What are Christian Thrillers?

What are Christian Thrillers and is the very concept a sin?

Sin is a word describing missing the mark of perfection.

So how do we even determine if a story that scares us is something God would not approve of?

These were the questions that ran through my head as a story line began forming in my mind. I'd already written dozens of Christian Action Adventure books for boys. And the big editing houses informed me that there was no such thing as a Christian Action Adventure. My response was, they had never read David and Goliath or the entire book of ACTS.

Fortunately the Amazon ebook was in it's very beginning years so we formed Catacomb Publishing and were able to get books out to boys, which have done very well.

But then I was challenged by readers to write an adult thriller. Could I write adult thrillers and still remain Biblical?

There was a lot of controversy among Pastors about the thought, as one Pastors wife quoted in a very accusational tone, "what about Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

It is a very good point. A Thriller can also be labeled a Horror story. So are we, not obeying the Bible, by reading a Thriller labeled a Christian Thriller?

I honestly do not have a good answer for the question; but pose it as part of this blogs focus. Judging what is not full filling Philippians 4:8 directive is not simple. If we took that literally, then we should not really read David and Goliath because David cuts off Goliath's head, pretty gruesome. We shouldn't read the Gospel because John's head is brought in on a platter, Christ has his hands nailed through; very graphic.

I do not believe there is a good answer. But so long as we are in a fallen world, we will be subject to the world we live in. You will have to pray, and in your relationship with Jesus, make the decision.

I am being asked to write more Christian Thrillers, and have made the decision to go forward. May God direct the path.