{"schema":"https://ver.cy/schemas/card/1.0.0","id":"vr.tr.christian-literature","code":"thing-q1084059","url":"https://ver.cy/models/thing/q1084059/","name":"Christian literature","alternateNames":["church history","Christian poetry","devotional literature","Christmas poetry","patristic literature","Catholic literature","Hesychast literature","haiyasho","Himmelsbrief","gnostic literature","Mormon literature"],"kind":"thing","status":"published","version":"0.1.0-research.1","language":"en","classifiers":{"family":"Thing Registry","category":"Information and virtual systems","entryKind":"thing","plane":"INF","domain":["INF.MED"],"industry":[],"navPath":"","tags":[],"facets":{}},"whatItIs":"Christian literature is the cross-genre body of writings that articulate, interpret, transmit, or imaginatively engage Christian beliefs, practices, traditions, and experience, with boundaries that vary by scholarly, ecclesial, and publishing context.","purpose":"Enable an AI agent to recognise Christian literature, record the grounds and limits of that classification, assess textual and community status, and choose appropriate discovery, interpretation and reuse actions.","scope":{"in":["Evidence that a work engages Christian beliefs, narratives, practices or traditions in a way relevant to its literary classification","Christian literary purposes and forms, including devotion, theology, apologetics, testimony, fiction and poetry","Attribution to particular Christian traditions, audiences and interpretive communities","Community-specific scriptural, doctrinal, devotional and literary status","Translations, adaptations, editions and reception where they affect Christian meaning or classification"],"out":["Christianity as a religion and the truth or falsity of its theological claims","Churches, denominations and religious organisations as institutional entities","Authors' religious identities as sufficient grounds for classifying all their works","Generic bibliographic description, physical copy condition and file preservation","Religious visual art, music and performance except their literary components","Every historical or scholarly text mentioning Christianity irrespective of its purpose or reception"],"boundaries":[]},"distinguishingFeatures":["Classification requires evidence about the work's content, purpose, positioning or reception; an author's Christian affiliation alone is insufficient.","Christian literature crosses genres: being Christian fiction, devotional prose or theological poetry identifies different forms within the proposed category.","A work about Christianity may be external scholarship, criticism or Christian literary expression; its subject alone does not settle membership.","Scriptural or doctrinal authority must be attributed to a named community rather than inferred from the Christian-literature label.","Christian motifs used in satire, fantasy or cultural allusion require contextual assessment rather than automatic inclusion."],"structure":{"bundles":[{"id":"christian-category-boundaries","name":"Christian category boundaries","description":"Records why a literary work belongs to this category and where the classification remains contestable.","layers":[{"id":"membership-evidence","name":"Membership evidence","description":"Tests inclusion against evidence about the work and its positioning.","findings":[{"id":"grounds-for-christian-classification","name":"Grounds for Christian classification","description":"Record the proposed basis of membership, its supporting evidence and whose classification it represents.","questions":[{"text":"What sustained Christian content, declared purpose or documented reception supports classifying this work as Christian literature?","id":"grounds-for-christian-classification-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Who applied the classification, and does the evidence concern the work itself or only its author or publisher?","id":"grounds-for-christian-classification-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"adjacent-literary-categories","name":"Adjacent literary categories","description":"Separates Christian literary expression from related subject and motif classifications.","findings":[{"id":"subject-motif-and-purpose-boundary","name":"Subject, motif and purpose boundary","description":"Record ambiguous cases without forcing scholarship, satire or incidental biblical allusion into a religious category.","questions":[{"text":"Is Christianity the work's religious framework, an object of external study, a target of criticism or a source of occasional imagery?","id":"subject-motif-and-purpose-boundary-q01","kind":"boundary"},{"text":"Should this work receive overlapping classifications or remain an uncertain member pending closer reading?","id":"subject-motif-and-purpose-boundary-q02","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"literary-form-and-christian-purpose","name":"Literary form and Christian purpose","description":"Describes how literary technique serves religious, artistic or mixed purposes.","layers":[{"id":"form-and-rhetorical-intent","name":"Form and rhetorical intent","description":"Distinguishes literary form from the religious work the text is intended to perform.","findings":[{"id":"genre-purpose-pairing","name":"Genre and purpose pairing","description":"Record form and purpose separately, allowing mixed genres and competing interpretations.","questions":[{"text":"What