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PrintWorth reading: Christian writing spans genres
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Tulsa classified ads find plumbers, handymen, electricians often proclaiming their religious bent along with trade skills. The plumber’s Christian designation is as perplexing as identifying oneself as a Christian writer. What is a Christian writer? Judging by the bookstore shelves, they abound.
Gloria D’Alessandro is an ordained minister, retired school teacher and at age 72, novelist of five mysteries. Her latest “The Mystery of the Eighth Deadly Sin,” independently published by Tate, features her perennial detective/schoolteacher Conci d’amato McVey. D’Alessandro describes her “Christian” stories in part as follows: Gospel is part of plot, real miracles occur, Jesus is lifted up, Christian values, language is not offensive, salvation and redemption are themes, etc.
Although their mysteries center on religious subjects, Dan Brown and Umberto Eco are not Christian writers; but Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, authors of the very popular “Left Behind" series, are.
As Christian fiction defies explanation, Christian non-fiction blankets diverse endeavors and is often categorized as inspirational.
For example, Benita Louise has written “How I Survived Single Parenting and Lived to Tell About It.” Louise’s short memoir punctuated with poems and life lessons describes the joys and hardships of raising her son Raymond alone. Louise is an accountant by training and founder of Grateful Hands which publishes inspirational newsletters and her book.
In a more scholarly vein, The “Truth About Angels, Hollywood Versus the Bible” by Tracy Lewis, Ph.D is a fascinating look at one of our culture’s most popular icons from a strict biblical interpretation. In conventional thinking, angels and tooth fairies inhabit the same fantasy place, but for Lewis angels are not imaginary. She is principal of Southpark Christian School. She earned her doctorate in Adult Education from Catpella University in Minnesota.
Also shelved under the Christian category are history books such as “Divided Hearts, The Presbyterian Journey Through Oklahoma History” (OU Press, 2009) written by Michael Cassidy and the late Danney Goble, both eminent historians. They note that the University of Tulsa began as a Presbyterian Indian school, but those origins were quickly erased by
1921. Before statehood, Presbyterians had a huge influence on the five civilized tribes, both good and bad.
This is a genre difficult to define. How would you describe Christian writers?
