I’ve posted for the last three days about End of the Spear, a movie I really enjoyed. A movie with a wholesome, encouraging message, a movie that celebrates sacrificial love and forgiveness. A movie that clearly points to Christ, the one who died so that others may live, even though it never mentions him by name or tells you that you must be covered by his blood to be saved.

Ironically the film, which is taking hits from the secular media for being too preachy, has some Christians screaming that it isn’t preachy enough. Some Christians bloggers have been very critical of this film and its makers. They feel duped and cheated by a company that promised them a Christian film but delivered one without Christ and without a cross.

Now why does this brouhaha concern us here at the little All About Children’s Books blog. After all, we are always so meek and mild and we love to mind our own business.

OK, seriously, if you know me, you know I’m a big proponent of preaching in fiction (and so I’m even more in favor of preaching in nonfiction). I think everyone does it. A writer can’t help but put his worldview into his stories. And how boring books would be if they were stripped of authors’ beliefs. So I was happy with the preaching in End of the Spear. It was not loud——it was the kind of preaching that makes little tinkling sounds like chimes in a soft breeze, rather than the kind that booms in your ears like a bad headache. The best kind of preaching.

But I need to qualify that last statement, I guess. I love good sermons. Even big booming ones. And even in novels. It doesn’t bother me at all when George MacDonald stops in mid-story to deliver a four-page sermon. His narrator is the kind of guy who can’t help but preach. (I’ve never read him straight——all I’ve read are the Bethany House books edited by Michael Phillips. I love them.) His sermonizing is fine with me because I’m in agreement with his worldview. If he were Hindu, though, and preaching on how to reach Nirvana, I’d not have as much tolerance.

So it’s understandable that the secular media felt that End of the Spear was too preachy. The movie spoke of an authoritative God who gets to make the rules and of his Son who died that others might live. Both concepts are offensive to those who worship themselves. What amazes me, though, is that some Christians have viewed this beautiful movie and found it offensive.

But I guess I shouldn’t be amazed. Christians are offended by all kinds of things. You can’t hang out in CBA circles long without hearing about the Little Old Lady who complains to the bookstore owner because she saw an offensive word in a book she purchased. The bookstore owner, in turn, refuses to buy another book from the author and/or publisher who dared to put that garbage in print. I used to think the editors who told this story were speaking hyperbolically. But now I see they were serious. One Little Old Lady can start a slavering mob.

This is no joke. A couple of years ago I saw the taboo list for Steeple Hill. I don’t remember all the words——it was a long list——but a couple of ridiculous ones I do remember, were panties and priest. I don’t know why I remember those two but they stuck in my mind. You really are not allowed to put the word priest in your book if you write for Steeple Hill. Because Protestants don’t like Catholics, I guess. And panties? Well I’ve never really wanted to write about underwear but I find it odd that anyone would be offended by it.

But they are deadly serious about this stuff.

And maybe we have now, an answer for why the homosexual activists have made such great strides and we Christians have lost so much ground in society. They support one another and applaud one another and we beat each other up.

A house divided cannot stand. And Christendom is surely divided. What a mess.

So if you’re a writer aiming at the CBA, remember not to mention priests or panties (or priests in panties, especially). Also, if you have a villain, a homosexual, for instance, he must be painted (not pantied!) a deep, dark, shade of black and must either convert, or die and go to hell, by the end of the book. And make sure your Christian characters offer up many prayers in Jesus’ name.

Not enough realism, you say? Not enough true grit to attract readers? Hey just throw in a couple of warring Christian characters. You’ll have all the conflict and realism you need. They won’t curse and Jesus’ name will be proudly shouted from the rooftops.

“Jesus is on my side and he hates you (praise his glorious name because he’s so worthy and I’m such a lowly worm).”

“No, Jesus is on my side and you are going to hell (but I love you and I’m praying for you, you shameful, sinful, fraud) .”

Sorry. I blog-hopped way more than was healthy this weekend.

****

I need to add, because for sure someone will be offended if I don’t, that Christ’s Church will prevail. The Church will not be defeated, it will stand. But the backbiting church? It has got to go.

****

A much nicer post~Exhibiting the Value of Knowing God
A great review of End of the Spear~Homeschool in Wisconsin
A long but interesting discussion~Choosing Home

***

You Might Also Like