Peretti And Dekker—Thrillers

Hi,

I would like to thank you for your current book reviews. I would also request your opinion on the Christian thriller genre, and more specifically, the works of Peretti and Dekker. Thanks and God bless your ministry.

Hi,

I did some research on Frank Peretti quite a few years ago. He bills himself as a Christian writer. However, if "Christian" is the definition of a follower of Jesus, then this is simply a false moniker. Ephesians 5:11-13 tells the followers of Jesus, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." II Corinthians 6:14-15 tells us, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?"

The passage tells us to have no fellowship with the things of darkness, and that it is a shame to even speak of those things. What about writing of those things? Peretti has a most intimate knowledge of the inner workings of seemingly all things demonic and occult. When researching him, I found that which I read of his work oppressive. His books could be considered instruction manuals or indoctrination into the world of the occult, and no doubt have served both purposes repeatedly. His works are not Christian. Their goal is to be exciting—to be thrillers.

I will explain why "thrillers" are not the fare of the Christian reader shortly. But first, I want to ask the question that the "Christian" peddlers and marketeers hope to bury with all their hype—the question that they hope customers will never think to ask. How does Peretti acquire all his "insider" knowledge about the demon kingdom without any fellowship with the works of darkness? How does one develop such satanic insights without any communion with darkness? Lastly, what business does the follower of Christ have imbibing the cup of such familiarity with darkness?

I cannot offer much in the way of specifics on Ted Dekker or Showdown, though I suspect he is not at all far removed from Frank Peretti. First, they are working on a new novel together, and both authors receive rave reviews from the book-hawkers for their talents for depicting evil. I might note here that the "Christian thriller" pushers are quick to point out in their defense that the Bible contains evil and gore. However, though the Bible does recount instances of evil and violence because, due to the sinfulness of man, it is not only an unavoidable part of history, it is also an inescapable part of Bible history. But Scripture always treats it as a matter-of-fact detail that is part of a bigger picture with a spiritual goal. Marketing reviews of "Christian thrillers" try to paint these aspects as part of a bigger good-versus-evil picture aimed at the greater spiritual good of the audience. This, of course, is thinly veiled deception. In these dime-store novels, the scintillating aspects of evil and violence are used to create the captivating focus of the really "juicy" passages. And if the dirty side of humanity was treated the way it is in the Bible, these books simply would not sell a fraction of what they do.

This is why "thrillers" are not Christian fare. The term "Christian thriller" is an oxymoron. The terms are diametrically opposed. Consider the following definition of the noun thrill from Merriam-Webster: an instantaneous excitement : a tingling of or as if of the nerves produced by a sudden emotional reaction

Now consider Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Notice that the spirit of the Christian bathes itself in actions and emotions that directly relate to peacefulness.

Now consider Galatians 5:19-21: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Notice that each item in the list shares two things with the books by Peretti and Dekker—evil and excitement. Actually, the evil and excitement in these books are based on the items in the list. Notice that though I have reversed the order of these passages to coincide with the points that I make here, God has bundled them together as diametric opposites.

The passage goes on to say this: "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."—Galatians 5:24-25. The "thriller" appeals to the lusts of the flesh. The things of the Christian appeal to the peace of the spirit. Is there any question as to where the appeal of Peretti and Dekker falls in this picture? These authors have been heralded as purveyors of "Christian supernatural thrillers"—another oxymoron. Supernatural peace comes from the fruit of the Spirit, but from whence does supernatural evil and excitement come?

Sometimes it makes things clearer simply to put them in perspective according to God’s Word. I hope this has been some help in the answers for which you are looking.

May God bless you,

Jeff Zakula

Thank you for your reply. I would though like to put forth an idea. Is it not possible that authors merely try to put essential elements of the human walk into everyday perspective. Within Perrettis works ( noting Piercing the Darkness) use the characters failures and then show that main characters transformation through CHRIST which within Piercing the Darkness is a very powerful scene indeed. I must admit i know nothing of how Peretti came upon his knowledge. I believe that at least with Dekker and his Martyr's song series and The Slumber of Christianity the main motivation iss to share with the reader the true love and power of GOD. Thanks once again go well.

Hi again,

I’m glad that you asked this question. It is one that often needs answering. It is one of the greatest and most successful delusions used by these authors and sellers. This is the “righteous” defense that is brought to the rescue at any time that you, or I, or anyone else might genuinely question the validity of these “Christian” works. At first blush, it would seem as though there might be some truth to the idea that these works are trying to share something that Christians might need, or trying to share the true love and power of God. However, upon closer scrutiny we see that these two ideas simply will not wash.

First, the scriptures that I quoted in my answer to your last question plainly tell us that exploring the intricacies of occultism, and sensualizing the details of evil, gory and otherwise, do not relate to any essential elements of the human walk. Nor are they something of which anyone, Christian or otherwise, needs any greater perspective. We, as Christians, are warned not to even speak of these things. We can certainly conclude that we should not write of them either. So, who are the people who are deliberately contradicting God’s very adamant command on this issue? Are they Christians? Are they disobeying Him for His benefit, and to spread His Word?

Are they disobeying Him in order to spread the word about His power and love, as you asked? Well, let’s look to the authors, reviewers and readers for the answer. Whenever someone has done something long enough for results to be seen, the results are the reason for that person’s actions. If that person says that they are acting for reason “A,” and the results always come back as “B,” then regardless of what that person says, we can see for ourselves why he continues in that mode of action. What really, do you suppose, is the reason for making satanism such a well known part of our society? Is it really to share God’s love and power?

There is more of God’s love and power shared in the Bible than any one reader can ever absorb. God is Love, and Jesus is His Word, and His Word is the Bible. Where should Peretti and Dekker be sending readers to get the real scoop on God’s love? Is it that they think that they can do a better job of explaining God’s love than He can? Was God just a little inept at explaining Himself in His Word? And will these fellows do a better job of teaching God’s love by disobeying Him and teaching demonism? Do you see a disconnect anywhere here?

You mentioned Dekker’s works particularly. I urge you to look at those works closely. Then I urge you to look at his reviews. There are plenty on the internet. Is it God’s love and power about which those reviews rave? Oh, yes, there is always a tidy little mention in the header about the good versus evil message, but the points of interest are the evil, the macabre, the treachery, the danger, the suspense, etc. How often does a review rave about how God’s love is expressed? How often, while reading a Peretti/Dekker book will a reader find himself contentedly praising God’s love? Or will said reader find himself poring through page after page in a state of highly charged emotional turmoil?

I have to imagine that satan is just tickled pink. His propagandists introduce people to his ways of darkness, teach people of his occult power, and desensitize them to nearly every type of evil imaginable. All the while, they bring these things to the homes and hands of people who profess to be Christians, and are able to convince them to accept them with blessing. And, to top it all off, they bring it as emissaries of the Lord Jesus Christ. Wow! talk about a twofer!

I have asked a number of questions, but I would like to ask one more. Suppose that someone offered you a glass of pure white milk. However, before that person served you the milk, he mixed into it some evil-looking rat poison. Then he served it to you, and told you that milk is very essential to good health, and he wanted you to experience its healthful powers, and the rat poison was just to sort of put the power of milk and your health in perspective. Would you drink the milk? Do you feel that you could get the benefits of the milk and avoid the benefits of the rat poison? Will the results of drinking the same type of spiritual potion be much different to the soul?

I hope that I have encouraged you to take a closer look at these people and their “ministries.” I also hope that I have given you some ideas about what to look for. I believe that God does not want His people to support that which does not support Him and what He commands.

May God give you wisdom,

Jeff Zakula

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