A Way to Share His Story

In yesterday's blog, Adam used the example of Jotham as a storyteller. Historically, storytellers can be found in every culture. Aboriginal cultures rely on oral teachings. When I visited New Mexico, I bought a little storyteller trinket depicting children climbing and clinging to the storyteller.

Why do we have storytellers? Because we are created in God's image. The Bible is His Story and the most important of any story. The content of God's story encompasses all truth. He used individual writers and their personalities to collect His Story for believers.

Today God's Word is complete. We add nothing to it. Those storytellers who live for Christ, reflect threads of His Story in their written and oral tales. God's plot began in Genesis and His Story continues to this day. We are part of His Story. He works in and through us as writers.

God continues to use the individual personalities of those who know Him as storytellers. Many cultures do the same, but not every individual's stories reflect the truth of His Story because not every writer or storyteller knows the truth. Christian speculative fiction offers one more viable vehicle to tell a story threaded with truths from His Story. We are reminded in 1 Timothy 6:17-29

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

As storytellers who enjoy fantasy, Science Fiction and speculative fiction, Christian authors who write in these genres use their talent to share His Story. It's not only a means of expression, but also a good work. A way to share the importance of taking hold of that which is life indeed.

Christian Carnival Up

Christian Carnival 161 is up and includes a link to the Lost Genre Guild.

The First Fantasy of the Bible

I want to return to the Bible for a moment, because from the Word of God all wisdom and truth truly flows. Many in discussing fiction and fantasy have alluded to the parables of Jesus.

Yet, the first story ever told in the Bible, the first parable comes from a figure whom we never hear from again, Jotham the son of Gideon. After Gideon died, Gideon’s illegitimate son, Abimelech came to power by killing all of his brothers, except for Jotham. In his grief and righteous anger, He spoke to the men of Shechem in a parable from top of Mount Gerazim:

The trees went forth once to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, `Reign thou over us.' But the olive tree said unto them, `Should I leave my fatness, withwhich by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?'

And the trees said to the fig tree, `Come thou, and reign over us.' But the fig tree said unto them, `Should I forsake my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?'

Then said the trees unto the vine, `Come thou, and reign over us.' And the vine said unto them, `Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?'

Then said all the trees unto the bramble, `Come thou, and reign over us.' And the bramble said unto the trees, `If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.' Judges 9:8-15

After telling this story, Jotham turned it on the men of Shechem and said if they had done right by the house of his Father in killing the House of Gideon and making Abimelech King, then they should rejoice, but, if not, “let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem and the house of Bethmillo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from the house of Bethmillo, and devour Abimelech." (Judges 6:20)

This is a powerful story. It speaks to the danger of politics and to the universal truth that many people who end up seeking power and position often do so because people of true greatness have better things to do and that a poor leader can often consume his own people.

There are two questions out of this page. The first is, “Why did Jotham tell the story?” The second is, “Why did people remember it?”

First, human beings communicate through stories, both true and fictitious. President Abraham Lincoln said that Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” started the Civil War. He was right, the book galvanized the country. It wasn’t the writings of William Lloyd Garrison, the preaching of Dwight Weld, or the simple eloquence of John Quincy Adams that brought the issue of slavery to a forefront, it was the story told of Harriet Beecher Stowe. She didn’t just tell us, “There are slaves and they should be free.” She said, “Here they are and here are there opens, their dreams, and their faith.”

So Jotham stood up to speak in the most powerful language of humanity, but there was another reason he used a story. He wanted people to listen. He could have stood on the hill and simply shouted down at the Men of Shechem, “You murderers killed my brothers.” But, they wouldn’t listen to that and if someone wasn’t there and asked what happened, all they’d be told is, “Jotham shouted that God would get back at us.”

Instead, he told a story because he couldn’t just take the issue straight on with no introduction. In my writing, I often choose futuristic or fantastic settings to lay down great truths because they will not be readily received in the present day. Yet, you may garner a kernel of truth from Speculative Fiction and real life may remind you of the situation you read about in the book and may change the way you respond to life in the real world.

The final question about Jotham’s story is, “Why was it remembered?” Other than the influence of the Holy Ghost, I think it was not only an imaginative fable, but struck a nerve of truth. If it didn’t cause Abimelech’s men to desert, it at the very least caused them to doubt. “Is Abimelech but a bramble? Will we be consumed with him?”

More than 3000 years later, this simple story lives on. Although it was fantasy, it was so full of truth it stuck with those who heard it. It had to be recorded and passed down from generation to generation.

Our challenge today is no different than Jotham’s: to help people see the truth of God through the lens of fiction. Let us commit ourselves to the task and the results to God.

Inbreaking Fiction

In the comments, Steve Rice noted that even Christian spec-fic presents human solutions to problems. Indeed, most authors are afraid to let God move in our stories. Editors and publishers typically demand human solutions from us. If we let God solve something, we get screamed at and scorned. Even other Christians turn their noses up at us and say, "A deus ex machina! How tripe!"

I concede the point in terms of classic deus ex machinas, such as the space invaders all dying of influenza, but as a writer, God has laid a couple things on my heart. To write for Him, as an Audience of One, and about Him.

In any work with my name on it, He is the true star. As in real life, you may never actually "see" Him, but He is a real presence and He does sometimes intervene in human events. That's the way it should be. If He is the answer in life, why should we, as an industry, be so afraid to portray Him in all His wonder-working glory?

Some like to write about biblical days, and that’s fine for those called to it, but I’ve always been fascinated by the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God into the real world. That takes different shapes and forms. Sometimes, it’s as simple as God laying a hand on the shoulder of a protestant African American woman and telling her to carry a White baby to term for his Catholic grandmother, as in my story, “Frozen Generation,” currently being considered for publication in the anthology, Light at the Edge of Darkness.

Still, the bible promises us the Lord of Hosts is capable of breaking into our ordinary world in more spectacular ways. In the Heaven’s Mark Trilogy, which I coauthored with my husband Adam, at times the Lord moves in ways reminiscent of miracles performed in both the old and new testaments. He blinds the eyes of His enemies, and even believers for His purposes, He pours out His Spirit and makes his sons and daughters to prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions. He walks in the fire with His people and delivers His own from the Evil one so His work can be completed. He opens blinded eyes, heals the sick, opens the barren womb, and even raises the dead.

