Theological fiction is fictional writing which shapes or depicts people's attitudes towardstheologicalbeliefs.[1][2][3] It is typicallyinstructional orexploratory rather than descriptive,[4] and it engages specifically with the theoretical ideas which underlie and shape typical responses toreligion.[5] Theological fiction, as a concept, is used by boththeists andatheists, such as in fictional pantheons and cultures in theological fantasy literature.[6]
The subject matter of theological novels often overlaps withphilosophical novels, particularly when it deals with issues fromnatural theology (also calledphilosophy of religion). For example,Roger Olson notes that theproblem of evil is a feature of some significant theological fiction.[7]
Theological fiction also overlaps withreligious fiction orChristian novels (also calledinspirational fiction), especially when dealing with complex ideas such asredemption,salvation andpredestination, which have a direct bearing on attitudes towards religious practices.[8] Some authors try to distinguish atheological novel as one which denotes a more idea driven plot, rather than a novel which is about people who happen to be interacting with religion,[9] but the distinction often proves difficult to sustain when ideas and actions are closely interwoven, each influencing the other.[10]
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Examples of the genre (also callednovellae) include:
| This list has noprecise inclusion criteria as described in theManual of Style for standalone lists. Pleaseimprove this article by adding inclusion criteria, or discuss this issue on thetalk page.(June 2023) |
Examples of theological long fiction include:
Individual stories can be linked in series to constitute acomposite novel or ashort story cycle, where a group of stories interact to convey a richer or fuller story than any of the single elements can.[11]
Examples of linked series of theological fiction include: