Fantastical Truth

Space is a dangerous place. Even recently we learned that the entire Artemis program has been rebooted, adding more rockets and risks! In other worlds and other galaxies, “space” is full of human life, music, adventure, romance, and fantastical new worlds. Just in time for Firebreak, book 1 of the Firebird Interlude Trilogy, we’re joined by longtime science fiction novelist Kathy Tyers to explore how the best space operas sing through this teeming expanse. Episode sponsors Firebreak by Kathy Tyers Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo The Hole-Man by Dan Dietz The Lorehaven Authorship Mission update New at Lorehaven: Andromache review, weekly reviews Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild You’ll get notified of monthly events, like last week’s livestream. Backstory: Kathy (Tyers) Gillin Kathy Tyers sold her first novel, Firebird, to Bantam Spectra in 1986. Since its initial 1987 publication, it has been rereleased by Bethany House Publishers, Marcher Lord Press, and Enclave Publishing, and was followed by further Firebird-universe novels Fusion Fire and Crown of Fire. Kathy finished the Firebird series in 2011 and 2012 with Wind and Shadow and the messiah tale Daystar. Enclave Publishing has also re-released her early novels One Mind’s Eye, Shivering World (Christy Award winner, 2019), and Crystal Witness. Now she’s returning to the Firebird whorl for a new series of novels. The Firebird Interlude trilogy begins March 10 with the release of Firebreak. Kathy is also known for her Star Wars Expanded Universe novels—The Truce at Bakura and New Jedi Order: Balance Point. She lives in Montana with her husband William T. Gillin. KathyTyers.com on Facebook 1. What are the origin stories of space opera? 1818: Mary Shelley’s first sci-fi-ish/horror novel Frankenstein 1830: British author Percy Greg’s poetical Across the Zodiac Late 19th century: the prolific Jules Verne, across Earth and space Late 19th/early 20th century: H. G. Wells brings the humanism Early 20th century: Edgar Rice Burroughs shares pulp adventure Other written tales and film serials helped create early space opera This tradition focused not just on big ideas, but big human stories Without these tales, we might not have stories like Star Wars And that’s one way that today’s guest learned she liked sci-fi 2. Why do today’s fans love space opera? Kathy Tyers has written harder science fiction, like Shivering World. Spaceships are cool, but many fans like human drama even more. For example, the Firebird Series is set in a far future galactic Whorl. Readers resonate with Lady Firebird and her husband Brennan. This, by the way, marks a rare example of married-couple heroes. Similarly, Star Wars has spaceships, but focuses on human heroes. Christians also see cool ideas and tech as means to human ends. Without our humanity, we become “minds of metal and wheels.” Even the best Star Trek episodes well understood this reality. 3. What might be the future of space opera? More about the Firebird Interlude series—titles, dates, speculation. Coming this June, Kathy Tyers gives a keynote at Realm Makers. Meanwhile, we may expect to March onward into big space opera. Project Hail Mary, based on Andy Weir’s novel, gets early plaudits. Next up, actor Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy’s Starfighter movie (set in the Star Wars universe) is receiving a new hope from fans. People do want futuristic, human-centric science-accented drama. And yet Christians see this not as simply “hope in the human spirit” but hope of redemption, for grace-filled humans and a future age. Com station Top question for listeners What space opera stories help you sing in joyful gratitude? Next on Fantastical Truth Kaizoku ou ni ore wa naru! Today around the world, millions of fans who love Japan’s hit manga/anime series, One Piece, are rejoicing. First, because after 1,170+ chapters and nearly 30 years since 1997, creator Eiichiro Oda’s pirates-with-powers story is sailing toward its final arcs. Second, because the popular anime is following soon after, breaking hiatus to resume in April. And third, because on March 10, Netflix is christening the One Piece live-action series Season 2, after 2023’s Season 1 flagrantly and happily broke the “anime to live-action curse.” Why do fans (like Stephen himself) love these comical, earnest adventures of Captain Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates?

