There is much evil in the world. This isn't new. It goes back to the Fall of Man. The end of perfection and serenity because of disobedience that came in the form of an incredibly selfish desire to be "like" God. The first to demonstrate that impossible task was kicked out of heaven. His name was changed from Lucifer, meaning "day star" or "son of the morning", to Satan which means "accuser" or "adversary". Using his own fallibility (pride) to convince Eve and subsequently Adam to eat from the only tree in the garden (out of many) from which they were instructed not to eat, they sinned against their loving Creator and the two of them were banished from the perfect life they lived in the Garden of Eden. And with them they took sin and all of its consequences with them.
So. Here we are today.
Taking a different look, let's translate that to art. Since I'm a writer, I'm going to go in that direction. You might have had the opportunity to read some of Mike Duran's work (both fiction and non-fiction) or maybe have read some of his posts on Facebook and elsewhere regarding the Christian Fiction genre. He explores the horror genre and how it pertains to Christian fiction. Often demonstrating his ability to teach by inspiring conversation and exploration, Mike's opinions make excellent points about the various reactions to novels which have been classified as Christian but might reside outside the box that so many Christian readers demand that Christian authors never escape.
What inspired this post today is my irritation with Christian readers who slur the authors of novels regarding their stories which might be contrary to their religious doctrine, offend them with authentic examples of real romance, fail to see the redemptive quality of a story over their objections to it not being "clean" enough to suit their rigid demands. Now, let me say this before I proceed: they have every right to feel the way they do, to comment on either circumstance, but, as Christians, it seems to me they could reduce the harsh criticisms, slurs, contempt, and, yes, self-righteous pontifications in their 1-star reviews and simply say, "This novel didn't work for me. I adhere to a different theology, less romance." Something that would explain their stance without offering an opinion that reeks of "my opinion is more valuable than this author's" or "this author should be ashamed."
I'm overstating this point because it deeply bothers me. When I read some of those 1-star reviews given to extremely valuable novels with wonderfully redemptive stories, I'm greatly disturbed that some of what is written in those reviews does not reflect well on a part of the Christian reading audience.
It's Friday. Go have a good weekend in spite of "it" all.
Father, you know hearts. You know minds. Nothing escapes your knowledge. Thank you for being the Creator and for your incredible patience with us. Please help me to be the one you designed me to be. Still working on it, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.