tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post23674608941173856..comments2023-12-06T10:29:59.146-10:00Comments on The Artist Librarian: And They Said Speak Now - In Defense of Christian RomanceThe Artist Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187257954496922578noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-80799973819703081702015-11-01T12:51:53.583-10:002015-11-01T12:51:53.583-10:00Thanks for the mention, Lisa. I can't say YES ...Thanks for the mention, Lisa. I can't say YES loudly enough for candid, relevant discussions about sex and temptation and GOD's design for what HE created. We must be willing to not only approach the subject but encourage the asking of questions and engage in the personal conversations that will prepare our youth and young adults to make wise decisions. Christian fiction is an excellent place for all of that to happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-30818038058773275142015-10-31T22:36:27.558-10:002015-10-31T22:36:27.558-10:00Thank you for commenting, Jebraun (and for the boo...Thank you for commenting, Jebraun (and for the book recommendation)! I actually haven't read any of Francine Rivers' books yet --I know my mom has some of her titles. I should check and see if "A Bridge to Haven" is one of them. =)The Artist Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187257954496922578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-66063942528785155132015-10-31T22:09:18.511-10:002015-10-31T22:09:18.511-10:00Thank you for your thoughts, Lynne! I think there...Thank you for your thoughts, Lynne! I think there definitely is a line as to what is appropriate in a romance novel, but the Christian fiction books I've read have never crossed it ... The Artist Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187257954496922578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-34750487877906126572015-10-30T18:44:41.753-10:002015-10-30T18:44:41.753-10:00I agree! I've read some great contrasting exam...I agree! I've read some great contrasting examples in Christian books recently where sex is treated as a cheap commodity by the world, and yet still portrayed as a passionate and desirable experience in marriage. Francine Rivers' book "A Bridge to Haven" comes to mind. I'm glad there are authors tackling this subject even if it might make some uncomfortable. Thanks for bringing up such an important issue! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00455806643846195922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-16466321864338607732015-10-29T15:53:16.404-10:002015-10-29T15:53:16.404-10:00Thanks for the excellent blog! I agree that the su...Thanks for the excellent blog! I agree that the subject of passion/sensuality should not be avoided or buried under the carpet.I think we should teach that it should be handled in a godly way,that these feelings are nothing to be ashamed of but,are not to be cheapened either. I also totally agree that Christian Fiction Romance books should be as diverse as the reading public As long as it`s done in the proper way I think there can be a good balance between the "sweet and the "passionate" types of romance.Lynne Feuersteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17074608501047295336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-14276415952226473782015-10-29T15:38:45.801-10:002015-10-29T15:38:45.801-10:00Thanks Shantelle! I agree, we need to keep the re...Thanks Shantelle! I agree, we need to keep the reader in mind and I like how you said "mature audience" rather than naming an age. I might not recommend Julie's books to, say myself at 14. However, if there was a Christian girl who attended a public school and regularly read general market YA romances, I would consider recommending Julie's work. The Artist Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187257954496922578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-38924117347745196052015-10-29T15:31:26.238-10:002015-10-29T15:31:26.238-10:00Thanks for sharing, Bonnie! I know we all have di...Thanks for sharing, Bonnie! I know we all have different levels of what is "appropriate sensuality" --but that doesn't mean that books like Julie's aren't Christian. I remember seeing one reviewer call her books smut --perhaps to her it was, but it really not an accurate description when you look the romance publishing industry as a whole. The Artist Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187257954496922578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-19253368640999766682015-10-29T14:45:05.075-10:002015-10-29T14:45:05.075-10:00Thanks for the link, Lisa! I'll have to check ...Thanks for the link, Lisa! I'll have to check it out. I stumbled upon Phylicia Delta's blog and I've been recommending her writing to all the Christian young adults I know. Been looking for more authors ... The Artist Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187257954496922578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-51508438895172255692015-10-29T14:33:30.765-10:002015-10-29T14:33:30.765-10:00Thanks for stopping by, Jennette! Exactly. I don&...Thanks for stopping by, Jennette! Exactly. I don't think Christan Romance has to be either/or --why can't we have both and variations within that spectrum? It also can be that a novel might not be appropriate for you in a certain time of your life --As a college student, Julie Lessman's novels are relevant and impactful in a good way, but ten years prior, it wouldn't have been appropriate for where I was at the time. :)The Artist Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187257954496922578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-84252117434676467832015-10-29T14:14:39.719-10:002015-10-29T14:14:39.719-10:00"If we don't explain it to young women in..."If we don't explain it to young women in the correct Christian context, who will?" Dina, I completely agree. While I can understand and respect wanting protect children, teens need to be able to begin to explore these types of topics while there are adults in their lives to help them navigate and build their personal ethics and stances. Similar to what I said to Carolyn, I'm beginning to see how important it is for that personal, Christ-centered motivation. If it's just rules that guide you, what happens when the "rule enforcers" or your guardians aren't a regular part of your life? I think novels like yours can