How Worldview Shapes Storytelling in Christian Fiction
All writing, including storytelling, is shaped by a worldview. Whether or not you intend to, you will put some of your personal worldview in the stories you write. As authors, we have the ability to influence our readers through our writing.
What is a worldview?
Worldview is the lens through which a person sees life. A person’s worldview influences their thoughts, morals, and actions. Our worldview is the foundation of our entire being. It is the process behind our lives. Most of the things we do in life have some of our worldview in them.
Why is worldview important?
A Christian writer’s worldview should reflect our love for Christ. Because the things you write will influence your readers, keeping your testimony is important. Worldview influences our thoughts; it affects our minds. Everything we think about has a foundation on something and reflects that entity. Our morals—how we distinguish between right and wrong—are also based on our worldview. And of course, the way we act is determined by the way we think, which directly links our actions to our worldview. As a Christian writer, your worldview is important because it will be demonstrated in your writing. When our worldview is based on biblical truths, our writing will also contain biblical truths.
What is storytelling?
Everyone has a story. Everything has a story. Storytelling captures a story on a page, whether it’s printed or digital. We authors have the privilege of sharing stories with others through words. Fiction stories offer readers an escape from reality. Even though they are not real, fiction stories have the power to change a person. Through storytelling, one can bestow a marvelous gift upon the reader while simultaneously sharing a biblical worldview.
Four Ways That Worldview Shapes Storytelling in Christian Fiction
Theme. One way that worldview shapes storytelling in Christian fiction is through themes. When writers choose a theme for a story, we usually choose something we can relate to or benefit from. Choosing a theme is important because the theme resonates throughout the entire story. The theme is the message of our story. What do we want our readers to walk away with? When we choose themes like hope and faith, we are communicating a message of hope and faith to the reader.
Readers now more than ever need stories with uplifting themes, especially in a world where hope sometimes seems lost, and faith is scarce. Another common theme used in stories is the theme of good versus evil. This theme comes from a direct reflection of our world. There will always be a good side and an evil side. With the theme of good versus evil, authors can show the battles our readers face in their lives through our stories. If we have a worldview with a foundation on the Bible, we will choose themes that have a positive effect on readers.
Content. Another way worldview shapes storytelling is through content. The parts that make up a story are just as important as the theme. When we include content that is not honoring to God, we promote that in our writing. The content in our stories reflects our minds. When we write from a Biblical worldview, our stories will be filled with valuable truths. As Christians, our stories should not contain the content that secular writers would usually put in their stories. While our readers live in the same world as everyone else, we Christians are told to make a difference.
Our role in this world is to be a light—to spread the gospel. If we do put negative content such as violence or death, we must show a purpose for that content to help our reader understand our reasons. However, we should refrain from putting content such as immorality, filth, and foul language in stories. This type of content shows the reader that our story is the same as any other secular story. By putting purposeful and wholesome content in our stories, we show a biblical worldview that will inspire our readers.
Characters. Worldview also shapes storytelling through characters. The characters in our stories bring the stories to life. Characters can represent what the author wants or doesn’t want to say. If I only have characters who show no growth at the end of the story, this just shows that as an author I don’t believe in growth.
A Christian author should keep in mind that the reader may want to do the same thing the characters do in our stories. Even if some of our characters—for example, our villains—do not reflect what a biblical worldview should be, we might still offer the choice of restoration or redemption for that character. The mindset that we give our characters will determine how our characters will act. If we have a positive worldview, the characters in our stories will most likely also have a positive worldview, which encourages readers.
Ethics. Another way that worldview shapes storytelling is through ethics. According to Britannica, ethics is defined as “the discipline concerned with what is morally good and bad and morally right and wrong.” When it comes to writing, it’s critical we keep our standards because they become concrete when written. While people may forget what you say, they will not forget what you write.
In a story, the author’s ethics can be seen through the characters’ ethics. If the character doesn’t see anything wrong with stealing, and the story continues with nothing to correct that behavior, than the author’s ethics most likely align with stealing being okay. Our writing must be clear and original as well as concise and truthful. When we as authors show that we believe in ethical writing, we mirror a worldview that aligns with the Bible.
Summary
Our worldview will shape how we tell our stories. Although not all of our readers will be Christians, we should still keep our standards to align with biblical values. Today, we live in a world that is already full of much wrongdoing. Why create more through our writing? It’s vital we don’t discourage our readers through our stories and instead uplift and encourage them to keep going and never lose hope.
About the Author
Esther Barragan is studying professional writing. Her love for reading during her childhood years expanded into a love for writing. When she’s not busy with classes and work, Esther enjoys crocheting and sewing. She hopes to someday publish her own novel.