Author Guest Post: R. F. Whong -- Thunders over Idle Land

I am pleased to have Author R.F. Whong back on my blog for another guest post.

Dr. Wuwong (PhD in biochemistry, MBA in finance) has published 120+ scientific

books and papers (under her legal name) and a few Christian fiction books under R. F. Whong. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, a retired pastor. They served together at three

churches from 1987 to 2020. Her grown son works in a nearby city. She currently runs a small biotech company (www.vidasym.com) and has raised more

than twenty million US dollars during the past few years for Vidasym. In addition to her weekly newsletter and the platform (www.ruthforchrist.com), she’s active in several writers’ groups, including ACFW, Word Weavers, Facebook, and Goodreads. Through these connections, she plans newsletter/promotion swaps with others and has writers

endorse her books, write forewords, and host her on guest blogs. The Minnesota Anoka County Library has chosen her as a 2025 Featured Author.

Now for her post!

Where’s the Line for the Sake of the Gospel?

Recently, I noticed a recurring topic in several Christian writing groups on Facebook: how much is too much when it comes to depicting sex and intimacy in Christian fiction? The prevailing sentiment seems to be that authors of Christian fiction are expected to follow the time-honored “closed-door” rule—where romantic moments are alluded to, but never described on the page. It’s a standard that has shaped much of the Christian publishing world, and one that many see as non-negotiable.

And yet, I’ve rarely seen writers or readers address an important related question: what happens when Christian fiction is written—not for a Christian audience—but specifically to reach non-Christians? What should our approach be? Is there a different standard for authors who feel called to communicate the Gospel through stories that speak to the realities confronting those outside the church? Where is that elusive line? Who gets to draw it?

This isn’t just a theoretical discussion for me, but a real and sometimes painful dilemma. I’ve been a pastor’s wife for over thirty years and hold a PhD in biochemistry, with over 120 published scientific papers and books to my name. After retiring from academia, I felt a clear call from God: I should use my writing skills to craft novels exploring the themes of sin and redemption, but always with an eye toward reaching those who don’t yet know Christ.

Because of this mission, my stories do not shrink from real and often gritty issues, including topics like human trafficking, sexual assault, and abortion. I adhere to the adage that “less is more.” In fact, my editor—herself a committed believer—makes certain that any depiction of sex in my books doesn’t go beyond what can be found in the biblical Song of Songs. We make every effort to ensure that nothing is gratuitous or included for mere titillation. Rather, passionate moments are framed in the context of human struggles, and always serve the larger message of hope and redemption in Christ.

Still, I find myself caught in a difficult no-man’s-land. On one side, some non-Christian readers have praised my books for their honesty and powerful storytelling, though it’s not uncommon for them to comment that my books are “too Christian” for them. Yet on the other side, I have received harsh 1-star reviews from Christian readers who believe the briefest reference to sex is unacceptable—even if it’s integral to the plot.

At times, I can’t help but wonder if those Christians have ever studied the Song of Songs. The Bible itself contains some rather passionate imagery that is not in any way sanitized. If Scripture itself addresses desire, intimacy, and the brokenness of fallen love, shouldn’t Christians be more open to honest discussions of sexuality in literature, especially if those discussions point to hope, healing, and the Gospel?

This tension leaves me with a persistent question: Have other Christian writers experienced this dilemma? How do they navigate it?

In my heart, I believe that while writing fiction for those outside the church, If I aim to share the Gospel, then I must write about their wounds, their temptations, and their lived experience. Only then, I can point the way toward Christ. To do any less risks missing a precious opportunity.

Still, the question remains: Where is “the line” for Christian writers? Is it the same for every audience? I don’t have the answers, but I would value hearing from others who wrestle with these important tensions. Let’s encourage one another to write stories that are true, compassionate, and always anchored in the redemption power of the Gospel—wherever our “lines” might be drawn.

Here's about her book!

A hero's adventure...

Two eras, one troubled land, two men bound by parallel existences across centuries.

Book 2 in this dual-time odyssey series showcases the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

Jason Guan, an assistant director dedicated to environmental conservation in pandemic-stricken Hong Kong, is worried about job-related pressures and petty quarrels threatening his marriage to Debra. Amidst the chaos, they discover an unpublished manuscript by Debra’s late father, a celebrated writer, about a wronged man in nineteenth-century China. While Jason grapples with corruption and lax regulations in wetland preservation, he is thrust into dangerous waters.

In 1834, systemic corruption cripples China and ruins lives. Two weeks before Wang Jun is to marry his beloved fiancée, he is thrown into a maximum-security prison on a remote island without a trial. His only ally? A kung fu master and medical doctor imprisoned because of a riddle linked to the buried treasure of the pirate chief, Cheng Po-Tsai.

When greed and exploitation overshadow justice, these men must navigate their respective perils. With a suspenseful connection between the past and present, how do they fight against the insurmountable tides?

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