How Christian Stories Teach Effectively

Photo by Seljan Salimova on Unsplash

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​Christian fiction has the potential to reach readers with the gospel message in ways that nonfiction cannot. Readers who pick up Christian fiction may never be willing to pick up Christian nonfiction, therefore, there is a unique opportunity here for fiction authors.

However, authentic Christian fiction isn’t always easy to write. There are some important considerations to make as a Christian author to ensure your story is effectively teaching the principles you hope to convey.

Let’s take a look at some of those considerations more in-depth. Grab a cup of coffee and let’s get started.

What Message Is Your Story Presenting?
First, as a Christian author, you need to consider the message your story is presenting. This message should be conveyed through the beliefs the protagonist lives out in the story.

These beliefs will impact their thoughts, actions, and reactions as they move through the story and encounter obstacles and conflicts. In addition, the obstacles and conflicts they experience should also be, in part, a natural consequence of those beliefs, actions, and reactions.

No one wants to read a story with vague messaging that concludes with a long speech about what the protagonist learned. Determine what message you want to convey to your readers, and then share that message through the journey the protagonist takes as their beliefs are strengthened, challenged, or changed.

Do Your Characters Have Vague Beliefs?
If your protagonist doesn’t have specific beliefs that shape their thinking, words, and actions, they won’t be authentic to your readers. Everyone has beliefs that they have cultivated either through their upbringing, their faith, or their experiences.

Perhaps they believe that cutting corners is the best way to get to the top.

Perhaps they believe that they need to put themselves first because no one else will.

Perhaps they believe that God is sovereign, and they don't need to worry about what might happen next.

These beliefs should be evident to your readers in the way your character speaks, thinks, and acts. They should motivate their responses and even create consequences as a result.

No matter what it is, take the time to cultivate three-dimensional characters driven by specific beliefs. (Solid character profiles are so helpful here.) Even if your readers don’t know the details of where those beliefs came from, their actions and words will become more authentic. And when your characters’ beliefs are clear, you can effectively move them toward the principles and truths you want them, and your readers, to learn.

Do Characters Talk About Their Beliefs Rather Than Act on Them?
It’s one thing to say you believe something. It’s another thing to act on it.

It’s the same with your characters. Unless you are intentionally portraying a character who says one thing and does another to create and heighten conflict, writing characters who speak about their faith but don’t act on it or allow it to influence their actions and words will fail to deliver an impactful message.

Do Your Characters' Choices Receive Authentic Consequences for Their Actions?
We all know that doing the right thing doesn’t always result in the right consequences. That’s part of living in a fallen world. So, does your story reflect that?

If your character always does the right thing and always reaps the rewards, your readers will quickly become bored. Not only is that not realistic, but it strips the story of conflict and tension. This makes for a boring story.

At the same time, if your protagonist encounters negative consequences no matter how many positive choices they make, this is also unrealistic. Readers will notice, and you will lose interest.

You can’t convey biblical principles or a message of truth and hope found in Christ if readers fail to finish the book. Balance is the key to writing a story that is authentic and relatable but also exciting and impactful.

Do Your Characters Have One-Dimensional Beliefs?
It doesn’t matter how mature your protagonist is, they will have besetting sins they struggle with. These struggles represent one dimension of their belief system.

They will also have areas where the Lord is growing them, or if they don’t become a believer until the end, this may be the catalyst that confronts their current belief system.

Finally, they will have the beliefs that have been cultivated throughout their life, those that they have seen proven and played out. These all mix to create a system of beliefs that are always growing and evolving.

If you write a character who believes and acts on every biblical principle, your character will be flat, unrelatable, and unrealistic. This is not our human experience. Even Paul said in Romans 7:15 that the thing he wanted to do, he didn’t do. And the thing he didn’t want to do, he did.

Real life isn’t as simple as learning a new biblical principle and then effortlessly and flawlessly carrying it out. It shouldn’t be that way for your characters either.

Do Your Characters Change Too Quickly or Dramatically?
This goes hand in hand with the point above. Again, Paul’s frustration with his behavior and choices reflected in Romans 7 shows us that changes in our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors don’t happen overnight.

There is a season of transitioning. Learning the new principle. Applying the new principle imperfectly. Processing the impact. Trying again. On and on until it shapes our thinking and becomes a foundational part of our belief system.

Throughout the process, our sinful nature and old beliefs are still warring with this new understanding. If that war isn’t evident in your character’s journey, you are missing authenticity and conflict that make your message more impactful.

Essentially, your character should start in one course of belief and end in another, but the middle—the messy in between, where they sometimes do the right thing and sometimes don’t—should make up the majority of the story.

Do Your Characters Change Without Clear Justification?
Just like characters who change too quickly aren’t believable, characters who change without justification are equally unbelievable. We don’t change without a specific event to change our perspective. A new bible verse. A specific trial. A conversation with a friend. Something challenges our current thinking and invites us to explore a new perspective or belief.

Depending on the context of the situation, the event can be small or large, but it has to be impactful to the character to be believable and relatable. Show that to your readers. You’ll gain empathy and buy-in when your readers get to take the journey with your characters. You’ll build trust and connection that helps your readers remain more open to the principles and messaging you want to convey.

Are Your Character Given a Clear Decision Point?
Finally, characters must face a clear point of conflict near the end of the story that forces them to make a decision. Will they follow their old pattern of beliefs or move toward a new perspective?

This point of conflict must be significant enough to realistically motivate the characters in a way your readers can relate to.

Conclusion: Delivering a Compelling Message with Your Christian Novel
Christian fiction authors have an incredible platform to share messages of hope and truth with individuals who may not otherwise read Christian material.

There is something unique and compelling about a well-written novel. Something that touches the soul and sparks curiosity, connection, and openness. Something beautiful.
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And when you’ve written your characters with clear relatable beliefs and struggles, your readers will be able to hear that message in a powerful way.
 
 

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