Merry Twelve Days of Christmas Season! After last week’s break, we return with our first New Year’s Eve special. Which top ten Fantastical Truth episodes and Lorehaven.com articles did readers love most in the last year? We’ll survey all of these, and give fun updates, to close our 2024 season.

On one Saturday evening at the women’s Bible conference, I’d just sold my last book. I was heading to the auditorium for my keynote talk when a nervous-looking young woman plucked my sleeve.

“Excuse me,” she stammered. “Could I ask you why you write books”—her voice dropped to a whisper—“like that?”

“You mean fantasy?” I asked, smiling at her.

She nodded, eyes wide with anxiety and fear.

I didn’t have much time to spare, but my heart went out to her. It wasn’t hard to guess what she believed: that fantasy stories glorify witchcraft, paganism, and the occult, and no serious Christian should have anything to do with them. Especially not one of the main speakers at a Bible conference!

Yet I didn’t feel defensive, because I didn’t need to. Instead, I was happy to tell the young woman why I love fantasy, because this genre offers an opportunity to illustrate biblical truths in a fresh way, and speak to people who might never have listened otherwise.

We’re partners with Realm Makers, the leading fantastical conference for Christian creatives. Recently organizers shared that over 40 percent of registrations for this July’s event are first-time guests. This brings back memories! So we thought we’d share them with you. What’s it like at a writers’ conference? And what should first-time guests expect at Realm Makers and beyond?

When we’re living in a hostile world, we’re often tempted to adopt our enemies’ methods and do whatever it takes to win. After all, if they’re using vicious tactics that bring victory, don’t we need to adopt similar strategies to survive?

Leto shows the example of a better path.

To some extent, I’m unable to explain with words how we should emulate Leto. Situations vary. Stories shouldn’t be reduced to specific theses. The best way we can enjoy Dune: Part One and grow as people is to reflect on Leto’s character, hold his example in our mind, and use this as inspiration to act likewise.

If you’re a Christian fantastical fan, you’re gonna have a bad time. That’s because some critics accuse you of special sin by liking that “entertainment” stuff. So when that popular religious leader, or that random comment, or even your own trusted family member or pastor, warns you against popular culture and fantastical stories, how should you respond in wisdom?

The Chosen is not a church or ministry. Yes, the show has ministerial goals. Some are calling the production a “Christian production,” but what does this mean? They don’t have group prayers or a faith statement. They’re a business that makes Christian content. Believers can disagree about this approach. But they must remember The Chosen is a for-profit company. Just like Solomon built the Temple using help from “pagans” or nonbelievers. Even people who print Bibles may not be Christians.

‘Tis the season for love and enchanted princesses and handsome princes and such-like. But lately, former fans of these ideas just aren’t feeling it, especially from the Disney side of our magical fandoms. When the Big Mouse keeps getting into big trouble, how’s a Christian fan to respond? Josh Shepherd brings a balanced biblical perspective into the studio.

… “Woke” projects fail and The Chosen succeeds for a more nuanced reason. Wokeism is not simply the inclusion of diverse or underprivileged characters. In fact, stories that show many ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles, and situations demonstrate a realistic reflection of God’s creation. I think Hollywood often fails, however, when they take these realities and force them to be something else.

What if the spirit of antichrist came to your town? Burned-out pastor Travis Jordan is on break from ministry after the death of his wife. But then his small city of Antioch faces great signs and wonders from a new prophet who claims to be a better christ than the true Jesus Christ. Just in time for our next summer book quest, challenge your faith and seek the true Savior for the 25-year anniversary of Frank Peretti’s supernatural thriller The Visitation!

I can remember the first time I read this scene, and felt confusion about the truth that Aslan harmed someone. But I also felt certain he had been right to do so. And I knew the beauty and terror of how intimately Aslan had been involved in Shasta’s life—yes, as protector and comforter, but also as one source of pain and trouble.

How could I reconcile these varied thoughts and emotions?

Once upon a time, more literary heroes pursued virtue, or at least knew that they should. But in more modern stories, main characters aren’t motivated by being good, but by being right. They exchange the truth and Law of God for the lie of “personal liberation.” In a world of abuse and tyrants, this can feel appealing. Yet how does this exchange ultimately make stories worse?

Happy New Year! Lord willing, we’ll return next week for a look back at a website with a legacy that predates Lorehaven. Way back in 2006, several Christian fantasy creators started a team “blog” called Speculative Faith. Let’s look back on project that led to thousands of great articles from dozens of creators, and then later grew into the Lorehaven mission and this podcast.