I want to give you a scene.
The angel Michael overlooks the lake of fire at the end of time and sees multitudes of men and women screaming. Moans, and wails and curses echo from the Lake of Fire. As he listens, he hears a curse come from one of the persons judged to burn in the lake of fire. Ready? Here it is.
“I hate your f—ing guts angel of God! I hate you!”
Now tell me. If you were to read this line in a Christian novel…would, you be offended? Would you think the novel is not Christian? Would you think the author herself is not Christian?
Would you think the book is filled with other racy language because of this one sentence?
Yesterday I read Tony Broodens blog entitled “@#%*!!, or Dirty Words & the Christian Author – Part 1”
It is a well-written piece that discusses the challenges that Christian authors face in writing their stories to a Christian audience. In reading his blog post, it reminded me of my own challenge when creating my own book. Why? Because the sentence above is the actual original sentence I wrote in the prologue of my book; The Third Heaven: The Rise of Fallen Stars.
When I wrote the sentence originally I thought of Matthew 13:42 “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
I imagined a place of wailing and cursing and agony. So lets say oh an angel happens to stroll along to see this site, and your one of the damned. I can imagine some pleas of mercy, help, and yep a curse at the onlooker. It seemed pretty reasonable to me at the time.
But along came a reviewer. Now keep in mind that when I first published the book, this sentence was in there. But a Christian reviewer came along and basically said that they couldn’t get past the language, and because of that (and a few other ‘symbolic’ things), they decided to choose not to review my book. (They never read the whole book.)
So here I am as a Christian thinking to myself. Perhaps I simply cannot write this story, because the audience can’t handle the F word coming from a burning soul in the Lake of Fire.
I admit I was kind of put off. I was like really? Someone screams F you from the lake of fire, and you can’t handle that?
But then I took off the creative hat of the author, and put on the business hat of the entrepreneur. If one person feels this way so much that they wont finish a book given to them for free to review. How much more then might this be the case for others. So I changed the sentence. It reads like this now.
“I hate you your guts! D you hear me angel of God? I hate you!”
Honestly, I don’t think it’s as powerful a sentence. (and you can tell me I shouldn’t have done it. (It’s my book..nana, nana nah!) People who hate other people in my experience might use an expletive or two now and then to express that hate. (Maybe that is why they are in Hell….that’s a joke by the way.) Bad Donovan…bad Donovan sorry.
So anyways I took it out. So I wrote a book about angels killing each other, but that was OK. (Pray for me the spirit of sarcasm might be influencing me.)
This reviewer finally told me that I might be a part of what was called “Edgy Christian Fiction.”
I was like wow, now there is a label I had never heard of. Needless to say yep there was an actual group or a genre that is called “edgy Christian fiction”. So one instance and one partially spelled out expletive coming from the mouth of a condemned person in Hell in a book of over 100,000 words is edgy…really? It really made me wonder is this is what we’ve come too? I am for “clean” fiction just as much as everyone else. But if this is “edgy” I dunno seems kinda lame to me. I can think of a lot racier things.
If I tried to write “Saving Private Ryan” as a novel I think I’d have a hard time writing that book, thinking that not one GI used some kind of curse word during the whole experience. I’m not saying you have to see everything…somethings are best left to the imagination. But that’s why I spelled out F—K as opposed to spelling the whole word out. Which Tom in his blog covers. I guess that still doesn’t count for some!
Don’t get me wrong. People are entitled to read what they want. Christian or otherwise. But 6 times my Bible uses the phrase, “pisseth against the wall.” Now that’s not a curse word. But man, it’s not something I went around condoning my own kids to say–just saying.
In the end I don’t want a person being so offended by language that they can’t even finish the story. Yeah, yeah I know I can’t please everyone. But I think Christian authors really struggle over how to depict violence and sexuality, etc in a way that honors God, and is real to the fictional world they are trying to convey. It’s not always easy.
In any event, I’m curious how other authors in the genre have handled fiction. Christian readers have you had issues about language that unsettled you. Do you apply this standard towards all media? Any advice or encouragement for us authors out there? What saith thou?
Donavon,
You are taking scenes and texts from the Bible to underpin your story. You want to keep as close as possible to the Biblical rendition. We, as Christians, have learned that we are to put away any talk that is vulgar and especially any expletives. Pis sis just a bodily function and we all do it. If we don’t it’s a big problem!
The I don’t think a person sentenced to the lake of fire will be in any condition to say anything except to groan and moan. And maybe realize that they were wrong and groan about that.Gnashing of teeth does connote anger though. I would have gone back to check on the word meaning of gnash in a Biblical dictionary. The language, however has an impact on a Christian reviewer. Everyone has a right to their opinion and their review. I have often found the critical reviewer a lot more helpful than the five star ones who massage our ego.
Thank Nancy for the reply,
“You want to keep as close as possible to the biblical rendition.” I suppose we might agree to disagree that one can’t do more than moan and groan. If you remember Lazarus and the rich man he was able to hold a whole conversation. So no I don’t find it out of the realm of possibility that a condemned person screaming could not let out an expletive. Nor do I think it somehow deviates from the word. I actually happen to be pretty versed on the word meaning of gnashing in this context and It means what it says. It’s like the gritting of ones teeth.
There are other words that describe bodily functions as well. But as for me and my house we wouldn’t condone them either! In my circles over the years “piss” is not a word you hear. It would be considered vulgar and uncouth.
I do agree with you. Everyone has the right to read/review or not read want they want, no argument there. And I agree with you that language absolutely does have an impact on people–Christian or otherwise.
In the end as my post says I changed it. But there is a point that you can strip something so much you lose something. In this case I thought what was lost was minor, and its hard enough not to put stumbling blocks in front of other Christians. (Especially when you publish a book! There’s an awful lot of us out there, usually you’re bound to offend someone!) It is seemingly more sensitive for some Christians than others.
As far as reviewers, I agree with you. Good critique can be helpful. No matter the quality of review. But a 5 star that says I loved it! Is from a critical stand point as bad as a 1 star that says I hated it. Any author worth their salt wants some good feedback. In this case the reviewer just stopped reading. Its hard to give feedback in a case like that. But it is what it is.
Overall our use of language is something that I think for the Christian author who writes fiction about real world events, or even some biblical events as in my case; will struggle with. I think Christian authors who actually do care about honoring God, do actually think deeply about these issues.
Donovan, I have linked your post from this site to the Tony Breedon post on the Edgy Speculative Christian Fiction post on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ECSFiction/
Thanks for the nod, Donovan. Like I said in the article, I’m somebody who used to use the F-bomb about every third word or so, so a lot of what you wrote definitely resonates with me. I can definitely hear F-bombs getting screamed form the lake of fire, dude.
You’re actually one of several people to note that there is a very important side of this issue I didn’t touch on in part 1 of this article: how it affects sales. [I was waiting until part 3 for that. oh well. I’ll get to it later].
I would like your thoughts though. How do you think a Christian author should write a character that’s a hater/racist/uses hate speech, etc?
Great post! This one felt like it was from the heart of an author who genuinely wants to honor Christ in his craft.
Regards,
Tony Breeden
My pleasure Tony,
Your post was well thought out, and showed I think the real tension that exists for the Christian author. Let’s face it. Without our commitment to Christ we just don’t have those kind of concerns about the language. As far as your question. I think that there is probably not a way to write the character other than to simply “show” that hate. It would be depicted to me in the characters actions, and speech. Th question is can it be done in such a way that is palatable to ones audience without sanitizing the character as to make what they say of none effect. I’d probably look at how it was done by other authors of respected works, like the novel 12 years a slave. Roots or someone other literary work. I’d really pray about am i trying to be sensational, or is the speech and behavior necessary to the telling of the story? I definitely don’t profess to have the answers. I might even have a beta reader of the persons hatred help me to see if this is communicated in a way that’s true to their experience as a person who might have experienced said hatred. I’d look to see if there are biblical parallels that I could use to show that speech and hatred, that I could pattern the character after. In the end..I’d be praying..lol
I guess at this point, I’m not sure what makes a book “Christian.” Is it because a Christian writes it? Is it because it uses Bible verses to make its points? Is it because it uses a story in the Bible as its basis? Is it because it’s written for a Christian audience? I use the labeling of anything…book, movie, comedian, music…as a means of determining what I might expect, and based on my preferences, make a decision if I’ll listen, read or watch. So if something is labeled “Christian,” I have certain expectations based on my paradigm of what “Christian” is.
It’s my desire to start a “Christian” café. In my mind, labeling it “Christian” will communicate it’s a place where people can go and enjoy food, comedy, music, poetry without the concern of vile language, lyrics, and dance moves. Maybe it’s wrong to assume that, but that is what I would assume if I saw a “Christian” café. That’s what Christian means to me.
