Excellence

Can all good fiction be defined as Christian? That's the discussion on the Faith in Fiction discussion board today.

I prefer not to compartmentalize fiction into Christian and non-Christian categories. I would rather think in terms of the worldview reflected by the author.

I'm of the opinion that there's a difference between good and excellent fiction. Good writing may be technically brilliant and demonstrate truth, but it may not be written from a Christian worldview. God can and does use such writing just as He has used people and events from Pharoah to Faulkner.

Excellent fiction, however, is well-written and demonstrates truth from a Christian worldview. The Christian reader will recognize and identify with that worldview no matter how overt or covert its expression. The Christian author intentionally uses God-given gifts for God's glory.

Both types of fiction may be well-written and demonstrate truth, but there's a difference in the author's motivation. And that makes the difference between what is good and what is excellent.