Wednesday 27 September 2017

Characteristics Of African American Christian Fiction Novels

By Richard Barnes


Every piece of writing has its characteristics that are unique from another. These dictate the contents that must appear in those books. For authors, therefore, they need to understand this even before they start deciding on writing any work of literature. The following are features of African American Christian fiction novels.

They base the romance on more than physical attraction. If at all the book contain any romance, the author should base it on more than just the physical attraction between the involved parties. They try to show other inward qualities that made the two people fall in love. Many show romance between a believer and a non-believer which is wrong. The Bible points out clearly that the relationship between believers and non-believers is as wide as the heaven and earth. Therefore this romance is discouraged in such books. Romance is based mainly on Godly behaviors.

Avoid violence and revenge. These two are sinful acts according to the bible. They are acts of those who do not believe in doing good. The Bible emphasizes that one shows good to those who hurt them and resistance of actions that may inflict pain to the people. Violence leads to the pouring of blood and inflicts pain.

Lack sexual sin glamour. Almost every book that is developed today has a scene concerning sexual sin. This is also common in Christian fiction. Although when used in these books, the author should not glamour it. They need to show how much it is as sin, condemn it and discourage it completely. Every sinful scene that appears inside here should be pointed out and their severe punishments as a result of those who committed it.

Do not use profanity. Profanity is evil and satanic. The author who uses abusive language and a bad word in writing a Christian fiction lacks the morality in them. People write what they are and a writer who uses profanity in their work are themselves profane. You cannot pass what you do not have to people, the same way a writer cannot write what is not in themselves. Therefore the use of profanity shows the author is a non-believer hence mockery to believers.

Believer actors should act in integrity or suffer the consequences. The book requires portraying the consequences of sin that a believer suffered as a result of being immoral. They should show how punishable it is to compromise immoral behavior as a believer. The author should have the ability to portray winning of a believer who stuck to morals rather than winning in compromises.

They have a Christian message. At the end of every novel, it should point out the message that a person is to learn after reading it. Even before the end of a book, the reader should be able to know the lesson. And this lesson is based on moral teachings as dictated by the Bible.

Have a biblical basis. The stories told should trace back to the biblical teachings and should try as much as possible to emulate the morals seen in the teachings of the bible since they aim to lead people to become believers. It has a role in avoiding giving the wrong perspective to a person reading the book.




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