Why is Discernment in Fiction Important?

Why is it important to learn discernment with fiction?

Considering my passion for this topic, you would think I could rattle off an answer without second thought. And I can. There is much in favor of the oft-underestimated power of story, especially in a culture where story rules.

Yet I must turn this over and over in my mind. Why bother? With topics like purity, homosexuality, the inerrancy of Scripture, abortion/euthanasia, and many other hot-button topics needing to be addressed, fiction seems like little more than a scenic detour for when we have time—which few of us ever do.

So that brings us back to the original question: Why? Why spend your precious time here, learning discernment in fiction?

I think the answer may be far simpler than I usually make it. Why is it important? Because discernment can be learned.

Sure, my focus is on the realm of fiction, largely because that’s my field of expertise. But the principles I am learning and sharing go far beyond fiction because we all need discernment for every arena of life.

Yes, I understand discernment is a gift from God. Yes, there is a special gifting of discernment listed in Scripture (sometimes called the discernment of spirits). But is that all there is to discernment? Is it only some “this is right, this is wrong” instinct that either you have or don’t have? Or is it something we can all develop and cultivate?

For discernment is the ability to learn right from wrong. God has told us what is right and wrong in the Bible. Therefore, if we can learn what God has said, we should also be able to learn what is right, what is wrong, and what is the difference between the two. We can learn discernment.

And considering the confusing and chaotic world we live in, I think that is an important topic worth spending some time on. Don’t you?

The Fire Within

Title: The Fire Within

Series: Dragons #1

Author: Chris D’Lacey

Genre: Mid-grade Magical Realism

Excerpt from “Welcome to Wayward Crescent,” Chapter 1 of The Fire Within:

“Well, here we are,” Mrs. Pennykettle said, pausing by the door of the room she had for rent. She clasped her hands together and smiled. “Officially, it’s our dining room, but we always eat in the kitchen these days.”

The young man beside her nodded politely and patiently adjusted his shoulder bag. “Lovely. Erm, shall we take a look…?”

“It used to be our junk room, really,” said a voice.

Mrs. Pennykettle clucked like a hen.

The visitor turned. A young girl was lolling in the kitchen doorway. She was dressed in jeans and a sloppy top and had wet grass sticking to the heels of her sneakers. “All our junk’s in the attic now.”

“And where have you been?” Mrs. Pennykettle said.

“In the garden,” said the girl, “looking for Conker.”

“Conkers?” the young man queried. “Aren’t you a week or two early for them?”

“Not ers,” said the girl, “er.”

The visitor furrowed his brow.

A college student rents a room off-campus and gets mixed up with clay dragons and squirrelly adventures.

The Craft: The Fire Within has a smooth, flowing style that causes the eye to fly across the words and sweeps the reader into the story. It is almost simplistic—but it works. It perfectly suits this playful tale of clay dragons and misadventures with squirrels. So while the story is not extremely plot intensive, the quirky humor and oddball characters more than make up for any deficits in that may or may not exist in that area.

The Content: A secularly published novel, The Fire Within has an interesting mix of content issues, especially being in the subgenre of magical realism (real world plus oft-unexplained magical elements.) For while there is not anything that I would consider extremely worrisome in this first book, this story hints at concerns becoming graver in books to come.

The main concern I saw in this book was an leaning toward extreme environmentalism in it’s theme. Perhaps not the most worrisome topic in the world, but it needs to be noted, especially for readers with leanings in that direction.

Also the magical realism needs to be approached with caution. While this aspect is handled pretty well in this first book (especially with the non-human aspects hinted at), a couple things surround the fire tear and the internal connections with the dragons sets off warning bells in my mind and warrant caution.

Other minor notes: A little minor language (like geez), and some deception rewarded, though officially frowned upon.

Summary: While The Fire Within is an imaginative and delightful tale, some caution and a fair amount of discernment should be applied. I highly recommend parents read the story alongside their kids, or at least discuss it at length, if a child wishes to read the story.

Rating: Craft—5, Content—2, Overall—2.7 out of 5 stars.

A Passion

After I became a writer, I discovered I have a deep passion for understanding how faith intersects with fiction and a desire to help others apply discernment to fiction as well.

I don’t totally understand why, but most people seem to have one of two prevailing views of fiction. Either they believe they can read and watch whatever they want because it has no long-tem impact on them. Or they read/watch only Christian stories (meaning the blatantly Christian material) because everything else is evil.

As a writer, I know that fiction has an impact; I’ve heard too many stories. But as I’ve studied the craft, I’ve also come to appreciate and value what many secular stories have to offer. So surely there can be a balance between the two extremes!

