What is ADULT Christian Fiction?
Is It Okay for Christians to Read 18+ Books?
This is a question I was recently asked after I mentioned in one of my TikTok videos that I enjoy reading adult Christian fiction. Most of the Christian book market is rated PG, so it feels refreshing to find stories written for readers who are in their 30s and beyond, like me, haha.
Naturally, this raised some. When people hear “18+,” they often assume that means explicit content such as graphic sexual scenes or foul language. But the truth is, books can be written for adult Christian readers without crossing those lines.
Let’s talk about what that can look like.
When a Book Is “Adult” Without Being Explicit
There are many Christian novels that are clean in content yet still intended for mature readers because of the themes they explore.
For example, Mind Games by Nancy Mehl is a psychological thriller about a Christian detective who gets targeted by a serial killer. There is no sexual content or profanity in the story; however, the intensity of the subject matter makes it more suitable for adults. A teenager simply does not need to consume entertainment centered around a serial killer.
Does that mean YA Christian fiction cannot explore heavy themes? No! YA Christian fiction explores dark themes too, but it does it in a way that meets its readers at their level of emotional, psychological, and even spiritual maturity.
One of my personal favorites is In the Shadows by Krista Wagner, which follows a teenage girl who believes she has a stalker and begins to suspect this person might actually attend her high school. This is still suspenseful and engaging, but the situation is more relatable and age-appropriate for teen readers.
Both books are “clean.”
Both are faith-centered.
Yet each is designed for a different stage of life.
Christian Romance can be written for Adults Only
The same principle applies to Christian love stories.
For instance, The Gap by A. Bean tells the story of a Christian billionaire navigating a painful divorce and unexpectedly developing feelings for a much younger man. As she wrestles with her emotions, she continually seeks God’s guidance, asking herself whether this new relationship is truly His will or simply a response to loneliness and heartache.
There is no sexual content or inappropriate language in this novel. Still, the themes of divorce, emotional healing, and complex adult relationships are more appropriate for mature readers. A 14-year-old girl does not need to be concerned with the romantic struggles of someone decades older. There are many uplifting Christian love stories written with younger audiences in mind that better reflect the situations they are currently navigating.
Understanding Spiritual Discernment in What We Read
I believe many content creators and influencers who caution against certain books genuinely have good intentions. Guarding our hearts and minds is important. At the same time, it’s helpful to remember that temptation and lust are not always limited to explicit material.
We can lust after power.
We can lust after wealth.
We can even develop unhealthy fantasies about romance without any physical interaction being depicted in the story at all.
Someone can read a completely clean Christian love story and still begin to idolize the “perfect” character portrayed on the page. That is why filters and personal boundaries can be beneficial but ultimately, the Holy Spirit must be our primary guide.
Passion vs. Perversion
There is also an important distinction between passion and perversion. If we were to avoid every story that included any form of romantic affection or physical closeness, we would find ourselves struggling to even engage with Scripture. The Bible itself contains honest depictions of human relationships, marriage, and intimacy. In many ways, Scripture provides the clearest example of how love and desire can be portrayed in a way that honors God rather than glorifying the lust of our flesh.
As a Christian author, I believe there is room within Christian romance to explore godly intimacy and emotional depth without crossing the line into lust or perversion. This is a thoughtful conversation that deserves more space, and perhaps we can explore it together another time.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog post, it’s been a LONG time since I’ve updated the Writer’s Block, but I certainly plan to post more often. Feel free to check out my videos on TikTik or Instagram, @ValicityElaine and find long form content on YouTube @TheRebelChristian.
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God bless!