If you have a problem with that, forgive me for questioning how seriously you take the Bible and our Faith, as He has done all those things in the past. He said in His word, “I the Lord change not.” The God of the bible is the God of today. He hasn’t changed, it’s our faith that’s changed, that leaves Him as weak as when He returned home to Nazareth and could do few miracles because they lacked faith to believe the local carpenter could.

That’s what I write about, the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God. In the interim, though, and that’s almost always the bulk of the story, you have ordinary believers struggling with ordinary problems, in often-futuristic worlds frighteningly reminiscent of our own.

Failed Utopia

Many people will ask why is Christian speculative fiction necessary. I have been told by many Christian friends (and one secular college professor) that aliens and faith do not mix. It takes people away from reality, i.e. the Gospel. I believe that this can be a valid argument against Christians writing science fiction and fantasy, but if we look at the broken promises of secular science fiction over the last hundred years, we will find that this genre needs the Gospel message more than ever.

Most science fiction from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries promised that science and the human spirit would free itself from the bonds of "religious superstition" and reach upward to a better world. Much of the nineteenth century writers were promising that humanity was destined for a great utopia in the twentieth century. And again, this would all happen thanks to science and human endeavor.

The twentieth century indeed opened up to a new world--one of more death and destruction than all of recorded history. Science gave us poison gas in the First World War, and long range aerial bombardment and atomic weapons in the Second. Most of the major powers in the world have the capability to wipe out all life on the planet in the same amount of time that it takes to get a pizza delivered to your home. Human endeavor became highly efficient in exterminating six million people in death camps.

The promised utopia never materialized because many secular writers ignored that we humans are deceitfully wicked creatures at heart. It was only the staying hand of Christ that has kept us from destroying ourselves in the last century.

In this new century of pessimism and cynicism, Christians need to show that while human nature-and Satan-have not changed, God has not changed either. He is the same loving and merciful God that He has always been (Hebrews 13:8).

I do not know if we will ever venture out to the stars and colonize alien worlds before Jesus comes back, but I do know that it is the mission of the Christian SF writer to show humanity that God will be there to lead us to the true utopia (Revelation 22).

Christian Fantasty Fiction? The same old argument...

When I was a little girl, my mother indulged my love of fantasy fiction. She knew that it provided a necessary escape from the daily inner city drama for her only child. By the age of nine, I had devoured The Chronicles of Narnia, losing myself in the beautifully constructed fantasy. The Lord of the Rings was next, admittedly taking more time and numerous reads before fully comprehending it.

When my son turned nine, I dutifully purchased the first novel in the Harry Potter series. To my disappointment, he was completely uninterested, having never developed the patience for believing in a different reality. But I was sucked in. It was as though I had entered a time warp, and was once again a nine-year-old reading under the covers with a night light.

When my aunt came to visit, she found a copy of The Goblet of Fire lying on my bed. Horrified, she confronted me with this "witchcraft" I had allowed in my home, devastated that her accomplished niece would expose her household to demonic elements. To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what she was talking about. I did not know that a Christian backlash to the popular series had developed, that the fantasy world Rowlings created of witches and warlocks was troubling.

What is difference between the magical elements of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings? Isn't Tolkien's Gandalf the equivalent of Rowling's Dumbledore? (The storylines are even similar with Dumbledore "dying" in the latest novel.) For that matter, isn't Harry's similarity to the halfling Frodo uncanny? The Chronicles of Narnia, recently widely accepted as Christian fiction (at least for marketing purposes), also invokes magic and witches throughout the series.

How do we write fantasy fiction without reliance, on some level, on a "magical realm"? In my opinion, Harry Potter relies on basic principles of truth and justice, right and wrong, good and evil, friendship and loyalty and the need for love. That it is set in a subworld of witch and warlocks serves to enliven the setting, add spark to the story. But the principles remain the same and function as the undercurrent to all classic fantasy fiction.

Wouldn't it be hypocritical to pen fantasy fiction and avoid inexplicable occurrences and supernatural happenings for the sake of appropriate Christianity? If the underlying basis for Christianity is unquestioning belief and faith in the supernatural, then don't we have a duty to express that in fantasy fiction?

In my attempts to pen a decent Christian fantasy fiction novel, I have often encountered this dilemma. My main character, Ella, receives her supernatural powers and gifts from the Holy Spirit. But she encounters the enemy, demonic forces, that oppose her. Is this any less magical than any other series? In fact, couldn't it be more troubling for a child to read about demons and fallen angels, rather than the timehonored good versus bad wizard?

One fairly new series that I enjoy is Donita K. Paul's DragonQuest. With vague similarites to The Lord of the Rings, the characters have magical gifts and supernatural talents and embark on a quest to save the land. Ms. Paul attempts to explain wizardry (magic) as a heightened understanding of the basic elements of the world and how Wulder (God) intends for them to intertwine. In other words, a wizard is more like an advanced chemist. I thought it clever.

As I navigate the murky waters of Christian fantasy fiction, I have found no answers and very few logical explanations. At the end of the day, I know that my heart is focused and centered on God, who channels my gift. While he allows the gift to flow, it will bear positive, enlightened fruit in line with His principles and purposes, therein creating the ever illusive Christian fantasy fiction.

FRANK PERETTI--AHEAD OF HIS TIME

by Deb Cullins-Smith

Since we're discussing Christian speculative fiction, I think it only fitting that we mention a man who is undoubtedly the 'godfather' of all spec fiction. Frank Peretti spent over 150 consecutive weeks on the CBA Best-Seller List for his first novel, This Present Darkness in 1986, thus introducing us to a whole new genre – the supernatural thriller. In the small town of Ashton, a skeptical reporter and a dedicated pastor find themselves in the middle of a terrible New Age plot to subjugate the townspeople. The book represented the most insightful novel in spiritual warfare since C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters. His follow-up novel, Piercing the Darkness, established Peretti as more than a one-shot wonder. Since his initial success, he has followed up with bestsellers such as Tilly, The Oath, The Visitation, Prophet, Monster, and most recently, House, with co-author Ted Dekker.

My personal favorite is still The Oath. Wildlife biologist Steve Benson visits the Pacific Northwest town of Hyde River to investigate the death of his brother Cliff, supposedly by a bear attack. Working with Sheriff's Deputy Tracy Ellis, he uncovers more than he bargained for. After years of seeing strange incidents swept under the rug, Tracy ruffles feathers by revealing some of the town secrets – the deep, dark legends passed down for generations – placing them in danger from far more than angry citizens. The only other person willing to talk to them openly is the town "crazy", a born again Christian named Levi Cobb. What these three unlikely companions uncover could sign their death warrants at the hands of a madman – or the claws of a legendary beast.

