Fantastical Truth

Christian parents often ask whether stories for their kids have bad words and bad language. Today they’re also asking: “Does this story have Agenda?” Often they look for clean stories, that is, stories empty of objectionable elements. But do readers of all ages really need only clean fiction? Instead of stopping at minimalist stories that don’t contain obvious poisons, shouldn’t we also seek stories that are full of nutrients—stories that are wholesome?

You mentioned your next episode will be about wholesome stories. We are Christians and have homeschooled our awesome daughter her whole life. She is 15 now and besides her other many interests, she still loves reading. We were lucky enough to discover a curriculum called The Good and the Beautiful. The reading curriculum focuses on stories that are good, beautiful, wholesome, and I would say edifying. Focusing on Christian character and values. (This is a Mormon organization. The great majority of the curriculum is Bible-based.) There is a whole library for readers from preschool to high school level. I highly recommend the reading library, if not the whole curriculum, to anyone looking for great books for their kids.

I read Joseph Holmes’s piece on The Front Room and then I read the Wikipedia synopsis and now I’m really confused. According to Holmes, part of the movie’s message is that Christianity disempowers women and Paganism empowers them. But the premise is that Christianity somehow gives the female villain superpowers and until the end, the Pagan heroine is at a loss as to how to deal with her. Say what?

Just this month we’ve seen three examples of a polarity shift. Up is down. Water is dry. And heroes are actually villains—while the villains get justified by tragic backstory. How does this happen? In reality and fiction, why do some modern storytellers keep reversing the polarity of heroes and villains?

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“You cannot go on ‘seeing through’ things for ever. The whole point of seeing through something is to see something through it. It is good that the window should be transparent, because the street or garden beyond it is opaque. How if you saw through the garden too? It is no use trying to ‘see through’ first principles. If you see through everything, then everything is transparent. But a wholly transparent world is an invisible world. To ‘see through’ all things is the same as not to see.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.

—G. K. Chesterton

Great analysis! I agree with everything you’re saying. Also let’s remember that 80% of everything in past centuries was also in the lower end of the Pareto scale–we just aren’t aware of that stuff because it hasn’t passed the test of time.

Here’s an example of a Christian-written novel that did extremely well, but many fantasy fans may not have read it or realized the author is a Christian: “Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson is literary fiction and won the Pulitzer. She is a wonderful writer. I also have a book of her essays, some of which explore Christian themes.

Count me among those who got behind on all that’s going on (Christian or otherwise) in the spec fic world because of real life. I just started listening to your podcast in the last few weeks, hoping to catch up a bit.

Christian parents used to ask whether stories for their kids had bad words and bad language. Today they’re also asking: “Does this story have Agenda?” Often they look for clean stories, that is, stories empty of objectionable elements. But is this really what readers of all ages need from our fiction? Instead of asking for minimalist stories that don’t contain obvious poisons, shouldn’t we also seek stories full of nutrients—stories that are wholesome?

In the year 2099, imagine having to cancel your family vacation plans to St. Louis or that Oklahoma ranch. How come? Because, unfortunately, it’s dystopian times and there’s a wall there. It’s even worse inside those middle districts for Asher, son of The Defiance, because his one true love is now trapped on the Lazurite side, and her father runs totalitarian government. This month we’re crossing The Wall in our September book quest, and today we invite Brian Penn to explore this debut and other dystopian dooms.

Brian Penn is an award-winning novelist and screenwriter. He has a BS in psychology, which he finds useful while composing interesting and authentic characters. He currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and three children, who serve as his daily inspiration. When he isn’t writing you can find him spending time with his family, hitting the slopes, or shooting archery. Brian is a recipient of the Literary Titan’s Book Award as well as a Maxy Award Finalist for best science fiction.

I may not agree 100% with some of your thoughts—I see no reason Christians shouldn’t try to dominate the markets—I fully understand how you got there, as well understand we are in a different culture than Michelangelo, but I don’t want that to keep us from making attempts and succeeding where we can.

Just this month we’ve seen three examples of a polarity shift. Up is down. Water is dry. And heroes are actually villains—while the villains get justified by tragic backstory. How does this happen? In reality and fiction, why do some modern storytellers, keep reversing the polarity of heroes and villains?

“Back in the olden days, Christian art was king.[1. Photo by Jelly Dollar on Unsplash.] Top artists like Michelangelo and Da Vinci pioneered in their creative fields, and later composers like Bach and Handel revolutionized their day’s music. Then later, of course, Lewis and Tolkien did this for fantasy! So why today do all the Christian artists copy The World instead of leading in culture?” How often have you heard these questions? And how often have you heard solid, logical answers to them?

Contrary to popular belief, I think a world of true Christians could achieve a Star Trek future. If ours was an atheistic, relativistic world, we’d be too busy fighting each other to accomplish anything.

The Gutenberg Printing Press, for example, was made to print the Bible. Without that want for printing the Bible, we would not have the high tech printers we have today. Now, we have 3D printers. All because of a man who had a desire to get Bibles out to common people.

In short, countless inventions were made because of Christians. Atheists have no right to complain.

