September 24, 2024

231. Should Readers Look for ‘Clean’ or ‘Wholesome’ Stories?

1 hour 7 minutes

Christian parents often ask whether stories for their kids have bad words and bad language. Today they’re also asking: “Does this story have Agenda?” Often they look for clean stories, that is, stories empty of objectionable elements. But do readers of all ages really need only clean fiction? Instead of stopping at minimalist stories that don’t contain obvious poisons, shouldn’t we also seek stories that are full of nutrients—stories that are wholesome?

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We love to approach this “clean” topic from many different directions.

We’ve already asked whether this cleanliness is really next to godliness.

But this isn’t that episode. Here we ask if we should stop at clean fiction.

Or do we build on that foundation and seek fiction that’s even better?

We start by offering an alternative word for what many Christians want.

We’re talking mainly about casual conversation, not Official Book Policy.

So if you seek out “clean fiction,” keep at it! But be challenged anyhow.

Labels help shape our imaginations, giving sound/ideas to assumptions.

It may seem odd to say “this word, not that,” but we’ll explain why here.

Quotes and notes

81. Should Christians Use ‘Clean Fiction’ to Fight a Dirty World?

155. How Might Sentimentalism Threaten Christian Fiction?

169. Should Christian Stories Feel Free to Show Cussin’ and Fightin’?

1. What do we mean by ‘clean fiction’?

The word “clean” brings a many images and cultural assumptions.

For our last “clean” episode 81, we used an image of shiny soap bubbles.

We may also think about spiritually “clean” foods or natural ingredients.

2. What do we mean by ‘wholesome’ fiction?

Where clean implies absence of bad things, wholesome is opposite.

Wholesome implies good, nutritious ingredients that help you grow.

Clean means “isn’t bad.” Wholesome means better: “is actively good.”

3. Do we disregard clean and seek the wholesome?

Stephen believes: yes, again, in how we casually talk about stories.

Many readers believe that clean quickly denotes anything offensive.

But many other readers see the exact opposite: clean means false.

That’s because, clearly, real life isn’t clean, and stories are best realistic.

But critics should note: real life does include clean elements, after all.

This reality is best described by the word wholesome; it can be unifying.

Wholesome also encourages us to consider different maturity levels.

Most folks assume clean means “suitable for kids”; wholesome can vary.

Scripture itself would not be considered clean, but it is wholesome.

God, the Author, has given us His word not just to keep out bad stuff.

He invites us into His true Story that is about growing to be like Jesus.

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