After reading this book at least a dozen times, I purchased the audio book and listened to it until I could almost quote the lines with Joseph Campanella, the actor who read this masterpiece so brilliantly. It remains my favorite piece of spec fiction ever written.

Whether Peretti is writing about fallen angels, Bigfoot, dragons, or haunted houses, he spins a web so sticky you'll not be able to extricate yourself! With bigger-than-life characters so alive they leap from the page, this author spins a plot that keeps you riveted until the very last sentence, bringing spiritual warfare and truth to a new level of awareness.

Frank Peretti paved the super-highway for those of us who love spec fic and supernatural thrillers. Thank you, Mr. Peretti! And thank You, Lord, for sending us a writer who shows us that our imaginations can still run wild without resorting to worldly themes.

email Deb Cullins-Smith

The Limits of Christian Spec-fic

How about a story where the virgin birth comes about because the pranksters of planet Klordak happen to nail Mary with their impregno-beam ("Breaks the ice at virginal parties!")? Would that be allowable Christian fiction? I don't think so, even though it would sort of affirm the virgin birth.

Paul said that everything was permissible, but not everything was useful to our walk with God. With that in mind, I'd like to examine the limits of Christian speculative fiction.

Christian writing, fictional or not, should be faithful to what God has revealed. In 2 Cor 10:4-5, Paul emphasized the importance of keeping our minds subject to Christ. Now, ultimately all fiction is speculative: it involves people, places, events, and/or dialog that someone made up. But in speculative fiction, elements not found in the real world arise: aliens, elves, time travel, etc. Can a Christian include such features in his writing? I think so, though only by either ignoring the theological implications (the popular route) or finding theologically sound approaches (uncommon, but more satisfying, IMHO).

Ignoring implications
There's no shame in not having all your ducks in a row; ultimately we all fail in our attempts to reflect the truth. But even God doesn't get that fussy about details most of the time. Just look at Jesus' parables, especially the one about the merciless debtor (Matthew 18: 21-35). Read it through and reflect on the theology. There are at least two bumps:

1. In verse 30, the just-forgiven servant refuses to forgive the debt of his fellow servant. Instead, he casts him into debtors' prison, which in v. 34 symbolizes Hell. If we're being picky about implications, we'll probably decide that Jesus meant our unforgiveness can overrule God's grace: if I refuse to forgive you, I can send you to Hell, or at least Purgatory, though the same will happen to me.

2. In verse 34, the original debtor is himself thrown into prison until he can pay off his debt, which an overzealous interpreter could take to mean that you can eventually work your way out of Hell.

Was Jesus guilty of bad theology? No. Careless plotting? No. The moral is, "Don't push any story too far!" When God wanted to encapsulate truth in a single place, the result was not a story but a Person. So it follows that stories will have elements we shouldn't take too seriously; yet these are precisely the points some critics seize on to discredit stories and genres they don't like. Don't treat a secondary element as though it were primary.

Finding sound approaches
While no one can be held responsible for every possible implication of their work, we should avoid elements that contradict Scripture (not human tradition). If God took the time to directly state something in the Bible, such as how Mary, a virgin (Luke 1: 27, 34) became pregnant with Jesus (v. 35), I would put that off limits. But if God doesn't directly address something, chances are it doesn't matter so much, and we may speculate. In coming weeks I'll explore what the Bible does and doesn't specifically say about various hot topics, such as aliens, elves, magic, evolution, horror stories, and End-time prophecy. But next time, we'll look at "real" versus "literary."

Rock Music, Spec-Fic and Role-Playing Games

by Frank Creed

In my youth there existed a large demographic of Bible-believers who referred to Christian Rock & Roll as demonic. Their argument ran something like this: If you’d lived in the puritanical 50s like we had, and you saw Elvis-the-Pelvis move like that, you’d have crossed yourself with holy water.

Given the times, I probably would have.

But this is a different millenium. Every television two-minute-commercial-break, North America is spammed with sexually-explicit-cubed. Our animated-G-rated children’s movies are seeded with adult comments once-per-minute, yet we’re trying to raise a new generation of ambassadors from Heaven in this place?

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God was making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God (2nd Corinthians five, verse twenty, (NIV)).
Me-thinks that if there were a New-World to which we could all sail and start anew, most would be packin’ even as I type. But we’re fresh outta’ new worlds. We can no longer flee the Biblical command to be in the world but not of it. Since we’re stuck here, what do Christian children think when we allow Cinderella, Snow White, and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, but curse Harry Potter? Why is 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea okay, but The Matrix bad, and why on earth do Christians file Role-Playing-Games in the same mental box as Ouija boards? With these kind of confusing messages, how will our children be equipped to make proper distinctions when encountering the mysterious?

Now back to Elvis. In the late 70s and early 80s, when it finally occurred to Christian record-producers that they could imitate pop-music and reap healthy profits (yes, it took some twenty-five years—we are a slow bunch) they met with outcry from old-school Bible-believers. Rightly outraged grandparents argued that rock-music was of Satan, and could not glorify God.

I object.

Inanimate objects are neither morally Satanic nor Theistic. Art forms may be employed to either worship or blaspheme.

Yet in our new millenium, some Christians still bemoan that which threatens them, that which they don’t understand. Is rock-music inherently evil?
What if it’s Christian rock?
Have they ever read any Creed lyrics (my personal favorite)?
Are ideas of intelligent alien life-forms blasphemous?
Do you believe in angels?
Is magic the equivelant of Satanism?
What about Fairy Godmothers and the Good Witch of the North?

I am not saying that morality is shades of grey, it is indeed very black and white. I am saying that we who are quick to judge must not do so from instinctive and ignorant fear.

Our sub-culture is in full retreat from popular culture. We're falling into the Islamic mindset of idealizing an earlier golden-age that never existed. We're bubble-wrapping our children, and buying handguns.

With her children’s best interests enshrined, our mother secluded my sisters and I behind a trusty sub-cultural curtain. She ignored Second Corinthians: three through six: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weaopns we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we will take captive every thought to make it obiedient to Christ. (NIV). Rather, Mom tucked us safely away within the folds of her Christian subculture.