People want transparency! Or do we? If nothing else, public calls for revealing government secrets raise a lot of ruckus, especially when the secrets in question seem to be covering up aliens. Zack is our UAP/UFO expert. Stephen is intrigued yet skeptical. We’re both all over last week’s headlines. One former president claimed he knows aliens are real. Then the current U.S. president said he would declassify files. Whatever happens next, why do people want disclosure so badly? Episode sponsors Firebreak by Kathy Tyers Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Interregnum by J. A. Webb Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New reviews: For The Good of All and Andromache Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Writing that next great alien-invasion novel? Join the Authorship. Quotes and notes Armies of the Aliens series on Fantastical Truth 1. Disclosure may expose human loneliness. This news could upend members of the alien fandom. We could all discover there were no aliens after all. Instead we might hear about human technology. And we might suspect we’re alone in the universe. 2. Disclosures can upset our metaphysics Disclosure of extraterrestrial life could upend religion. Or we could discover the “aliens” are interdimensional. Some writers believe consciousness rewrites our understanding of the universe. Maybe the twist on the Fermi Paradox means humans actually arrived first. Zack posted this response on X: “I definitely believe that sinister interdimensional beings directed many religious texts. And that the Bible was given by an interdimensional being. Just one that is supreme to all the others, and good.” 3. Worst, disclosures may promote demons. This too could upend society’s “respectable” materialism. That notion explains elite seances and messages from “aliens.” This would be biblical, but seeing this exposed could be shocking. It might even mean some of powerful leaders are controlled by demons Com station Top question for listeners If we get “disclosure” at all, what secrets do you expect to learn? Autumn Grayson wrote a whole essay about ep. 298: … In general, when it comes to people’s political posts, there are some things I dislike, and some things that would be good to stay away from. It’s certainly best if people say things that have more substance than just expressing outrage or disapproval, because well thought out engagement on a topic is better. But I do respect people’s freedom and autonomy to say what they want to. I’ll agree with it or disagree with it as I see fit. I’ll get something out of it and learn from it either way, but what I may learn is that the content creator is someone I would not want to communicate or collaborate with. Or, the content creator ends up being an example of what NOT to do. Whatever people do, they should remember that they’re showing something of themselves to the audience, and people have to ask themselves if that is truly how they want to come across and communicate to others. It may feel good to voice outrage in the moment or gain social clout for being on what some people call ‘the right side of history’, but is it really accomplishing anything constructive? Is this really the kind of person the author wants to be? Next on Fantastical Truth Space is a dangerous place. Even recently we learned that Artemis II rocket has suffered another fuel system-related setback! But that’s real life. In other worlds and other galaxies, “space” is full of life, risk, adventure, romance, and fantastical new worlds. Just in time for Firebreak, book 1 of the Firebird Interlude Trilogy, we’re joined by longtime science fiction novelist Kathy Tyers to explore how the best Christian-made space operas sing through this teeming expanse.

For most of their lives, Stephen and Zack have kept their eyes to the stars and wondering if NASA or anybody else will ever again get serious about launching ships up there.[1. Image credit: SpaceX on X.com.] Now it seems that moment is upon us. Lord willing, next month’s launch of Artemis II will drive new great leaps back to the Moon, not only to orbit or put down boots, but to put down roots. Meanwhile, private firms build reusable rockets and plan satellite networks while setting their sights on Mars. So what other science fictions will come true in reality? Join us to discern and celebrate the God-exalting glories of human spaceflight to faraway lands for this landmark 300th episode of Lorehaven’s Fantastical Truth. Episode sponsors The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Interregnum by J. A. Webb Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: reviews on break this very busy week. Last week brought a bot swarm and other technical nonsense. Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild. Authors, want to talk real sci-fi and beyond? Join the Authorship. Quotes and notes 72. When Our World Groans Under Sin, Should Christians Support Space Flight? 121. Will Humans Colonize the Cosmos Before Jesus Returns? 157. Will We Get Superpowers After the Resurrection? 