were looking to replace time in church with the Christian radio station—and time in the Bible with fictional religious literature—then, yes, I absolutely agree with this criticism of Christian fiction: It doesn’t cut it.

And therein lies the point.

Christian Fiction is No Replacement For the Bible

That statement is so important, let me say it again: Christian fiction is no replacement for the Bible. Instead, the best Christian fiction should send you back to God’s Word, eager to learn more and live more in him.

The best Christian fiction should send you back to God’s Word, eager to learn more and live more in him.

As with contemporary Christian music, some YA Christian fiction novels will dive deep into Christian doctrine while others focus on a certain emotion or circumstance. My post 6 Red Flags to Watch For in YA Christian Fiction goes deeper into discerning whether a book labeled “YA Christian fiction” truly is Christian. But as long as a book aligns with biblical principles (reading your Bible more will help you recognize when this is not the case), there’s no reason to think a novel is not “Christian enough” simply because it doesn’t go into great detail about Jesus’ death and resurrection or there’s no coming-to-faith moment.

Jesus Used Fictional Stories to Teach Valuable Lessons

No one accused Jesus of not going deep enough simply because he didn’t mention his coming sacrifice in every single one.

Jesus was one of the best storytellers. He could make a lesson out of anything but not every lesson had the same theme. The Parable of the Rich Fool is about guarding your heart against every type of greed. The Parable of the Watchful Servants is a lesson about staying alert. And the Parable of the Lost Sheep reveals God’s heart toward each and every believer. The stories were as different as the lessons, and each spoke to a specific aspect of the Christian existence.

No one accused Jesus of not going deep enough simply because he didn’t mention his coming sacrifice in every single one.

The Case For Christian Fiction: Enlightenment Through Entertainment

Renowned author Robin Lee Hatcher makes a case for Christian fiction in Why Christian Fiction? I also tackle this issue, arguing for why Christian teens should read Christian fiction in 5 Terrific Reasons Why Christian Teens Should Read Fiction. Readers who turn their noses up at Christian fiction miss out on great entertainment and valuable lessons.

Wondering what books to start with? Check out my reviews and lists:

Lauren’s Books: Short Stories With Christian Themes

young adult literature Christian fiction

My YA Christian Fiction short stories (offered exclusively to subscribers on a rotating basis) are considered Christian literature but you won’t get an entire lesson about salvation by grace in every single one. Short stories have limited space and typically focus on a single issue.

But salvation by grace is the undertone for everything I write and a guiding principle for many Christian authors.

Some of the Christian themes covered in my short stories:

  • The Day Hanna Hosanna Helped Cootie Judy: forgiveness, Christian handling of bullying, and seeing the value in all God’s people, even the ones you don’t “get”
  • UnTainted: Christian friendship and romance, virtue, integrity, healing after trauma
  • Gwendolyn Grace And All the Other Chicks: grief, healing, finding shelter in God’s holy presence after a tragic loss
  • One White Dark Night: evangelism and sharing God’s love with others, the power of scripture and prayer, trusting God to contend with your enemies
  • The Green Grass Grows Again: recognizing your value in God’s eyes, self-forgiveness and moving past mistakes, overriding the power of a bully 
  • A Time to Heal: unconditional love, the healing power of God’s Word, grief 
  • A Time to Live: integrity, forgiveness, survivor’s guilt
  • A Time to Wait: Christian dating, living in holiness and purity, rising above low expectations
  • A Time to Tell: honor and integrity, fleeing sin before it builds a stronghold
  • Treasure Hunters: the search for answers, real treasure

Learn more about my YA Christian fiction: Christian YA Short Stories For Those Who Walk Through Fire and Seasons of Kane: A Christian YA Short Story Series.

In Response to the Criticism of Christian Fiction

I don’t know about you, but I like to read fiction to de-stress and take a break from my personal reality. I want entertainment I can enjoy without worrying about running into scenes that poison my mind and make me sympathetic to sin. YA Christian fiction does that well, so head on down to your local library and pick out a good book today!

More Resources for YA Christian Fiction Readers

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1 thought on “Pulpit or Stage? A Critical Look at the Criticism of Christian Fiction”

  1. Marcia

    So enjoy all that you write, Lauren. Everything you write points to our Savior Jesus and encourages us to read more from the Word. For a Christian (young or “mature”!), it is always learning and taking into the heart God’s all-powerful Word. Thank you, Lauren. You are an excellent Christian author.
    We love you!! ♥️. God Bless. 🙏🏻✝️

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