. . . is they aren’t books. And I guess I’m getting a little tired of hearing how “Jesus spoke in parables” as an example for writing fiction. Novels. Whole books consisting of 80,000 words and beyond of single stories, possibly layered, possibly mysterious, possibly symbolic, and possibly many more things. But definitely not parables. Okay?
So can we please just not use how Jesus told these mini-stories with deep spiritual symbolism which only a few could grasp due to their reluctance, hardened hearts, or lack of understanding as to how to apply them to a spiritual life most of them did not know how to live as examples for writing novels? We can give multiple reasons for why He elected to demonstrate them the way He did. Did He want them/us to consider the practical aspects of their application? Did He want them to ponder possible other meanings to these artful illustrations of everyday life? Did He want to confound them with the message hidden in the accounts? He advised His disciples to have “ears to hear”. In fact, he said this to them . . .
This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see me; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’” (Matthew 13:13-15 NIV)
The most comparable method of writing parables I see in the construction of novels is the metaphor. A metaphor gives us a description of something we observe and accept at its face value, but as we ponder our observation, we realize there are other levels to the picture. And, no, not every reader will examine the picture to see all of its angles. The plain view works for them—even if they don’t capture the essence or fullness of what it’s really saying.
So many of us Christians get caught up comparing and contrasting writers in our midst to secular writers either unfavorably or condescendingly. In spite of the accusations of inferiority, there are some amazing writers who include the gospel message in their work. There are also those excellent Christian writers who don’t. Either way, the important thing is to write what God has for you to write. You’re free to prefer whatever kind of literature you choose, but you don’t get to determine it for others. Nor should you be putting any of them down for their choices.
In my mind there is very little comparison that can be made for novels to the Bible. The Bible is non-fiction. Truth. Actuality. Written by the Holy Spirit through the words of many different men. Some were educated, some were not. God didn’t examine their platforms before He allowed them to pen His words: He gave them their platforms and their words. Few of them would have impressed anyone with their writing abilities, especially God.
We can hope for the anointing when we write, seek after God’s holy touch on our words, pray that He will oversee our creative process, and yield our hands to Him, but when we write a story, we are exercising His gifting, and we can seek His glory in the story, but it’s truly up to Him what happens in the process and beyond.
Yes, the Bible uses symbolism, metaphor, and different styles of writing to tell the truth to whoever elects to read it, hear it, see it. In these same ways and others the God of all Creation still speaks to you and me in a voice He desires us to recognize as His own.
And, yes, I would say we fiction writers use His methods to tell our tales most of us hope will reveal a form or element of truth to their readers which is certainly better than being a proponent of hollow lies or empty philosophies (Col. 2:8).
Father, we owe any ability, success, or personal glory all to you. No one else. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.