October 04, 2022

132. Do Christians Really Need Horror? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 5

1 hour 26 minutes

God reveals his truth to us through stories, especially the true stories and fictional parables in his word—and some of the stories he tells are scary. Horror is God’s idea, and he often uses this to prepare us for real-world monsters and dangers. Yet we’ve all seen or heard horror stories that are too disturbing. As a result, Christians often shun this genre. But how do darker stories help us flee toward the light of Christ?

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Concession stand

This rare episode continues both our Fiction’s Chief End and Monster Month series.

Christians might not hold as “doctrine” a belief that horror is bad.

More likely, we find this belief lurking in the shadows of our minds.

But some Christian leaders have gone on record opposing horror.

“Horror is an example of a genre which was conceived in rebellion. It is based on a fascination with ungodly fear. It should not be imitated, propagated, or encouraged. It cannot be redeemed because it is presuppositionally at war with God.”

—one homeschooling leader (since fallen into his own shadow)

Some horror is not redemptive, only terrifying people for terror’s own sake.

Some horror is ridden with other idols. Some is torture porn. Some is truly demonic.

That’s why some Christian novels are labeled supernatural, paranormal, or dark fairy tale.

In the Lorehaven library, we group horror titles under the label supernatural and beyond.

Christians will have different convictions and instincts about horror. Your conscience may vary.

But horror is not an unredeemable genre (like porn.) Horror is part of our cultural landscape.

We’re aware of the “fire and brimstone” preaching excesses and other church fear tactics.

Yet, we believe not all scary stories or fear-based appeals are wrong. Some may be necessary.

This is more true in a culture that has diluted themes about God’s wrath against sin.

Like our other episodes in the Fiction’s Chief End series, we’re trying to approach this proactively.

That is, we do not assume that horror/darkness is a Fix for a Problem.

Some people, including Christians, can use these as ways to rile others.

They act like stories are a tool to “get at” people, rather than glorify God.

So we do ignore all those notions, asking how horror stories exalt Jesus.

1. Horror stories are God’s idea

“Only terror will cause you to understand the message” (Isaiah 28:19, CSB).

Genesis 3 includes many horror elements: a secret villain, curses, banishment, avenging angels, a murder.

God warns Cain by likening his temptation to a lurking monster (Gen. 4:7).

The Bible includes horror language like undying worms, bad dreams, plagues, witches, and demons.

Finally, Christ’s own crucifixion reaches the depths of the Bible’s horror: God’s wrath borne by Christ.

2. Horror brings the hidden dangers of sin to light

“The fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (Exodus 20:20).

We live in an age that minimizes man’s sin and God’s wrath.

Many churches and even church networks are ignoring, excusing, or approving sin.

Horror stories are therefore a blessing from God to shock us awake.

Horror stories warn us of sin’s truly horrific consequences of sin.

In an age of confusion and relativism, horror shines clear moral truth in the darkness.

In the Bible, people spread factual horror stories that lead to repentance.

Acts 5:1–11: see the key phrase, “… on all who heard these things.”

Acts 19:13–18: note the key phrase, “When this became known…”

Luke 8:26–39: hear the key phrase, “Those who had seen it told them…”

These supernatural encounters had a powerful, secondary effect on people who heard the story.

3. Horror trains us to face real-world terror

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).

Jesus confirmed that we face good fears and bad fears (Luke 12:3–5).

Fear itself is not the problem, but rather the object of our fears.

It is natural and good to experience fear, but not all fears are healthy.

Horror is the exploration of fear and the possible responses.

Scary movies help personify our deepest fears and show that they can be overcome.

Explore more in Christian novels with horror elements

This Present Darkness, The Oath, and beyond by Frank E. Peretti

Lilith by George MacDonald

Perelandra by C. S. Lewis

Descent into Hell by Charles Williams

The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen

Com station

Abigail, hero of the Guild, knows Oasis Audio’s ancestor (ep. 130):

Chapel of the Air!

David and Karen Mains?! Ohhhh! They had a couple of excellent fantasy allegory books with gorgeous illustrations. I grew up on those!

Mazer Rackham Jr. (Twitter) enjoyed our Beowulf/Hobbit articles:

“What can the tales of my pagan ancestors have to do with Jerusalem?” Good piece here.

Teddi Deppner (Havok) enjoyed episode 131 with Morgan L. Busse:

I enjoyed Morgan’s books so much! I bought the audiobook AND the Kindle version and would listen on my commute and then read at night. First time I’ve ever done that, but it was a great way to absorb a book in my spare moments.

Meanwhile at Lorehaven

Read our series Behold God’s Providence in Beowulf and The Hobbit.

This week we should have a new E. Stephen Burnett article about Dracula.

And of course, we’ve started our Dracula book quest in the Guild.

Subscribe free and get your exclusive invitation to the Lorehaven Guild.

Next on Fantastical Truth

Speaking of Dracula, as we start this book quest, we plan to peer deeper into this crypt. This year, thousands of new readers have discovered Bram Stoker’s original classic novel that sees earnest and good heroes fighting this evil vampire’s predations. What have they thought about the story? How have they sought to respect the world they’re entering? And after many decades of showing Dracula as a cartoon or tragic figure, how can we better discern this villain and his horror versus the holiness of Christ’s power?

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