Christian Romance: How Far is Too Far?
I know I promised my next article would be a list of daring Christian romance novels, but I wanted to take a turn down a different alley for a moment. Please don’t hate me for the delay, haha.
Not long ago, I wrote an article on Steamy Christian Romance, exploring the idea of Christian authors including love scenes in their work. I was very much against the suggestion and voiced my opinion quite sternly.
Since then, I’ve come to change my mind.
Don’t jump to conclusions! I’m not saying there needs to be a Christian erotic genre available on the market, but I do believe Christian authors can approach love and passion in a way that portrays sex the way God meant it to be. Loving. Wonderful. Passionate. And between a married man and woman.
Before you judge, remember this…
Sex is not inherently dirty. It is an act of love that has been perverted through popular media, but it was not created as a dirty act of lust.
Keeping this in mind, I believe it is possible for Christian authors to portray sex in a way that isn’t perverted or lustful or dirty. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have the power and ability to accurately portray sex the way it never has been before. We are in the perfect position to introduce readers to love and passion as God meant it to be. Instead, we shy away from it.
Why is that? Why do we view physical connection between characters as an act of lust or sin? Have you read Songs of Solomon? Half the Christian readers out there would likely ban the Bible if they could. It’s a really steamy Book!
I actually spent some time discussing this topic with other Christian women before I wrote this article. I did a lot of research. Looking up blogs, reading through Christian romance novels, emailing Christian women, speaking to them in person, even browsing forums on social media looking for input on the idea of Christian romance including love scenes. The response I got was honestly shocking.
Most of the Christian women I contacted said they were absolutely open to reading a Christian novel that included love scenes. Some were simply interested in seeing how a Christian would portray that sort of situation, others believed Christians should be able to write about sex without it being turned into an act of perversion.
One reader commented in a forum…
I would love to read a Christian romance with love scenes. It doesn’t have to be detailed to the extent of reading pornography. But I wouldn’t mind more than a simple peck on the cheek—which is what most Christian romance is limited to. I’d love to read a steamy Christian romance alongside my husband. I think it is something we could enjoy together.
Another said, Christians have sex. I don’t see why we can’t write about it. Or read about it. As long as the scenes are between married couples, I don’t see anything wrong with it.
Of course, there were also women who firmly disagreed with the idea of love scenes in Christian fiction.
Sex is an intimate act, one reader commented, it isn’t meant to be shared with every person who picks up your book.
Another boldly claimed…
Characters shouldn’t even kiss in Christian books—married or not.
Whether you agree with these statements isn’t the point I want to make right now. I’m only here to open the door for discussion and offer food for thought.
The truth is … everyone is different.
Every reader has their own set of morals and standards. They have their own idea of what is and what is not okay in Christian fiction. This is based on our upbringing, our interpretation of the Bible, our denomination, even on our life experiences.
Someone overcoming a porn addiction would likely stick to squeaky clean romance or avoid the genre altogether. While someone who isn’t sensitive to romance might enjoy something steamier without feeling bothered by it.
Before I took a deep dive into romance, I thought I had a low tolerance for steam. It’s no secret that I don’t enjoy romance—secular or Christian. Until the last eight months or so, I had only ever read science fiction and fantasy novels. So I thought I had the wherewithal of a blushing twelve-year-old when it came to sensuality. And then I actually tried reading romance and realized not only am I stone-cold toward steamy scenes, but I have a deep disappointment in the genre altogether. Particularly in Christian romance.
My dislike toward Christian romance is explained in detail in my last article which you can read by clicking here. But to keep a long story short, I feel Christian romance lacks passion and intimacy. Not because it generally avoids sensuality, but because passion and intimacy are often tied to sensuality, leaving Christian authors scrambling to avoid either element like they’re poisonous.
Of course, this isn’t the case for every Christian romance ever. I’m mostly speaking from a recent dip into the genre so my opinion here should be taken with a grain of salt. BUT that doesn’t diminish the importance of this article.
How far is too far in Christian romance?
I have seen readers leave scathing one-star reviews for books, claiming the romance was full of sin and lust. Naturally, my curiosity led me to read those very books in search of this sinful, lusty passion—only to find one very PG kissing scene between the protagonists. Sometimes these reviews were left for books that didn’t even contain any physicality whatsoever. Just the very thought of characters wanting to have sex drove readers to their keyboards with a list of complaints.
What I find as ‘too far’ for Christian fiction is probably beyond the lines of comfort for most readers. But does that make my tastes in romance sinful or lusty? Am I wrong for not finding a kissing scene or a scene of sensuality to be unpleasant or inappropriate?
As I said before, everyone is different.
What I’m okay with isn’t necessarily okay for the next reader. At the same time, just because one reader is uncomfortable with a certain level of sensuality doesn’t mean the scene is actually wrong or that the author has done anything wrong.
When I spoke about this to a group of Christian women, I remember one response that’s stuck with me so far.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to filter what we allow into our Spirits. Not everyone is comfortable with reading love scenes in Christian romance, and that’s okay, but we shouldn’t demonize those who are okay with it. If you don’t like steamy Christian fiction, then don’t read it! But don’t condemn those of us who do.
How do you feel about sensual or steamy Christian romance?
Keep in mind, steamy doesn’t necessarily equal sex. Sensual doesn’t always mean you’re going to find characters rolling around under the blankets. Sometimes it just means suggestive language, sometimes it means kissing, sometimes it does mean sex… What are you okay with? Is there a line Christian authors shouldn’t ever cross no matter what?
If you happen to be one of the Christian readers looking for something on the steamy side, keep an eye out for my next article, A List of Steamy Christian Romance Novels. [Now available! Click the title to read now!] Also, click here to sign up for my monthly newsletter and stay notified when new articles are posted!
God bless