WATCHING PEOPLE’S reactions to the themes in the movie House has been interesting. The film as a whole is deeply influenced by everything from cinematography to acting to direction to score to special effects…the list is endless, and the end product was way beyond my control. But the story on which the movie is based was mine and reviewers’ reaction to the basic theme of that story interests me.
They fit into three broad categories that look something like this:
First, there are the Christian reviewers who act as so-called experts on the value of a film, a quantity they derive by scoring negatives and positives. Like mathematicians using formulas, the more analytic among them give the end product either a thumbs up or a thumbs down. For many of these, House wasn’t Christian enough.
Then there are the hosts of Christians thrilled to see something hit the screen that isn’t blatantly Christian. As long as the theme is fairly plain, the mere absence of an overt Christian message draws cheers from them. In their view, House was just about right.
Finally, there are the non-Christian reviewers. Reading their opinions, you might think House was blatant propaganda designed to shove the church down the audience’s throat. In their view, House was far too Christian, nothing short of an evangelical sermon.
So which is right? It all boils down to expectations, really. What people expect from a movie or a book, profoundly impacts their interaction with it.
Throughout my career I’ve often found myself in the cross-hairs in this regard. There is always significant pressure on me from the minority Christian machine to produce more “Christian Friendly” stories. This amounts to material that fits more nicely in exclusively “Christian” sectors of the market, and runs little or no risk of offending anyone for any reason. Even better, novels that are blatantly Christian.
This is a huge market, a fact of which I am well aware. Millions gobble up books of this ilk. The Christianity is direct, the message spoon fed, and the sales are high. I have no argument against writers who choose this route, but I have chosen another.
In his essay on “Christian Apologetics,” C.S. Lewis made a statement that guides my writing. He reasoned that an argument for Christian principles or truth might hold people’s attention as they are reading it or hearing it, but
“the moment they have gone away from the lecture hall or laid down our article, they are plunged back into a world where the opposite position is taken for granted. Every newspaper, film, novel and textbook undermines our work….”
He then went on to say,
“what we want is not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subjects—with their Christianity latent.”
Lewis makes the point that, for the most part, blatantly Christian books only feed the faithful with quickly forgotten lessons while they are rejected by the rest of the world. Many Christian books are written for commerce, to sustain a self-feeding machine that benefits few. It’s easy, it’s profitable, it’s seen as honorable by many.
But, I made the choice to follow the advice of Lewis. In his words:
“Our business is to present that which is timeless in the particular language of our own age,” he said. The “bad” writer “does exactly the opposite: he takes the ideas of our own age and tricks them out in the traditional language of Christianity.”
This is why I use contemporary story forms and modern mythic structures to flesh out my characters’ search for the truth. It’s also why my characters don’t stop in the middle of the story to tell the readers they are reading a “Christian” story. In fact, they aren’t. Citing Lewis’ admonition, my publisher, Allen Arnold of Thomas Nelson, has always strongly encouraged me along this path. Nevertheless, the pressure to fit into a status quo is always looming and sometimes feels like a strong head wind.
One reviewer asked of House, “A Christian horror movie? Isn’t that, like, impossible? What do they do, say ten Hail Marys while they’re hacking up each other?”
While this was said tongue in cheek, it points to society’s tendency to compartmentalize, and it seems the world has sequestered Christianity into a small box that resembles little of what my peers and I believe. Following Lewis’ idea, it would be a mistake to call our works Christian, making them “one more little book (or movie) about Christianity” because any book labeled as “Christian” is assumed to essentially be “about Christianity” as was clearly the case with the reviewer above.
House isn’t any more or less Christian than Narnia. Neither was The Matrix. Nor are Black, Red, and White. Nor, for that matter, Adam and Thr3e, Saint and BoneMan’s Daughters. They are all about characters thrown into extraordinary circumstances, searching for significant meaning which comes with the discovery of truth. Does this make them “Christian?” Lewis would probably say no. Yet all of my novels are infused with hope. Their worldview is saturated in redemptive history.
Oddly enough, the pressure to be more overtly Christian seems to be motivated as much by money as by principle. Pioneers always pay a price, just ask Luther and Tyndale. The established Christian machinery is as much about business models as principles, but that’s another blog altogether.
