What are the characteristics of great Christian novels?

Great Christian historical fiction typically weaves in elements of the Bible. It might take a story from the Bible and expand on it or show how it could have influenced the lives of ordinary people at that time. For instance, a story might be set during the time of the prophets in the Old Testament and show how the prophecies affected the community. The language used is often evocative and can transport the reader to the historical period. It can use archaic words or phrases that were common in the time the story is set, adding to the authenticity. And finally, it often explores themes of love, forgiveness, and sacrifice, which are central to the Christian faith.

One great Christian novel is 'The Pilgrim's Progress' by John Bunyan. It's a classic that follows the journey of a man named Christian as he makes his way through various trials and temptations on his path to the Celestial City, representing salvation. It's highly regarded for its spiritual insights.

A great one often has well - developed characters. It should capture the essence of Christian and Gideon, their personalities, quirks, and relationships. Good dialogue is also key, making the interactions between them feel real and engaging.

One characteristic is the strong focus on faith within the black community. These novels often show how Christianity has been a source of hope, comfort, and resistance for black people. For example, in many stories, characters turn to prayer and the church during times of oppression.

Classic christian novels often have strong moral and ethical teachings. For example, 'The Pilgrim's Progress' uses allegory to teach about the Christian journey and the importance of staying on the right path. They also tend to have characters that represent either good or evil in relation to Christian values. In 'The Screwtape Letters', Screwtape is the embodiment of evil trying to lead humans astray, while in 'Ben - Hur: A Tale of the Christ', Judah Ben - Hur represents the struggle for good and justice. Another characteristic is the exploration of themes like sin, redemption, and salvation. These novels usually offer some form of spiritual insight or inspiration.

Christian vampire novels often blend the supernatural elements of vampirism with Christian theology. For instance, they may explore the idea of vampires as fallen or cursed beings, much like the concept of sin in Christianity. They might also include characters who struggle with their vampiric nature in the context of Christian morality, like whether it's okay to feed on human blood when it goes against the commandment 'thou shalt not kill'.

A key characteristic is the use of religious symbolism. In 'The Chronicles of Narnia', Aslan, the lion, is a symbol of Jesus Christ. These novels also tend to have a moral compass guided by the Bible. They might depict characters' struggles with sin and their journey towards spiritual growth. Moreover, they can provide a different perspective on historical events through a Christian lens, such as how the end - times are envisioned in 'Left Behind' series.

One characteristic is the presence of strong moral and ethical teachings based on Christian values like love, forgiveness, and humility. For example, in 'The Screwtape Letters', the idea of resisting temptation is a moral lesson. Another is the use of religious symbols and allegories. In 'The Pilgrim's Progress', characters and places represent different aspects of the Christian journey. And they often deal with the concept of salvation, either directly or through the transformation of characters.

In Christian dragon novels, the narrative may also involve the concept of a divine plan. The presence of the dragon fits into this grand plan. For example, the dragon could be a creature created by God with a specific purpose. This purpose could be to teach a lesson to the human characters about humility or the power of God. These novels often blend the fantastical element of dragons with the spiritual and moral aspects of Christianity in a unique way.

Christian fantasy novels often have strong moral lessons. They may use fantastical elements like magic or mythical creatures to illustrate spiritual truths. For example, in 'The Chronicles of Narnia', the character of Aslan represents Jesus, and his actions teach about sacrifice and redemption.