Content Warning: This section makes references to sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and addiction.

As a Christian novel, Christy holds the thematic value of faith as a central concern. While faith pervades much of the story, providing a core aspect of Christy’s character development, one specific aspect of the theme dominates discussions throughout: the truth or falsity of faith when contrasted with the harsh realities of suffering and loss in human experience. After having seen the death of her friend, Fairlight, Christy is driven to the point of utter doubt: “I know I’m supposed to believe. But what do you do when suddenly you find you can’t believe?” (428).

While Christy’s faith is part of her main motivation in joining the mission at Cutter Gap, she has lived a relatively sheltered and privileged life up to that point. When she moves to the Cove, she is confronted for the first time with the pain of poverty, disease, violence, abuse, and death. Her faith is tested by these experiences, to the point where she questions some of the underlying assumptions of her belief in God. Ultimately, however, her continuing conviction of God’s love, demonstrated and displayed in the lives of those around her (especially Miss Alice), grounds her in the steadfastness of faith.