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{{short description|Fiction dealing with religious belief}}
'''Theological fiction''' is fictional writing which shapes people's attitudes towards ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/theological-fiction|title=Theological-fiction|website=Goodreads|accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://oliverkamm.typepad.com/blog/2005/03/theological_nov.html|title=Theological Novels|last1=Kamm|first1=Oliver|website=Book Blogs|accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Chris |title=12 Fiction Books that will shape your Theology |url=https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/12-fiction-books-will-shape-your-theology/ |website=Relevant Magazine |accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref> It is typically ''instructional'' or ''exploratory'' rather than descriptive,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Challies |first1=Tim |title=The Bestsellers: The Harbinger |url=https://www.challies.com/articles/the-bestsellers-the-harbinger/ |website=Challies Reviews |accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref> and it engages specifically with the theoretical ideas which underly and shape typical responses to ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Frykholm |first1=Amy |title=A novel at the edge of Faith |url=https://www.christiancentury.org/review/novel-edge-faith |website=The Christian Century |accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref> Theological fiction, as a concept, is used by both ] and ], such as in fictional pantheons and cultures in theological fantasy literature.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hartman |first1=Rachel |title=Five Theological Fantasies for Ecstatic Atheists |url=https://www.tor.com/2015/03/09/five-theological-fantasies-for-ecstatic-atheists/ |accessdate=8 November 2019 |publisher=TOR.Com Science Fiction, Fantasy and the Universe |date=9 Mar 2015}}</ref> '''Theological fiction''' is fictional writing which shapes or depicts people's attitudes towards ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/theological-fiction|title=Theological-fiction|website=Goodreads|access-date=8 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://oliverkamm.typepad.com/blog/2005/03/theological_nov.html|title=Theological Novels|last1=Kamm|first1=Oliver|website=Book Blogs|access-date=8 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Chris |title=12 Fiction Books that will shape your Theology |url=https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/12-fiction-books-will-shape-your-theology/ |website=Relevant Magazine |access-date=8 November 2019}}</ref> It is typically ''instructional'' or ''exploratory'' rather than descriptive,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Challies |first1=Tim |title=The Bestsellers: The Harbinger |url=https://www.challies.com/articles/the-bestsellers-the-harbinger/ |website=Challies Reviews |access-date=8 November 2019}}</ref> and it engages specifically with the theoretical ideas which underlie and shape typical responses to ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Frykholm |first1=Amy |title=A novel at the edge of Faith |url=https://www.christiancentury.org/review/novel-edge-faith |website=The Christian Century |access-date=8 November 2019}}</ref> Theological fiction, as a concept, is used by both ] and ], such as in fictional pantheons and cultures in theological fantasy literature.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hartman |first1=Rachel |title=Five Theological Fantasies for Ecstatic Atheists |url=https://www.tor.com/2015/03/09/five-theological-fantasies-for-ecstatic-atheists/ |access-date=8 November 2019 |publisher=TOR.Com Science Fiction, Fantasy and the Universe |date=9 Mar 2015}}</ref>


==Theological and religious fiction== ==Theological and religious fiction==
The subject matter of theological novels often overlaps with ], particularly when it deals with issues from ] (also called ]). For example, Roger Olsen notes that the ] is a feature of some significant theological fiction.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Olsen |first1=Roger |title=Some good novels that include theological themes |url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2012/10/some-good-novels-that-include-theological-themes/ |website=Evangelical Arminian Theological Musings |accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref> The subject matter of theological novels often overlaps with ], particularly when it deals with issues from ] (also called ]). For example, Roger Olsen notes that the ] is a feature of some significant theological fiction.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Olsen |first1=Roger |title=Some good novels that include theological themes |url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2012/10/some-good-novels-that-include-theological-themes/ |website=Evangelical Arminian Theological Musings |access-date=8 November 2019}}</ref>


