I wrote a post like this for Mirrobius, because I realized that if someone went looking for more information about me before reading it and saw that I’m a minister, they might assume certain things about the content of the story. My biggest concern was that potential readers might think that it was “Christian fiction.”
I have the same concern about how people react to Dunamis, which is why I’m writing this again. The short answer, which I wrote in a post addressing that issue for Mirrobius, is the same, so I’ll just quote it here:
Let’s not bury the lede too deep: no. Mirrobius is not that kind of book. At all. Yes, I’m an ordained minister, but I felt zero need to write that kind of story. Not only did that not even cross my mind, but I find most “Christian art” to be schlocky, heavy-handed, poorly made, and theologically embarrassing.
I still feel that way about “Christian art.” Just for the record.
But besides that, I do still consider Dunamis a spiritual book. My definition of “spiritual” has to do with one’s sense of connection to oneself and to wider existence, including one’s concept of the transcendent regardless of what we name it.
The spiritual themes are more overt in this book, because there is an actual clergy character. He is not Christian, although the religious system may sound familiar enough. The world of his belief tradition is explored briefly, and he is a close trusted companion to many who rely upon him for counsel. Several conversations occur where he provides that counsel, including helping characters deal with their uncertainty about their place in the universe.
Characters wrestle with issues related to identity, family, and trauma. They have plenty of spiritual concerns to work through as the story unfolds.
So yes, Dunamis is a spiritual book. But I assure you that it is certainly not that kind.
Dunamis is now available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, and Smashwords.
Jeffrey A. Nelson 