Reasons To Read Biblical Fiction Novels

By Claudette Lambert


More biblical fiction novels are being written today due to an increasing demand for this genre. Authors of these books approach their stories from different perspectives. Some of them take the characters and stories found in the Bible and place them in other settings. Others may use the actual setting and characters, presenting them in a way that makes them more understandable. Yet others may use only the historical context and create their own characters and events to illustrate truths.

These authors do not want their works to replace reading of the Bible. In most cases they are simply attempting to make its truths more accessible to the modern reader. Many times what their stories actually do is make readers go back and read it with more understanding as they are more enlightened about the context and culture of the times.

To make their stories as authentic as possible, many authors do detailed research into their subject. They use sources such as research papers, historical textbooks, scholarly articles and even archeological reports. Most of them have no desire to contradict biblical truth but to make use of their imaginations to reveal it.

Many books have been written about Bible characters. The authors bring these characters to life and recreate the world they lived in, using their own imagination without taking away from truth. We relate to characters like Esther, Ruth, Joseph and David as we experience their struggles, sacrifices, fears and hopes. One almost feels as if one has traveled into the past and watched events unfolding.

When these characters and stories are taken out of context and placed within another time and place, the perceptions of the reader are challenged. This often allows them to see certain truths in a new light. For example, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers takes the story found in the book of Hosea out of context and places it in California in the 1800s. This book has been very successful and many people have testified that it changed their lives.

The Bible is a rich source to work with as it contains just about every type of character and event known to man. There are stories about jealously, fear, love, faith and sacrifice. This provides endless stimulation for the fertile minds of authors who produce stories of history, adventure and romance.

The genre of fantasy and allegory is also being used effectively to bring across biblical truths. Readers no longer want to have dogma thrust upon them and authors have to produce well rounded characters, good plots and settings in order to entertain them. C. S. Lewis was an author who successfully wove fantasy with truth so that tenets of faith were transmitted without any preaching.

Biblical fiction novels can do a great deal towards intertwining truths with tales to make them come alive for readers. Even Jesus used stories to put across truths, enabling His listeners to identify closely with what He was saying. In the same way, the authors of these works today are succeeding to entertain and enlighten at the same time.




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