Her problem was, we grew up, moved out, and faced the world, with wide eyes. She’d not thought that far ahead. Rather than exposing us to limited doses of the world, and entering into rational discussion, Mom forceably stuck our heads in the sand. Without revealing personal demons, suffice-it to say that my siblings and I met the real-world naked as a monk on brown-robe-laundry-day.

But Mom got one thing right—the exception to our cultural isolationism. She allowed us to play Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. I know, the unforgivable sin; take a deep breath and read-on.
She had faith in her ability to teach us the difference between reality and fantasy. She allowed us to fantasize, and therefore encouraged our imagination (the result is that I’m a novelist and my sister, Lydia, a poet).

Now, gaming did sneak past Mom's sensibilities. Once she'd heard controversial reports on AD&D, she became quite attentive of our hobby, feigning interest, asking confusing questions that had nothing to do with AD&D but everything to do with weirdness. Our confusion at her weirdness convinced Mom that we were just having fun. In the end she came away convinced that we were safe.

My point is that Harry Potter and The Matrix are discussion-points for Christian families, not taboo materials. Fantasy and Sci-Fi explore human ideas, as will our children. These genres seek answers to important questions, questions to which the Bible contains thunderous answers.
Someone once said that speculative fiction is the handmaiden of world-views. It explores the possibilities of thought, and His creation.

Sooner or later, our children will face these boundaries. They’ll face them either with, or without us. Parents too busy to provide real guidance will be ignored.

Since we have the wisdom of experience, the logical arguments of theologians, and the loving trust of our children, let’s not cement those ill-mannered rascals behind thought-proof walls. One day soon, big boys and girls be living on the other side.

email Frank
FRANKCREED.COM

The State of Christian Fiction?

I have always been a reluctant reader of Christian fiction. At least, the kind of fiction that touted itself as Christian. I read for entertainment, for learning; I want to be immersed and I want to experience. I don’t need gratuitous violence or sex but I do look for unadulterated, uncensored real life grit. And, I wasn’t finding it in Christian fiction.

I figured I wasn’t the only one, so I Googled the subject. I carefully sorted because I wasn’t looking for Christian-bashing, and came up with a few themes and comments from anonymous bloggers:

•A preponderance of shallow and obvious tales of morality
•Preach vs. entertain and allow the reader to learn
Too much of what passes for Christian writing is badly-written morality plays under another guise, and most of us don’t read them because we don’t like being preached at.
•Too much emphasis put on reading Christian authors because they are Christian authors
Too many people think because what they write has a “Christian theme” that Christians should buy it, even when the writing is really horrible, the plots contrived, and Deux [sic] Ex Machina reigns supreme.
•Acceptance of less than skilled writing, as long as it is “Christian,” by the Christian book industry
I’d rather read a good book (my definition) by anyone than a bad one by a “Christian” author.

The ranting of wild folks? Since I have experienced all the above (and don’t believe I am a wild folk!), I’d say they merely represent the feeling of an audience who demands good literature. Novel concept, eh?

After much reflection (not to mention guilt) about Christian literature, one day I experienced an epiphany . . . my reluctance stems from disappointing experiences—the story has a good premise, the introduction is riveting, I am seduced by the protagonist and then WHAM, predictability! Where is all the gritty description and action, the controversy? Contrived situations and problems with nice neat answers don’t engage readers.

I blame the lack of description, action, imagery on the book industry and on the authors who feel they have no option but to conform. With policies such as those adhered to by the CBA, there is no wonder that much of the ‘literature’ is watered down and shallow—reasonable attempts to show realism in life are taboo.

A current title of The Writers’ Café Press will be the antithesis of all that is lacking in too much Christian fiction. Light at the Edge of Darkness is one book that will help turn the tide of mediocrity—it will demonstrate that Biblical speculative fiction can entertain at the same time as being solidly grounded in Scripture. It will fit the criteria of “good Biblical Speculative fiction” first and foremost.

Light at the Edge of Darkness: release date February 2007

Fantasy in Ministry...

Well, as I kick off this structured Blog schedule, I of course have the daunting task of creating a super enticing post to kick things off. Well... We'll see.

Light at the Edge of Darkness, the anthology you will hear frequently mentioned by bloggers here, is a collection of fantasy, horror, science fiction, end times fiction, etc. Well, as with many folks who write Speculative Fiction nowadays, two particular works had a profound impact on my writing aspirations. Anyone want to take a stab here? Congratulations! C.S. Lewis and Tokein it is! Pat yourself on the back and indulge in that can of pop you've been debating about all morning.

Oddly enough, the first three things I ever wrote were all science fiction. But unlike many other writers, I actually discovered the joy of writing BEFORE the joy of reading. I hated reading before I started to love writing (we're talking like 10-12 years old here). So, when I first picked up a fantasy story, let me tell you, it blew my mind. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Wow. To a child, wow.

So, many years later, after pouring through Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, Isaac Asimov, Tokein, King, and a dozen other authors full of fantastical stories, I decided to get serious about writing. And what was the first thing I decided to pour myself into? Yup, Fantasy. And not just Fantasy, Epic Fantasy. We're talking the next Wheel of Time or Lord of the Rings or Dune realm of Epic Fantasy. Did I publish it? Heh heh... no. It's sitting in my saved files awaiting a major overhaul now that I've shaken off the writing rust and honed my skills a bit.

So, Fantasy in Ministry. How does any of my rambling tie into the title? Well, even though I've written horror and suspense of late, my heart lies with fantasy. And many of the elements in horror, especially, tie into fantasy. So, when faced with critics of Christian Speculative Fiction, the argument often arises that there can't be such a thing. Now, I'll completely ignore various aspects of many arguments for the sake of not consuming an entire day posting and giving you all something to actually respond to, and I'll focus on one thing that I think is essential to what we're trying to do here.

Putting Christ in Fantasy.

There are about a dozen different ways to do this (and I'm not going to get into discussions on them all today), but I don't believe you can have Biblical or Christian Spec Fiction without Christ. Now, that doesn't mean you bludgeon your readers over the head with the Bible, but it does mean that everything you publish should serve a purpose. Could that purpose just be to entertain? Well, sure... but should it?

What I would throw out there for consideration is this: As Christians, we believe in the Bible. We accept that it is the word of God, that it IS God. And as such, we believe that if we bring up our children in His ways, that his word will never depart from them as they grow. In essence, we plant the seeds of faith in them as children so those seeds will grow into faith as they mature. Then, even if they stray away (those blasted college years, right?) those seeds will stay with them.

