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Wayman Jackson’s The Sword of the Spirit is a powerful example of Christian fiction and the need to don the full armor of God as a novelist or a writer in another genre.

All across the world, we see that there is a decline in belief that is partially stabilizing.

Yet, that does not mean that the fight is over! For years, because of somewhat elitist and backward ideas about fiction and fantasy, we have ceded ground to the atheists and the secularists, ignoring the true fact that not an insignificant number of people read them–people who we could convince to see the light of God and accept the promise of Jesus Christ!

Writing Modern Christian Fiction

In most Christian fiction, there is always an emphasis on the contemporary and the portrayal of Earth as it is; and while these kinds of stories cannot be discounted, they present a tricky issue for Christian writers, in that, they cannot serve as adequate vehicles for escapism.

Now, escapism here does not only mean the act of self-diversion and self-procrastination through the consumption of media.

No, what we mean by escapism here is the opportunity to imagine a world that is entirely different from the world one purportedly lives in. It is a chance to see a world that is bereft of the issues that plague the waking world. And is that not the promise of Christianity? Is there another world out there that is without the problems that the mortal and finite mind produces?

…that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

– Romans 8:21

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Despite the promises of equality and liberation, the secular world has largely failed to deliver. Instead of optimism and positivity toward a future tomorrow, a general malaise is present among the newer generations–and that is precisely because they do not have a compelling narrative to live by. They were not raised in households where the promise of Christ was taught, nor did they attend mass to listen to sermons from the pulpit.

What the younger generations do instead is read books, watch TV shows, scroll through social media, and, generally, just stay indoors or, when outside, be on their phones constantly.

If we are to show them the light, we have to meet them on their own terms. We can no longer fight this battle on old fronts and familiar grounds. It is time to step into their space and show them what they are missing out on!

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

– 2 Timothy 4:2

Writing with the Full Armor of God

And this is where modern Christian fiction writers can contribute the most. With all the ills in the world, both social and economical, modern Christian fiction has the potential to address these issues from a Biblically coherent worldview.

Furthermore, great Christian writers can effortlessly weave in theological commentary with their writing, combining deep religious truths, a compelling plot and characters that resonate with the contemporary reader.

Gone should be the idea that only the willing and the goodwill search out Christ. If that were the case, he would not have conducted his earthly ministry upon this Earth! As such, Christian writers should follow in the footsteps and example of Christ, being there in the thick of it and connecting with the open-minded and the open-hearted through their own terms.

Spiritual battles are not only fought in the realm of policy and preaching; they can also be won through the pen and in the pages of modern Christian fiction. So, go out and embrace the full spectrum of human experience, including novels and the like!

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By creating and grounding new narratives with the truth of scripture, faith in the Holy Spirit, and love of God, Christian authors can develop compelling and imaginative worlds that help their readers envision a world of hope and Christ.

The Sword of the Spirit by Wayman Jackson is available on this website, as are his other books of modern Christian fiction. Click this link here to take you to the relevant page.