“We want to avoid writing films that are preachy,” said my film professor. “We are Christians and our faith motivates everything we do, but we don’t want our work to sound cheesy.”

I stared at my professor, confused. What did that mean? At that time, I hadn’t had much experience with explicitly “Christian” films outside of VeggieTales, but I thought this was a strange thing to say to a Christian audience at a Christian college. Was he saying we shouldn’t write about our faith? This situation reminded me of “This Little Light of Mine”, particularly the verse, “Hide it under a basket? No! I’m gonna let it shine”. In Matthew 5:15-16, Jesus says no one would “light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (NIV). If we don’t write about our faith, would that mean we’re hiding our light under a bowl? And why did my professor think “Christian” films were inferior to secular films, anyway?

Since that day, I’ve continued to wrestle with these questions. Some folks are in favor of stories that are explicitly Christian, that is, featuring characters talking about God. These are usually made by Christian production companies, like Left Behind, Fireproof, or The Chosen. Others think Christians should write secular films that are infused with Christian values without directly mentioning God. Think of book series like The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, and The Wingfeather Saga. It may seem like you need to choose one side or the other, but I think of it a little differently. I’ve written stories that talk directly about God and faith, but I’ve also written Christian allegory. Everything I do is from a Christian worldview. I use my stories to sow seeds of faith in readers’ hearts, whether I am talking explicitly about God or not.

For example, I am currently writing a screenplay about a character who lacks worth. He is told by the villain that he is nothing. This character works for the villain, so he hears these false ideas day in and day out. It convinces him that he must work harder to prove himself. He eventually learns that he’s looking for worth in the wrong places. While Christians will see this as allegory for our worth coming from God and not listening to the Devil’s lies, I never mention God in the script. Instead, this story is allegory, featuring characters and situations that are similar to my own experience as a Christian. Through this allegory, I pray that I am planting seeds of faith in kids’ hearts. These seeds are a great tool to reach believers and unbelievers. Children may not understand the message now, but as they grow older, those seeds will grow and point them to Christ.

While I love writing allegory, I don’t think writing heart-on-sleeve Christian stories is bad. Rather, I think it’s needed. Maybe a story about a churchgoing young woman won’t reach a secular audience, but it could help a struggling Christian. Stories about characters coming to faith can reach unbelievers if they are written well. And of course, there are so many beautiful picture books teaching children Biblical truths, social-emotional coping strategies, and the histories of influential Christians. God has a purpose and plan for each story. He will get it into the hands of readers who need it the most. We should support fellow writers in their pursuit to honor Christ with their stories instead of tearing them down.

However, I don’t think writing “secular” films is bad, either. I watch secular films and find Christian messages within them, whether the writer intended them or not. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, for example, is a film that I believe has pointed many people to Christ through the example of a loving father and son. Though del Toro is atheist, the movie gets many things right about the Christian life. There are themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the meaning of life on earth and in Heaven. But secular stories, just like Christian stories, are flawed. Pinocchio’s theology isn’t perfect; the film mixes pagan and Greek mythological references in its afterlife scenes. Despite this, the film is incredibly well-crafted, from its hand-made stop-motion puppets to its outstanding score, and it is a fine example of how our stories can glorify God.

So…what elements make a story “Christian”, then? An altar call? Quoting Scripture? An author who professes faith?

Instead of using it as a genre-defining term, I think we should consider a Christian story any story that glorifies God.

Christian stories still have a beginning, middle, and end. They have characters who struggle and overcome. But the difference is in how those characters struggle and overcome. Their attitudes and behaviors should reflect real, flawed believers. The Bible is full of examples of people who sinned – King David, Saul, the Prodigal Son – who repented and were forgiven. Writers, let bad things happen that are so bad your character has no clue how to overcome them. Then, let the good in your story be so good that it overpowers and outshines the darkness. There is good and evil in the Bible, so distinctions between good and evil should be clear for your reader.

In addition, the story should have biblical themes, like redemption, overcoming temptation, or sacrifice. Basing a story on a Bible story or verse is a good way to do this, but you could also write based on your experience as a Christian. Readers are drawn to examples of how to live the Christian life, and God gives us incredible testimonies to share. Sometimes, a story is the best way to share it.

I believe a Christian story is more than just entertaining – it’s edifying. Whatever you write and however you write it, I pray that God will show you how to glorify Him through your words.

Image Credit: Ben White on Unsplash.