Christian Science Fiction

[Darrell C]

Hi guys, looking to see what the feelings are about Christian Science Fiction. In the last few years, I've been working on something I've always wanted to do—write! As you might expect, I've joined some writing forums in order to scope out the landscape and, hopefully, make some friends already knee-deep in writing. At this point, I would like to get some thoughts from Christian brethren, so thought I'd just see who on here enjoys Science Fiction and Fantasy as much as I do. I am also interested in the views of those who might feel trying to do these genres as "Christian" might be out of line.

As of now, I have one novel completed and the second in the series started, as well as a Christmas fantasy tale that, at this point, I'm not entirely sure will be something necessarily Christian, but more something just for fun. I am hoping to to include, at the very least, Tolkien/Lewis-ish undertones that are Christian-based.

So, any Sci-Fi and/or Fantasy fans here? What's your view about Sci-Fi that has Christian themes? If you already read Christian Sci-Fi/Fantasy, any pet peeves? And this is for any reader of other genres as well. Primarily looking for the opinions of other believers. For myself, I don't have a problem with Christian Fiction, but I have a hard time finding anything that appeals to me. So, any suggestions for writers of Christian Sci-Fi/Fantasy will be appreciated as well.

Thanks!

 

[37818]

@Darrell C,
I do not believe in actual time travel. But is my favorite type Fantasy - sci-fi.

One my favorites is a Christian movie called the "Time Changer."

I think is very good both being Christian and in it's time travel story.

 

[Deacon]

I agree with you Darrell.
I enjoy sci-fi but I there haven’t been any good Christian sci-fi novels for a long time.

What do I think the reasons for that is?

1) Christian authors may feel restricted by theology, feeling they have to maintain a correct theology or express a particular doctrine.

2) From the start, their storylines are predictable - they always end with God winning.

3) Along the same line as #2, there are too many predictable Christian themes.

4) Characters are often wooden and predictably act “Christian” - or not.

5) World-Building failure - they begin with the world God made and use the rules he designed - rather than imagining an alternative universe with different rules.

That being said, there are far too many vampire or zombie sci-fi novels out there now. Don’t write a Christian “Living Dead” sci fi!

Rob

 

[Darrell C]

@Darrell C,
I do not believe in actual time travel. But is my favorite type Fantasy - sci-fi.

One my favorites is a Christian movie called the "Time Changer."

I think is very good both being Christian and in it's time travel story.

Who is the author?

I'm always looking for good Christian Scif-Fi/Fantasy authors, but I don't seem to be having any luck.

As far as time travel goes, it's never been one of my favorite topics, but anything well written makes the difference on topic. Though it is not a Christian movie, I recently watched Triangle, and thought it was well written. Of course, one aspect of a Christian novel or movie is you don't have the F word every other sentence, lol. It seems a lot of writers think this is a must these days. Not sure why, when Star Wars has done so well with only a few minor words.

 

[Darrell C]

I agree with you Darrell.
I enjoy sci-fi but I there haven’t been any good Christian sci-fi novels for a long time.

What do I think the reasons for that is?

1) Christian authors may feel restricted by theology, feeling they have to maintain a correct theology or express a particular doctrine.

2) From the start, their storylines are predictable - they always end with God winning.

3) Along the same line as #2, there are too many predictable Christian themes.

4) Characters are often wooden and predictably act “Christian” - or not.

5) World-Building failure - they begin with the world God made and use the rules he designed - rather than imagining an alternative universe with different rules.

That being said, there are far too many vampire or zombie sci-fi novels out there now. Don’t write a Christian “Living Dead” sci fi!

Rob

Thanks for the detailed response!

As far as zombies, I have never cared for them, but I did think a couple of movies were okay. I'm a Mad Scientist fanatic, so the scenario of experiment gone awry works for me. Doom was another one. And apart from the vulgarity of speech, I enjoyed it. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to my pastor, though.

The current series is an old-fashioned alien invasion tale, and there is a mad scientist in there somewhere. Hopefully, my belief that it has a twist ending that no one will see coming isn't delusional. It plays on Creation and Old Testament themes, and like the Bible, there is violence, death, betrayal, etc.

The Christmas fantasy is kind of an experiment for me. Working on character development and a strong human element factor, and playing with a familiar character, Santa Claus, and hoping to put a spin on the secular version. But more implied than explicit.

 

[Rye]

Speaking of Christian authors, R.I.P. Hal Lindsey.

 

[Deacon]

Speaking of Christian authors, R.I.P. Hal Lindsey.

The Late, Great, Hal Lindsey. RIP
They still print his book.
It was quite a popular Christian Sci-fi book. LOL

Rob

 

[JonC]

I enjoyed The Circle series. My pet peeves was that it sometimes got too silly or superficially emotional. But I did like it, and the Showdown series (same pet peeves).

 

[37818]

Who is the author?

Writer and director of the movie, Rich Christiano
[ I rewatched the movie. There are some details of Christology and salvation presentation one could take difference with, I had forgotten about. Nothing unorthodox.]. All in good taste and I think good fun.

Time Changer

Dr. Anderson believes what is being implied in this boo…

www.goodreads.com

The book has two authors. Rich Christiano and Greg Mitchell
140 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2001

 

[Darrell C]

I enjoyed The Circle series. My pet peeves was that it sometimes got too silly or superficially emotional. But I did like it, and the Showdown series (same pet peeves).

I got through about two chapters and I was done, lol. It was just a little boring. I may return to it one day, I dunno.

Since I haven't expressed any of my own pet peeves, one thing stands at the top of the list, and I'll use Frank Peretti as my whipping writer: caricatures. If the caricature is humorous, okay. But every time I think of a demon literally clinging to the beset believer I still shake my head.

John Christopher's Tripod trilogy was a favorite when I was a kid (as well as his apocalyptic novellas) because there was a realistic darkness underlying the tale. I think the reader deserves a more realistic version of how our lives are. Christians become the primary caricature on secular forums. What non believers believe about Christians is probably some of the best fiction reading out there. And I think that makes two pet peeves, lol.

 

[Deacon]

I significantly downsized my library over the last few years and kept only a small collection of novels.
Generally novels communicate themes which can either be associated with Christianity or contrasted with it.
My library contains many excellent novels with contrasting worldviews...
I'm thinking particularly of one called, The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green (2012);
a novel about a teen with terminal cancer, which I'd describe as humorous but ultimately tragically sad and hopeless.
The book reminds me that as a Christian, in my weakness, I have hope in a mighty God who completes me and keeps his promises!

These are some I'd recommend,
Of course anything by Lewis or Tolkien.

I don't think you'd find any of these others in a Christian bookstore;
I'd label them as 'religiously themed' rather than 'Christian'.

* Frankenstein, Shelly (1818 - probably the first sci-fi novel!)
* The Chosen, Potak (Hasidic and Conservative Jewish) (1967 - novel)
* A Canticle for Leibowitz, Miller (1959 - Post-apocalyptic sci-fi)
* The Life of Pi, Martel (2003 - Christian allegory)

Rob