I recently spoke to a spec-fic novelist who signed a multi-book contract with my publisher Charisma House (formerly Strang Communications). My 
apologies for sounding like a shill, but as much as I talk about speculative fiction here, it is neat to see Charisma House assembling a a formidable crew of spec authors (Mike Dellosso, Conlan Brown, Greg Mitchell, Linda Rios Brook, myself, and the aforementioned author-to-be-named later). In an economy that appears to be tanking, how has CH managed to pull this off?
Agent Chip MacGregor, in a post regarding CBA trends, said this last year:
The fastest growing segment of Christianity is charismatic, and we have probably neglected to mention that some small charismatic houses (Strang, Destiny Image, Harrison House, etc) have recently sold a ton of books — so certainly somebody is buying their materials, whether they are in big ponds or small, and whether they are in general markets or not.
In the comments, it was clarified that charismatic books are not necessarily the fastest growing segment of the industry, but that the Charismatic movement is alive and well in the Church. Apparently, Charisma House has captured that fire, and as reported during Strang’s re-branding, “the company (CH) has become known as the leading charismatic/Pentecostal publisher in the world.”
At the moment, a growing group of speculative authors are part of this.
I am personally encouraged by this trend, for two reasons. The obvious reason is that CH has contracted me for two books. Secondly (and way more importantly) is my belief that Charismatic / Pentecostal theology better aligns (biblically and practically), with a supernatural view of the universe.
As I suggested in one of my all-time most popular posts, Why Supernatural Fiction is Under-Represented in Christian Bookstores, American Christians have been drifting from a supernatural worldview. This miracle-less, materialistic worldview has ravaged the Church. Supernaturalism has been replaced by naturalism. The miracles of the Bible are little more than crumbling monuments to a mythical age. In many denominations, it is easier to “come out” as being gay, than Charismatic.
So let me float this suggestion: One reason that Charismatic publishing is growing is because Charismatic theology better aligns with the real world. Statistics continue to reveal (as do our choices of TV programs, books, and films) that people believe in the supernatural. We believe in angels, demons, ghosts, unexplainable events, and the afterlife. We believe in weirdness! As a result, Christians are tiring of a world without wonder, a world where an all-powerful God is often perceived as silent, impotent, uninvolved, disinterested, and boring.
I am not privy to my publisher’s business model, sales figures, or marketing strategies. I don’t know what their year-end graphs reveal or predict. Nor did they pay me to write this post. However, like me and millions of others, Charisma House believes there is weirdness in the world.
And I am thrilled to be a part of it.
Bravo! The beauty of Charisma House is they will allow for the supernatural to be presented and contrasted to the world’s weird views of supernatural events. Depicting the weirdness but giving the redemptive view to the miraculous is courageous and honest. And hopefully profitable in that truth is rewarded to keep the stories which point to our Supernatural Savior and scripturally-based stories forthcoming.
Mike, are you familiar with continuationist beliefs? It’s like a cross between the more-Biblical parts of the “charismatic” movement and the Scripture-honoring parts of the “cessationist” side (which has an uphill climb, and some flawed exegesis, in trying to prove that only Special gifts have ceased now that the Word is all put together). This allows for the Biblical truth that even now, God may do miracles to point to His Word and His Gospel, such as the many reports from Muslims who say they dreamed of Jesus, telling them to read the Bible and believe in Him. Yet it also screens out the very wrong and often heretical beliefs of some who call themselves “charismatics” — such as “you are little gods” or of course the more-overt “health wealth” or “name it, claim it” stuff, that glorifies Gnostic-style secret knowledge and ignores God’s final revelation in Christ (Hebrews 1), greater than all previous prophets and revelations.
By the way, by default, I was “cessationist” all my life, until I read Bible Doctrine, Dr. Wayne Grudem’s condensed version of his own Systematic Theology. And it’s very hard Biblically to say that all “signs” or spiritual gifts, such as prophecy, have stopped — though Scripture often gives definitions of spiritual gifts that many Christians don’t know, or ignore (such as insisting that Paul’s “prophecy” gift is the same as Old-Testament future forecasting).
