This is an excellent question, and my answer relates back to my answers for the last two questions:

• Yes, I do think the hero and heroine in a Christian romance novel need to be Christians.
• Yes, I do like Christian fiction with a strong Christian message, as long as it doesn’t cross the line into being preachy.

If I’m reading a novel where a Christian and a nonChristian are heading into a romantic relationship, then I want the nonChristian character to become a Christian before the relationship is established.

And I want to see that decision on the page.

I want to know what events and thought processes have led that character to change their minds, and I want to see it. God celebrates when someone becomes a Christian (Luke 15), so we should too. If the character’s conversion is a throwaway line in the middle of an action scene or before a kiss, then I’m less likely to believe it.

But I also don’t want the conversion scene to be preachy.

I want it to feel true to life and real for that character, and in line with their personality as shown in the novel.

Yes, some people become Christians after though an altar call at church after listening to a hellfire and brimstone sermon. If that’s what happens to your character, great, but we don’t need to read the entire sermon.

Many people are led to Jesus through the still small voice that speaks to them and their specific background and spiritual need.

Characters are the same … or should be.

Yes, I want to see conversion scenes if the hero or heroine isn’t already a Christian.

Yes, I want to see that scene on the page.

But the scene needs to be specific to that character, not something generic.

That way, it’s more likely to feel real and authentic, and it’s less likely to come across as preachy.

What about you? What’s your view on conversion scenes in Christian fiction?