We live in an ungodly world, so I know I will hear profanity. My extended family uses profanity, and I don’t avoid gatherings with them. I love them and spend as much time with them as I can. When I choose to read a secular book or see a secular movie I know I’ll read or hear profanity. So I can handle it. But honestly, I would rather not hear it. That’s one (just one) of the reasons I have Christian friends who don’t curse (at least not in front of me), listen to Christian music, married a Christian man, and choose not to watch most R rated movies.
I do and have always believed, a story or a joke can be told without cursing. There are extremely funny comedians out there, but I do not listen to the most popular ones because they curse too much. Actually it saddens me because I love comedy and I love to laugh, but I really don’t want to listen to the way the jokes are told. I have heard comedians who had me crying because I laughed so hard, and they never used a curse word. In the same way, I think a good writer can tell a story and invoke the intended pictures and emotions without cursing–you did an excellent job of that in your book. Certainly I imagine demons curse. So an author would definitely be accurate in quoting demonic profanity. However, I personally enjoyed This Present Darkness, by Frank Peretti , a book inundated with demons, intense battles, and unsaved people, yet no use of profanity.
There are many good books which include sins like murder, cheating, lying, fornication; and there are stories about these sins in the Bible as well. For me, though, it is not always the story that’s a problem, but how it’s communicated. (Although many times, the story is a problem. Some plots I just stay away from. There are even a couple of Bible stories I avoid because they are just too harsh.) The Bible tells of demons, wars, and other intense situations but never uses cursing. It’s odd, huh? Maybe demons and heathen nations didn’t use profanity back then? Lol.
Anyway, my point is, the genre or label, “Christian” says to me, I’m going to get something presented in a way different from the world’s, which for me as a Christian is refreshing. It’s like an oasis. It doesn’t mean it won’t deal with sins because that’s just unrealistic. No one is perfect. And it doesn’t mean I still may not like it based on the storyline or the author’s style. But I like knowing somehow it’s going to line up with my values and be different from what I’m hearing and seeing constantly in the world. So, I don’t know…maybe I just don’t understand what makes a work Christian or I need to adjust my paradigm/expectations. Or maybe some books, movies, etc. should fall under a different genre. Or maybe, you should do what you feel God is leading you to do and not be concerned with someone’s personal standards and preferences that may not make sense to anyone else.
Hi Sis,
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! Yep I think you hit the nail on the head. What is Christian fiction? The funny thing is that until the CBA came along you never really heard the term. It’s actually a relatively new phrase to describe a certain type of literature. A great article that really touches on this issue is found @ http://www.simonmorden.com/about/essays/sex-death-and-christian-fiction/
I think the issue that a Christian author has when he/she tells a story when it comes to anything such as foul language, violence etc. Is what is the best way to convey the story, and at the same time honor ones relationship to Christ? I think it’s a problem unique to Christian authors. Whereas other types of authors just can seemingly do whatever they want. Christian authors hold themselves to a standard where they understand they act as ambassadors of Christ. It’s like the previous commenter said. How do you show in literary form the hatred of someone who’s racist? Can you avoid the actual offensive words that a fictional racist character uses, and more importantly…should you? I know in my case I had to search over the issue of making my brother offended. I asked was the change crucial to the story? Prayed again over who my audience was.
I wonder about professed Christians like Denzel Washington. He’s an actor. He sometimes portrays evil men. The portrayal is not him. It’s an “act” but he got an academy award for his portrayal of a bad cop in Training Day.
I often wonder how he deals with reconciling his roles with his faith.
I don’t profess to have ‘the answer’. I just try to be lead in my own efforts, great comment, thank you so much for chiming in!
Donovan
Donovan, I come from 38 years working in a factory. The f word is no big deal to me, however, even though this may be totally unfair, we Christians are held to a higher standard. I also seem to remember a scripture that says ‘let no corrupt communication proceed from your mouth’. Just sayin. I don’t know what I’d have done as a reviewer. You may not believe this, but I think the statement is just as powerful with or without f**k in it. Yelling at an angel! That’s gutsy, even from hell! This cuts both ways, but is worth saying: “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” God bless you, my brother.
Thanks Karen!
It’s always a challenge to write to so many different tastes. I do my best to be “spirit led” on what items to include or leave out in a story like this. Be that as it may, I’m glad you enjoyed the writing!
God bless you too!