Is it possible to take literary license too far while sharing the Gospel?

[martincisneros]

Such as a literary project that would be about a preacher, virtually immortal, perhaps "biologically immortal" (meaning essentially immortal baring accidents or the catastrophic environmentally or whatever) if not "inviolably immortal" (such as Christ's indestructibility) that's centuries old that between the profound Scriptural insights was interspersed with historical anecdotes (as though so and so were THERE and KNEW so and so personally, even if only in passing, as far as historical characters, etc.) and comments of varying lengths on historical or literary trends, etc.

Would it be a lie, if the literary project included no disclaimers about not reflecting actual situation of persons living or dead, or whatever?  Something George MacDonald-ish in terms of combining profound spiritual truth with an actual immortal who is in the pursuit of sharing this?  Is there a context in which this could harm the ends intended by the project because of the incredible nature of the character at the center of this story line, that it would in any way harm the credibility of Biblical doctrine that theologians would consider on the fringes??  Would it require labeling as fiction if it were an E-book or whatever in terms of being online??  Or should the self evident nature of it be apparent without the required literary labeling, disclaimers, or whatever while maintaining the integrity of the spiritual truths being conveyed?

Is there a "too much" point on a literary project of that nature??  Would it be subject to a criticism of either tainting the integrity of the precious truths of the Word of God that it was meant to convey, or being born of mental illness??  Or is the culture ready for such a piece of work?? roflol

Just thinking about the future of my writing and tossing an idea out there for feedback on one of my more interesting ideas, as far as maintaining the credibility of the Biblical spirituality it's meant to convey in a more digestible format than my traditional rambling without the literary devise.

[jabcat]

I think the truth is the truth.  Say it the best you can and the way in which you are absolutely sure you are led, and it will be received by those that are ready to hear it, and rejected/not received by those that can't as yet hear it.  My  :2c:.

[martincisneros]

I think the truth is the truth.  Say it the best you can and the way in which you are absolutely sure you are led, and it will be received by those that are ready to hear it, and rejected/not received by those that can't as yet hear it.  My  :2c:.

Okay, thanks. For a moment there was thinking I was going insane. roflol  Well, that's beside the point, I guess. roflol

[jabcat]

It's too late for me to just now be going insane.  Maybe now I'll go the other direction.   :happygrin:

[martincisneros]

It's too late for me to just now be going insane.  Maybe now I'll go the other direction.   :happygrin:

I've often thought that like the 360 degrees of a circular analogue clock that sanity and insanity are merely a matter of degrees and sometimes things have to become insane while you're heading somewhere, but that as long as one keeps right on moving on the ferris wheel of life, then eventually you've gotta look sane in the end, i.e. wisdom being justified of her children, or however the KJV words it;-)

[sheila]

Are you concerned about something like this,Martin?

  John 8;58  I tell you the truth, Before Abraham was born,

  I AM  [ at this they picked up stones to stone him]

   Mark 3;21  When his family heard about this they went to

take charge of him, for they said 'HE IS OUT OF HIS MIND"

  hmmmm...seems when you have the mind of the eternal one

your out of the mind of this world :mshock:

[Molly]

You writing a book, Martin?  Something like the works of C.S. Lewis?

Go for it!

[Paul Hazelwood]

Well,  there are few if any books that "everyone" likes. The shack is a good example of a book that I liked,  even some churches that I probably would never go to liked, but also has it's critics including christians saying a church who uses that book in their teachings is in danger of teaching heresy or perhaps think doing so IS heresy.


I'm not an avid book reader myself, but, I would say, write the book, let the chips fall where they may.

[Raggedy Anne]

I think the whole 'Left Behind' series was a huge waste of people's time and money and very widely read by the mainstream church-going masses which led to a lot of deception.  People were often heard to say how it was so "in line with the scriptures".   I suppose you could say I don't find any use for Christian fiction.  It's enough to try to keep straight what I believe is truth without mixing in fantasy.

My  :2c:

[Molly]

I consider the left behind series just new world order propaganda for Christians.

