Sex In Christian Novels
 

I came across a discussion on whether or not this trend of having blatant sexual scenes while preaching the gospel message of Jesus in a book was OK.

-One argument against it was it justifies someone to lust before God, while telling them Jesus loves them.
-One argument for it was - If its in wedlock, God made sex, then why not.

This seems so out of space - where does it all end?

What are your thoughts?

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

How graphic we talking?

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

:coffee2

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Well, it doesn't seem right to me, but the Song of Solomon is in the Bible.:annoymusic

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Relationships will be hard to avoid when writing a novel. That's a given.

However, my thoughts are that subtle works very well for me. It is always my preference - "He shut the door with his foot." I can go a lot of places with that and don't want someone else to tell me where I need to go with it. I want to visualize it my way.

I like to relax with historical fiction, such as, books by Bodie and Brock Thoene. I don't generally read a pure romance novel. I'd like to have some value after I close the book.

You can learn some things (historical, geographical) from Louis L'Amour. He has a bit of sexual innuendo which is rather harmless, IMO.

Anything really suggestive or graphic - I wouldn't be interested.

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

I've never seen a Christian novel that had an explicit sex scene. Do you have an example of a particular title?

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

LOL!!!! Yep...and it's pretty graphic. :D

I was reading through Ezekiel 16 this morning so I could discuss it on another thread, and I thought it was pretty explicit, too.

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

I think I am remembering that Lori Wick pushed it farther in her later novels. I can't remember the particular book for a reference, but I think she started out with a trilogy that seemed good and then she took a nose dive. It's been so long ago, that is the only thing about her I remember.

I'm not familiar with Harlequin romance. Are they supposed to be written for a Christian audience? I think I tried to read one just to see what they were about and was either turned off that they were more explicit or they were just sappy. LOL!

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Related question:

Do you distinguish between a "Christian novel" and a "novel written by a writer who is a Christian"? Does everything a Christian writer writes have to be put in that section of the bookstore?

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Is it wrong to depict sin in a novel? Any sin, or just sexual sin?

Is it wrong to read depictions of sin in a book (any book)? Any sin?

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

No way. Harlequins are definitely not Christian in any way, nor are they intended to be.

I've never read anything by Lori Wick. Seems like I tried one time, and the story was kind of lame so I didn't finish it.

I love everything by Bodie/Brock Thoene and Gilbert Morris, and the occasional Frank Peretti. That's pretty much the extent of my *Christian fiction* reading. My favorite secular romance author is Barbara Cartland, but I haven't had the time to sit down with a good novel in several years.

When I do have time to read, it's usually non-fiction.

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

I've read all of Phyllis Whitney's books. She was a decent writer, but wouldn't be in the Christian section. They are more haunting, mystery novels. My grandmother loaned me, Window on the Square, when I was in High School and I continued reading her works. She doesn't have explicit sexual things, and from what I remember, I could count on her having at least one curse word. lol

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

:thumbsup

Or a "Christian romance novel."

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Or is the real question, should Christians read explicit novels?

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

I don't know that it's definitely wrong to depict or read about sin in a book. I just don't want to fill my head with explicit sexual images, and if I read an explicit sexual scene, as I have before, it paints a very clear picture in my head. IMO, it's equivalent to pornography.

If I read a newspaper article about, say, a senator who committed adultery, I don't have step by step, detailed visualizations of that sexual experience. However, explicit romance novels paint a picture that is step by step and describes every moment and physical aspect in great detail. So reading *about* a sin is not the same as reading about it in explicit detail.

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

I consider something to be a Christian novel if it was written around Christian values.

Obviously if an author who is a Christian writes a novel that has no Christian viewpoint, it doesn't have to be in the "Christian" section of a bookstore. However, if the content reflects the author's values and contains nothing inappropriate, it could very well end up there.

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Makes sense.

So, does the question of the thread apply also to non-Christian novels written by Christians?

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Well, no wonder I didn't like Harlequin. LOL!

I have liked some of Gilbert Morris and Frank Peretti, but not all. I liked House, The Oath, and Monster, but I didn't like, This Present Darkness.

I really like Terri Blackstock and Dee Henderson. I'm trying to remember the book titles of this hilarious author that I borrowed from my daughter. I can't remember her name! lol

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

I remember the hilarious author - Kristin Billerbeck! I love her books.

http://kristinbillerbeck.com/books.html

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

I think a good guideline would be Phil. 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

I saw several books and read a few from Janette Oke a canadian author. They seemed to have a little adventure and no immodesty.

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

I would think the only difference between a love scene in a non-christian book versus a christian one is that the couple making made passionate love in the christian volume are worshiping and talking in tongues while engaged in their extra-curricular activity.

Oh yes, and the christian novel is usually printed on much cheaper paper and in soft cover only.

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

"think on these things"...man is a creature that THINKS. They have imaginations etc etc. Personally speaking from the standpoint of being single, yeah if Im subject to "blatant sexual scenes", it can mess with my brain where I want to think on spiritual things not carnal things. If it's something for married people and it's a lesson, not merely gratuitous sex scenes, that's fine I guess,

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Any writings that would draw a person to 'lust' would be wrong, as I see it.
The bible says if a man lusts in his heart about a woman - he has already committed adultery.

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Is that why this game (OK, usually softball) so popular among church youth groups and singles?

http://www.ridgenet.org/crosscurric/.../baseball2.jpg

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Yep, done gone messed up your brain - - cause you got that backwards!

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

What, don't you read the Bible anymore? :blink

(Don't blame me. I was double dog dared to post this. I had no choice. :heeheehee)

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Ain't that the truth!!! :toofunny Hilarious!!! :toofunny

Love your avatar!!! :thumbsup

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

:girlnails

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Good, that'll give me time to :runhills

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Wrong choice!

It's this one! :smack

:thumbsup

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Okay, that was seriously stoopid! :D

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Had to change it for you and ILG since you were so offended.

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

What is an "explicit novel" though?

Uncle Tom's Cabin? Catcher in the Rye?

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

His comment was from another discussion last week where someone mentioned "worshipping" while they were having sex.

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

I was gonna do :bubble

But, that seems kind of like a boy thing.

I'm saving my :smack for others.:toofunny

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

You don't have to save it! You can use it over and over and over!!! It's free! :toofunny

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

It was the pose I think. :)

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

Oh! LOL!

Are you having Thanksgiving at your house this year?

Re: Sex In Christian Novels
 

I'm just weak today.......:toofunny