Frame, Filter, Focus

In the world of Christian fiction, stories are shaped by the author’s Christian worldview—the lens through which they frame right and wrong, filter life’s challenges, and focus on themes of redemption and hope. In this guest post, author Beth E. Westcott explores how your moral system as a writer determines how characters navigate sin, consequences, forgiveness, and grace within a fallen world. Whether crafting contemporary romance, romantic suspense, or mystery, writing from a biblical worldview allows authors to portray authentic struggles while pointing readers toward truth, healing, and the steadfast promises of Scripture.

Your moral system is your concept of right and wrong – what you consider good and bad behavior. As an author, the world you build for your stories includes a moral system which is conveyed in the plot and characters.

The way you think and live, your belief system on which your moral system is based, is your worldview.

“A worldview is the lens through which we see and interpret the world, ourselves, and others.” (https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whatisaworldview)

An author’s worldview is revealed through their writing.

Dan Barlowe wrote, “Pick a subject, genre, reader target, or any other book type – fiction or nonfiction – and the message that shines through most prominently reflects the author’s view of God, whether they are a Christian or not.” (https://stevelaube.com>christian-authors are-special)

A Christian author’s worldview, their framework for thinking and looking at the world, is filtered through the truths taught in the infallible Word of God and moral absolutes, whereas the secular worldview is based on the concept of no moral absolutes.

To connect with readers, your characters must struggle with real life issues and respond in authentic ways according to the world’s moral system. They are flawed, displaying bad habits
and making mistakes and wrong choices. They sin.

But the purpose of writing from a Christian worldview is not to glorify sin or brokenness. Sin has consequences.

In my contemporary romance Her Heart’s Longing, Katie Mann regrets compromising her Christian moral standards as a teen when she allowed intimacy with her boyfriend and found herself pregnant. Although she believes God has forgiven her, she has difficulty leaving the past behind her. Her heart broke when circumstances made it necessary for her to give her baby up for adoption.

God created a perfect, balanced, orderly world for us (Genesis 1,2). Because of sin, both humans and nature are cursed. War, disease, and natural disasters, along with the pain and suffering of everyday life create disorder, discord, and disorganization. Our world is populated by sinful people.

A novel with a Christian worldview won’t hide that evil exists and that people are sinners. Because everyone is a sinner by birth and shows evidence of a fallen nature in their lives, the themes of hope and redemption are strong in Christian novels.

Ethel Herr defines a Christian writer as a believer at worship, and states that all our writing should be done as an act of worshiping the God of the universe. (Herr, Ethel. An Introduction to Christian Writing, 2nd ed. Phoenix: Write Now Publications, 1999. p.23) Christian authors have a stewardship to do everything for God’s glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17) You and I are God’s messengers to encourage fellow believers, point others to the Lord, and to bring hope to a dying world. Romans 15:4 “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” NKJV

We want to portray our characters honestly and in a way that teaches truth about human nature and our relationship with God.

Our writing becomes a lens through which readers can view the difficulties and twists and turns of life and living out faith in a fallen world, acting as a bridge between God and humanity.

Title:  Her Heart’s Longing

Author: Beth E. Westcott

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Other books in this series: A Heart’s Journey and Heart’s Desire

In her heart, registered nurse Katie Mann carries the painful memories of her teen pregnancy and the baby boy she gave up for adoption. Only the people closest to her remember that time in Katie’s life.

She can’t convince the baby’s biological father, the charming and fickle Nathan West, she isn’t interested in giving him a second chance for a relationship.

When she meets Jackson Stone, a former college classmate at the senior citizen residence where she works as a nurse, sparks ignite. Jackson, the grandson of Katie’s favorite resident at the Senior Home, thinks she’s hiding something, but that doesn’t stop him from pursuing a relationship with her. Katie can’t deny her growing love for Jackson, but she’s afraid to tell him the truth about her past.

Will telling Jackson the truth keep Katie from the man she loves and the family she longs to have?

 

A life-long lover of books and reading, Beth has five published Christian romance novels: Meadow Song and Melody of Life in the Love’s Refrain series; Heart’s Desire, A Heart’s Journey, and Her Heart’s Longing in The Three Sisters series. She also has one romcom novella, Snowflakes and Puppy Love, included in the Pets Amore collection.
First with Child Evangelism Fellowship and then in pastoral ministry in several churches, Beth worked alongside her husband for 38 years, teaching Bible classes to children, teens, and women, and participating in church music ministry. A 4-H member for nine years, she became a 4-H leader when her children joined 4-H, and she homeschooled her children for twelve years. She enjoys reading, music, gardening, sewing, and photography.
Beth is married to Frank, and they have three adult children and five granddaughters. She now resides with her husband in Otego, New York.

You can learn more about Beth by visiting her website: https://www.bethewestcott.com/about-2/