literary form does the work take, and is its Christian purpose devotional, apologetic, theological, instructional, liturgical or otherwise described?","id":"genre-purpose-pairing-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Is that purpose stated in the text or paratext, or inferred by a later reader?","id":"genre-purpose-pairing-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"religious-voice-and-reader-use","name":"Religious voice and reader use","description":"Connects intended use to how religious statements are voiced within the work.","findings":[{"id":"voice-is-not-endorsement","name":"Religious voice and endorsement","description":"Distinguish narrator, character, poetic speaker and authorial claims before interpreting religious commitments.","questions":[{"text":"Which Christian statements belong to characters or speakers, and which are explicitly presented as the work's teaching?","id":"voice-is-not-endorsement-q01","kind":"boundary"},{"text":"What evidence supports recommending this text for devotion, instruction or literary study for the intended readership?","id":"voice-is-not-endorsement-q02","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"tradition-authority-and-reception","name":"Tradition, authority and reception","description":"Records community-specific affiliations, authority judgments and changing uses.","layers":[{"id":"community-and-authority","name":"Community and authority","description":"Attaches claims about tradition and authority to identifiable communities and evidence.","findings":[{"id":"situated-religious-status","name":"Situated religious status","description":"Record scriptural recognition, endorsement or other authority claims with their institutional or community scope.","questions":[{"text":"Which community recognises this work as scripture, authoritative teaching, recommended reading or ordinary literature?","id":"situated-religious-status-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"What dated community statement or documented practice supports that status, and which edition or text does it cover?","id":"situated-religious-status-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"reception-and-contestation","name":"Reception and contestation","description":"Records acceptance, reinterpretation and disagreement without replacing evidence with doctrinal adjudication.","findings":[{"id":"changing-community-readings","name":"Changing community readings","description":"Keep distinct records of how Christian communities and other readers have used or contested the work.","questions":[{"text":"Which communities have adopted, criticised or reinterpreted this work, and during what periods?","id":"changing-community-readings-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Does disagreement concern literary classification, theological teaching, suitability for readers or a particular translation?","id":"changing-community-readings-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"scriptural-intertexts-and-textual-transmission","name":"Scriptural intertexts and textual transmission","description":"Tracks Christian textual dependencies and meaning-sensitive changes between versions.","layers":[{"id":"scripture-and-tradition-links","name":"Scripture and tradition links","description":"Identifies explicit references and proposed allusions to Christian source texts.","findings":[{"id":"identified-christian-intertexts","name":"Identified Christian intertexts","description":"Record the referenced text and distinguish quotation, paraphrase, allusion and interpretive claim.","questions":[{"text":"Which scriptural passages, creeds or earlier Christian writings are quoted, paraphrased or invoked?","id":"identified-christian-intertexts-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Can the source version be identified, and is an alleged allusion explicit or dependent on a reader's interpretation?","id":"identified-christian-intertexts-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"translation-and-adaptation-effects","name":"Translation and adaptation effects","description":"Connects versions while recording changes that affect religious and literary interpretation.","findings":[{"id":"meaning-sensitive-version-differences","name":"Meaning-sensitive version differences","description":"Record how translation, abridgment or adaptation changes Christian terminology, narrative or explanatory framing.","questions":[{"text":"Which source text underlies this translation or adaptation, and who made the relevant changes?","id":"meaning-sensitive-version-differences-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Do changes to theological vocabulary, biblical quotations or narrative episodes affect the intended interpretation or use?","id":"meaning-sensitive-version-differences-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"edition-selection-and-permitted-use","name":"Edition selection and permitted use","description":"Supports choosing and using a particular expression or edition of Christian literature.","layers":[{"id":"work-expression-and-edition","name":"Work, expression and edition","description":"Separates the underlying work from translations, published packages and individual copies.","findings":[{"id":"edition-specific-religious-framing","name":"Edition-specific religious framing","description":"Record whether introductions, study notes or devotional apparatus add a distinct