Sharon Hinck on Story Evangelism
Honestly, I sometimes feel weary at the circular arguments about story evangelism.
A theme to all my work in the arts over the years has been, “God is so awesome and multifaceted that we need a variety of means to communicate with Him and about Him.”
I think we need a variety of genres, a variety of authors – some who overtly point to Christ within their stories, and some who are called to simply write stories where they serve the Creator by creating something of beauty. I want to lovingly support the calling of my brothers and sisters who have a calling different from my own.
I also smile at the word “should.” I see it differently. We “get to!” As Christians, we get to point to Jesus in our stories (sometimes overtly and directly, most of the time through symbolism, a character’s journey of discovery, allegory).
I do believe that as a follower of Jesus, our lives (and our work of any sort) evangelizes. He makes Himself known. If you use a narrow definition of evangelizing – a systematic presentation of theological truth – a novel may not be the best place for that.
If I’m trying to be sneaky and get someone to buy my novel and then instead of engaging them in a story, I preach at them – I feel that is dishonest to the art form and not loving to the reader. “Do unto others…” is helpful for me to remember. I don’t want to be ambushed by a book, so I don’t want to do that to a reader. Yet honestly conveying a character’s spiritual questions, struggles, and even his/her coming to truth, his/her interactions with God, can certainly be appropriate.
Should Christian stories evangelize?
This is a crucial issue for anyone who loves stories but loves Jesus more, and wants to glorify Jesus through our enjoyment of stories or our making of stories.
During October our new SpecFaith series explores this issue.
On Thursdays, reviewer Austin Gunderson and writer E. Stephen Burnett host the conversation with interactive articles. On Fridays and Tuesdays, guest writers such as novelists and publishers offer their responses to the question.
We invite you to give your own answers to the #StoryEvangelism conversation.
A theme to all my work in the arts over the years has been, “God is so awesome and multifaceted that we need a variety of means to communicate with Him and about Him.”
YES, Sharon! I think you’ve captured it beautifully. My passion in my fantasy writing is to plant the message, “You can do what God has chosen you to do!” And I want to do it through story. So, I decorate it with fairies and such, but hey, I like fairies and such! HA! Yes, indeed, we “get” to share how wonderful our God is and I’m enjoying every minute.
Thanks, Pam! Sorry for my late response, but I just realized this had posted. (Yes, I often feel clueless about social media interaction. ha!) Love your heart for the theme of your stories. Amen!
Great response to the question. Everyone is called in this art to do different things. And I love how you said “We get to!” Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
And oh my gosh! Your book covers look fantastic! Rock on!
Parker, her BOOKS are fantastic, too. Each one reveals something new, and all are entertaining. You can’t go wrong with The Sword of Lyric series.
Becky
Thanks so much, Parker. The artist did a fantastic job on those covers. Glad you like them.
Me, too, Sharon. But I think it’s because we’ve been around long enough that these are not new discussions for us. Other readers and/or writers might be coming at the subject for the first time. They need to know what other writers have concluded, what our thinking on the subject is.
I’ve reached the same place you have, I think. I know what God has called me to, but it may not be the same place with the same goal He has called other writers to.
I’m with Parker and Pam—love the concept of “getting to” point to Jesus Christ in my writing. It is what we’re called to as Christians—not as grudging servants, but as Paul said about earthly servants, “With sincerity of heart”—but what a privilege to do it in story!
Becky
Hi, Becky,
As always your thoughts are chock full of wisdom. Sorry my reply is so late. I just spotted this. I’m delighted for a chance to reaffirm the conclusions I’ve arrived at after years of discussing these questions… that this doesn’t have to be a battleground of “either/or” but that we can joyfully support each other’s callings.
Amen. And Biblical truth will reveal this task to be a joyful privilege for the Christian author, not a burden. And I can speak as a reader and say that while I appreciate truths and beauties reflected in a non-Christian’s story, a story by a Christian author often reflects Christ to me more deeply than any other story.
Thank you for this reflection, Sharon!
I deeply appreciate your invitation to share a few thoughts about the topic. Blessings!