252. What if Space Missionaries Fought the Secular State? | Above the Circle of Earth with E. Stephen Burnett 253. How Do Classic Sci-Fi Novels Explore the Planet Mars? 255. What Are Space Westerns? | After Moses with Michael F. Kane 256. When Have Newer Christian Authors Explored Mars? 1. Today, every space mission starts on Earth A brief summary of spaceflight: Sputnik 1 satellite (Oct. 1957), Yuri Gagarin (April 1961 aboard Vostok 1), Alan Shephard first American (May 1961), John Glenn first to orbit (Feb. 1962 aboard Friendship 1), 1960s moon race, moon landing (July 1969), six moon landings 1980s to early 2000s: Space Shuttle program, ISS, many others Alas, disasters: 1986 Challenger explosion, 2003 Columbia disaster Late 2000s to present: private companies brings new energy Elon Musk: classic humanist, entrepreneur, controversial, mess But a genius billionaire, anyway, and pioneer in new rocketry Same with Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, whatever else you think of him These and more are winning goals to make ships less expensive SpaceX rockets can now reverse themselves to land on platforms 2024: Space X “mechazilla” arms caught a returning rocket This month, NASA postponed the Artemis II launch until March. Last week, SpaceX routinely launched a new crew to the ISS. And finally, Elon Musk revealed he’s prioritizing lunar missions: For those unaware, SpaceX has already shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon, as we can potentially achieve that in less than 10 years, whereas Mars would take 20+ years. The mission of SpaceX remains the same: extend consciousness and life as we know it to the stars. It is only possible to travel to Mars when the planets align every 26 months (six month trip time), whereas we can launch to the Moon every 10 days (2 day trip time). This means we can iterate much faster to complete a Moon city than a Mars city. That said, SpaceX will also strive to build a Mars city and begin doing so in about 5 to 7 years, but the overriding priority is securing the future of civilization and the Moon is faster. 2. In years, new rockets will reach the Moon Artemis I (Nov. 2022) tested the Space Launch System. Notably, this system is developed separately from reusable rockets. Artemis II (March 2026?) will launch astronauts around the Moon. The mission will last four days and orbit the Moon’s far side. The names of these absolutely real, nonfictional astronauts are: Commander Reid Wiseman Pilot Victor Glover Mission specialist Christina Koch Mission specialist astronaut Jeremy Hansen (CSA) As memes foretold, we hope they come back with superpowers. Artemis III will be a real moon landing, first since Apollo 17 in 1972. That mission may launch as early as 2028. No crew announced yet. Axiom Space developed new super-upgraded spacesuits for this. NASA identified possible nine landing sites, all near the South Pole. That region has stable daylight/temperatures plus crater water ice. All said, the first lunar bases could be south polar settlements. Many speculators suggest future lunar manufacturing in this area. NASA, Department of Energy to Develop Lunar Surface Reactor by 2030 Materials include water ice, lunar regolith, and other metals. Musk wants to make AI satellites there and launch them into space. Elon Musk Wants to Build an A.I. Satellite Factory on the Moon Risks: extra radiation could drive habitats under protective layers. You could shield with thick ceilings or else use lunar lava tubes. Listen to our March 2025 podcast series: Martian Month. 3. In decades, mankind may land on Mars In the recent past, Musk and others thought the Moon was jejune. After all, we’ve already landed there. Where’s the fun in returning? But now the Moon seems more accessible. Walk before you run. Last year for ACE’s launch, we shared a series: Martian Month. Unlike the Moon, Mars has atmosphere and daylight cycles. It’s a little “warmer,” with slightly more radiation protection. Also, Mars has less known surface ice but more carbon dioxide. How to get there? You need to wait about once every two years. Possible transport: nuclear-powered rockets, now in development. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman: nuclear-electric propulsion? 6 Things You Should Know About Nuclear Thermal Propulsion That may reduce travel time by 25 percent (from 6 to 4 months?). Timing: a matter of decades, perhaps the 2030s at the earliest. So yes, you may live to see this happen, yet likely not travel there. Speculators/rocketeers see philosophical, humanitarian motives. For the Christian, our motives for spaceflight are a bit different. After all, God made humans to steward the Earth and maybe more. Alas, sin interferes with our purpose and our very human nature. We’re mortal. Space couldn’t have killed us before. Now it does. Personally, I see humanity’s future with limited spaceflight at best. Yet after Jesus returns and we get New everything, who knows? Either way, with cautious optimism, Christians can rejoice at this. It’s healthy to stop navel-gazing and look upward and onward. And someday, yes, missionaries may come to the Moon and Mars. Com station Top question for listeners What big spaceflight news, past or future, is your favorite? Will you watch the Artemis II launch, currently set for early March? Jeremiah Friedli remarked about episode 298: Excellent podcast episode, Stephen! Thanks for tackling these issues from a sound and biblical perspective. I’m looking forward to part 2! Next on Fantastical Truth Three hundred episodes down. Who knows how many to go? Whether you’ve just found the podcast or have been listening since January 2020, we’re grateful for your support of this journey to escape bad books and find the best Christian-made fantasy for Christ’s glory. Let’s continue to seek and find His fantastical truth!