Meanwhile, you tell me, should I write “one more little book about Christianity?” Or should I do what I’ve always done as recommended by Lewis: Tell stories in “the language of our own age” on other subjects with my “Christianity latent?”
i definitly think you should tell stories in “the language of our own age” on other subjects with your “Christianity latent”.
i am going to see the movie when it comes out on DVD with my non-christian friend. hopefully she will see the face of God that day. just wanted to tell u to keep on SHREDDING THE NAR!!!! ….
in case you didn’t know that means sharring you faith in unique but intresting ways
ohh i was talking about HOUSE by the way
All I can say on the subject is this: The subtlety in your writing never ceases to amaze me, and the lessons your novels teach have stuck with me far more than they would’ve had they been blatantly obvious. I really must agree with you and C.S Lewis. And now, I must continue trolling the blog. =)
I adore the way you write and strongly encourage you to continue following C.S. Lewis’ advice. It is brings more effective stories and is much more original. Wade through the deep waters of criticism and eventually you will arrive at the glorious gates of Heaven and have gifts showered upon you.
I just watched the long awaited “House” movie. I must admit I was a bit confused by the ending. I was wondering, what makes this movie stand out from the rest of the horror genre movies? There was nothing that represented a power that could overcome the power of darkness unless you accept the notion that an evil-looking character that seems to encourage not falling for the illusion (which can easily be killed itself) could somehow produce a light that ?fried the bad guy. I was confused by what exactly the light came from. Was it the psychic lady down the road? Was it the other side of the force? Was it the power of ?God whatever you consider that to be? Could someone shed a little light (no pun intended) on this situation?
YO DEKKER, MY FRIENDS AND I MADE A VIDEO ABOUT YOUR BOOK, CHOSEN, FOR OUR SCHOOL NOVEL PROJECT. IT IS ON YOUTUBE, UNDER Chosen school project. CHECK IT OUT, IT’S AWESOME.YOU ROCK!
I read your CNN interview today and was puzzled by your statement that you don’t have any Christians in your stories. I’ve been a big fan since the Circle trilogy came out. I’ve read nearly everything you’ve written since then and am also going back and reading some of your older books. I just finished When Heaven Weeps today. When I read that quote, I thought immediately of Father Michael and Nadia. And then of Thomas Hunter and several others who experience an encounter with Christ (or a representation of Him), and find salvation by grace through faith in His sacrifice on their behalf. I guess I’m curious as to what you meant. Characters like Nadia and Father Michael, I would think, are Christians in the truest sense of the word. Again, I’m a huge fan. I mean no criticism but am sincerely asking. Thanks for your great work.
Could someone list a book/compilation that contains the essay on “Christian Apologetics” of C.S. Lewis? I will never cease to be amazed at how fresh and relevant Lewis’ sentiments are today. I would like to read the essay that those quotes were taken from.
Thanks,
Matt
found it… “God in the Dock”
Keep on doing what you are doing! You have got it right. That’s why we keep reading! I don’t want another happy ending, perfect little story. I want real, “dive deep” stories that touch my soul and lead me to God. Don’t let all the nonsense get you down!! Listen to your fans…and there are tons of us!!
the reason i read your books is because they are the way they are, you are an incredible writer and you refuse to write what people want you to write, you write on your own terms..
if every writer wrote what made the whole world happy all the books would be the same, or there would be no books at all.
I love what your doing!!
you are a constant inspiration, i am a young-unknown-small town writer who writes for her own pleasure and the pleasing of God.
your views and writing are amazing!
House was a life changing book.
heh… when i was reading the Circle trilogy, i was on my way to a retreat with my friends from Church. after asking the standard questions like “what are you reading?” and “is it interesting” (don’t see the point of asking the latter question - if i am holding a huge book in my hands - i was reading the three-in-one edition - and i am half done with it, why ask if it is interesting? O_O anyhow)… the next question was “what is it about?”
“it’s a Christian thriller…” i said.
without waiting for me to proceed with my description, they all exclaimed, surprise evident in their voices, “a Christian thriller???? how can that be?”
i took a deep breath and explained that “a thriller is what thrills. not necessarily scares you. the book is ultimately about Love, courage, choices, and more Love.”
but i guess they still did not understand how can i read something like that. *sigh*
nevertheless, i told my non-believer friend about “this book that i just LOOOOVED” and she was interested in reading it. after starting it, she asked whether it has something to do with Christianity. i said that it has the elements, but it’s not a Christian book. now i am waiting for her comments when she’ll be done with the Circle.
sorry to be so long-winded. it’s just that it’s interesting how it seems that most of the Christians want, as Max Lucado put it, “pre-chewed spiritual food.”… and thanks for not going into that area.