So I set out to understand—and help others understand—how to find the middle ground. In many ways, this blog is an outlet for that desire, with each Monday post focusing on a principle of discernment in fiction, and the Friday reviews showing my attempt to apply those principles in practical ways.

But for a while now, I have wished to teach all this material with the immediate feedback and interaction of a class. And finally that chance has arrived.

Starting in September and running through the end of November I will be teaching a weekly class on discernment in fictional media. I’m thrilled. I’m petrified. I am so out of my comfort zone. If I didn’t feel so strongly about this…

So what will result? Only God knows. But I guess I’m about to find out how deep that passion dives.


(By the way, if you live in the Twin Cities area and are interested in attending the class, email me and I’ll be glad to provide more information. If you’re wishing you lived in the Twin Cities so you could attend, contact me for other possible options.)

Enemy Territory Summary

Definition of enemy territory: Books or movies far outside your normal boundaries, especially outside the Scriptural foundation.

This includes (but is not limited to) stories with known anti-biblical content, controversial content, obsessively popular stories, unfamiliar territory, and stories that trigger other warning signs (e.g. a negative gut reaction).

Factors to consider before a mission:
--Is the boundary being crossed personal (whether maturity or other) or biblical?
--Will the benefits outweigh the dangers?
--Is this a one-time deal?
--Do you need to personally do this or can you rely on other sources?
--Is this the proper time to attempt this?
--Have you preceded your decision with plenty of prayer and a willing heart to obey God’s directives?

How to proceed:
--Know your mission. Be as specific as possible!
--Surround yourself with allies. There’s safety in numbers.
--Be prepared. Gather information, gear, and a plan of action.
--Proceed with caution. God has the master plan; listen to Him.
--Don’t linger. Mission accomplished? Go home and celebrate.

Content Quandary

In my review yesterday, I questioned what seemed to me the lack of depth in Offworld.

This is not the first novel I’ve question about this in my mind. It will probably not be the last. But Offworld brought to the surface all the questions that have bubbling underneath it all.

What role should content and theme play in a Christian novel?

I don’t know the answer. I doubt there is just one answer. But lately I’ve finished more and more Christian speculative books slightly dissatisfied.

Oh, the content is clean. It conforms to the Bible and the fingerprints of God are usually very evident. And more often than not, the story is entertaining.

But is that enough?

I’m not advocating preachiness. I don’t like to be hit over the head with theology like the author is swinging Samwise’s frying pan. Nor does every book need to be the same. Some need to border on preachiness. Some need a very light touch.

What I’m concerned with is balance and trends.

Shouldn’t most Christian books fall somewhere between the extremes? Isn’t there a way to weave in deep spiritual truth without being preachy? Can’t we combine a well-told, riveting tale while leaving the reader something to chew on after finishing the book?

No, I’m not saying that Offworld fails in all these points. It isn’t devoid of spiritual truth or thematic material. Yet when I finished it, like several other novels these past few months, I craved something more.

Maybe it’s a misconception on my part. I thought one of the main points for Christian speculative fiction was ability to explore God and His Word in a new and fresh light with a freedom and openness rarely accessible to other genres. I do know my favorite novels do this.

Am I just weird for wanting this, for questioning its absence?

Offworld

Title: Offworld

Series: None

Author: Robin Parrish

Genre: Adult supernatural suspense/sci-fi

Excerpt from “This Thing of Darkness,” Chapter 1 of Offworld:

Right foot.

Left foot.

Right foot.

Left foot.

Stumble.

Red dirt filled Burke’s field of view. Not that it was much of a change. Red dirt had been all he could see for hours. Even the bright pinkish tan of the planet’s sky was washed away by the windstorm.

“Beech!” he called out, hoisting himself back to his feet as the wind spun him about. He carried a small black pack with a few meager supplies and some mission equipment inside. “I’ve got zero visibility! No orientation! I can’t see anything!”

He stopped.

Burke’s training fought against the fear creeping into his mind, against the rising panic as the wind fed more soil and dust into the crevices of his space suit.

Got to find my way…dirt’s building up…soon I won’t be able to move.

“Habitat, this is Burke!” he yelled over the storm. “I can’t see anything, and I’ve lost contact with Beechum!”

No answer.

Four astronauts return from Mars to find Earth’s population gone.

The Craft: Offworld is a book I came to a little gun-shy. I have read two books from Parrish’s Dominion Trilogy, which contained more graphic violence than I care for. And then there is Offworld’s premise (the disappearance of earth’s population except for a handful of people)—a premise eerily similar to Tom Pawlik’s darker novel, Vanish. Truthfully, if it hadn’t been for the blog tour, I’m not sure I would have had the nerve to pick this book up on my own.

