Christian media

"Christian TV" redirects here. For the singer, see Christian TV (musician).

Christian media refers to media that is Christian, or refers to various aspects of mass media which is primarily targeting the Christian demographic. As a genre its conventions originated in sermons, literature, and gospel music, and it has been adapted into film, radio, video games, and contemporary music.

Christian literature

Main articles: Christian literature and Christian novel

Christian books, a segment of Christian media which typically communicates the core elements of the Christian faith to non-believers, or publishes books to help develop and inform the beliefs of adherents. Examples include Gospel Light , whose focus is on Children's Christian Education, Plough Publishing, ^[1] Concordia Publishing House and David C. Cook. Some traditional Christian publishers are converting to online publishing. As evangelicals don't have a central authority, publishers and bookstores are de facto gatekeepers of theology. ^[2]

Christian literature is a vast and diverse body of writing that includes various genres and forms. While the Bible itself is not typically considered literature, it is highly regarded for its literary qualities, especially in the King James Version. Christian devotional literature focuses on helping individuals strengthen their faith and relationship with God.

Christian non-fiction includes theological works, letters, and biblical commentaries, with a long history dating back to early Christian times. Allegory has been a prominent literary form, using symbolic stories to convey Christian truths, seen in works like The Divine Comedy and The Pilgrim's Progress .

Christian fiction, which may not always have explicit Christian themes, became more distinct in recent decades, especially within a conservative Evangelical subculture. It is often marketed to Christians and includes works by authors like Tim LaHaye, Frank Peretti, and Francine Rivers. The genre has also diversified into niche markets, such as Catholic fiction, Mormon fiction, and Mennonite literature.

Christian poetry and theatre, including medieval mystery plays and modern evangelical theatre, also contribute to the literary tradition. Additionally, Christianity & Literature is a scholarly journal that explores the relationship between literature and Christian thought.

Notable Christian literary works span from ancient texts like the Bible to modern writings such as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Last Temptation of Christ . Many of these works, such as Paradise Lost by John Milton and The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, have had a lasting impact on literature and culture.

Forms of Christian media

Audiovisual media

• Christian film is a film genre. Many forms of Christian films are now widespread, from full length, feature films to short and discussion orientated clips. Modern streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have productions in the format, and some like Great American Pure Flix focus on it in particular. ^{[3] [4]}
• Christian radio, a radio format of music and programming that, within itself, includes several sub-formats. These include Contemporary Christian music, Urban contemporary gospel, Southern Gospel, inspirational music, children's programming which include Adventures in Odyssey and Patch the Pirate, talk radio, and formats which include primarily preaching and/or instructional programming.
• Christian television, which may include broadcast television or cable television channels whose entire broadcast programming schedule is television programs directly related to Christianity, such as Trinity Broadcasting Network and Christian Broadcasting Network (the world's largest religious television networks), ^{[5] [6]} or individual shows including televangelism, comedy, action, drama, reality, dramatizations and variety shows, movies and mini-series; which are part of the overall programming of a general-interest television station. It includes popular television programs like The Chosen and VeggieTales .
• Christian video games are generally released by independent Christian developers, though sometimes a major company develops a game targeted at this audience.

Christian publishing

Christian publishing encompasses all forms of publishing of print media and digital media. It can include those covering a specifically Christian worldview, or even those intended for general audiences such as The Christian Science Monitor . ^[7]

• Christian newspapers, a small segment of Christian media which typically communicates news to members of the denomination or group which publishes the paper. Such newspapers often published weekly, rarely more frequently and often less frequently (bi-weekly, monthly). Examples include the Southern Baptist Convention, whose various state conventions often publish weekly or bi-weekly newspapers, also Christian Examiner and The Christian Post. Sometimes individual congregations will publish newspapers; one example is Southeast Christian Church, a megachurch in Louisville, Kentucky which publishes a weekly newspaper distributed throughout the metro area. Independent publishers have also produced Christian newspapers, often aimed at a specific group such as Roman Catholics. For much the same reasons as commercial newspapers such as the high cost of production and distribution, some Christian newspapers are converting to online publishing.
• Christian magazines, one of many special-interest groups within the magazine publishing industry. Christian magazines often focus on groups within Christianity, such as men or women, youth, or certain denominations. Many Christian magazines are published by denominations and independent ministries as an outreach to the unchurched or to the organization's supporters, frequently at no cost to the reader. One of the most well known is "Guideposts" magazine, published by Guideposts non-profit since 1945. Examples of denominational magazines include House to House Heart to Heart . Other Christian magazines are published commercially for a profit, and sold by subscription or by single copies through bookstores and other retailers. Examples include Christianity Today , Charisma , and Relevant.

See also

• List of Christian media organizations

References

1. "About Us". Plough. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
2. Graham, Ruth (12 July 2019). "The Decline of the Christian Bookstore". Slate . Retrieved 12 July 2019.
3. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/arts/television/house-of-david-the-chosen-amazon-prime-netflix.html
4. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/kateohare/2024/06/great-american-family-bill-abbott-mario-lopez/
5. Elaine Woo (2 December 2013). "Paul Crouch dies at 79; founder of the Trinity Broadcasting Network". The Washington Post . Retrieved 6 July 2014. He bought more television stations, then piled on cable channels and eventually satellites until he had built the world's largest Christian television system...
6. https://www.vox.com/culture/23755958/pat-robertson-christian-broadcasting-network-history-controversy-influence
7. https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Christian-Science-Monitor