Last week your solo host, Stephen, shared a hot take: that some authors’ sudden hot takes on political topics add more heat than light. These cringe political posts distract from the author’s job and confuse fans, and some go further into sinful slanders. Now that Zack is back, let’s re-engage this topic as fans and explore hope for biblical unity. Without telling anyone to “stop with politics!” or missing real concerns, how can authors post better about those topics, if they post at all? Episode sponsors The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Interregnum by J. A. Webb Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: The Restitching of Camille DuLaine review. Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Authors: sign up for the Authorship as a Creator or Pro Novelist 1. Top recent celebrity political wins and fails Last week, Stephen should have predicted Grammy Awards cringe. He feels sympathy for Billy Eilish and others who just say stuff. Some celebrities can get away with this because they’re Big. Example 1: J.K. Rowling, who lives in a castle and everything. Example 2: George Clooney, legacy, leftist, but moderate in tone. Example 3: Conservative actors who find other (often niche) work. Authors who feel tempted to this openness: are you Big like them? It’s like going out to buy a $10,000 suit before you can afford this. If not, the cringe political post isn’t an upgrade, but a downgrade. Personally, Stephen doesn’t mind politically outspoken celebrities. Those who do this out of seeming grace/surplus tend to win. Those who do this out of seeming vengeance/poverty tend to lose. Big tip here for aspiring authors: you must give more than you take. Otherwise they look kinda desperate for attention, or else insincere. 2. Engaging your responses to episode 298 Our own Guildmaster, Ticia Messing, wants a refuge: I have several indie authors I read or recently subscribed to their newsletters who all took part in a join political statement over the weekend with the same general idea. It was clearly to win political points for their side, and it was clearly a “If you do not agree with me, you are wrong,” and reading it I felt dirty and used. Even the author who tried to be more circumspect in how she talked about it because it was still clear what she was talking about. My problem is I come to their newsletters not to read about politics; it is my refuge from politics. I read them to find out about how their writing is going, a quick glimpse into their life, some book recommendations, and maybe a snippet of their upcoming book. Instead, all of these newsletters had paragraphs about Political Issue. Jason Huff seeks to challenge cringepost motives: What is difficult about social media in general is that most posts about politics aren’t about determining a side or discussing a moral issue but virtue signaling. It doesn’t matter if the viewpoint is left, center, right, or even a pox on all the houses. Most of the time, political posts are subtly saying, “I am a good and moral person for speaking out on X issue.” This is not usually the direct and overt intention, but it’s still there on another level. When I say virtue signaling, I’m not saying that they aren’t actually morally correct in their address, but that there usually isn’t a lot at stake in doing so. Most people live, work, and play with people much like them, and they post things their friend pool is going to agree with. And so, when posting anything political, the question has to be, “What is the reason to be posting this?” It’s usually not to inform, because I’d say anyone aware of news right now has heard about Minneapolis. It’s to give a viewpoint. But unless you live in that area, does it affect your daily life right now? Not so much. The stakes are small. So when I see authors and other creatives I follow giving political opinions, I generally tune out. I’m not there for that. I’m more interested in how you’re living out that belief, whether helping a local legal refugee family or befriending your local police force or however that issue plays out in your everyday life. Peter Schott wants to re-hinge certain friends: Personally, I have a couple of acquaintances who I disagree with politically. On some things, we can just discuss and let it go. In others – the posts are just unhinged. I just mute/snooze the guy for 30 days. There was someone else who just went off the deep end – almost everything posted was hateful, cussing, and such. That earned a permanent block. It was sad to see someone go that far off the beaten path. I did have one friend who started calling his own friends Nazis and such because they disagreed with him on politics – maybe 10 years ago. I called him out on that as a Christian brother and he was able to realize that he’d gotten a little too far down the path and took a break (and backed off). Janie Brooks feels betrayed by political cringeposts: “When your favorite authors suddenly post hot takes about the latest controversial headlines or violent acts, how do you feel?” Startled. Annoyed. Betrayed. Hurt. Saddened. Startled because the author doesn’t usually throw their hat into the political fray. Annoyed because there are so many more topics to discuss. Annoyed because Instagram or Facebook is my escape from the constant barrage of never-ending political opinions and current events. Betrayed because I thought I knew who they were. Betrayed because they’ve shown me a side of themselves that goes against how they’ve always acted. Hurt because they’ve broken my trust. Hurt because my loyalty is hard to gain and I’ve been blindsided by their vitriol. Saddened because there are so many other topics in which I agree with them, but now I am anathema because of my politics. 3. Your hosts’ own political-posting rules E. Stephen Burnett’s top ten guidelines: Basically, don’t. Don’t post about politics. But if you do, don’t suppose you’re “above politics.” And discern what that term “politics” actually means. Carefully curate post subjects based on deeper reasons. Be timely, yet beware the PETs, or Political Emotion Traps. Stick with big themes that support your mission and novels. Avoid the great sins of slander and casting false judgments. Always rejoice with the truth and do not spread false reports. For lesser-known topics, do not meddle in quarrels not your own. “Never be cruel, never be cowardly. Remember hate is always foolish, love is always wise. Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind.” (Steven Moffat via the Twelfth Doctor, Doctor Who) Zackary Russell’s social post standards: I don’t want to wait until I “make it big” to say the truth. I don’t talk about or reply to the posts of politicians. Certain cultural, moral, and spiritual topics will inevitably overlap with a certain politician. That’s ok. I won’t avoid those topics. I do not have to comment on everything nor defend everything a politician says or does. That way lies madness. I try to find people to agree with, but comment in a way that adds something new to the conversation. I am much more focused on the world of ideas, because ultimately that’s what we are battling. Not the flesh and blood conveyors of those ideas. There is significant overlap between the battle of ideas and shaping moral imagination through stories. Although the former is reactive whereas the latter is proactive. I don’t believe in cultural pacifism, but I do pick my battles carefully. I also recognize that God calls people to directly take part in the political sphere. Same as he gives other callings. I simply have a different calling as someone working in full-time ministry. But I also reject the practice of some Christians who put their heads in the sand when it comes to certain hot-button topics. Com station Top question for listeners How do authors gain and keep your trust with their social posts? Next on Fantastical Truth For most of our lives, Stephen and Zack have kept their eyes to the stars and wondering if NASA or anybody else will ever again get serious about launching ships up there. Now it seems that moment is upon us. Lord willing, next month’s launch of Artemis II will drive new great leaps back to the Moon, not only to orbit or put down boots, but to put down roots. Meanwhile, private firms build reusable rockets and plan satellite networks while setting their sights on Mars. So what other science fictions will come true in reality? Join us to discern and celebrate the God-exalting glories of human spaceflight to faraway lands for this landmark 300th episode of Lorehaven’s Fantastical Truth.

