Christian Message Boards: Question about novel writing

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Posted by Stephanie8 (Member # 10806) on :

Hi there,
I've been working on writing a novel (first one) and it has Christian themes. It is not a Christian novel, but it deals with the afterlife and the end of time. What I'm worried about is, is it okay to be writing about something like the end of time (through Revelations prophecy) and everything that would go with that? I feel like my writing is connecting me more with God because I am researching all of this and am confronting the idea of death and the afterlife, but I wanted to hear others' opinions.

Posted by TB125 (Member # 2450) on :

Write what the Lord is leading you to write, but don't distort the truth of God's word to do so. That will be hard to do, particularly since it will be a work of "fiction".

Posted by Chaplain Bob (Member # 5019) on :

While I want to agree with Bob I believe when you are writing fiction you can write whatever you want any way you want. The idea is to write what will sell. But if you want an overlying Christian theme then ask God's guidance.

Posted by WildB (Member # 2917) on :

Good place to start is from what Christ said before the cross.

Luke 16

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Posted by Stephanie8 (Member # 10806) on :

Thank you for the responses--I appreciate them.

I have recently had something happen in my life this week that is as close to a sign as I could ever get that writing is what I should be doing. I am hoping that is what it is meant as.

The last response bothers me a bit in that it implies that if I am rich (which I am far from), then that is bad. While I get what you mean, I am not looking to become a millionare or anything. If I would be so lucky as to do well in writing, I would like to spend time volunteering and giving to charity. So I hope "wealth" is not what your point was.

Again, thank you for the time it took to respond, everyone.

Posted by WildB (Member # 2917) on :

No.