Theological fiction also overlaps with ] or ] (also called ]), especially when dealing with complex ideas such as ''],'' '']'' and ''],'' which have a direct bearing on attitudes towards religious practices.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Churchwell |first1=Sarah |title=A man of sorrows |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/oct/04/fiction |accessdate=8 November 2019 |publisher=The Guardian |date=4 Oct 2008}}</ref> Some authors try to distinguish a ''] novel'' as one which denotes a more idea driven plot, rather than a novel which is about people who happen to be interacting with religion,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spinella |first1=Frank |title=The Value of Theological Fiction |url=http://theologyandliterature.com/2014/09/02/the-value-of-theological-fiction/ |website=Theology and Literature |accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref> but the distinction often proves difficult to sustain when ideas and actions are closely interwoven, each influencing the other.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keates |first1=Jonathan |title=Spiritual home Integrity and multitudes in an unapologetically theological novel |url=https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/private/spiritual-home/ |accessdate=8 November 2019 |publisher=The Times Literary Supplement |date=12 Dec 2017}}</ref> Theological fiction also overlaps with ] or ] (also called ]), especially when dealing with complex ideas such as ''],'' '']'' and ''],'' which have a direct bearing on attitudes towards religious practices.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Churchwell |first1=Sarah |title=A man of sorrows |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/oct/04/fiction |access-date=8 November 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=4 Oct 2008}}</ref> Some authors try to distinguish a ''] novel'' as one which denotes a more idea driven plot, rather than a novel which is about people who happen to be interacting with religion,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spinella |first1=Frank |title=The Value of Theological Fiction |url=http://theologyandliterature.com/2014/09/02/the-value-of-theological-fiction/ |website=Theology and Literature |access-date=8 November 2019}}</ref> but the distinction often proves difficult to sustain when ideas and actions are closely interwoven, each influencing the other.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keates |first1=Jonathan |title=Spiritual home Integrity and multitudes in an unapologetically theological novel |url=https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/private/spiritual-home/ |access-date=8 November 2019 |publisher=The Times Literary Supplement |date=12 Dec 2017}}</ref>


==] ]== ==Theological short stories==
{{List missing criteria|date=June 2023}}
Examples of the genre (also called ]) include: Examples of the genre (also called ]) include:


*]" (1759) by ] *'']'' (1759) by ]
*] (1st Century BC) by Anonymus *] (1st Century BC) by Anonymous
*]" (1320) by ] *"]" (2001) by ]


==Theological novels== ==Theological long fiction==
{{List missing criteria|date=June 2023}}
Examples of theological novels include: Examples of theological long fiction include:

*] (1966) by ] *'']'' (originally '']'') (12th century) by ]
⚫ *'']'' (originally ''The Treatise of Kāmil on the Prophet's Biography'') (1268) by ]
⚫ *] (1880) by ]
*'']'' (1320) by ]
⚫ *] (1678) by ]
*'']'' (1645) by ]
⚫ *] (1950) by ]
⚫ *'']'' (1678) by ]
⚫ *] (originally ''The Treatise of Kāmil on the Prophet's Biography'') (1268) by ]
⚫ *'']'' (1880) by ]
*] (originally ]) (12th century) by ]
*] (2007) by ] *'']'' (1895) by ]
*'']'' (1938), '']'' (1940), '']'' (1948), '']'' (1951) by ]
*'']'' (1945) by ]
⚫ *'']'' (1942), '']'' (1945), '']'' (1950) by ]
*'']'' (1960) by ]
*] (1966) by ]
*'']'' (2004) by ]
*'']'' (2007) by ]


