I'm interested in getting a spectrum of opinions on this.
Many authors write with a messianic representation in their fiction works. I've always been of the opinion that this is more than less a form of idolatry and diminishes the gospel (small "g" due to context) message. No one seems to handle this as well as Lewis but there's still a lot of problems with his portrayal of the Christ-type via Aslan. And of course there's The Shack and it's "way out there" portrayals which are abysmal to the point of heresy (my take on it).
Is specific messianic metaphor, simile or subtext okay and acceptable in modern fiction?
I pretend to be a writer on occasion and this issue had always been of great interest to me. I try to avoid any Christ-types and implore people to start with reading the book of John if their curious about Christ, and then go on from there rather than search for truth in fiction.
And then taking it further, how far should a writer consider going with any other biblical metaphor, simile or subtext?
LOTR is chock-full of Christ figures.
Tolkien wrote it so that people who normally do not get the gospel or know anything about Christ will have something in their minds that will make them ready for the gospel---somebody said that and I think they were correct IMO.
The "Old Man And The Sea."
Christ figures are part and parcel of Western literature---but probably not for much longer.
I've been locked away in license renewal course all day and haven't been near my PC until now.
I've intentionally avoided writing a Christ figure into my story line until now. If there was a direct Biblical analog, it would be the era of post flood Noah through Moses/Joshua. The fifth book in the series may veer that way, sort of. That's why I'm looking for feedback and opinion.
The right move. I had a copy from the Library. I forced my way through it and felt sick and sorry for "persevering" to the end. It's horrifying that people find spiritual encouragement or enlightenment from reading it.
It's an intimidating task to consider writing a frictional Christ-type. There's so much to get wrong, so easy to unintentionally miscommunicate and or mislead.
The Old Man And The Sea is heart-wrenching...love it.