In the year 2099, imagine having to cancel your family vacation plans to St. Louis or that Oklahoma ranch. How come? Because, unfortunately, it’s dystopian times and there’s a wall there. It’s even worse inside those middle districts for Asher, son of The Defiance, because his one true love is now trapped on the Lazurite side, and her father runs totalitarian government. This month we’re crossing The Wall in our September book quest, and next week we invite Brian Penn to explore this debut and other dystopian dooms.

Space. The next-to-final frontier. So what’s the final one? It’s the future. As sci-fi fans, Stephen and Zack enjoy debating space travel possibilities, Moon stations and Mars colonies (likelier now after the liquid water finding?), and of course those armies of the aliens. Now we’ll ask whether today’s scientists and speculators recognize Christianity’s crucial role in their disciplines, and whether they see a place for Christianity in their vision of the future.

“The chief aim of all investigations of the external world should be to discover the rational order and harmony which has been imposed on it by God and which He revealed to us in the language of mathematics.”

“To know the mighty works of God, to comprehend His wisdom and majesty and power; to appreciate, in degree, the wonderful workings of His laws, surely all this must be a pleasing and acceptable mode of worship to the Most High, to whom ignorance cannot be more grateful than knowledge.”

Dr. Sarah Salviander is a Bible-believing, power-lifting, cancer-surviving, PhD astrophysicist. She was raised atheist in a secular country: no churches or temples, no scriptures or holy books, no discussions about God or gods. Her north star was science, which led her into a PhD astrophysics program. But pondering the mystery of existence caused her naturalistic beliefs to crumble. And studying the evidence for Christianity convinced her it was true. She’s now a research scientist, professor, and writer, and lives with her family in Texas.

Just finished the new episode y’all did about Lord of the Rings. I was 100% someone introduced to Middle-earth via the first Peter Jackson movie. I had a vague awareness of The Hobbit but no knowledge of LOtR. I remember leaving the theater from Fellowship, going directly downstairs from the theater in the mall into Barnes and Noble to buy the three-in-one trilogy book which I still own until this day. I had the trilogy read by the end of Christmas break and have read or listened to it all multiple times since then. I took Tolkien classes as an undergrad and graduate student and routinely reference Middle-earth in my classes as a teacher at a classical school. In fact, I have made it clear that if a book I teach is removed, I will campaign hard for The Hobbit to be its replacement.

Thank you, Peter Jackson.

When was the last time you were reading a story or hearing music, and you felt those chills and sense of wonder that made you think, “Oh, wow, thank you, Lord”, or consider that the Holy Spirit was active in this artwork?[1. Photo by John Price on Unsplash.] We might say the story was “inspired,” similar to how we believe the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit. But as we celebrate stories #MadeByHumans, do we also believe God Himself does special work to help make these stories?

1. The Bible. Scripture is our only inerrant, authoritative, and sufficient word of God. Men wrote the Bible by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Each book reflects its human author’s personality, language, and genre choices, yet flows into a single narrative called the Gospel. The Bible consists of sixty-six books in Old and New Testaments. (Good translations give us confidence to know God’s intent.)

from the Lorehaven Sacred Scrolls faith statement

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:16–21 (ESV)

Great podcast! I love LotR, and I’m so glad to hear a common-sense discussion about how the left is treating it these days, and to hear the stories so beautifully applied to life today.

Space. The next-to-final frontier. So what’s the final one? It’s the future. As sci-fi fans, Stephen and Zack enjoy debating space travel possibilities, Moon stations and Mars colonies (likelier now after the liquid water finding?), and of course those armies of the aliens. Now we’ll ask whether today’s scientists and speculators recognize Christianity’s crucial role in their disciplines, and whether they see a place for Christianity in their vision of the future.

A new power is arising. Saruman’s forces, often joined by some wild Men who don’t know better, are felling the good trees of Middle-earth to make weapons of war. In response, some would-be trolls come out of their hoards to stomp all over this land and forget the true meaning of Tolkien. How then do today’s fans still love The Lord of the Rings—books, films, and/or memes?

Evan Cooney hosts The Middle-earth Mixer podcast (with occasional forays into conical themed ratios on social media). He is a Christian, husband, and father to a little girl. He’s also a fan of history, good literature, and the Philadelphia Eagles, with aspirations to be a writer.

Does it bother me that Tolkien’s name and work are getting rucked through the mire of the modern political hellscape? Yes. Does it bother me that people are suddenly considered weirdo extremists for liking Middle-earth, investing in companies named after Aragorn’s sword, and nicknaming their friends after hobbits? Also yes.

But I’m more bothered by critics leveling their aim at the entire genre of fantasy, and casting those who enjoy life-giving, inspirational truths in fantastic stories—truths that apply to politics as much as anywhere else—as somehow outlandish.

Daniel Whyte IV, “Political Criticism of Middle-earth Fans is Stranger Than Fantasy“

“I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.”