==Linked series of theological fiction== ==Linked series of theological fiction==
Individual stories can be linked in series to constitute a ] or a ], where a group of stories interact to convey a richer or fuller story than any of the single elements can.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harper |first1=Baird |title=5 Essential Linked Story Collections That Are Better Than Novels |url=https://lithub.com/5-essential-linked-story-collections-that-are-better-than-novels/ |accessdate=10 November 2019 |publisher=Literary Hub |date=8 Sep 2017}}</ref> Individual stories can be linked in series to constitute a ] or a ], where a group of stories interact to convey a richer or fuller story than any of the single elements can.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harper |first1=Baird |title=5 Essential Linked Story Collections That Are Better Than Novels |url=https://lithub.com/5-essential-linked-story-collections-that-are-better-than-novels/ |access-date=10 November 2019 |publisher=Literary Hub |date=8 Sep 2017}}</ref>


Examples of linked series of theological fiction include: Examples of linked series of theological fiction include:


*''The Journey Series'' by Richard P Belcher. It comprises 20 novels exploring ] ].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Journey Series |url=https://graceandtruthbooks.com/category/journey-series/ |website=Grace and Truth Books |accessdate=10 November 2019}}</ref> *''The Journey Series'' by Richard P Belcher. It comprises 20 novels exploring ] ].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Journey Series |url=https://graceandtruthbooks.com/category/journey-series/ |website=Grace and Truth Books |access-date=10 November 2019}}</ref>



==See also== ==See also==
*] *]
*]
*] *]
*] *]
*]
*]
*] *]


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{{Fiction writing}} {{Fiction writing}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 09:45, 17 July 2024

Fiction dealing with religious belief

Theological fiction is fictional writing which shapes or depicts people's attitudes towards theological beliefs. It is typically instructional or exploratory rather than descriptive, and it engages specifically with the theoretical ideas which underlie and shape typical responses to religion. Theological fiction, as a concept, is used by both theists and atheists, such as in fictional pantheons and cultures in theological fantasy literature.

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.

Theological fiction also overlaps with religious fiction or Christian novels (also called inspirational fiction), especially when dealing with complex ideas such as redemption, salvation and predestination, which have a direct bearing on attitudes towards religious practices. 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 interacting with religion, but the distinction often proves difficult to sustain when ideas and actions are closely interwoven, each influencing the other.

Theological short stories

This list has no precise inclusion criteria as described in the Manual of Style for standalone lists. Please improve this article by adding inclusion criteria, or discuss this issue on the talk page. (June 2023)

Examples of the genre (also called novellae) include:

Theological long fiction

This list has no precise inclusion criteria as described in the Manual of Style for standalone lists. Please improve this article by adding inclusion criteria, or discuss this issue on the talk page. (June 2023)

Examples of theological long fiction include:

Linked series of theological fiction

Individual stories can be linked in series to constitute a composite novel or a short story cycle, where a group of stories interact to convey a richer or fuller story than any of the single elements can.

Examples of linked series of theological fiction include:

  • The Journey Series by Richard P Belcher. It comprises 20 novels exploring Calvinist Theology.

See also

References

  1. "Theological-fiction". Goodreads. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  2. Kamm, Oliver. "Theological Novels". Book Blogs. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  3. Smith, Chris. "12 Fiction Books that will shape your Theology". Relevant Magazine. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  4. Challies, Tim. "The Bestsellers: The Harbinger". Challies Reviews. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  5. Frykholm, Amy. "A novel at the edge of Faith". The Christian Century. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  6. Hartman, Rachel (9 Mar 2015). "Five Theological Fantasies for Ecstatic Atheists". TOR.Com Science Fiction, Fantasy and the Universe. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  7. Olsen, Roger. "Some good novels that include theological themes". Evangelical Arminian Theological Musings. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  8. Churchwell, Sarah (4 Oct 2008). "A man of sorrows". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  9. Spinella, Frank. "The Value of Theological Fiction". Theology and Literature. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  10. Keates, Jonathan (12 Dec 2017). "Spiritual home Integrity and multitudes in an unapologetically theological novel". The Times Literary Supplement. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  11. Harper, Baird (8 Sep 2017). "5 Essential Linked Story Collections That Are Better Than Novels". Literary Hub. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  12. "The Journey Series". Grace and Truth Books. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
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