Stephen, I have never heard of Continuationism. Thanks for bringing it up. I’ll look into it.
I will have to look into the Pentacostals a bit more. Never been to a “charismatic” church before, although I’ve heard stories.
The manuscript I’m currently trying to place has one scene where the main character sees a “ghost”. Recently I thought about taking that part out, or switching it to a dream. But one of the reasons I put it in there in the first place is because family members have had “unexplained” experiences. I think more people than are willing to admit have weird experiences. Or know someone who has.
I personally am very glad God didn’t give me a hint of a sixth sense. I’m guessing He knew it would freak me out way too much.
Hey Mike,
Just started reading your book. So far, so good.
Keep up the good work!
Dave
Thanks, Dave! Love to know what you think when you finish. Email me…
Not to throw wrench in your marketing data but I am a Calvinist and I love SF. Granted I am a little different than most of my pew sitting southern baptist buddies in that fact but contrary to popular opinion they (we) do believe in gifts, Satan, and the Holy Spirit but for the most part don’t emphasize them, choosing rather to focus on the testable attributes of God.
So its not that we non-charismatics are not interested in SF or speculation of spiritual causes in general, we just came out it with a healthy amount of skepticism.
Yeah, I guess I should throw out there that I’m a Southern Baptist, too :p But I get what Mike’s saying.
I remember when X-Files first came out (ah, the glory days) and people were surprised to see it take off like wildfire. Now I’ve always been a fan of horror and monsters and I’ve heard endless Southern Baptist sermons demonizing such pursuits–but X-Files somehow crossed over! I remember seeing name drops to X-Files in Sunday School material–in a positive way! What those publications realized was that the X-Files’ popularity showed that people “wanted to believe”. I think the same can be said for why a company like Charisma House (my publisher, too, and thanks for the plug, Mike :D) continues to put out books in a genre (SF/F/H) aimed towards a market (Christians) that oftentimes denounces it or just try to avoid it as not “wholesome”. Yet, people are drawn to it, nonetheless, because I think everyone still has a little kid inside who wants to believe in magic and wonder again.
Now, I’ve never been in a Pentecostal church, but, if I’m reading Mike’s post correctly, that’s something that draws a lot of people to that particular denomination–that sense of mystery.
Again, I’m Southern Baptist, but my sense of wonder has not been extinguished–and I know many others in my neck of the woods who feel the same. I still hold to the belief that if God wanted me to sprout wings and shoot laser beams out of my eyes, it could happen :p And I think a lot of the mystery *has* been sucked out of the Bible in America–a lot of the supernatural possibilities–and it many times becomes watered down to “a good moral code to live by, but tell me how I’m going to pay my bills”, which is sad and, no doubt, inherintately dangerous. God offers so much more.
Greg and JC — I definitely didn’t mean to imply that charismatics have the corner of the theological market, nor that other systems don’t allow for miracles or the supernatural. Pentecostals and Charismatics do, however, have a more active inclusion of “experiential” faith elements than most denominations. I do stand by my comment that the Church is drifting toward a rather dead predictable materialism that dulls our innate thirst for wonder.
I didn’t even know there was a Charismatic publishing house that published fiction. I’m glad to see it, as I think the world of Christian readers is ready to read stuff that is non-denominational and controversy-free (as if that were possible…)
I’m a Bible-believing Christian and a Catholic convert (yes, it happens) and I do think that there is a trend in all branches of Christianity to focus on the naturalistic and avoid the scary supernatural stuff— which is the very stuff the folks in the secular world are out looking for…..
Historically, the supernatural has always been a big part of Christianity. Just looking back at stories about the saints in times past verifies that. Some really amazing stuff. But most people today figure the stories are made up, not true, because they can’t admit the presence of supernatural events beyond the Bible.