So to my relief, my fears were unfounded and Offworld turned out to be a thrilling ride, even if a bit sad and chilling at times. The intricate plot that left me guessing nearly to the end prevailed over my reluctance, and Mr. Parrish strings the reader along with twist after twist, both in action and in characters, until you feel like you ride a corkscrew.

My one “major” complaint in the craft lies with point-of-view. It was not as consistent as I believe it could have been. Sometimes, especially at the beginning, the characters felt emotionally distant. Occasionally, descriptions that could only come from an outside POV were inserted, and every so often, I was completely disoriented, not sure whose POV I was in. While the plotting overcame these problems, it would have been easier to latch onto and identify with characters if the points-of-view would have been constant.

But in light of the overall craft, that is a very small complaint indeed.

The Content: There is little for me to comment on here. Offworld has moderate violence, but probably has less than expected for a novel like this. There’s a vision of someone who has died, but the context is well handled.

As far as themes I go, I didn’t find much to sink my teeth into. A couple discussions about whether God exists. The clear sovereignty of God orchestrates the events, protecting and guiding. The importance of friendships and family is covered, along with a couple other such things. In short, many things touched on but never developed all that much.

Is this a flaw? Yes, no, maybe. I don’t know. It is something I’m chewing on, and it will probably will have no easy answer.

Summary: Offworld is a thrilling, corkscrew adventure, and with only moderate violence, it is easily accessible to teens and adults alike.

Rating: Content—3, Craft—4, Overall—4.1 out of 5 stars

Find Offworld at Words of Whimsy!

The Return of Robin Parrish

After a brief rest last month, I’m back participating in the Christian Science-Fiction and Fantasy blog tour, where bloggers yak about the latest releases in Christian speculative. This month we’re featuring Robin Parrish and his newest novel, Offworld.

I was first introduced to Robin Parrish’s work during an earlier tour in 2007, when we were featuring his Dominion Trilogy (see my reviews for Relentless and Fearless). This time he mixes of supernatural suspense and near-future science-fiction, following four astronauts as they try to track down the missing population of Earth. But I’ll have more on that tomorrow, when I do my full review. I’ll also be posting a brief follow-up blog on Wednesday.

In the meanwhile, check out Mr. Parrish’s website or the blogs of my fellow tour members.

Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Gina Burgess
Canadianladybug
Melissa Carswell
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika
Eve Nielsen (posting later in the week)
Nissa
John W. Otte
Lyn Perry
Steve Rice
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Stephanie
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Elizabeth Williams

In the List Mood

Maybe it’s because I’ve been doing so much brainstorming lately. Perhaps it’s an effect of shifting into conference mode. But I’ve been making lists here and there and everywhere. And liking it too. In fact I’ve found out that lists are some of my favorite posts to write, probably because of they’re simple and structured, but infinitely adaptable. (Now whether anyone enjoys reading my lists is another matter entirely…)

So what am I making lists of these days?

--Monthly goals. This will include everything from number of books to read and progress desired on my novel to simple tasks like cutting my hair.

--Plot points. I’m in the throes of a new manuscript, which is turning out to be (at least in my mind) quite convoluted. So I’m keeping lists of potential events, color-coded by character.

--Book reviews. Curiosity of how my reviews stack up against each other sparked a list of books by overall rating. An interesting exercise.

--Contacts. I finally have the green light to teach at my church an 11-week course on discernment in fictional media! (The stuff I blog about most Mondays) So I’m working on a list of everyone I need to contact about that.

--Obviously this list of lists I’m making.

Okay. Now your turn. Make me a list of all the lists you’d like to see on this blog—or of all the reasons I’m insane and should give up this list fetish. :o)

Getaway

The target is reached. The goal has been met. You’ve read the book, watched the movie. Mission now accomplished, there’s nothing left to do.

Well, nothing except the most obvious: Leave.

While the temptation to linger will be strong, don’t. Get out of the enemy territory immediately. A mission’s success will only accentuate your presence and this moment could be your greatest point of danger: Your pride of accomplishment could lead to your downfall.

Rather, follow Christ’s example when he accomplished the greatest mission of all time, the redemption of humanity, and make a quick exit: “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

So how do we do this?

1. Get out. Don’t stay in the realm of the enemy. If reading book 1 accomplished what you set out to do, don’t bother finishing the series.

2. Debrief. Write out what you learned. Talk it over with a friend. Then lay it aside. Don’t keep turning what you read and saw over and over in your mind.

3. Clean up and recharge. Penetrating the enemy’s territory is dirty work. Now is a good time to spend some extra time in Scripture or pull out a favorite movie to counterbalance where you have been. Replace the bad with good.