So, when we write for Him, regardless of how we're approaching it, shouldn't we plant some seeds? With fantasy, we have such a golden opportunity to plant those seeds. In essence, we can minister to the unsuspecting through our imaginations. Drop an unreferenced scripture. Show a character living a Godly life. Retell a Bible story like David and Goliath or Samson and Delilah with modern language or a fantasy/future setting. Plant some seeds. While entertaining, you can also minister even if your reader doesn't know they're being fed.

And for your Christian readers, what better way to feel good about Biblical/Christian Spec Fic, than to walk away feeling that their seeds have been watered a little more?

I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions. There are so many sub topics within this topic that your comments may likely lead to a future post. Share away.

God Bless,
Dan
www.danieliweaver.com

Food for Thought - Purpose of "Christian" Speculative Fiction

Our other Light at the Edge of Darkness bloggers have done an excellent job discussing the anti-Christian-Speculative-Fiction, so I thought I would offer up a different train of thought for consideration.

Why exactly are we doing this?

Questions have been raised about whether or not there really is such a thing as Christian Speculative Fiction and how it can exist, etc. Stepping aside from that argument for a moment and just accepting that it does exist, the more important question to consider is why write it?

Like the posts our authors have been examining over the last week or so, you have seen many of the arguments against Speculative fiction called out suggesting that it's all lies, etc. Well, it's fiction, so anyone picking up the book is going to know that it isn't "real." Or at least the last time I checked, no one had ever displayed a unicorn at the city zoo or offered travel packages to alternate realities. So, why write the stuff? Are we simply trying to entertain Christian audiences, or are we doing something more?

I imagine every writer who writes Christian Speculative Fiction has a slightly different goal in mind, but here are some things to consider:

A - whether you like it or not, there are those people that LOVE Speculative fiction. Just like some people love to escape into the old-testament Bible stories and imagine themselves fighting alongside Israel's armies or standing at the sidelines and watching a tiny youth topple a giant with just a sling and a stone, there are people that love to escape to alien worlds and alternate realities. If we don't write Speculative Fiction, are we simply giving up on those people and saying, "Well if you don't get grounded in reality then we're not going to try and save you or give you anything good to read?"

B - Christ constantly challenged the religious conventions of his day. If there is truly a train of thought that dismisses Christian Speculative Fiction, then should we be any different than our Lord? If the work we do ultimately centers around Christ, then shouldn't we pursue the path He's led us to walk even if nay-sayers say nay?

C - Isn't it okay to just be entertained some times? Granted, I'm not saying that's the purpose of our writing, but for some people, they love to read just to take a break and unwind, to unplug from the crazy world in which we live. Why shouldn't they be able to read science fiction or fantasy or horror story that doesn't offend and quite possibly instills some scriptural truth?

D - What better way to reach the "lost" than to make their transition a little easier or even lure them into a life-changing experience without knowing it? Just like Christian musicians play all varieties of music (including the "death" metal of groups like Demon Hunter, etc) to reach the lost as well as entertain those Christians who enjoy that genre of music, we too offer up a genre of fiction designed to both entertain Christians who enjoy that type of fiction as well as reach the lost who do as well. How many of you read Lord of the Rings or the first Narnia book without knowing they'd been written by Christian authors?

E - And what about our children? I have to tell you, I grew up in a very religious household with two very loving and involved parents. But guess what, they weren't there all the time. And they trusted me enough that I read whatever I wanted to read. Of course, I hadn't even heard of Christian fiction until my teens, but the point is that they weren't shoving it down my throat and censoring everything else I did. As hard as we try to protect our children and lead them down the right path, times will come when we can't protect them or they being making their own choices. So, as a parent, when my children come to me wanting the Harry Potters and such of this world, what am I to do but show them that there are alternatives. Just about every kid out there loves fantasy (at least when they're young.) The thrill of the unknown and unexpected excites a child's imagination. I certainly want to foster my children's imaginations and give them every chance to be anything they want to be (trusting that they will learn to known God's call in their lives and follow His lead.) If I can use Christian Speculative Fiction to foster that mental creativity, then why wouldn't I? Would I rather they get it elsewhere? Would I rather my kids find Harry Potter and not know about the dangers tied to the occult? Would I rather they discover Dungeons and Dragons or become enchanted by New Age philosophy? I'll sum up the answer to all of those in one word: NO.

So, while we debate what defines Speculative fiction and whether or not there really can be such a thing as Christian Speculative fiction, just remember that there are some other points to consider. Just a little food for thought.

God bless,
Daniel I Weaver
www.danieliweaver.com

Christian Fantasy and Critical Thinking

Author Rick Miesel gives us a historical-critical analysis of fantasy. While I do not necessarily agree with everything Mr. Miesel had to say, it certainly gave me pause to consider.

Because I have school age children, the article rang a clear note with me. I have to look at everything differently. Food, movies, tv, books, video games, and the next new thing.

Mr. Wiesel is a parent and is concerned about the spiritual welfare of his children. He should be. The information age has made access easy. Access to every sort of good or terrible thing available all over the world.

Since we have access, parents must be careful. We are called "train up a child in the way he should go." As much as I would like to, I cannot close their eyes to the Twin Towers. Or the pictures of soldiers in tanks. Or to the pictures of abortion on the picket signs of protestors. Or cereal commercials.

What do I do?

I talk to my children.

I have to teach them to think. To question. To listen. Not just to the sorcery -- "The Force" being equivalent to black magic and white witchcraft, but also to preachers who proclaim the ever popular blab it and grab it gospel.

My family and I rented The Thief Lord, based on a novel by Cornelia Funke. My husband and I rolled our eyes at the blatant disrespect of adults by the children, by the assumption that it's ok to steal in certain circumstances, by the standard "terrible rich father / neglected son," by the premise that the children could "take care of themselves" in an abandoned movie house in Venice.

Thankfully, the kids were bored with the movie. When it was done, we talked about it and asked them what they thought. And they told us and we listened. I have no doubt that Mr. Miesel does this with his own family.

In these times we live in, we believe pastors and parents must exercise extreme caution regarding the literary use of fantasy.

I couldn't agree with that statement more. My children go to a public school in a very Catholic area. We are blessed that way because the values are very close to our own. I am encouraging my kids to read a lot of books, including the Potter Books and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Why? Because they live in a world that reads it and how can they respond to it as Christians if they don't know what it's in it? How can I respond to Potter if I have never read the books?