And it is one reason as an Orthodox that I feel comfortable expressing my weirdness in fantasy and sci-fi. While certainly the supernatural plays a greater part in Charismatic circles than some other denominations, there are groups with a 2000+ year history that are steeped in it as well.
I’m a Missouri Synod Lutheran. Actually, I’m a Christian, but I worship in an LCMS church. They are firm believers in the supernatural–of miracles, visions, angels, demons, etc. Just the fact that my pastor will go to a sick parishioner’s house and anoint the person with holy oil demonstrates this. He will also give house blessings that are more than mere rites–because he actually believes in the power of God’s blessings.
I’ve been to numerous charismatic and Baptist churches, too, and the pastors and elders at these churches might have been willing to pray and lay hands on somebody for healing, but it was always with reluctance and skepticism OR it had to be done during a special service set aside for healing, rather than caring for individual need when it arose. And, by the way, I’ll tell you my secret–I grew up in charismatic churches. They are my history. They were more concerned with coercing people to speak in tongues than in anything else, aside from shaming people who didn’t fit into their box/belong to their inner circle or club. Did they make mouth noises about the supernatural? Sure–they chanted. They did a hell of a lot of drum-beating and dancing, too.
People are people. Humans have difficulty with the supernatural much of the time, even those who believe in it. And, sadly, humans are essentially mean unless they rise above it. I’m not saying that LCMS Lutherans are more godly than other Christians. No, LCMS suffers from the fortunate consequence of being so small and unglamorous that it isn’t looking to score points by holding healing services.
I know, my cynicism is showing. I apologize. I don’t entirely agree with the Lutheran take on Christianity, either. I guess I’m just disagreeable.
I found this discussion by “chance.” I’m about to go to my second Christian Writers Conference. I went to the first 6 years ago and experience tremendous discouragement. The book I was encouraged to begin to write by a pastor was my story, “Beyond The Veil,” a testimony about my encounter with the demonic that took me to the edge of insanity and almost drove me to suicide. I survived through Christ and told the story for years in churches and then started counseling people with the same kind of problems. I took counseling to help me know how to help the people that were so desperate and afraid even to share their problems in a church setting.
As far as the writing … after looking for a Christian critique group and there was none to find in my area, I found a secular group that was very interested in the supernatural and actually showed me more grace than some of the Christians that do not want to admit the reality of the spirit realm.
I come from a Cuban family that practiced the occult. One by one through the Lord’s intervention they have come to Christ. I know the power of God to save and deliver. I also know that God at times has given me supernatural guidance to help the oppressed. I hope to share my stories with the Body Of Christ. I also have been blessed with a passion to write and enjoyment for non-fiction and fiction writing. I believe for the Body of Christ that is curious yet easily offended by talk of demons and healings, fiction is a better way to go. I’m presently writing fictional stories about the supernatura. Thank The Lord for publishers like Charisma. May He continue to bless you. There’s a great need out there. My most blessed times in counseling have been when someone I counseled says to me, “The voices are gone.” Amarilys Gacio Rassler
can you please add me to your newsletter?
Thanks. I was considering submitting my nonfiction book (once complete) to Charisma House, but I needed an outsiders view.
This is a very interesting topic. One reason I write Christian fantasy is because the churches in my area allow for so little expression of spiritual gifts. Perhaps it’s because they’re afraid of all the excesses out there, questionable spiritual manifestations and the like. In the particular area where I live, the churches tend to be very ordered and established, with set routines and programs that leave little room for change. Evangelism is the only real area where I as an author and illustrator seem to “fit in.” Maybe the reason church in America has become so dry and boring for so many of us is so that we will be motivated to reach out and spread the gospel to those who haven’t heard it.
I for one hate to feel like a sheep stuck in a pen with ninety-eight others baaing for attention – a potentially suffocating situation – when I could be traveling with the shepherd seeking the one lost sheep. Writing Christian fantasy books is one way of reaching out to others. I’m praying to find the right publishing house even as I write tracks for mission trips.