Christian interpretation to an edition.","questions":[{"text":"Which work and language expression does this edition embody, and what identifiers establish that identity?","id":"edition-specific-religious-framing-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which theological explanations or devotional instructions were added by editors rather than belonging to the underlying work?","id":"edition-specific-religious-framing-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"component-specific-reuse","name":"Component-specific reuse","description":"Links proposed actions to evidence about the particular text and accompanying material.","findings":[{"id":"reuse-of-christian-textual-components","name":"Reuse of Christian textual components","description":"Assess the underlying work, translation, scripture quotations and editorial additions separately for the proposed use.","questions":[{"text":"What rights or licence evidence applies to this translation, its scripture quotations and its study or devotional notes?","id":"reuse-of-christian-textual-components-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"For the proposed quotation, adaptation or distribution, which components have documented permission and which need further assessment?","id":"reuse-of-christian-textual-components-q02","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"evidence-and-external-alignment","name":"Evidence and external alignment","description":"What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.","layers":[{"id":"reported-evidence","name":"Reported evidence","description":"Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.","findings":[{"id":"evidence-confidence-notes","name":"Check these first","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these check these first hold for the sense of Christian literature this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-confidence-notes-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-kinds","name":"Kinds and varieties","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of Christian literature this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-kinds-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-identifiers","name":"Identifiers and schemes","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of Christian literature this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-identifiers-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-standards-and-regulation","name":"Standards and regulation","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of Christian literature this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-standards-and-regulation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-real-world-use","name":"Real-world use","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of Christian literature this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-real-world-use-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards","name":"Failure modes and hazards","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of Christian literature this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-regional-variation","name":"Regional variation","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of Christian literature this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-regional-variation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-neighbours","name":"Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of Christian literature this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-neighbours-q01","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]}]},"agentConduct":{"may":["Describe Christian literature, its genres and history from scholarly and church sources.","Catalogue works with author, tradition, date and edition.","Quote or summarize texts within copyright and licence terms."],"mustNot":["Present one denomination's reading as the view of all Christians.","Alter sacred or devotional texts while presenting them as the original.","Use the literature to mock believers or to incite hostility against any faith.","Attribute writings to saints or authors without evidence."],"requiresHuman":["Removing or restricting works in a public or school collection.","Publishing a new translation of scripture or liturgical text."]},"ethics":{"considerations":["These texts are sacred or formative to many communities and deserve respectful handling.","Religious writings have also been used to justify persecution; honest context matters."],"affectedParties":["Believers and churches","Authors and translators","Readers of other faiths or none"]},"owners":{"steward":"Rights holders for each work; churches hold authority over their own liturgical and doctrinal texts.","roles":[],"masterSystems":["National library catalogues"]},"relations":[{"target":"Q12617225","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"}],"interaction":{"identity":{"applicability":"required","items":["Vercy registry: vr.tr.christian-literature","Wikidata: Q1084059 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1084059)"]},"properties":{"applicability":"not-applicable","items":["Classification basis: Explicit Christian purpose; substantive Christian content; publisher positioning; community reception; disputed; undetermined; multiple values allowed","Literary form and religious purpose: Form: fiction, poetry, drama, essay, commentary, sermon, testimony or other; purpose: