Written for a Secular Audience?

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Ky_GirlatHeart

Ky_GirlatHeart

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Has anyone ever done that, and what made you do that? And how did you go about doing that? What methods did you use to introduce the topic of Jesus Christ or another Biblical topic while not trying to seem like you're shoving it down the reader's throat?

Recently, I've been learning how to evangelize the proper way. One of the points I really liked that the guy made (it's Greg something) is that his intention is to stick a little something into someone's shoe--in other words, give them something to think about instead of trying to introduce the Gospel in every single conversation. If he can, he'll go with that window of opportunity. If not, he wants to at least give them something to think about. He compares it to gardening (I Corinthians 3:5-8).

 
Ky_GirlatHeart said:
Has anyone ever done that, and what made you do that? And how did you go about doing that? What methods did you use to introduce the topic of Jesus Christ or another Biblical topic while not trying to seem like you're shoving it down the reader's throat?
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yeah, it's my latest novel. You put in a whole bunch of worldly themes in it, but the resolution is that the main character becomes a Christian and gets saved.

 
@kiwigummy Ah, I see.

What's your definition of "worldly themes"? (Sorry if that's a weird question; just was wandering since everybody has different definitions for different things.)

 
My family and I have had big discussions about this before with both books and film. I don't explicitly weave in a Christian theme throughout my stories; it's not my strength. Rather, I mention God or introduce good values throughout the book.

 
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Ky_GirlatHeart said:
What's your definition of "worldly themes"? (Sorry if that's a weird question; just was wandering since everybody has different definitions for different things.)
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lgbtq, blm, critical race theory, drugs, alcohol, abortion, mental illness, suicide, depression, postmodernism, feminism, marxism, totalitarianism, authoritarianism, racism, -phobia...

Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. Worldly means hot button topics that create controversy.

So I suppose, Controversial Subjects would be a synonym.

 
I think some of the best novels I've read were written by a Christian writer, in which they utilized more worldly concepts in their writing. It's kind of like what @kiwigummy said. The main character begins the story as very-much-so not a Christian, whether they're vehemently opposed to God or just living in opposition to Him, and then throughout the story they are changed and become saved. The reader might notice parallels in their own lives (which we all do while reading) and then might begin to wonder if they should be making similar changes, if that makes sense.

 
Ky_GirlatHeart said:
Has anyone ever done that, and what made you do that? And how did you go about doing that? What methods did you use to introduce the topic of Jesus Christ or another Biblical topic while not trying to seem like you're shoving it down the reader's throat?

Recently, I've been learning how to evangelize the proper way. One of the points I really liked that the guy made (it's Greg something) is that his intention is to stick a little something into someone's shoe--in other words, give them something to think about instead of trying to introduce the Gospel in every single conversation. If he can, he'll go with that window of opportunity. If not, he wants to at least give them something to think about. He compares it to gardening (I Corinthians 3:5-8).
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Mhm! I'm writing for a secular audience right now, and I'd be happy to share!

At the risk of sounding hypocritical, I swear in my book (as in, the f word appears more than once. I might have to change that, actually, but for now it's in there) The themes are pretty mature--not just death, but depression, anxiety, cutting, and thoughts of suicide. In the end, the MC and her family find their way back to trusting God and being whole again, so that's Christian. But there are things in there that wouldn't go over well in any other market

You may wonder why I choose to swear. I think (and I say this imho) there are some circumstances and characters where it seems like they're going to swear. Like, that's how they are, or that's what a normal person would do in that situation. As for the romance and mature (ish) themes, those are vital to the plot. 

Another reason I have is that, from what I've heard, books sell much better in the secular market then in the Christian one. Idk if that's true, but I'm pretty sure it is (correct me if I'm wrong) 

 
kiwigummy said:
lgbtq, blm, critical race theory, drugs, alcohol, abortion, mental illness, suicide, depression, postmodernism, feminism, marxism, totalitarianism, authoritarianism, racism, -phobia...

Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. Worldly means hot button topics that create controversy.

