Christian literature

Christian literature is writing that deals Christian themes and incorporates the Christian worldview. This constitutes a huge body of extremely varied writing.

Scripture

While falling within the strict definition of literature, The Bible is not generally considered literature. However the Bible has been treated and appreciated as literature; the King James Version in particular has long been considered a masterpiece of English prose, whatever may be thought of its religious significance due to its poetic nature. Several retellings of the Bible, or parts of the Bible, have also been made with the aim of emphasising its literary qualities.

Christian non-fiction

Letters, theological treatises and other instructive and devotional works have been produced by Christian authors since the times of Jesus. For early Christian times almost all writing would be non-fiction, including letters, biblical commentaries, doctrinal works and hagiography. See Patristics.

Since the invention of the printing press non-fictional literature has been used for the dissemination of the Christian message, and also for disseminating different viewpoints within Christianity. The tract (a small pamphlet containing an explanation of some point, or an appeal to the reader) was in use at the time of the Reformation and continues to be used as a part of proselytization.

Christian fiction

Christian fiction is sometimes harder to define than Christian non-fiction. Christian themes are not always explicit. There is sometimes argument as to whether the works of a Christian author are necessarily Christian fiction. For example while there are undoubted Christian themes within The Lord of the Rings, many would not consider this to be a work of Christian fiction. Another example of this would be Vanity of Vanities.

For many centuries fiction has been written based on Christian ideas. Early examples include Paradise Lost, Dante's Inferno and The Pilgrim's Progress.

More modern examples include the works of G.K. Chesterton, George Macdonald and C.S. Lewis.

In the last few decades the existence of a Christian subculture, particularly in North America, has given rise to a specific genre of Christian novel, written by and for Christians and generally with explicit Christian themes. Such novels are often marketed exclusively to Christians and sold in Christian bookshops. The Christy Awards honour excellence in this genre.

In the late 20th century, with the rise of the Christian Right in American society, Christian-themed fiction has thrived. Examples include the works of Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins, Frank Peretti, Randy Alcorn, Francine Rivers, and Janette Oke.

Christian Poetry

Christian Theatre

Throughout the medieval period churches in Europe frequently performed mystery plays, retelling the stories fo the Bible. These became widespread in Europe by the end of the fifteenth century. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries these developed into the Morality play, an allegorical play intended to exhort the audience to the virtuous life.

In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries theatre was generally seen as wicked, and the church made attempts to suppress it. In the twentieth century churches, particularly evangelical churches, rediscovered the use of theatre as a form of outreach and as a valid art form.

Christian Filmmaking

Throughout the history of the film industry there have been many films that portray Christian themes or have Christianity as their central idea. A clear example of this has been the 2004 film The Passion of the Christ produced and directed by devout Catholic Mel Gibson. Also becoming more present in Hollywood are Conservative groups such as Act One that have been specially designed to train Christians to write screenplays and television shows and to persue more active careers within the entertainment industry.