C. S. Lewis, dedication to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

“And instead of being grave and mysterious like most Calormenes, they walked with a swing and let their arms and shoulders go free, and chatted and laughed. One was whistling. You could see that they were ready to be friends with anyone who was friendly, and didn’t give a fig for anyone who wasn’t. Shasta thought he had never seen anything so lovely in his life.”

C. S. Lewis, The Horse and His Boy

“If this picture of the young captain of Gondor absolutely ripping a heater gets more likes, then …” Evan Cooney reminds us that intentionally low-effort responses like this one can help gently roast certain assumed beliefs and bureaucrats.

This other LOTR meme appeals to many Christians fans.

Whether it’s Middle-earth or a new novel Christians love, we’re often so affected that we think the Holy Spirit must be working in this artwork. We might say the story was “inspired,” similar to how we believe the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit. But as we celebrate stories #MadeByHumans, do we also believe God Himself does special work to help make these stories?

You are being haunted.[1. Photo by grayom on Unsplash.] Specters from your past, or someone else’s past, lurk in your world. They twist meaning and distort symbols. They make you jump in the night, recoil from stories others find wonderful, and make the upright seem downright wicked. There is a cure that helps us imagine better, but first we must recognize the problem. What on earth is Church Back Home Syndrome? And why does this matter for Christian fantastical fans?

French culture and artists have been prone to clear anti-religious bias over the years. It’s a country whose faith has been waning despite the beauty and faithful tradition of the past. Do you want to do something about it?

Makoto Fujimura, Aug. 1, 2024 Twitter post

This defense—“you failed to interpret my art properly”—doesn’t absolve an artist. That kind of response is lazy and pretentious. It comes from an ego that assumes the artist’s perspective is the only proper reading of what has been communicated.

By blaming the viewer’s faulty interpretation, the artist asserts that their intent supersedes what their work has communicated. It denies the objective reality of how their art sits in time and space, its context in history and culture.

Jared Boggess, “The Lessons of the Paris Olympics Tableau,” Aug. 1, 2024 at ChristianityToday.com

The organizers claimed they wanted to promote a French culture that welcomed all people to the table and celebrated feasting and peace over war and conflict. They claimed it was centered around Dionysus, the Olympian God of wine and festivity. They have since said it wasn’t meant to depict the Last Supper at all but rather The Feast of the Gods; however, many performers continue to claim it was a reference to The Last supper. Either way, the table stretched over the Seine Friday night was not designed to offend Christians; it was designed to offend the exclusivity of the Christian god. It was designed to honor the new god of the self.

Chase Replogle, “The Last King Strangled with the Entrails of the Last Priest,” undated post, 2024

I was in France watching the opening ceremony live on TV with family and friends. The everyday French people I talked with (none of them believers) are by and large flabbergasted at the bad taste of it all. I also pray, therefore, that this might be a wake up call. We know what God does with what it meant for evil (Gen 50:20).

Stephanie Rousselle, July 30, 2024 Facebook post

Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one’s first feeling, ‘Thank God, even they aren’t quite so bad as that,’ or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies are as bad as possible? If it is the second then it is, I am afraid, the first step in a process which, if followed to the end, will make us into devils. You see, one is beginning to wish that black was a little blacker. If we give that wish its head, later on we shall wish to see grey as black, and then to see white itself as black. Finally we shall insist on seeing everything—God and our friends and ourselves included—as bad, and not be able to stop doing it: we shall be fixed for ever in a universe of pure hatred.

C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Whether because of this Syndrome or other challenges, some people can’t help trying to co-opt or reject fantastical stories for political purposes. Most recently that’s been happening with The Lord of the Rings. Especially when politicians or “bad” fans say, “Hey, I really like Middle-earth,” critics come out of their troll-hoards to stomp all over this land. Let’s explore this weird effort to remix Middle-earth.

“Then the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.’” Well, there you have it. God opposes artificial intelligence. But when many people see advantages to these generative tools, how can we celebrate the virtue of stories made by humans? Lorehaven has one way: a hashtag campaign (along with buttons and book stickers) just launched at Realm Makers called #MadeByHumans. We’ll talk about this important idea and cover each day of the conference for Realm Makers 2024.

On the road for Realm Makers, without notes or home studio, we like you await our next topic as we keep seeking and finding His fantastical truth.

Cain Cross once dreamed of helping make dream-worlds. Now their world is being attacked by another pandemic. This one strikes as you sleep, sending victims into dark tunnels of despair to fight for their waking lives. We seek a cure for The Nightmare Virus, the new YA sci-fi thriller from Nadine Brandes.

Nadine Brandes has been known to do wild things (like ride a sleeper train across Russia) in the name of book research. She’s the four-time Carol Award–winning author of seven young adult books and has been a professional fiction editor for over a decade. She is passionate about Jesus, motherhood, and creating with the Creator. When she’s not busy inventing worlds and magic systems, she’s adventuring through Middle Earth with her Auror husband and their four Halfling children.

“Then the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.’” Well, there you have it. God opposes artificial intelligence. But when many people see advantages to these generative tools, how can we celebrate the virtue of stories made by humans? Lorehaven has one way: a hashtag campaign (along with buttons and book stickers) just launched at Realm Makers called #MadeByHumans!