David Mathews – The Writing Process

Shannon here: David Mathews shares his take on what makes a book Christian plus check out his Mystery Suspense title, Fugitive of Faith. Comment or answer the question in any post dated April 4th – 16th to enter the drawing for 4 books in my April Book Bundle #1. Deadline: April 25th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s David:

What Distinguishess  a Christian Book from a Secular One?

How does one know if a book is truly Christian or merely an imposter? What clues should the discerning reader look for? For a book to be truly Christian, I believe it must at least meet these four requirements. Without them, it is at best a religious secular work.

• The book’s author must be a genuine born-again child of God.

How can someone without a personal relationship with Christ write about that which they do not know, have not experienced, and cannot understand? They only have an outsider’s perspective and are limited to writing from a “second-hand” point of view. To know and fully understand Christianity, one must know Christ intimately, not just know about Him. 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “But a natural man (an unbeliever) does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”

• The book must be written from a Christian world view.

That means its content, message, theology, and purpose must adhere to and be compatible with the truths of God’s Word. It is not enough that the subject matter merely includes references to God, Jesus, or the Bible. I have seen books on Amazon listed as “Christian” that are written from an atheistic or agnostic world view for the express purpose of mocking Jesus or ridiculing and tearing down Christianity. What an author believes and practices will manifest itself in his or her writing. Every individual views and lives life through a “lens” or “filter.” And if that lens does not line up with the Scriptures, which are the believer’s only source of truth for faith and practice, then they have the wrong world view, and what they write cannot legitimately be considered “Christian.”

• The book must glorify God.

The author may intend to glorify God, but if what is written is not acceptable to Him, then that falls short of God’s glory. Many an author has been sincerely right in intent but sincerely wrong in content! Remember Cain’s offering? For a book to truly glorify God, it must meet His standards for approval. Does it honor Him? Is it consistent with His written Word? Will He declare to the author, “Well done, good and faithful servant”? Let us then, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do (which includes writing), do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

• The book must serve the true spiritual needs of the reader.

It should point unbelievers toward faith in Christ, and encourage believers to grow in their faith. It should build up and not tear down. For a Christian author, writing is a gift from God, and as such it should be used to serve Him by serving others. 1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Reader Question: Got anything to add on what makes a book Christian to you?

April Book Bundle #1 

The Cowboy’s Missing Memory by Shannon Taylor Vannatter, Contemporary Romance, print

If I Perish by Paula K. Parker, Biblical Fiction, digital

Romantic Rondezvous for the Soul by Ashley Thompson, Christian Romance, PDF Download

Listen for the Chickadees by Terri Wangard, World War II Fiction, print

About David: David Mathews was born in the small midwestern town of Friend, Nebraska, a community of 1100 people once listed in Ripley’s Believe It or Not for having the world’s smallest police station—a tiny tool shed previously used by highway construction crews. He grew up in small towns in Kansas and Indiana before settling in Indianapolis after college.

Now living in Xenia, Ohio, David and his wife, Donna, have six children between them, along with a son-in-law, three daughters-in-law, six grandchildren, and a dog named Barney. He enjoys home remodeling, woodworking, bicycling, camping, and writing. He also serves in their local church, loves being a grandfather, and never grows tired of watching Andy Griffith reruns. Learn more & connect:

David’s Website          David’s Facebook

David’s e-mail davidmathews.author@yahoo.com

About the book – Fugitive of Faith: 

Pete Holloway is on the run. A warrant has been issued for the San Francisco pastor for preaching what the state has deemed hate speech. Rather than face reeducation,  incarceration, or the possible confiscation of his church, he has chosen instead to flee. While a fugitive, Pete wrestles with the choice he knows he must ultimately make. Should he remain underground and wait it out? Join the resistance and fight back? Surrender and agree to the state’s terms? Or openly take a stand for the truth? Whatever his decision, it won’t be an easy one. But will he have the courage and strength to face it head-on?

Interested in the book? Interested in David’s other titles? Need extra books for gifts?

Get your copy/copies now!

Fugitive of Faith           David’s Books

Come back April 9th for Paula K. Parker!