Happy Groundhog Day.[1. Photo by Marino Linic on Unsplash.] Maybe in these last weeks you’ve seen this same story repeat: Your favorite Christian author usually posts about whimsical life updates, pet photos, or upcoming release dates. But now she or he is suddenly and very fervently posting about politics. Words get heated. Light dims. And unwise statements share disastrous brushfires instead of book delights. What should a reader to do? Call for a ban on all such topics? Block the blighter? Or maybe seek deeper wisdom? Episode sponsors The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Interregnum by J. A. Webb Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: authors, debate this in the Authorship! New review: The Lost Chick by Andrew K. Johnston Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Chapter 1: A personal concession stand The best time might have been during a cooler period (if existent). But the next best time is now. Many fans are already considering it. This topic is broader, focusing on Christian authors in all genres. And too big a topic for one episode. We’re splitting this into two. Sure, some authors may listen and take note, or maybe get upset. But I’m speaking as a fan, and I know many fans who agree. We grieve this inflammatory rhetoric among Christian fantasy fans. And we don’t want to see relationships broken by nasty slanders. Background: I’ve kept up with politics since before I could vote. I’ve retconned my first election as Nov. 2000 (before I was 18). Campus newspaper columns, a little overt activism here and there. Anti-fans made a “Stephen would probably hate me” FB group. Today I stay atop news, and more importantly the deeper issues. And I do post about politics, so don’t hear me saying “don’t do it.” But here at Lorehaven we are not first about politics. Morality first. A positive note: Stephen’s developing post rules Personally, I post about certain topics that are, I hope, limited. My rules: biblical conviction, topically focused, open engagement. Example: my Jan. 30 post on activist Don Lemon being arrested. To me this one’s easy. The man joined a mob to invade a church. I like the church. I don’t like bullies. And this topic relates to ACE. Besides, I don’t like when professing Christians abuse the Bible. That includes people who impulsively see other believers as bad guys and impulsively see anyone “protesting” them as good guys. This is an absolute non-starter. You’re slandering your own people. Unfortunately this is a nasty effect of some “missional” Christians. They care so much about “the world” that they step on family. Even then, however, I may step wrong or distract from my focus. In the next episode, we’ll talk about the positive side of posting. We need common ground! That is why this topic calls for care. Otherwise, here are my personal consequences. Others may vary. If authors post badly about politics once, I’ll “snooze” their feeds. If they keep it up, I assume they are radicalizing and mute them. Chapter 2: Five cringe and corrosive ways Christian authors post about politics 1. They’ve never before posted about these topics. The post breaks a pattern of trust between an author and readers. Such a comment on hot controversies looks oddly out of place. It’s often motivated by something other than longstanding interest. 2. The post has nothing to do with the author’s work. What does a fantasy writer have to do with immigration debates? This can also break trust. Fans didn’t follow him for political takes. Authors who now only post politics signal they’re “switching jobs.” 3. They claim the post ‘isn’t political’ but it jolly well is. On the surface, the post may seem to advocate simple morality. With any human debate over ethics and law, politics are a factor. “This isn’t political” misunderstands what politics actually are. 4. Authors may not even appreciate what politics are. Some who claim to “hate politics” just don’t like defending ideas. They’d rather hit a “win button” and thereby become always right. “Politics matter because policy matters because people matter!” 5. Some foolishly try bringing ‘just love’ to law fights. God bless them, but these sensitive souls lead first with feelings. They mean well, but forget the very real realities of laws and policy. Christians do grace stuff and law stuff. Government is law stuff. Chapter 3: Five slanderous and sinful ways Christian authors post about politics 6. The author exposes ignorance about the issues. Ignorance is no sin, but willful ignorance of facts is no excuse. If you don’t like politics, this effectively seeks unearned authority. If you don’t care for real laws, you’re just meddling (Prov. 26:17). 7. Some follow influencers who take bribes (Ex. 32:8). For clarity, paid influencers can take actual cash for their posts. Others trade in alternative currencies: EmoCoin and TrendBucks. In either case, they’re being steered, and they may also steer you. 8. Some try to foreclose discussion and just be ‘right.’ This is another “win button” attempt, but this time more foolishly. You can’t put on a jersey and enter the field without consequence. It’s absurd, even laughable, to get upset at opposing team players. 9. Even worse, authors slander their spiritual family. I have personally seen Christian authors falsely accuse others. Big studios do this in macro against critical fans, and they fail hard! This is sinful behavior, not to mention personally self-destructive. 10. Worst of all, some pronounce threats of Hell itself. This is the greatest sin so far. It bears special direct condemnation. You will not threaten “God’s judgment” on believers who disagree on secondary issues, like how the civil magistrate enforces law. Such threats often reveal this is about personal hatred, not truth. Com station Top question for listeners When your favorite authors suddenly post hot takes about the latest controversial headlines or violent acts, how do you feel? Next on Fantastical Truth This is a heated topic, necessarily so. Now as we move toward spring, let’s attempt a thaw. Lord willing, Zackary Russell will return here for an interactive discussion about how we as fans can hope better from our favorite authors. Do we expect them to “shut up and write”? Or can we hope for more thoughtful, gracious engagement that will not divide the body of Christ but will bring us better together even if we do disagree?

