Part One of my Christian Sci-Fi Writing Primer.
Science fiction, loosely defined, is any fiction whose premise is dependent upon speculative technology, or is about alternate worlds or futures. Thus, many suppose that science fiction must take place in the future; but that is not necessarily true. Alternate history works which require technological developments beyond the time period (such as steampunk and dieselpunk) are also science fiction. Rational speculation is key to science fiction, and is in fact the major distinguishing factor between sci-fi and fantasy: while fantasy is speculation on the supernatural, sci-fi is at least partially grounded in physics and natural laws as we understand them.
The first step to writing science fiction is to choose your time period. Are you writing in an alternate history? If so, will it be past, near-future, or far-future (relative to our time)? If not, the same questions apply. Science fiction set in the past is along the lines of steampunk or dieselpunk; rewriting history with technology. Near-future science fiction is set from the present to fifty (yes, those are my arbitrary numbers) years in the future. Essentially, near-future takes current technological developments and extrapolates from them for the next few years. Far-future science fiction is set a hundred or more years in the future, where technology is far more developed (or, in some cases, far more regressed). The time period you choose will inform and influence all the other decisions you make about your work.
As science fiction is based on informed, rational speculation, you should be sure you have at least a basic understanding of the scientific theories from which you will be extrapolating the technology of your world. Wikipedia, while not a rigorous enough site for research projects, is an excellent resource for developing a basic understanding of advanced scientific theories.
Of equal importance to the scientific foundation is the spiritual foundation of your work. The scientific foundation is there so your work is taken seriously; the spiritual foundation must be there if you want your work to make a difference. A common belief among authors is that if their sci-fi is to be considered ‘Christian’ it must be set in Earth-future, and the Christianity must be obvious. I dispute both points.
First, if God has given us the ability to dream of alternate worlds and dimensions beyond ours, why should we not use that ability for his glory? Let us not limit ourselves to writing about the future of Earth. While Earth-future sci-fi is certainly important (how else can we provide a Christian view of why history is unfolding the way it is?), we should not neglect other dimensions and alternate or parallel universes. Sometimes, by placing eternal truths in a world altered in some way from ours, those truths can be better highlighted and delivered.
Second, while your work should certainly be based on God’s law and truth, a straight delivery of Christianity can often drive away a reader who would otherwise have followed your work through to the end and been edified through it. Christianity, if present in any overt form, should be woven elegantly through the work. It should not be a sudden, glaring occurrence: the world in which you write should be constructed in such a way as to allow the presentation of the gospel message in a manner that is at once winsome and consistent.
Does that require more work than just tacking on a Christian message? Yes, it does.
Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Science fiction and Christianity are not irreconcilable. Though you may hear that argument from many, both in the church and outside it, do not believe them. That particular lie has been spawned by the neglect and disdain with which Christians have treated science fiction through the years. We have allowed the genre to become dominated by a liberal, humanistic view of the universe– and this is inexcusable. We must claim the genre for Christ and turn it to His glory; and the only way we are going to accomplish that is by beating the Enemy at his own game.
I think we can write better than any of the well-meaning, but admittedly shortsighted, secular authors in circulation, don’t you? Let’s get to work, then.
Remember to come back next week for Part Two of this series: Common Technologies and their Usage.
Useful Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction
http://www.writing-world.com/sf/genres.shtml
http://wherethemapends.com/main.htm
Non-fiction books (for the beginner):
Physics of the Future by Michio Kaku
The Future of Spacetime by Stephen Hawking et al.
Fiction books (favorites of mine and an excellent cross-section of science fiction genres):
Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis
Oxygen by Randall Ingermanson and John B. Olson
The Icarus Hunt by Timothy Zahn
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
The Green Book by Jill Paton Walsh
Enchantress from the Stars by Sylvia Engdahl
Mars: Year One trilogy by Brad Strickland and Thomas E. Fuller
Firebird by Kathy Tyers
Arena by Karen Hancock (some sensuality)
Dream Thief by Stephen R. Lawhead
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card (language advisory)
Empire by Orson Scott Card (language advisory)
Short story collections:
Robot Dreams by Isaac Asimov
Cascade Point by Timothy Zahn
Tri-World Stories 