By the way, I have read every Potter book. My kids haven't read a single one. Too busy with Pokemon.

Today's children see nothing wrong with pagan practices.

Not to mention nursery rhymes--do you know what ring around the rosey is about?
Or Humpty Dumpty?
What about the days of the week, many of them names for Norse gods?
The names of the planets?
What about the tradional wedding song by Mendelssohn?
Knocking on wood?
Throwing salt over you shoulder?

"Christian" fantasy parallels the occultic literature for children, using similar images, story-lines, symbols and characters. Literary fantasy, rather than being neutral, has occultic roots.

As a parent, I feel like I need to know about these things now, talk about them in the open rather than forbidding it and making fantasy a forbidden fruit.

Fantasy does have occultic roots. In what respect? In what instance? How does that differ from what the bible teaches? Why is it bad? Why is it easy? When were these myths written? These are questions that should be asked. Must be asked, especially when they're small, because if you DON'T bring it out in the open then, they will hide it from you later.

Finally, Most true Christians would recognize fantasy...as being extremely wicked...

I am a Christian. I read science fiction and fantasy novels; not all, I use something called discretion. Until a year ago, I had no idea that Christians wrote science fiction and fantasy, other than Mr. Peretti and Mr. Jenkins and LaHaye.

Science Fiction and Fantasy is a popular genre with believers and non-believers alike. If the Christian community does not respond with stories--excellent stories--based on Judeo-Christian values, who will be the salt? Who will be the light to millions of readers?

And, if we are to eliminate fiction, then many preachers will have to revisit their sermons. Some actually tell stories as illustrations. Are they lying? Is this Fiction? Or is it acceptable because they are preaching from a pulpit?

I agree that we must be careful what we allow our children to read. We must be careful what we read ourselves. We must be careful of what we write so not to cause others to stumble. We must be careful judging others that we not bring judgment on ourselves.

We must be careful of legalism and fear.

Christian Fiction: A Biblical View

Should Christians read fiction? Should we write it? What about speculative fiction--science fiction and fantasy? Instead of deciding these matters based on our wisdom and prejudices, let's see what the Bible itself can tell us.

First, are we allowed to read fiction of any kind? Modern fiction didn't exist in biblical times, but similar items--myths, plays, and poetry--did. For example, when Elijah confronted the Baal worshippers in 1 Kings 18:27, he said of Baal, "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." This ridicule is based on events from the Baal myths, so Elijah must have been aware of them. Why did he bother learning such things? Surely any charge against fiction must apply here.

Or consider Daniel and his friends. They were among Israelite exiles who had to learn "the language and literature of the Babylonians" (Dan 1:4). "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning" (v. 17). There are two points of interest here. First, the four looked for an alternative to their normal rations, because the food had been part of an idol sacrifice. They were not rebellious about this; they merely found a way to avoid being contaminated by the local idolatry. This is important because what they had to learn would have included astrology and other forms of divination, and Babylonian mythology--somewhat beyond Elijah's likely involvement. So the second point is this: though they resisted idol sacrifices, they did not make a recorded protest against the mythology and divination they were told to learn. Yet God blessed them--though it is true that they turned to him for answers, not to the stars and idols. If reading Babylonian textbooks wasn't condemned, neither should reading modern Christian literature be off limits.

What about Paul? In Athens, he quoted the pagan poets Epimenides ("In him we live and move and have our being") and either Aratus or Cleanthes ("We are his offspring") in Acts 17:28. He quoted Epimenides again in Titus 1:12. And in 1 Cor 15:33 he quotes from Menander's comedy Thais, which was fiction. Why would someone like Paul bother reading such things, much less memorizing phrases from them? Unless we allow Christians to read literature, there is no answer.

Second, what about writing fiction? Is reading it okay but producing it forbidden? Some have already referred to Jesus' parables, but we can't be sure they were fiction, any more than we can be sure they weren't. But if writing about talking lions is a problem, let's bump it up a notch to walking, talking plants!

In Judges 9:7-20, Gideon's son Jotham confronts those who murdered his brothers, and part of his speech is speculative fiction: verses 8-15. We have trees that move around and talk, even referring to "gods" (vv 9, 13)! Yet God evidently listened, for Jotham's curse on the murderers came upon them (v 57). "Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?" (Lam 3:37)

One can find many cases of "speculative fiction" in the Prophets; a complete list and examination would generate a book. But this should serve to eliminate some of the charges brought against Christian fiction.

Who's Encouraging Escapism, Again?

By Andrea Graham

It occured to me today that, while the "Biblical Discernment" people accuse Christian fiction authors of encouraging escapism, they themselves advocate leaving whole mediums (as in television, books, and movies, not the folks the OT required stoned) to the unbelieving world.

As an admitedly secular author pointed out in, "Now Discover Your Strengths," talents are values-neutral. One such talent would be the creativity that drives the arts, including fiction writing. Like all talents, creative writing can be a vehicle for either good or evil. The BD would then have us abandon this vehicle simply because some have used it for evil.

I am missing something, or is that escapism?

Further, I would remind the brethern our talents are from God. If God has given us the talent to write, would we not be judged by God if we took BD's advice and buried our talents just as surely as we would if we used them for personal glory or to advocate evil? Indeed, in the scriptures, the later was not even mentioned--but the former Jesus did mention, and the steward that buried his master's money paid a heavy price.

As to their charges to the nature of fiction, if I understand what they meant, it's true that our characters take on a life of their own, but the fact you can't walk up and shake our brain-children's hands does not make our work a lie. If we are created in the image of God, why should it be such a scandal and shock that some of us imitate our Father, who created the whole universe in like manner? Judge, then, our shadows not by their appearance, but by whether the message they carry is consistent with biblical truth.

Do not mistake me, Escapism is the goal of those like the BD, not ours. The Christian author merely seeks to be the salt of the earth, using our art to glorify the Lord, and convey the truth in the only form some are willing to recieve it in. If Christians abandon our arts, we have both abandoned them to deception--and our commision.

Indeed, my love, and godliness, to use their phrasing, makes it unthinkable to abandon the field to which my Master has called me.

