I’m a subscriber to the Christian History magazine and was reading an interesting article that got me thinking. The latest edition was on Tolkien and there was a page on famous Christian Humanist writers. The list includes Tolkien, G. K. Chesterton, T. S. Eliot, Evelyn Waugh, C. S. Lewis. These were prolific writers during the turn of the 20th century and first half of the 20th century. But what about nowadays? Which contemporary Christian writer can compare to these people? Are there any out there? And if not, why not?

The article that I read is also on-line if anyone is interested reading it
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/2003/002/7.18.html

Sadly Joe, it seems to me there really isn;t a great deal of quality literature from Christian authors… There are alot of “chick” books published by Bethany House (I’ve read plenty of them - when I was in my early teens). In fact there seem to be a proliferation of soppy American-written sentimental Baptist-influenced fiction works. *snort*

I can’t think of a single christian author (of fictional works) of the late 20thC who is worth reading…

As far as fiction goes, how about Stephen Lawhead, who writes primarily historical fantasy (the Pendragon Cycle, the Song of Albion Tirlogy, etc.) and a bit of sci-fi (Empyrion)? He isn’t as highbrow as the exalted company mentioned above, but he researches his topic matter well and creates convincing and endearing characters.

Timbo

How about the Australian poets James McCauley and Les Murray, both converts to Roman Catholicism?  McAuley only died in the 1970s.  Murray is still writing, and is internationally renowned as one of the greatest living Australian writers.

The multi-awarder winner, West Australian novelist Tim Winton attends an Anglican church I believe.

If they are not as well known as the Tolkeins, Lewises and Waughs - I suppose that reflects the somewhat diminished status of writers in this century as opposed to the last.

Tim Winton is simply a wonderful writer, deserving of all the awards and accolades that he gets. And to boot, he weaves themes of faith and spirituality into his works really well. He doesn’t “preach” the gospel, but stimulates thought that one could easily use to discuss deeper matters with others by referring to his storylines and characters.

John Grisham, though not an example of a great writer in the true sense of that word, is nonetheless widely read as one of the better popular novelists. He has always had strong morality in his novels and more recently has introduced Christian themes more explicitly. If you don’t know the basics of the gospel after reading “The Testament” or “The Chamber” you’ll never know them. (Don’t rely on the movie versions though - they left out the old man’s conversion in the movie of The Chamber.)

A novel that has received very positive critical acclaim in the secular media, written by a man who professes Christianity and has apparently woven the message into the story, is “Peace Like a River” by Leif Enger. It’s been compared to one of my all time favourites, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, so it must have something going for it. Apparently it came out around the same time as Jonathen Franzen’s “The Corrections” got all the publicity from the Oprah book club and is said by many to have been more deserving than the Franzen work (which I enjoyed). I haven’t read the Enger novel yet, so can’t offer an outright endorsement, but I’ve heard good things about it and intend to “get around to it” some day.

I agree with suggesting Tim Winton (while not claiming to know his beliefs). I wanted to be first to suggest him, but my computer wouldn’t let me! His novels aren’t ‘theology by story’, but perhaps that’s why they’re powerful stories. They certainly hit big ideas like identity, loss, redemption, ...

I want to ask something. Or perhaps I should confess. When I see a book presented as ‘Christian fiction’ my immediate response is to think it must be poorly written. So I’m suspicious of fiction that comes from a Christian publishing house. Am I alone in this?

I’d rather read decent fiction - if I get the chance - because I think that if it’s good it will have to raise issues linked to the gospel of Jesus. That is the nature of reality.

Thinking as I type, I could say that I don’t want to search out the ‘Christian novel.’ I certainly do hope for more novelists who are Christian. And, for myself, I want to read any novel in a Christian way.

This has meant I have been made to think by writers such as David Malouf (esp Remembering Babylon, The Great World), Albert Camus (esp The Plague), and others who don’t write as believers.

Is this in any way a cop-out? (I would really like an answer!)

I think the work by “Tim Lahaye” in the left behind series is good stuff. It may not be in the same class of C.S.Lewis, he does however stimulate the minds and thinking of both christian and non christians in regards to the return of Christ and what would happen if there were no christians left on earth etc. I think it has stimulated our thinking much in the same way lewis wrote about the reality of Satan in the Screw Tape letters.

For us to consider a writer to be in the same vien as him we may need to wait for another 50 years to look back and reminice about them.

craig

Has anyone read The Last Western by Thomas Klise?
I’m reading it at the moment and it’s fairly thoeologically thought provoking!

I’m certainly with Chris on the “christian fiction” thing. My immediate response is to roll my eyes- I have to admit, though, that I haven’t read an awful lot of books which are marketed as “christian fiction”. It’s just that those I have read have not been terribly interesting or inspiring. And I guess that when I’m fiction book buying it doesn’t tend to be in a shop that would sell books marketed as christian fiction anyways. Give me the fantasy/sci-fi aisle any day (which, of course, includes some excellent christian authors). :)

Oops, a little late on this one, but it belongs in the culture forum ;P

Carry on!