So I suppose, Controversial Subjects would be a synonym.
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Holy bananas that a lot to write! And some very important things, too. Haha if you ever need anyone with experience in depression or suicide (or mental health in genera) or phobias, I'd be happy to help 🙃

 
ThePerilousPen said:
Holy bananas that a lot to write! And some very important things, too. Haha if you ever need anyone with experience in depression or suicide (or mental health in genera) or phobias, I'd be happy to help 🙃
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why, thank you. I only have half the things I listed in my novel. I hope you're doing better these days? 🙂

 
Most of my books can be for both audiences. There is the message of God in everyone of them. 

In my latest one (the trilogy I'm working on) is explicit in many ways, but the implicit things are perhaps what can really reach through the boundaries. I just want to make the reader think about God, especially if he/she is not yet saved.

One of the projects down the road will follow the antagonist of the trilogy and the main purpose behind that is to express what happens to those who continue on the path of destruction. But many characters around the villain change and are redeemed. There is a big lesson in it, I believe.

It will be difficult to write because Nilka Vin (the villian, the MC in this said project) is really brutish and his end is sad. Nonetheless,  there is still a God-honoring purpose to this.

The one I'm editing, Endeavor, explores a lot about sin and redemption. There is a lot of talk about ignorance, deception, betrayal, hatred, pride, etc. But there are also counters to those:

acknowledgement, truth, love, purity, faith, etc. 

The projects have been refreshing and reinvigorating to do. I'm determined to use them for the Lord's glory and I pray that they reach people with the gospel.

 
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kiwigummy said:
why, thank you. I only have half the things I listed in my novel. I hope you're doing better these days? 🙂
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In a manner of speaking, yes! But I guess you could say I switched out my problems for different ones 😕 But I'm happy to say I'm past the depression/suicide point 😄 

Thanks for asking 🙂 Most people don't really care 

 
Ky_GirlatHeart said:
Has anyone ever done that, and what made you do that? And how did you go about doing that? What methods did you use to introduce the topic of Jesus Christ or another Biblical topic while not trying to seem like you're shoving it down the reader's throat?

Recently, I've been learning how to evangelize the proper way. One of the points I really liked that the guy made (it's Greg something) is that his intention is to stick a little something into someone's shoe--in other words, give them something to think about instead of trying to introduce the Gospel in every single conversation. If he can, he'll go with that window of opportunity. If not, he wants to at least give them something to think about. He compares it to gardening (I Corinthians 3:5-8).
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My book started off to be a wild edibles book, but it took a fiction twist.  The main character is Christian, of hopefully comes across as such.  My characters will pray, go to church, give thanks...  They don't go into the 'Yer gonna burn fer eternity if you don't do..."  Jesus didn't take that approach either.  The only people He rubbed error into their faces were the scribes and other religious leaders.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uc5VsNNmpE

 
Ky_GirlatHeart said:
Has anyone ever done that, and what made you do that? And how did you go about doing that? What methods did you use to introduce the topic of Jesus Christ or another Biblical topic while not trying to seem like you're shoving it down the reader's throat?
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Click to shrink...


I write Fantasy, and while the world I write about has a singular God and a Heaven (as well as polytheistic cultures), I do not include Jesus.  There is a couple reasons for this.  The first is that the world exists in a sort of pre-Mosaic era (a period in the Bible that has always interested me). 

The second reason is that I'm writing Fantasy.  I am leery to include Jesus as in doing so would create a mixed message, in my opinion.  It leaves the impression that Jesus is a fantastical (read: not real) figure, as opposed to a historical one.  Using God in my writing doesn't pose as much of a problem as He is as much a concept as He is a Being.

First they started with Moses, claiming he was an amalgamation of different individuals.  Then they did the same to King David.  The are doing the same right now to Jesus.  I don't think I want to add fuel to that fire.

 
Sarah has put it well as SW says. 

Obviously you need to know your readers - who they are, but I would say the story comes first.  Most themes and issues that arise out of a well-structured story will emerge, and many will have a connection with the Christianity and its teaching. 

The key issues in not who or what audience you are writing for but HOW you communicate with them - e.g if i wrote a theological book I could assume that the type of reader is going to be a Christians and interested in the thesis of the book. I know I can be upfront and use christian concepts & jargon because they will have the knowledge to understand.

If I am writing a book which is going to be read by people who may not have any knowledge of the christian faith then I am going to have to use language that resonates with them and unpack the themes etc in a manner that they can relate too.

CS Lewis is good example of this - if you read his 'christian' work his language is completely different to his fiction books.

 
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