Allegories. Christians love allegories! That’s a story element of having a person, place, or thing meant a a direct picture of something else, like Jesus or moral virtues. Some people think Jesus did this in parables, or C.S. Lewis did this with Narnia. Others point to Pilgrim’s Progress as a prime example. Even if they’re right about that, might some readers and authors focus so much on possible “allegories” that we miss great stories’ deeper meanings? Episode sponsors The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin The Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli Cole Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: the Authorship has launched! Listen to last week’s episode, or read the companion article. Also, join the Guild by Saturday, Jan. 31 for Stephen’s livestream: How to Sell a Sci-Fi Novel in Just Twenty-Five Easy Years Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes Allegory is a form of literature in which material figures represent immaterial virtues or vices. So in Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, the character Timorous represents fear and Mr. Worldly Wiseman represents worldly wisdom. In our day, distinction of genres has been muddled a bit, so we tend to regard any story with symbolic elements in it as allegorical, but it was not always this way. C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, for instance, are not allegories, even as often as they are referred to as such, and Lewis himself said as much. The parables of Jesus could be said to contain allegorical elements, some more than others, but they are not strictly speaking themselves allegories. Jesus definitely deals in the world of virtues and vices, but he is most immediately interested in the world of human beings, their hearts, their words, and their deeds. “How Not to Read the Parables,” Jared C. Wilson The reason for the long history of the misinterpretation of the parables can be traced back to something Jesus himself said, as recorded in Mark 4:10–12. When asked about the purpose of parables, he seems to have suggested that they contained mysteries for those on the inside, while they hardened those on the outside. Because he then proceeded to “interpret” the parable of the sower in a semi-allegorical way, this was seen to give license to the hardening theory and endless allegorical interpretations. The parables were considered to be simple stories for those on the outside to whom the “real meanings,” the “mysteries,” were hidden; these belonged only to the church and could be uncovered by means of allegory. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart 1. Jesus’s parables aren’t just allegories Sometimes the Lord interpreted His tales this way. For example, He says the seed is like His word and different soils are like different hearers (see Mark 4:13–20; Matthew 13:18–23; Luke 8:11–15). But we may miss His main point if seek out the Secret Allegories. No less top church fathers seem to have started this trend. Famously he read many allegories into the Good Samaritan tale. But the central point is to answer, “Who is my neighbor?” At other times He simply said, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” Meaning the whole parable says something about His kingdom. What follows might be a prophecy of doom in the end times. Or it might be an illustration of human behavior fit for His reign. His parable may be about groups, individuals, morals, or salvation! In either case, “he who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 2. Pilgrim’s Progress is allegory; Narnia is not Many readers fondly remember John Bunyan’s classic quest tale. The allegories start simple but accessible, especially for Puritans. “Christian” is a Christian. “Evangelist” is. Apollyon is just a demon! Then as we’ve previously explored, the allegories get complicated. God, angels, the Bible, and Heaven are literal. So are good and evil. At one point Moses himself cameos as a Law-enforcing antihero! Altogether, Bunyan is both less and more creative than we thought. However, we needn’t impose our view of Progress For instance, many Christians learned to like Narnia by accepting the common belief that Lewis put “allegories” into his fantasy tale. Stephen recalls one article around the movie release in 2005. The writer meant well, but made up all kinds of silly “allegories.” He believed the Pevensies are apostles and weapons are prayer. Lewis himself specifically says outright that he did not do this. Aslan isn’t an “allegory” for Jesus. He is Jesus, working his good will in many worlds across a fantastical barely glimpsed multiverse. One’s view of “allegory” shouldn’t overturn clearly stated words. Otherwise we’d all end up reading our own ideas into the Bible too! 3. Forced allegories may ruin some stories Frankly, forcing allegories into stories risks rejecting their real truth. With limited allegories, Jesus made sure His parables carry layers. With mixed/complex allegories, Pilgrim’s Progress has aged well! By avoiding direct allegories, Narnia can be subtle yet also overt. And for new Christian-made fantasy, we can expect the same. Kids and grown-ups can lose themselves in the story, not pulling it apart for useful parts, but being surprised by deeper meanings. History shows this is a far more powerful