by Angela Ruth Strong, @AngelaRStrong

“Faith-based films are by and large entertainment schemes to reiterate previously held beliefs, enforce conformity, and raise money,” according to legendary filmmaker Paul Schrader. Then he went on to praise The Chosen as the exception.

If that’s how the world sees faith-based fiction, then we all need to be the exception. Let’s learn from the four points of praise Paul gave The Chosen so that our work can also be considered “more than a Sunday School illustration.”

1. Crisp writing. What does this even mean? I looked it up. Oxford Languages defines it as “decisive and matter-of-fact, without hesitation or unnecessary details.” Crisp writing has authority. It has confidence. It doesn’t dilly-dally. It doesn’t over explain or repeat itself or have anything to prove. It doesn’t just talk to hear itself talk. Crisp writing takes time to boil down the story to what you’re actually trying to say, and because of this, every word has more flavor. This is how Jesus told parables and what drew the crowds to savor them.
2. Meticulous research. I don’t write historical fiction because I struggle with being meticulous. I’ve failed at getting a river to run the correct direction in a contemporary story set in my home state, so I can’t imagine the research that must have gone into bringing the gospel to life. I do know that sometimes research ruins a story I want to tell. It’s frustrating and requires me to throw out a plot or rewrite a scene. But in the end, it becomes more authentic. It becomes what it should have been in the first place. It becomes believable.

3. Tell stories without preconceptions. This show about Jesus is not a sermon. Jenkins isn’t preaching. Rather than telling his audience about Bible characters, he’s inviting viewers to see themselves in someone else’s sandals. Viewers aren’t asking, “What would Jesus do?” They’re asking, “What would I have done in that situation? If I suffered from depression? If I doubted my worth? If I wasn’t healed when I wanted Jesus to heal me?” It’s gripping hearts because it’s real life.
4. Original ideas. The Bible is the bestselling book in the world, but it’s the source material for a TV show considered an “original idea.” Perhaps this is the highest compliment. Jenkins isn’t only looking for scriptures to back up his message in The Chosen. He’s taking what’s there and exploring. The Bible is making him think deeper, and therefore, his fresh perspective forces his audience to think deeper. This is the opposite of conformity. This is freedom.

Why do you write faith-based fiction? Is it to make Christians feel better about themselves for being Christians? Is it to make unbelievers want to be more like us? Is it to make money by mixing business with ministry?

I hope it’s to do what Dallas Jenkins is doing. To challenge everyone to search for truth and inspire them to tell the truth in their own stories. The way his writing has inspired me.

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Husband Auditions

In a world full of happily-ever-after love, Meri Newberg feels like the last young woman on the planet to be single, at least in her Christian friend group. So when she’s handed a strange present at the latest wedding–a 1950s magazine article of “ways to get a husband”–she decides there’s nothing to lose by trying out its advice. After all, she can’t get any more single, can she?

Her brother’s roommate sees the whole thing as a great opportunity. Not to fall in love–Kai Kamaka has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. No, this is a career jump start. He talks Meri into letting him film every silly husband-catching attempt for a new online show. If it goes viral, his career as a cameraman will be made.

When Meri Me debuts, it’s an instant hit. People love watching her lasso men on street corners, drop handkerchiefs for unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she’s looking for . . .

Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there’s nothing else she’d rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK.