Today we hear from author Kara R. Hunt on the role of fiction for Christians. Welcome, Kara!

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Last month, during an Industry Update at the Christian Product Expo in Lexington, Kentucky, Jeff Crosby, president, ECPA (The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) stated that nonfiction is on the decline as “people want a diversion from the real world.”  

Nonfiction Christian books are a must-have for any believer. When we’re dealing with a circumstance or life-changing situation, it’s helpful to know that others have traveled that journey before us and through their testimony and their words, they’re able to help us navigate that same journey. And many of them warn us of the pitfalls along the way and share advice on how to avoid them.  

Christian fiction is also a valuable tool to have on your Christian journey. One of the main reasons was stated by Mr. Crosby above – sometimes people want a diversion from the real world. 

Christian fiction offers that and much more. 

With numerous genres such as Amish, Biblical, Contemporary, Historical, Romance, Mystery/Suspense, etc. Christian fiction not only offers a diversion, it offers the reader choices. With so many Christian fiction genres and subgenres to choose from, a reader will soon find one that matches where they are on their faith journey. A novel that not only offers a distraction, but also glorifies Christ and restores hope in the process. 

And hope is needed. 

Whether you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one, a troubled past, a life-changing illness, a divorce, fear of abandonment, or hopelessness – hope, Biblical hope, where we wait expectantly in Christ – gives us the strength we need to move forward. 

And since readers never seem to grow tired of stories about forgiveness, redemption, second chances, and unconditional love, Christian fiction covers all of those topics told in uniquely different ways. This offers readers a break from real life while immersing them in story, and is what Christian fiction does best. 

It doesn’t stray away from reality, but instead brings the reader closer to it through fictional characters who are dealing with very real issues. 

Through Christian fiction — the diversion from the real world the reader craves — readers are brought closer to the God of the universe. Hope is restored and families are reconciled due to the author pointing them to the true meaning of perfect love. A Prince who’ll be able to offer them a peace that surpasses all understanding, and joy unspeakable.  

When God’s truth is woven throughout the story, there’s nothing “fictional” about it. 

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Well said, Kara! Thank you so much for sharing your insight with us 🙂 Readers, check out Kara’s podcast and books! To find out more about Kara, you can visit her website and follow her on Instagram and Facebook. 

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Kara R. Hunt, an evangelical minister, hosts the Cheer UP! Podcast. She is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers (FHLCW), and American Christian Fiction Writers. She has garnered finalist and semi-finalist recognition in the ACFW Genesis Awards in the Mystery/Thriller/Suspense and Women’s Fiction categories, and is a recent recipient of AWSA’s 2022 Golden Scroll Award for her novel, Paper Dolls. Kara and her husband reside in rural Missouri.

Paper Dolls and Paper Dolls – Kite are the first two in Kara’s 7-book Habakkuk Series. I highly recommend Paper Dolls for fans of Christian women’s fiction, and I look forward to the release of Kite 🙂