way to read stories. Instead of making them into Teaching Tools, as if stuff we make up could replace God’s word, stories help us see our own responses. This is a far more human emphasis closer to imagination’s purpose. And for new writers out there, we encourage going deeper. Allegories look like ultimate meaning, but they’re really 101 level. Example: any sword may evoke Ephesians 6. But it’s first a sword. You don’t have to limit this idea to the word of God or even prayer. Swords have more resonance in Scripture than just one text. They’re tools of men and angels alike to defeat or restrain evil. So don’t reduce the concrete object to some spiritual abstract. Really this comes down to how we see the world. Do we expect a bodiless “spiritoid” eternity? Or one where matter itself matters? Scripture promises a union of tangible New Earth and New Heaven. Ultimately our stories must hearken to this reality. So study deep! Com station Top question for listeners How do you look for deeper meanings in the Bible and stories? Next on Fantastical Truth Next week is Groundhog Day, and we’ve already seen this story: Your favorite Christian author, who usually talks about book updates and inspirational life anecdotes, is suddenly posting about controversial political stuff. Should readers impose “no politics! no religion!” rules on story creators who feel strongly about a topic? Or might we expect more from authors posting or not posting hot takes?

This podcast and other resources from Lorehaven focus on readers. That’s why, when aspiring writers post questions like, Where can I find an agent? or Will you look at my unpublished manuscript?, we don’t have much to share in that department. Until now. We’re journeying into new lands. This month we’re launching the Lorehaven Authorship within the Lorehaven Guild on Discord. Let’s explore how these new digital channels with pro livestreams and a fan-focused Book Festival will help writers cultivate their God-given imaginations. Episode sponsors Audio-Epic.com: “1232” podcast The Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli Cole Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update Discern the Top Three Negative Evangelical Myths about Popular Culture by E. Stephen Burnett Gabriel’s Song, new review by Sierra Simopoulos Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild How to join the Lorehaven Authorship Hosted in the Lorehaven Guild, the Authorship offers three member levels: Creative ($3.99/month). Fight for your calling. Enjoy livestreams with the pros. Discover why God created us to make stories for His glory and our joy. Pro Novelist ($9.99/month). All benefits for Creative members, plus your own “booth” to seek new readers in our virtual fan-centered Book Festival! Terraformer ($29.99/month). Get all above benefits plus more perks. Help invest in the future of fantastical fiction and expand the Lorehaven mission. How to join? Subscribe free to Lorehaven. (Or in January 2026, just click here.) We’ll send you the Guild invitation. Once you’ve entered the Guild, look for the LOREHAVEN AUTHORSHIP channels. Then click one to see your options. Pro tip: To avoid added fees, avoid signing up for the Authorship on Apple devices. Instead, use the desktop app or browser version. 1. Why our Author gives us imaginations How can writers sometimes fall into ‘writicism’ traps? For a while, many Christian fantasy writers seemed hyperfocused. Blogs and conferences focused mainly on the craft of writing. And some complained about publishers not being interested. Some did try these books. Only a few succeeded. How come? My take for 20-ish years: not enough writer focus on our Only in the last decade-ish have we gotten better at fan outreach. We’ve also seen more writers get serious about their faith in Jesus. They’ve earned trust with more readers and therefore succeed. Do fantasy fans like writing more than other fans? Still, we’ve found that unlike other genres like biography, mystery, and historical romance, fantastical fans enjoy the craft of writing. Some write fanfiction or other stories just for fun. Others share their stories with friends or family. Still others have aspirations for indie or traditional publication. But writers must not hope publishers or fans will make them happy. The best authors are already happy, or joyous, for other reasons. Maybe they’re simply really ambitious or gifted, as non-Christians. Or maybe they’re Christians and find their joy/happiness in Christ. How does fantastical creation give us joy in Jesus? In any case, if you’re a Christian, create stories for Christ’s glory! God has called you to worship Him. Only in this can we be happy. Worship includes biblical practice of His gift of imagination. That’s why we make things for His glory and for our happiness. This joy can begins today, yet is also practice for eternal joy. And this pursuit is our “chief end”—before all the challenges of plotting vs. pantsing, or whether to seek agents vs. indie-publish. How will the Lorehaven Authorship help you find joy? In the Authorship, published pros will train creatives in the craft of writing. However, we’ll also help you discover your purpose for your imagination. Why did God create you? And why do we feel this drive to create other stuff? If you sense the need to know this greater godly mission, welcome aboard! 