#and it reminded me of what i didn't like about the childhood section of 'heir'

[fictionadventurer]

I have a germ of a theory that good Christian fiction has stories that are less about shaving down your personality to meet some specific mold of what a good Christian looks like, and more about "how gloriously different are all the saints."

Not that the Christian life doesn't involve fighting against our own sinful nature and conforming ourselves to Christ-like behavior, but I think it makes for better, more realistic, and more universal stories when you also recognize that people have different gifts and flaws and they're going to be called to use their unique personalities to serve the kingdom of God in their own unique way, instead of assuming everyone has to conform themselves to a very specific (often secular-culturally based) image of good behavior. It makes for a much more vibrant story.

#catholic things #books #i'm still ruminating on charlotte yonge #because i usually contrast modern christian fiction with how the classics incorporated christianity #but she's the first classic victorian author i've found that i'd describe as writing christian fiction #which makes for a more direct comparison #she did handle religion in some very good ways #but i tried another of her books after 'heir' #and it reminded me of what i didn't like about the childhood section of 'heir' #but magnified a lot #she wants to show her children overcoming flaws #but she has a very narrow english anglo-catholic view of goodness #and that means her idea of christianity can come across as very judgemental and narrow-minded #things that are not actually sins in and of themselves are treated as moral failings inherent to other cultures #and the kids spend so much time worrying about cutting out sin that you don't get to see enough of their unique personality #i'd be willing to try more from her but i think i'd have to stick to the stories about adult characters