As proof of how different life is for a disciple of Jesus Christ and someone who is a follower of the world, consider the issue of censorship.
At the risk of fueling a political debate with all the accompanying fun and frivolity, while various governmental documents or policies might allow free speech, freedom of the press, and other forms of expression, Christ-followers adhere to a higher standard.
Of course, those areas of the world that allow greater freedom give the Church some protection in communicating its message of hope. And that’s a good thing we should be thankful for.
But the world takes that freedom to mean anything goes.
I could cite dozens of biblical passages emphasizing the importance of godly people being mindful of their words and actions. And we can infer that this principle applies to writers, who should be careful in their writing. Begin with the book of James and examine its teachings on how Christians should behave; this provides a framework for self-censorship.
So, Christians believe in censorship, at least self-censorship. Just because you have freedom of speech doesn’t mean everything you say is helpful, truthful, edifying, or wise.
The real issue with censorship or banning books is that imperfect humans police it. So, the only way to handle this situation and still allow biblical messages to be published is to let everything else through the filter. It’s a result of living in a fallen world.
The internet enables biblical teaching to reach the globe, but also makes a wide range of other content available—same issue.
Christian writers have a serious and important role in the world. There is something about the written word that makes a message feel weightier and more permanent. One reason is that when we speak, we might not communicate clearly, inadvertently misspeak, or miss important points. But the written word must make sense, in an order of words that are understood. If there is a misunderstanding, a reader can go back and reread.
For American Christians, we hear a lot of discussion about our personal rights. The US Constitution grants broad freedoms in many areas; but for believers who write or speak, it may be better to focus on what Christ said in a parable. In Luke 12, the second half of verse 48 could be a key passage for understanding the writer’s role:
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked (NIV).
And if you think Christ-following writers should be lukewarm and noncommittal to avoid offending, keep reading at verse 49, and you get an entirely different vibe.
Holding both of these passages in your mind is an example of writing with grace and truth, but that’s an entirely different blog post.
A large part of Christian self-censorship is the moderation of tone rather than message.
That’s true … and even then, what we say can get misunderstood. Everyone listens (and reads) through their own filter.
Communication is hard.
It sure is, Pam!
They say that if you literally translate ‘out of sight, out of mind’ into Russian, and then back into English, what comes back is ‘invisible insanity’.
WOW!!
I read verse 49 … then I went back and read verse 47. “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.”
Yikes!
I also thought of Matthew 12: 35-37 “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Every empty word we have spoken OR WRITTEN (my emphasis). We writers have a serious responsibility, especially those, like me, who write for children.
Censorship, Freedom of Speech … we are all accountable, whether we are believers or not. It can feel frightening, but when I remember I can turn to Jesus and get the help I need, I feel better. I’m still responsible, but I’m not alone.
Thanks for this, Dan!
In 2001 Bethany House published my memoir on God and baseball with Steve as my editor. I had many phrases and lines excised from the book which I felt were not objectionable–even by Christian standards.
Gatekeepers were cited by my assigned editor as the censors. Even though the word choices were not profane, the editor felt Christian bookstore buyers would not carry the book if an idea even approached their invisible line, let alone cross it.
I’m currently working on a second memoir–a risky proposition for a non-celebrity–and I’m wondering with the dissolution of so many Christian bookstores if those gatekeepers have less influence now than at the turn of the century. If so, I’m guessing new gatekeepers may have taken their place.
I like to think my new manuscript has God’s fingerprints all over it. But because there are a small percentage of sections with ideas not so well grounded in Christian thought before I came to Christ, I have all but written off seeking a Christian publisher.
Have standards loosened in the past 25 years to the point current gatekeepers can trust their readers to accept a well-written tale, a story of great redemption but with real world details, enough to publish? The alternative is to seek a worldly publisher who may want to lose the God stuff altogether.
What are your thoughts on Christian writing that may touch on subjects not traditionally “Christian ” but have a strong redemptive message in Christ?
Michael,
After 25 years it is hard to remember exactly what editorial changes were made. As to the question of whether the veritable collapse of the Christian bookstore ecosystem has changed the definition of “gatekeepers” is a good one, but one that can only receive a nuanced answer.
Yes, twenty-five years ago, publishers were careful with content to maximize the distribution opportunities for their various projects.
However, the issue of an author’s platform has become an even more critical factor in an author’s work being “commercially viable.” Content, of course, is “king,” but without a built-in audience, a publisher is rarely willing to financially commit to that project. Too risky.
In some ways, this speaks to the ongoing question of what is broadly acceptable in Christian writing. I wrote about this topic, specifically fiction. Below, I will extract some of what I wrote there to apply to this question of whether publishers have “relaxed” their standards.
We are all aware that language has become much more flagrant in the last 20 years. For some readers, any sort of coarse language is off limits. But others say the lack of coarse language is unrealistic and therefore should be used all the time. But that begs the question of what constitutes “coarse.”
There is a market for clean fiction, for example. There is no disputing that. The problem is defining “clean.” If it were one group, they might say “no boundaries,” while another group might declare everything off-limits.
It is as simple as this. In one house, a particular word is 100% off limits. If that word is said by a family member or child, they are reprimanded, scolded, and reminded, “Not in this house.” That same word in another household is normal and everyday. So, as a publisher, whose household’s opinion does one follow? Is it entirely subjective? Are there forbidden words?
To make this even more challenging, it can be different from one publisher to the next. And further, from one editor to the next within a publishing company. Additionally, a copy editor or proofreader could flag potentially problematic language.
On top of that, it isn’t just coarse language or the use of seemingly benign language. It can be language that is “too Christian” or “not culturally sensitive.” These can also be flagged. Some publishers hire “sensitivity readers” to make sure the work doesn’t offend and thus undermine potential sales opportunities.
So Micheal, you asked what seems to be a straightforward question. But it reveals complexities that defy a straightforward answer. The best answer I could provide would be, “It depends.”
Thank you, this
is excellent advice. I, too, read the scriptures cited, and I agree that a Christian writer has more on their shoulders especially in the current climate. I also feel that we cannot stop pushing forward the benefits of God’s Love and God’s forgiveness.
Thank you, this is excellent advice. I, too, read the scriptures cited, and I agree that a Christian writer has more on their shoulders especially in the current climate. I also feel that we cannot stop pushing forward the benefits of God’s Love and God’s forgiveness.
You couldn’t have shared this at a more appropriate time! I’ve just had my first book published, a memoir, and, just before uploading I thought ‘am I okay to be this transparent?’
God’s direction was clear: ‘you are my scribe’, he said.
As long as we are tuned into the Holy Spirit’s guiding voice, we know that we can write with clarity and truth, always knowing that He will lead us to encourage others and glorify God through our work.
Back in 2023 when I queried “Trafficking U,” of 100+ potential agents and publishing partners, more than half did not respond at all. All but a few of the rest sent form letter rejections. One agency took 5 months to respond with a form letter. I exchanged a couple emails with one agent who gave me this rejection reason. “But the platform is really a stopping point for me because it’s just really tough placing a male author right now.”
That’s also censorship.
And then Winged Publications said yes.
Now the other form of censorship – convincing a skeptical public to read about an uncomfortable topic. I’m still working on that.