4. Celebrate. You accomplished your mission! Congratulations. Thank God for His help and guidance, and treat yourself to something special.

Top 10 Series

When Rachel Starr Thomson featured me on her blog a few weeks back, she asked me about what Christian science-fiction and fantasy books would rank at the top of my list. I gave her a general list at the time, but since then, I’ve thought much about that question. For I often tailor a list dependent on whom I’m talking to, but what if someone didn’t care? What would I recommend?So here’s the list I’ve put together, of what I consider the best of Christian science-fiction and fantasy that I’ve encountered:

# 10-6: Fun reads and good content, but flawed in some way for me:

Tie for 10th: DragonKeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul and The Shadowside Trilogy by Robert Elmer

9. Dragons in Our Midst/Oracles of Fire by Bryan Davis

8. Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers

7. Echoes from the Edge by Bryan Davis

6. Legend of the Guardian-King by Karen Hancock

The top 5 slots are characterized by content that’s deep and thought-provoking but doesn’t take over an excellently written and entertaining story (e.g. Lawhead lacks deep content with his excellent craft; Hancock’s content sometimes seems to overwhelm the story):

5. Unknown. I haven’t found a series that qualifies for this fifth slot.

4. The Sword of Lyric by Sharon Hinck

3. The Gifted by Lisa T. Bergren

2. The Lamb Among the Stars by Chris Walley

And my top slot, what I consider the best balance of craft and content, goes without question to:

1. The Firebird Trilogy by Kathy Tyers

I hope someday I can write a novel a well-written and balanced as hers.

Stuck

My new novel is stuck. It refuses to budge. Nothing seems to be working. I’m halfway up the hubcaps in mud, and I can’t even spin my wheels anymore.

What should I do? What can I do? Something is not right at the story’s start. The tension and pace grind to a stop almost immediately. How can I get this story going again?

I'm desperate. I need conflict. Time for a brainstorm, the kind that throws anything and everything on the page:

Elephant stampede. Exploding helicopters. Mysterious, mystical man. Secret organizations. Jilted lovers. Insane race car drives, Herbie-style.

Dreamers and psychics. Teddy bears (don’t ask me what they have to do with conflict). Villians. Murderers. Deadly virus. Famine.

Portals. Faerie blood. Alien races. Other worlds. Genetic manipulation. Sorcery and witchcraft. Magic. Telepathy. Healing. Tongues.

Broken swords. Ancient prophecies. Future wars. Impossible Odds. House of Scorpion.
Mission: Impossible. Power struggle. Life, lust, power, pride, and money. Fruit of the Spirit. The Seven Deadly Sins.

Spaceships. Visions. Splitting of spiritual dimensions. Open doors. Closed doors. Open windows. Spirit and body. Silver cord. Green Acres. The mailman.

Psycho. Graveyards. Vampires. Demons. Zombies. Dragons. Raising the dead. Fountain of youth. Wisdom. Cities of gold. City of Ember.

Am I going in circles yet?!

Wheels. Wagons going west. Cowboys and Indians. India. Priests. Blood sacrifice. Child sacrifice.

Races. Ticking clocks. Ticking bombs. Time bombs. Suicide bombers. Terrorism. Tigers. And bears and lions—oh my!

Scarves. Disguises. Secrets. Hidden lives. Past lives. Double lives. Double agents. Double agents that aren’t. (Mrs. Pollifax) Murder, She Wrote. Grand theft. Trunks. Elephant stampede.

There’s the problem. I don’t need to brainstorm any old tension. My inciting incident is off. So what can I use as an inciting event? Back to the drawing board:

Job loss, job promotion, special project, wealth lost, wealth inherited, and then there’s always that good old elephant stampede when all else fails, never mind there aren’t any elephants close…

Proceed…With Caution

You know your mission? You have surrounded yourself with allies? You gathered your gear? Good. Now it’s time to move ahead—with caution.

Remember: The enemy’s territory is no place for a thrill. We spent all this time preparing because of that. So don’t throw it all away by heedlessly charging ahead.

Rather, keep your wits about you; take time to pull back if you feel like you’re getting in over your head. Put aside the book for a day. Pause the movie. Write out your thoughts, update a friend on your status, take a deep breath. And most of all, pray.

For Satan is out to get you. He wants to deceive your heart, hurt your faith, trick and trap you. So sensitivity to God’s Spirit and His leading are now absolutely imperative. Yes, Satan is wily and cunning—but God already has the master plans. He knows every trick in the book as well as how and when Satan plans to employ them.

Therefore, listen. God asks you to detour? Detour. He offers a change of plans? Change them. He tells you to abort? Do it immediately. You could be walking into a trap without knowing it.