Linked to: Adam's Blog

Biblical Discernment Ministry's flawed logic

Adam and Donna have already done a great job of exposing Biblical Discernment Ministry's poor use of logic. I'd like to add a couple of points:

"Most true Christians would recognize fantasy, such as the movie Star Wars, as
being extremely wicked (in this case, sorcery -- "The Force" being equivalent to
black magic and white witchcraft). Yet, apparently, when we call it "Christian,"
this somehow sanctifies what we do with our minds (imaginations), or what we allow our minds to entertain. "--BDM

Two points:
1) Star Wars is an imaginative work, and an opportunity to "be in the world but not of it". It's a chance to debate Pantheism with those around us, and expose the weaknesses of that world-view.
2) This argument implies that we who are called to write Christian spec-fic, pen works of Pantheism like Star Wars, then merely add the word "Christian" to movie posters. I'd like to invite a BDM representative to join Daniel I Weaver's critique group, which consists of nearly forty Christian Speculative Fiction authors. They can observe how we struggle to get the Theology of our fiction as Biblical as possible. The Lost-Genre Guild will not stand behind any piece that's not Biblical. They can watch how we strive to glorify Him with our every word. This is the prayer of our members:

Father, we are gathered here to praise and glorify you.
Our project may give us the idea that we're trying to lift up ourselves, our names, our work. But we are determined to lift up Jesus, that HE may draw everyone to HIMSELF. That is your will too, so we ask you to bless this project.

But we also know that you delight to reward your servants. Proverbs 27:18 says, He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. We are doing your work in the way you have designed us to do it, so bless us as well as our efforts, and help us to love and support one another rather than compete for the glory that belongs to you alone.
In Jesus' name, amen.

"Well," someone might say, "I'm not doing anything wicked, I'm just reading about wickedness."--BDM

If I can pre-define all my terms, I'll win every logical debate I enter. By these standards, since all men are sinners, therefore all writing is wicked, therefore only Jesus, Adam and Eve (before the fall), are the only ones capable of writing non-wickedness.

All the Lost Genre Guild's members consider our work to be primarily a ministry.

"But does this align with godliness? There are four things about fantasy which must be considered:
I. It is Anti-Truth.
II. It Slips Into Reality."--BDM

Using the broad brush with which BDM colors "fantasy", Jesus' parables are guilty of these points as well. That is, in fact, exactly how Lost Genre Guild Members regard our work--as parables.

"III. It Does Not Fit True Godliness.
IV. A Love for God Will Oppose It."--BDM

Again by, pre-defining "True Godliness" and "Love for God", anyone opposing these points is anti-God.

During the Reformation, a vast wealth of Christian art was lost, when Protestants stormed cathedrals and destroyed icons. What BDM promotes with their own zealous opinions, destroys future art, and is no less tragic.

Humankind has value because we're all created in the Creator's image. Christian spec-fic authors want to invest the talents He's given us to glorify our Creator.

BDM's zealotry is Biblically groundless, pharisaical, and an ugly Ambassadorship to the lost and watching world.

We will be praying for the wisdom of its membership and leaders.


A Christian authors work is 51% ministry and 49% business--God's will gets the deciding vote in any decision.

To God be the glory,
Scott “Frank Creed” Morris
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Email Frank
FRANKCREED.com
Frank Creed's BLOG
Book Review Blog: A Frank Review

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Speculative Fiction—Good or Evil?

Speculative fiction—what is it? It's a sub genre that speculates about fictional worlds, realities and times. Is that anti-truth? No, it's fiction. A tool used to tell a story. For example, if an author chooses a time travel theme that allows Hitler to accept Christ and repent of sin, it's an alternate time line that shows the power of Christ. It would be controversial to say the least, but it is still fiction. Committees and religious watch dogs may pick such a story apart to read into it a love for Hitler, hatred of the Jews, or any other thread that ties to that time in history. However, if written well, the story becomes a powerful tool that exposes the truth of the gospel and its ability to change lives. It may even do a work in touching a sensitive need for change in the reader's life.

Christ used fictional scenarios as a tool to reach people with the truth. Consider his parables of the lost coin, the lost sheep or the lost son (just to name a few). He used these fictional stories to stir people to think on a deeper level. (I'm in no way claiming speculative fiction equal to God's word.) Following the parables in Matthew 25, including the lesson of the Sheep and the Goats, the religious leaders planned to find a way to kill Jesus. They didn't care for the message.

To label the tool good or evil is narrow-minded thinking. A knife used to cut the meal on your plate or a knife used to harm a fellow human being is still a knife. Speculative fiction is no different. It's the tool that carries a fictional story.

God creates each person as a unique individual. We have likes and dislikes. Some people like sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, etc. Those who don't care for sci-fi, fantasy and horror cannot understand those who do. For Christians who do, finding Christian speculative Fiction offers a refreshing difference.

What Good is Christian Fiction?

The "Biblical Discernment" ministry makes several claims regarding Christian Fantasy that are worth addressing here in response to Cyn's post.

First, one can't stop but comment on the fact that everyone who does anything for Christ seems to be on their blacklist. One can expect to see Rick Warren on such a list and there's a lot of controversy around him. Benny Hinn certainly would go on the list of people to be exposed. But then, you begin to see some odd choices, such as Dennis Rainey, who has worked to restore and strengthen families through Family Life. R.C. Sproul, who is often beloved by critics of evangelicals, is attacked by Biblical Discernment. Apologist Josh McDowell is assaulted, so is C.S. Lewis and Martin Luther. All of this should cause us to pause and ponder many things, such as whether incessantly bashing people counts as a ministry. It should also cause us to watch our own critical attitudes, lest we get to the point where everyone and everything is under attack.

Now, they've posted four arguments against Christian Fantasy, by which they mean a broad range of books. Let's consider these points:

I. Fantasy Is Anti-Truth

The point made is that as fantasy doesn't happen, it's a lie. They've got a broad definition of fantasy, including the Lion King, to which they offer conclusive and final evidence as to the untruth of fantasy:

"Do animals talk?" Just on this fantasy alone (animals talking) it is a lie.

We'll have to talk to Moses about a rewrite of that whole Baalam's Ass thing. (Num. 22:21-39). I don't think he'd have wanted to end up on Biblical Discernment's Expose list, as they've affirmed that animals never talked. While I'm perhaps being a little absurd here, the issue of how animals communicate with one another is open to debate. I suppose if Disney wanted to be totally accurate, they could show lions growling, baboons making their noises and put subtitles at the bottom, but I don't think this would please BD.

In all seriousness, the question is whether fiction in general (more apt than fantasy given BD's definition) is anti-truth. The answer is that by it's very nature, it's not. I walk into a book store and I pick up a novel. On the back of the jacket, it tells me, "This is a great novel of suspense." I know that I'm picking up a novel, a piece of fiction.