devotional, theological, apologetic, instructional, liturgical, critical or mixed","Tradition association: Named Christian tradition or community, with attribution evidence, date and contested status","Community authority status: Scriptural; officially endorsed; recommended; informally used; disputed; restricted; unknown, each qualified by community and date","Scriptural and traditional intertexts: Referenced passage, narrative, creed or earlier work; quotation, paraphrase, allusion, interpretation or adaptation","Textual identity: Work linked to language expressions, translations, revisions, published manifestations and individual items","Intended and received audience: Named readership or use community, distinguishing stated intention from documented reception","Reuse assessment: Unchecked; evidence recorded; permission required; permission documented; unresolved, qualified by component, intended action and jurisdiction"]},"recognition":{"applicability":"optional","items":["Works on Christian themes, often with scripture references, prayers or church imprints.","Boundaries are fuzzy; classification rests on content and tradition, not appearance."]},"capabilities":{"applicability":"required","items":["Explain inclusion, exclusion or uncertain membership using evidence tied to the particular work.","Find works by Christian tradition, literary form, religious purpose and intended readership.","Compare scriptural references and theological framing across translations or adaptations.","Present community-specific authority and reception without adopting a doctrinal position.","Select an appropriate edition for study, devotion or literary analysis using documented requirements.","Identify which textual components require further attribution or permission checks before quotation, adaptation or distribution."]},"hazards":{"applicability":"required","items":["Presenting one author's position as representative of all Christians can misinform readers and misrepresent religious communities.","Treating literary classification as proof of canonical or doctrinal authority can distort interpretation and educational use.","Removing historical or literary context can turn descriptions of prejudice or conflict into apparent endorsements and contribute to discrimination.","Unverified quotations, translations or attributions can propagate false claims about texts and their authors."]},"interfaces":{"applicability":"required","items":["The Library of Congress Classification, issued by the Library of Congress, includes class BR for Christianity and related classes for the Bible, theology and Christian traditions, although literary works may instead be classified by literary form."]},"context":{"applicability":"required","items":["Christian literature is encountered in worship, education, private devotion, scholarship and general literary culture.","It includes works used to interpret scripture, communicate theology, preserve community experience and explore religious themes through imaginative writing.","Libraries, publishers and religious communities classify these works for different purposes, so inclusion does not establish doctrinal authority or agreement across traditions."]}},"sources":[{"title":"Wikidata item Q1084059: Christian literature","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1084059","note":"identity and sense of the item"},{"title":"Wikipedia: Christian literature","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_literature","note":"general description of the item"}],"openQuestions":["Does the registry intend Christian literature to include biblical scripture and liturgical texts directly, or to link those categories through neighbouring models?","What inclusion rule should govern external scholarship, anti-Christian polemic and works using Christian motifs without a declared religious purpose?","Which existing Vercy models already own literature, scripture, Christian fiction or theological writing, and where should this entry link rather than duplicate them?","What evidence threshold should distinguish a work's self-declared Christian positioning from publisher marketing and later community classification?","How should research represent anonymous, pseudonymous and collectively transmitted works when authorship, tradition association or textual history remains disputed?"],"resources":{"spec":"/models/things/publications/thing-q1084059/spec.json"},"provenance":{"origin":"thing registry research (pass 2)","builtFrom":["models/things/publications/thing-q1084059/spec.json"],"providers":["Codex"],"researchStatus":"unreviewed","generatedAt":"2026-09-12T08:40:58Z","builder":"tools/build_cards.py@1.0.0"},"completeness":{"sections":{"classifiers":"filled","whatItIs":"filled","purpose":"filled","distinguishingFeatures":"filled","structure":"filled","agentConduct":"filled","ethics":"filled","owners":"filled","relations":"filled","interaction.identity":"filled","interaction.properties":"not-applicable","interaction.recognition":"filled","interaction.capabilities":"filled","interaction.hazards":"filled","interaction.interfaces":"filled","interaction.context":"filled","sources":"filled"},"notes":{"_gate":"Published through the thing publication gate 1.0 on 2026-10-07T10:10:25+00:00: completeness 1.00; sense: Wikidata description; 2 live sources; review by codex: pass","interaction.properties":"Plane INF: no invented physical properties."},"score":1.0}}