encourage young adults to think about these issues and hopefully spark discussions with the adults in their lives. If I had children, that's definitely one way I would use fiction. I don't want to sound too much like a librarian, but fiction, while entertaining, can also be a powerful tool. Thanks for commenting!The Artist Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187257954496922578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-10812177667347705902015-10-29T14:12:06.125-10:002015-10-29T14:12:06.125-10:00There was a debate over the abstinence-only sex ed...There was a debate over the abstinence-only sex education in the public schools in my area a couple of years ago. Of course, those against this program claimed "abstinence doesn't work" --Frankly in the culture we live in, I agree up to a point: If you don't have a personal and higher motivation or purpose, like a personal relationship with Christ, why should you wait until marriage? Everything else in our world is saying if you love each other (or just feel attracted), you can engage in physical intimacy. In other words, I don't think abstinence-only will really work unless you have that personal motivation (and support from God). It can't just be a rule you're not supposed to break. :) The Artist Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187257954496922578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-1773307153625372172015-10-29T12:53:58.602-10:002015-10-29T12:53:58.602-10:00Great thoughts! Thanks for writing this post! ^_^ ...Great thoughts! Thanks for writing this post! ^_^ I agree that Christian authors can totally show romance in a beautiful, wonderful, and godly way! I think certain romance books, (like Julie Lessman's), are definitely for a mature audience ... and we should be careful about that. But otherwise, it great when this topic is approached in a lovely, godly way in Christian books! :) :)Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-2531398122551315262015-10-29T11:42:41.209-10:002015-10-29T11:42:41.209-10:00Thanks for stopping by, Caryl (I love how your nam...Thanks for stopping by, Caryl (I love how your name is spelled, BTW)! Uncomfortable issues are ones I think we really need to talk about as the Church. It's already out there --We can't pretend sexual temptation isn't a real part of what we all (whether young or old) face regularly. The Artist Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187257954496922578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-66092080727462448492015-10-29T10:59:10.739-10:002015-10-29T10:59:10.739-10:00I totally agree!! I'm quite a bit older than y...I totally agree!! I'm quite a bit older than you, but not only were there no discussions about sexuality through my church when I was a teen-ager - but none at home, either. One of the reasons being a teen-ager was more difficult than it should have been. Why are churches so afraid to discuss a topic mentioned so many times in the bible??<br /><br />Just one of the many reasons why I love Julie Lessman's books so much - it always surprises me when I hear of someone opposed to her books for the appropriate sensuality in them. Makes me wonder how happy they are in their marriages. I only wish Julie's books had been around when I was a teenager many years ago. <br /><br /><br />Thanks for your excellent post - shared!! Bonnie Roofnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-82947649744748577132015-10-29T09:50:43.534-10:002015-10-29T09:50:43.534-10:00Great post! You should check out Beth Steury's...Great post! You should check out Beth Steury's blog about abstinence and renewed abstinence. She shares a similar passion to yours and clearly she's meeting a need because her posts get ten thousands of views. https://bethsteury.wordpress.com/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852122109410125097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-76697767184218698802015-10-29T04:05:09.373-10:002015-10-29T04:05:09.373-10:00Great post! I agree. And I like how you put it. Es...Great post! I agree. And I like how you put it. Especially that one type of story is not for everyone, and both can be equally enjoyed. Thanks for sharing on such a sensitive topic. J. L. Mbewehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09829569927194713466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-39437662524378745312015-10-29T03:54:20.168-10:002015-10-29T03:54:20.168-10:00I write Christian YA for older teens through adult...I write Christian YA for older teens through adults, and I've come under a little bit of fire for including that sensation of early sexual awakening in my books. But I feel if we don't explain it to young women in the correct Christian context, who will? One of the things I feel strongly about, is that I don't want girls to feel guilty or dirty over natural responses their bodies might have. I want them to have healthy views about sex, and then make good quality decisions about waiting until marriage. I'm not backing down from this stance. In book 3 of my Valiant Hearts Series, I'm going to talk about it even more directly, when a young girl who wants to be a nun is confused by her responses to a boy. Hopefully those who have complained in the past will better see my heart for this issue by the more direct approach.Dina Sleimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-26163207818896424242015-10-29T03:50:24.299-10:002015-10-29T03:50:24.299-10:00I, too, think there's an important place for &...I, too, think there's an important place for "edgy" romance. I don't think we do anyone any favors by acting as if sexual temptation doesn't exist. How does that equip a person to resist it and maintain a health, integrated view of chastity (as opposed to merely abstinence)? I've written about it here: http://carolynastfalk.com/2015/08/10/why-the-edgy-end-of-the-spectrum-feels-like-home/Carolyn Astfalkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07932993312688206657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831666049800365834.post-43302771342200803782015-10-29T03:37:53.559-10:002015-10-29T03:37:53.559-10:00I agree the church needs to address the uncomforta...I agree the church needs to address the uncomfortable issues. No more burying the head in the sand! Thank you for this timely post!Caryl Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03446868830897710358noreply@blogger.com