Fiction is all around us. It wears many hats – movies, TV shows, literature, or political speeches. Even the computer presents fiction through games and online forums where young and old can become imaginary characters and live out more acceptable identity, at least in make believe.



As Christian writers of character book, it is important for us to realize that the world is saying through its fiction that there are no limits. “The only limits on your life are in your mind,” they tell us. But this is not true.



First, written fiction may seem to be limitless but if publishers decide it won’t sell, then it’s doomed. This means that what people want will determine limits based on what they will buy. The dollar is the bottom line.



Second, if a person comes up with a new way writing, a new idea for expressing an idea, it still must communicate in a way others understand. Otherwise, the writer’s creativity is meaningless. We must write so that we convey clearly what we want others to learn. This requires the limitations of proper grammar, spelling, and syntax.



How would we define creativity from a Biblical perspective? Consider this definition: Creativity is a fresh way to rearrange what is already here according to God’s principles. Each part of this definition is important. Only God can create out of nothing. We must work with the principles and words to convey those principles He has already given. To gain His permission to work with His creation, we must willingly submit ourselves to the limits God places on creativity. He conveys this through both His laws and through His example. For instance, let’s consider the human body. Though basically the same for everyone, yet within that uniformity is vast diversity. No two people are identical, even twins. Ten billion – that is the number of different possibilities for fingerprints. We see in this diversity within the uniformity of having a gripping pattern on our skin. All around us we see infinite variety within the limits of His design. His creativity says to us, “Yes, I have given you imagination. Use it to convey your message. But be sure the message conforms to what I have already established as true.”



Christian writers must face this question: am I going to write what people will buy or what people really need? We may have to choose. What sells may not even be true. If we follow the example of the Lord, then we will write what they need. Yet look what it cost Christ to do this! Television shows fifty years ago presented life as we’d like it to be- Ozzie and Harriet, Father Knows Best, My Three Sons. They presented a fanciful idealism that encouraged us all to honor our parents and be more loving and kind. Today the heroes act and talk as does the public, corrupt or not. This presents young listeners or readers with sinful situations they might never see otherwise.



What should we thing about fiction that is totally fanciful like talking animals? No one in Scripture used fiction more than Jesus. But He didn’t use fables to convey truth. Instead, His parables nearly always depicted realistic situations that others faced as well. We could almost put names to the characters of His stories. Thus, by His example, we will conclude that fantasy may have a small place in writing, but it ought to convey truth in the process.



Christian writers are also limited as to how their stories conclude. No, life situations don’t always turn out with everyone healthy, wealthy, and wiser. But the principle of sowing and reaping is taught in Scripture and we must be sure that what is sown in our stories, whether good or evil, ultimately gets a proper reward.



Creativity has its limits. These limits are established by God. As Christian writers we could give in to the pressure of the paycheck and just write what people want. Or we could follow the example and principles of Scripture or Bible song and write fiction that declares truth found in Scripture. The second choice may cost us, but it will clearly honor the Lord in a greater way.

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