Theological Fiction
Theological fiction (also referred to as 'theological-fiction' [1] and as theological novels' [2]) is fictional writing which shapes people’s attitudes towards doctrine and belief. [3] It is typically instructional or exploratory rather than descriptive, [4] and it engages specifically with the theoretical ideas which underly and shape typical responses to religion. [5]
Theological fiction, as a concept, is used by both theists and atheists, as for example in fictional pantheons and cultures in theological fantasy literature. [6]
Theological and religious fiction
The subject matter of theological novels often overlaps with Philosophical novels, particularly when it deals with issues from Natural Theology (also called Philosophy of Religion). For example, Roger Olsen notes that the Problem of evil is a feature of some significant theological fiction. [7]
Theological fiction also overlaps with Religious fiction or Christian novels, especially when dealing with complex ideas such as redemption, salvation and predestination, which have a direct bearing on attitudes towards religious practices. [8] Some authors try to distinguish a ‘theological novel’ as one which denotes a more idea driven plot, rather than a novel which is about people who happen to be religious, [9] but the distinction often proves difficult to sustain when ideas and actions are closely interwoven, each influencing the other. [10]
Theological novels
Series of Theological novels
Richard P Belcher wrote The Journey Series, which comprises of 20 novels exploring aspects of Calvinist Theology. Each novel includes the words ‘journey and theological novel’ in their title. - https://graceandtruthbooks.com/category/journey-series/
THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV BY FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY
THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST BY NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
LIFE AFTER GOD BY DOUGLAS COUPLAND
See also
- ^ "Theological-fiction". Goodreads. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Kamm, Oliver. "Theological Novels". Book Blogs. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Smith, Chris. "12 Fiction Books that will shape your Theology". Relevant Magazine. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Challies, Tim. "The Bestsellers: The Harbinger". Challies Reviews. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Frykholm, Amy. "A novel at the edge of Faith". The Christian Century. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Hartman, Rachel (9 Mar 2015). "Five Theological Fantasies for Ecstatic Atheists". TOR.Com Science Fiction, Fantasy and the Universe. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Olsen, Roger. "Some good novels that include theological themes". Evangelical Arminian Theological Musings. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Churchwell, Sarah (4 Oct 2008). "A man of sorrows". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Spinella, Frank. "The Value of Theological Fiction". Theology and Literature. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Keates, Jonathan (12 Dec 2017). "Spiritual home Integrity and multitudes in an unapologetically theological novel". The Times Literary Supplement. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
Theological Fiction
Theological fiction (also referred to as 'theological-fiction' [1] and as theological novels' [2]) is fictional writing which shapes people’s attitudes towards doctrine and belief. [3] It is typically instructional or exploratory rather than descriptive, [4] and it engages specifically with the theoretical ideas which underly and shape typical responses to religion. [5]
Theological fiction, as a concept, is used by both theists and atheists, as for example in fictional pantheons and cultures in theological fantasy literature. [6]
Theological and religious fiction
The subject matter of theological novels often overlaps with Philosophical novels, particularly when it deals with issues from Natural Theology (also called Philosophy of Religion). For example, Roger Olsen notes that the Problem of evil is a feature of some significant theological fiction. [7]
Theological fiction also overlaps with Religious fiction or Christian novels, especially when dealing with complex ideas such as redemption, salvation and predestination, which have a direct bearing on attitudes towards religious practices. [8] Some authors try to distinguish a ‘theological novel’ as one which denotes a more idea driven plot, rather than a novel which is about people who happen to be religious, [9] but the distinction often proves difficult to sustain when ideas and actions are closely interwoven, each influencing the other. [10]
Theological novels
Series of Theological novels
Richard P Belcher wrote The Journey Series, which comprises of 20 novels exploring aspects of Calvinist Theology. Each novel includes the words ‘journey and theological novel’ in their title. - https://graceandtruthbooks.com/category/journey-series/
THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV BY FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY
THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST BY NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
LIFE AFTER GOD BY DOUGLAS COUPLAND
See also
- ^ "Theological-fiction". Goodreads. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Kamm, Oliver. "Theological Novels". Book Blogs. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Smith, Chris. "12 Fiction Books that will shape your Theology". Relevant Magazine. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Challies, Tim. "The Bestsellers: The Harbinger". Challies Reviews. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Frykholm, Amy. "A novel at the edge of Faith". The Christian Century. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Hartman, Rachel (9 Mar 2015). "Five Theological Fantasies for Ecstatic Atheists". TOR.Com Science Fiction, Fantasy and the Universe. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Olsen, Roger. "Some good novels that include theological themes". Evangelical Arminian Theological Musings. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Churchwell, Sarah (4 Oct 2008). "A man of sorrows". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Spinella, Frank. "The Value of Theological Fiction". Theology and Literature. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ Keates, Jonathan (12 Dec 2017). "Spiritual home Integrity and multitudes in an unapologetically theological novel". The Times Literary Supplement. Retrieved 8 November 2019.