FnFS: Biblical Fiction

(Faith ‘n Fiction Saturdays are hosted by Amy!)

This week’s question asks:

One of area of Christian fiction that is thriving is Biblical Fiction. Biblical fiction, in case you don’t know, is when an author takes a story from the Bible and imagines more of the details. Tosca Lee’s “Havah” would be a recent example of Biblical fiction.

What I want to know today is how you feel about Biblical fiction. Have you ever read any Biblical fiction? Did you enjoy it? Do you think Biblical fiction helps us to understand people who lived during Biblical times better or do you think that it’s unnecessary? Have you ever read any Biblical fiction that offended you?

I love reading Biblical Fiction! In fact, I already wrote a full post on this on my other blog, a while back! LOL. But I’ll reiterate some of that here.

I’ve not yet read any Biblical fiction that offended me. But, I have read a lot that really gave me a new view of things! Like Amy, I’m careful to be discerning when reading books that take a Biblical account and expand on them… I want these stories to stay as close to the original story as possible. If the author takes too many liberties, I’m not going to keep reading. The Bible is not something you wanna ‘mess’ with.

Biblical Fiction, IMHO, can really help you see an old Bible story — one that you’ve heard over and over and over again — come to new life! It gives you a new perspective, and often helps you to remember that these Biblical figures were REAL people that lived many, many years ago… they had the same feelings and emotions that you and I do! They had to deal with “life”, too, even if that “life” was different from what we now live in this century.

I’m currently reading Eleanor Gustafson’s “THE STONES“, which is a fictional account of the life of King David. And, I tell you — it’s fantastic! It’s really bringing David “to life” for me! And, I was very pleasantly surprised at something this past week! I was reading about David meeting Abigail for the first time, and I got really interested to know whether Abigail’s story was made up or for real… so I went to the Bible to check her out. And, reading through her story in 1 Samuel 25, I was laughing to find that what I was reading was almost IDENTICAL to what I’d just read in my review book! LOL. The author has stayed soooo close to the Biblical account that I got a sense of “deja vu” while reading the Bible after reading the book! LOL. So, that’s awesome! Kudos to Ms. Gustafson!!!

Other “Biblical Fiction” titles I’ve enjoyed include “Two From Galilee” by Marjorie Holmes (about Mary & Joseph & Jesus); “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant (about Jacob, Leah & Rachel); “Dreamers” & “Brothers” by Angela E. Hunt (about Joseph & his brothers); and “The Memoirs of Pontius Pilate” by James R. Mills (a fictional “biography” of Pilate, and the trials & crucifixion of Jesus). My favorites, of the above, were “Two From Galilee“, and “Memoirs of Pontius Pilate“.

I think the reason I loved these two books most was because they told the stories I’ve heard soooo many times growing up (Jesus’ birth and crucifixion) from a new perspective, and breathed new life into them. They helped me remember the “human element”, and they gave me new eyes to “see” these stories again!

“Two From Galilee” reminded me that Mary was just like any other unwed mother… she had to deal with others’ accusatory looks and scorn… she had to deal with people thinking she’d sinned (even though she hadn’t done any such thing). Even though her circumstance was unique, she still probably went through the same things all unwed mothers go through. And, I really felt for her.

“The Memoirs of Pontius Pilate” was great in that it really brought Jesus’ suffering to light for me… so often I think we glaze over that, and like to not dwell on the thoughts of how he was beaten and abused and scorned… all because of us. And, this book — like Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ” — really made that more real for me.

Oooo, I almost forgot about “Hadassah” by Tommy Tenney! It’s the story of Queen Esther… and it’s very well done! It’s another of my favorites. But, then again, I’ve always loved Esther’s story… she’s always been one of my favorite characters of the Bible.

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