Reality vs. Hypocrisy

To be honest I have no idea where this post will lead. I have some thoughts and hope to explore more deeply within my opinions here, and maybe even come to some kind of conclusion. Let's see where it goes.

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately-- many share the same opinions about today's literature, both Christian and secular... they complain, (perhaps with good reason) about many of the plots and whether or not they glorify God, portray Christianity in a good light, or show Believers in a wholesome way. I, as much as the next concerned Christian, stand in disgusted awe of many of the books being released these days; Twilight, anyone?
I am not a fan of the worthless, Godless trash being published in my time. Many of my readers know that I do not accept magic, and most of the 'fantasy' aspects in my reading material, and I feel that it has a heavily detrimental effect on the impressionable minds that often are drawn to read it.

But, as a young person, I can also sympathize with the readers who are tired of the superficial 'wholesomeness' that crops up in a lot of Christian/religious themed novels. It's not real. We live in a real world. It's a world that is full of misery, whether it is our own, or other peoples. We see it daily. Many people live on the very edge of the knife. These are dark days and while, yes, we do not need a constant reminder of the darkness around us, but instead of the light and love that is Jesus Christ, I ask you: What would light be without the contrast of the darkness?

I tend to think that young people in general feel betrayed. Christian young people are no exception. We have been disillusioned by the version of Christianity that we were taught about as children. We were handed wholesome precepts, told to behave well and be 'good' people... but the Church failed to explain how to move from the child's understanding of reality and our relationship with Christ Jesus to the adults'. When we left Sunday School, what did we have? We were given nothing to grow with, and when we are young and most prone to see the hypocrisy of those who are leading us, our parents, teachers and those we respect, fail us. By example they showed us how to do exactly what we want, and left God on the side lines. We innocently followed after, only to realize how empty it is. But did we know how to turn back? No. No one ever taught us how to follow Christ and push through peer pressure, through youth groups and through the mantraps of adulthood.

Instead? They feed us 'feel-good' Christianity. They feed us a form of 'wholesomeness' on steroids. It's not real. It has no place in real life. It leaves no real room for true redemption or repentance. Many of us feel the need for reality-- for realism. But where can we truly find it in the plastic, synthetic, 'holy' environment around us.

This has easily been transferred into our literature choices. We need real life. We want to relate to characters who are going through things we ourselves are going through. Often, our families (or our friends') have been ripped apart, either by divorce or rebellious siblings, etc. and turning a blind eye to these realities will not make them go away. Some young people end up on the streets... some have abusive parents... and sometimes -far too often- as disgusting as it is, these things happen under the guise of a 'Christian family'. That is the harsh reality. When we see such a contrast between the superficial Christianity being preached, written about and taught by those too scared or too simple to understand or accept reality, and actual real life, we can't help but feel betrayed.

I won't go into the next generation of 'superficials' who read escapism fantasy and fiction today, and will no doubt write it tomorrow. That is another branch from the tree with rotten roots and is better saved for another day and another post. Today, I'm addressing those of us who want to find the truth and learn how to face it, so that we won't be afraid of it anymore. I could take this moment to put a plug in for my own writing, but instead I will simply point out what I write, and why I write it.

Christian realistic fiction. That's the genre I created for myself. Why? Because it's Christian. Blatantly so. So much so, that three secular publishers refused my manuscript point blank. Realistic, because, well, it's obvious. It's realistic. The characters have real faults and make real mistakes. Because it could have happened. Fiction, because I dislike the word 'fantasy' and again, though it be set in a place that doesn't actually exist, there is nothing in it that couldn't happen in a place that did.

I write it, because I am one of the disillusioned. I'm blessed to have parents who tried to raise me in the love and admonition of The Lord, yes. But my life is not all daisies and buttercups. I have been betrayed just like many others. People I trusted have shown themselves to be unrepentant hypocrites and 'whited sepulchres', and I have seen many so-called 'Christians' turn out to be nothing more than Believers in name only. I have seen the sappy lies that normal Christian fantasy/fiction offers and I am disgusted. So, I write. I write to change all that. I write because when I asked God what person I should be, He put conviction in my heart and showed me a way in which to serve Him.

In all my time reading and writing, I have come to understand that in all good things there is moderation. In what we read there must be both safety and realism... There must be both for God to be truly glorified by it. There must be redemption and damnation. You must turn your head and see the darkness from the corner of your eye to better differentiate between that darkness and the bright and shining light before you.

In the end, I think many young people are seeking for realism in literature, because those around them are not accepting truth and reality in their own lives. While I sympathize with both sides, I have come to understand more deeply how Satan will use one rotten apple (hypocrite, etc.) to rot the whole barrel and turn the hearts of the young people to seek truth, any form of truth, even from sources in the enemy's camp.

And for the burned-out writer with no more inspiration, let me simply conclude; the best example of reality and safety in one single volume that glorifies God and edifies the human soul is none other than God's Word. Read it through, from cover to cover with a true heart, and then try writing a simple 'moralistic' story. Trust me, you will never be the same.

I have a feeling that I flew from hither to yon on this subject... but I think I may have made several important points. More importantly, I can stand by what I wrote with good conscience. I hope this post is a blessing to others who are going through, or have gone through this in their lives or those who are struggling to understand the emotion behind those who choose secular books over most mainstream Christian novels.

❀❀❀❀❀