Christian works are, by their nature, message-oriented. With our novels, we strive to present a great story first and foremost, but we also want to weave in a strong spiritual message. Writers’ varying personalities determine their specific outreach. Some of us want to edify the faithful, offering hope to the Christian swimmer navigating a sea filled with glass shards. Others among us want to extend a lifesaver to the seeker longing for lift onto a safe ship. Still others want to be favored over the world’s seductive message, reaching those stranded on a desert island. Or perhaps all three.

Our eagerness to get out our message is not without its critics. Yet, a cursory reading of general market books shows they are also preaching. But a different message. Have you read general market books that preached:

You can be successful without God.

Survival by any necessary means.

The need to care for the environment.

The importance of appearances.

How appearances can be deceiving.

The poverty of earthly riches.

How to gain earthly riches.

So the next time someone asks you if Christian novels are too preachy, challenge that reader to name a novel that doesn’t preach some type of message. I would think that would be a hard mission to accomplish. At the very least, it’s a great conversation starter. Have fun!

Your turn:

What message did you take from the last general market novel you read?

Did you agree with the message?

What is the most God-honoring message you have seen in a general market book?