Apologetics Fiction

What is apologetics fiction?

Apologetics fiction entertains readers like any good story, but it also seeks to answer readers’ questions about God, Jesus, the Bible, and life.

Why does this matter?

#1: This trending genre matters because varied studies report that 50 to 70 percent of young Christians today walk away from the church even before they get to college. Why? Because their parents, pastors,  and schools aren’t answering their questions about God and Christianity.[1]

Let’s get real, most young adults won’t study tomes on Christian apologetics to find answers to their questions about God. But they will read a good story. The Revelation of Emery Audubon and other apologetics fiction is an innovative way to take the gospel to the streets, tell others about Jesus Christ, and invite them to ask hard questions about faith — while enjoying a good story!

#2: Apologetics fiction also provides a compelling alternative to the overdose of stories about witches, wizards, fairies, zombies, and time travel. Enough! And please spare us from sitting through another sword fight or car chase scene!! Famous screenwriting coach Robert McKee says authors use these devises when they run out of story. Besides, sword fights and car chases don’t equip us to win our spiritual battles in real life.

So, what does equip us to win our spiritual battles? Emery Audubon soon finds out, even though at first she’s not all that keen on confronting the evil that’s entrenched at her university and is now out to ruin her life.

#3: There’s one more reason apologetics fiction matters – the biggest reason. Jesus Christ has called his followers to “disciple the nations” (Matthew 28:18-20). This means not only sharing the gospel and other biblical truths with individuals and in churches, it also means discipling (reforming) our nation’s systems an institutions — education, the arts, science, religion, families, business, media, and yes, government — so that they reflect heaven on earth. This means being salt and light everywhere. It means making Christianity a force to be reckoned with in the midst of opposition in the public square.

The shocking truth is, if we Christians don’t disciple the nations the devil does, as evidenced by the steep downgrade in American cultural norms since the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.[2] While millions of individuals (including me) came to faith during. the Jesus Revolution and church services got livelier, this revival did not move on to reform our systems and institutions. Secular atheists filled the gap, reinventing schools, sports, “the science,” the arts, media, sexual boundaries, and much more. Meanwhile, many of us got sucked in, going along and getting along. And many churches took a nap.

Does discipling the nations sound like a job we secretly hope someone else does while we cheer from the sidelines? Apologetics fiction to the rescue. The Revelation of Emery Audubon models what discipling the nations can look like for you and me. Even if we’re not all that brave. And even if we’re young.

So, at the end of the day, what is Christian apologetics fiction? It’s taking God’s truth to the streets through story.

Interested in sharing your questions about God or your ideas for impact with Ann, or having Ann speak to your group? Contact her using the link below to start a conversation. www.annroecker.com/contact/

[1] For more on this topic, an excellent read is So The Next Generation Will Know: Training Young Christians For A Challenging World by Sean McDowell and J. Warner Wallace.

[2] Pastor Dutch Sheets observed this in his genius Give Him 15 post on February 2, 2024.