Thursday, November 17, 2011

Reality: Reader Comment about Christian books today

Karlskirche - Old Testament
(Photo credit: laz3rphea)


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I heard or read this provocative comment: "I think that there needs to be more realistic Christian work from authors who are perhaps failing and trying to get better with their faith..."

The operative word in that thought is...realistic or faith? Faith can be a trying or tormenting word that seems to escape adequate definition or description. How can we dive into the depths of faith?
     And what do we think of as "realistic" in matters of faith and other spiritual matters?

What is "realistic Christian work"? 

I wonder if the commenter meant "believable because true and without embellishment or coverage. The Bible is an example of unvarnished stories, recounting human flaws in sometimes stark terms. Hebrews 11 contains lots of names, laying out that these were people of faith. To lay out their falls or foibles, we must go to the Old Testament record of their lives. "Realistic" Christian work avoids Hagiographa, or haloed writing of human lives. The full record of our lives includes flaws. Struggles with God and faith are real.   


Copyright (c) 2011 Jean Purcell-post revised
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