But, I did ask a non christian if they had seen the chronicles of narnia and they said no, they didn't want to be sucked in by Christian propaganda.  lol  Those Christians are sneaky like that, he said.

Truth be told, you can't help but be touched in a positive way by the writings of C.S. Lewis, Christian or not.  So maybe he was right to be wary.

[Paul Hazelwood]

I think the whole 'Left Behind' series was a huge waste of people's time and money and very widely read by the mainstream church-going masses which led to a lot of deception.  People were often heard to say how it was so "in line with the scriptures".   I suppose you could say I don't find any use for Christian fiction.  It's enough to try to keep straight what I believe is truth without mixing in fantasy.

My  :2c:

My understanding is that the label fiction was given to more aptly get the series published.  A publisher is not likely to put their name behind ideas that readily cannot be documented to be provable real events.  Christianity already believes and teaches left behind doctrines so the book series was actually only a mirror of what was already in place.

The series is fiction is the scope of peoples names and specific events, but the theology is far from fiction in christianity, it is to them, truth.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: I personally have never read Christian fiction. However, since 90% of what the mainstream churches believe is fiction; therefore what they write as truth is many times really fiction anyway.

BUT, the Lord can use anything and I suppose publishing spiritual truth in fiction would be one way perhaps to get the masses to consider something "new"?
So if you feel the Lord leading you that way, do it. Blessings....

[martincisneros]

I think the whole 'Left Behind' series was a huge waste of people's time and money and very widely read by the mainstream church-going masses which led to a lot of deception.  People were often heard to say how it was so "in line with the scriptures".   I suppose you could say I don't find any use for Christian fiction.  It's enough to try to keep straight what I believe is truth without mixing in fantasy.

My  :2c:

Left Behind series "in line with the Scriptures???"  THAT IS THE FUNNIEST ________ THING YOU'VE EVER SAID!! :laughing7: :laughing7: :laughing7: :laughing7: :laughing7: :laughing7: :laughing7:

:mock: People think that series of fiction is Scriptural?? :pointlaugh: :mrflo:

[martincisneros]

It's enough to try to keep straight what I believe is truth without mixing in fantasy.

That's how I felt until about yesterday when I started realizing an idea for a project that was too bizzar to my mind never would go away over the years, and it wasn't a matter of a mind that never forgets and is perpetually aware of each detail that it's had on it's plate. Started dawning on me that He was the One likely bringing it up again and again and again over the years. It's still going to be in His timing, if I go that DEEPLY insane route 'cause I like fiction the absolute least of anyone. I can count on one hand the reasons I'd entertain a movie, a novel, a television show, etc. Perhaps my depth of spirit is what makes that still include quite a lengthy selection in the movies and television department, if I'll prioritize the time for that, but I know all too well what you meant by this particular statement and feel the exact same way about perhaps most of the same things as yourself.  Add to that, feeling like you're finally at the very very place you've absolutely always wanted to be with Him, and the thought of where my mind's going about some things is one of those things to "despise the shame" as it says in Hebrews 'cause of the Philippians 2 kenosis aspect of it that's potentially inherent to aspects of what I'm looking at.  So, that's why I threw the gist of it out here for feed back.  And no, WhiteWings, that doesn't mean I need a bag of bird seed. roflol

[Molly]

when I started realizing an idea for a project that was too bizzar to my mind never would go away over the years, and it wasn't a matter of a mind that never forgets and is perpetually aware of each detail that it's had on it's plate. Started dawning on me that He was the One likely bringing it up again and again and again over the years

Mozart saw all his music complete in his head before he ever wrote a note on paper. It was like he was just being dictated to and he wrote it down.   Don't ask me how that works, but I wish it would work for me.  If it works for you, do it.  You can publish yourself electronically now.  Easy to do.

Fiction is a very noble pursuit--


Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
~ William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar. Act II, scene ii


So we sing the story
Of the brave and true,
Till among the heroes
We are heroes, too.
~ William George (W.G.) Tarrant, Marching With The Heroes (c. 1904 hymn)