I go in the library and the books are divided by fiction and non-fiction. What I'm reading is completely above-board. I know by reading description whether a story's truth or fiction.

It's true that some novels lie. When Dan Brown makes claims that his book is based on true information, he's telling a lie. When people make statements about God and evil in their books that are not true, they're telling a lie.

However, not all novels tell lies.

II. Fantasy Subtly Slips Into Reality

Now here, they go on to attack the premises of certain Christian books and I won't argue on a book by book basis. Some decisions are poorly made and not every book in the Christian fiction world is a great idea, or even inspired by God.

However, I should hope, if I'm writing to the glory of God, that some of my fiction slips into my reader's reality. I have a novel, Super Hero, that I'm working on where the character learns valuable lessons along the way. BD would have us conclude that because bad and harmful thoughts can slip into people's reality, it is a waste for Christians to plant good or positive ones.

III. Fantasy Does Not Fit True Godliness

This argument centers on the escapism of fiction. "God doesn't want us to escape reality" goes the argument. This to me seems somewhat absurd. The fact is, most people have some escape from reality. For some, it's fishing or hunting. For others, it's taking a long walk down an isolated stretch of road.

Certainly, one can have too much escapism and not enough facing the truth. As scripture says, "Let your moderation be known to all men." (Phil. 4:5). However, if points one and two are not valid, then point three becomes a legalism.

IV. A Love For God Will Oppose Fantasy

This is perhaps the most uncharitable point. If you love god, you'll oppose Christian fiction. Under this point, they took down John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress for a bad analogy. Most of us have heard of Pilgrim's Progress, but fewer know of Bunyan.

Mr. Bunyan was imprisoned because of his faith in Christ and loyalty to scripture over the State Church for twelve years. But now, thanks to BD, we know that as Mr. Bunyan wrote "fantasy" he had no love for Christ.

So having examined the reasons given why Christian fiction is incorrect, let us turn to the subject of what the good Christian Author should do:

1) Draw Readers Closer to Truth

This I see as a vital function of Christian fiction. If you've merely escaped into my novel for a moment, I've done nothing long-term for you. But, if I give you a thought, some nugget to take from this story that makes you think about your own life, I've done you a great service. I know there have been books that given me a vision and an understanding I didn't have before.

2) To Teach Biblical Truth

By this, I don't mean that every page must be annotated with Bible verses. But, rather that the truth of the Bible should shine through. Is sin rebuked? Is there a consequence for it? To me, these are vital questions. If we teach sin and immorality without consequence, our stories are useless. If we teach only consequences without the mercy and grace of God, our stories are useless.

We must be especially careful in portraying God's character in our stories, because of the powerful impact fiction has on the way people view the world.

3) Excellence

The third aim, which should be the aim of Christians regardless of their vocation is excellence. Don't compare yourself to someone else and say, "I'm better," but rather reach for the fullness of what God can do through you. Christian Music Artist Michael Card often became angry at the state of Christian worship. His longtime mentor, Dr. Bill Lane told him to let the "Excellence of your work be your protest." It is the exact same thing with Christian writers.

The Importance of Christian Fiction

The importance of good Christian Fiction writing is so vital in our current age. In my short story, The Agent, one of the characters observes, "It is the fictional people accept as fact, the fanciful that forms people’s view of the real world." With such power in the hands of Christians today, it is incumbent on those of us who are able to write for the Glory of God and to speak to our people in a language that they understand. We must be guided by the scripture and led by the Holy Spirit, but despite what criticism may come, we have a work to do and we must be about Our Father's business.

Christian Speculative Fiction: Blasphemy or Ministry

About one year ago, a friend (and non-fiction author) questioned: How can science-fiction and Christianity be compatible? She wasn't judging, her inquiry was an honest one.

I myself have asked similar questions about the acceptance of speculative fiction in the Christian community. There is no end to the responses responses found: in one's circle of friends, at one's church, or on the internet. The following are excerpted from an online article about Christian fantasy ( from the Biblical Discernment Ministries ) :

Most true Christians would recognize fantasy, such as the movie Star Wars, as
being extremely wicked (in this case, sorcery -- "The Force" being equivalent to
black magic and white witchcraft). Yet, apparently, when we call it "Christian,"
this somehow sanctifies what we do with our minds (imaginations), or what we
allow our minds to entertain. For example, one can look in any issue of the
Christian Book Distributors Fiction Catalog and find the most outrageous fantasy
literature, yet it is all dubbed "Christian." The following is taken from the
CBD Fiction Catalog, 9/94 premier edition:

" ... now there's no more compromising for those who love Christian fiction, because you are holding the key to your next escape-from-it-all right in the palm of your hand ... CBD's brand new Fiction Catalog? It's filled with the latest and the best refreshing, thrilling, inspiring, wholesome fiction for you and your family" (p. 2).

Wholesome? The following is a sample of that which CBD considers "wholesome." [Much of this type of writing comes from medieval mysticism, which God hates (cf. Deut. 18: 10-12).]:

(a) Millennium's Dawn, by Ed Stewart
(p. 25):

"June 2001. The future never seemed brighter for Dr. Evan Rider
and his new bride, Shelby, as they prepare to embark on the honeymoon of their
dreams. But the dream quickly becomes a nightmare as a long-buried secret shared
by three college friends erupts, engulfing the couple in a sinister plot of
blackmail, terror, and betrayal."

(b) Till We Have Faces, by C. S. Lewis
(p. 34):

"The unlovely Orual, eldest daughter of the King of Glome,
becomes so consumed by her mingled love and jealousy of her beautiful
half-sister that she makes a complaint to the gods -- and receives an answer she
did not expect. This novel, possibly Lewis' best work and the one he considered
his own favorite, is his compelling rework of the myth of Cupid and Psyche."
[Sound like something you could want your children to read -- about "the gods"?]

"Well," someone might say, "I'm not doing anything wicked, I'm just reading about wickedness." But does this align with godliness? There are four things about fantasy which must be considered:

I. It is Anti-Truth.
II. It Slips Into Reality.
III. It Does Not Fit True Godliness.
IV. A Love for God Will Oppose It.

These 4 points appear to have merit and certainly leave no room for wishy-washy Christianity. Obviously, the value (or danger) of Christian speculative fiction is fixed firmly in the beliefs of the reader.