2. How we grow His gifts into writing skills How has this biblical joy kept us going over decades? To repeat: God gives us creative imagination to glorify Him. So His divine purpose empowers us for creative challenges. Personally, Stephen can testify that I’ve been renewed by this biblical mission for over 25 writing years of minor wins and major losses. Even when the day job boss says, “We need to lay you off”? Even when the editor says, “This project isn’t right for us? Often Stephen has asked himself, “If I never got published as a ‘pro novelist,’ could I still write, if only for my joy in Christ?” How will the Authorship help writers grow their craft? I’ll put my 25+ years of creative struggles to work here. So will other pro novelists. This reflects our shared need for training. After all, you can’t go directly from “Let’s write!” to “Let’s change the world with our stories.” Don’t skip that big step in between—the step of Christians helping one another grow our creative gifts. For example, later this month I’m hosting a fully public livestream: How to Sell a Sci-Fi Novel in Just Twenty-Five Easy Years Saturday, Jan. 31 6 p.m. Eastern (3 p.m. Pacific) exclusively in the Guild Future livestreams will be available for all Authorship members. Apart from livestreams, we’ll share this training in every room of the Authorship—from C.S. Lewis’s three-stage view of story-making, to creative challenges like the “Christian” label, to the thorny issue of whether fictional characters can curse. How will authors reach fans at the Book Festival? Lorehaven has spent years connecting authors not just with other authors, but with faithful readers. So the Authorship will also feature the Lorehaven Book Festival. Anyone in the free Guild can visit the Book Festival to browse virtual booths. Yet only members at the Pro Novelist level can host their own booth spaces. They can recruit readers, share links, or host Q&As—for any length of time. 3. How ‘terraformers’ can change this world What’s the state of the Christian fantastical world? We’d love to see more Christian-made novels in sci-fi and horror. As reality-observant persons, however, we must admit the truth. Teen/YA women’s fantasy continues to rule these worlds. A day may come when all subgenres live in harmony and success. But it is not this day. Bad publishers? No. Limited/quiet readership. Why do we need not just writers, but “terraformers”? To fulfill this future, we need spaces to help these genres grow. Lorehaven is generational. That’s why we call for terraforming. Maybe the Lord has blessed you with success you’d like to share. Or maybe you’re not a writer, but you want to support writers. You can become an Authorship Terraformer, sponsoring this work. (Only after supporting family, local church, and faithful groups!) How will the Authorship grow fantastical fiction? Our ultimate purpose: offer even more resources from Lorehaven. More library titles. More reviews. Digitally published book quests. Perhaps even more episodes of this very podcast, shared to all. Right now our main limitation is not willingness or skills, but time. Thank the Lord, Lorehaven is a sponsor-supported digital mission! Still, if He brought other supporters our way, we’d be glad to grow. Com station Top question for listeners If you write, which groups and mentors have helped you grow? Comment from @‌johnfollis2357 about episode 219: I am forever grateful to these people for putting this wonderful drama together. I won’t spoil it much here, but there is a part in Glorious Appearing that had me convicted of my sin and my need for a savior several years ago. And as a result, I was converted to Christianity. A follower of Jesus Christ. God saved me. And I did not do anything to earn it. It is all his doing. Next on Fantastical Truth Imagine, if you will, that Christian Author X creates a futuristic tale in which cyborg detectives explore the boundaries of good and evil. That seems cool. But how does that compare with, say, Christian Author Y’s fantasy story in which verses and prayer are like magic, people and place names are anagrams for virtues, and the king represents Jesus Christ? Many fine Christians get confused by Author X’s story but get impressed by Author Y’s story—because, after all, it’s allegory! Is this kind of allegory, however, really a more “Christian” kind of story?

“In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappear.” Jesus returned thirty years ago. Or rather, He sort of pre-returned, the warm-up act, if you will. Many faithful Christians believe in this kind of “rapture.” And in December 1995, two authors teamed up and used this idea to create the most successful biblical end-times thriller we’ve yet seen. In summer 2024 we overviewed the series. Yet now we’ll ask how that first Left Behind novel has aged, thirty years after its release. Episode sponsors Of Dawn and Embers by Gillian Bronte Adams The Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli Cole Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update Review: Sons of Day and Night by Mariposa Aristeo Behold Our Top Most Anticipated New Books and Movies for 2026 New article releases this Thursday: Discern the Top Three Negative Evangelical Myths about Popular Culture Next week, Lord willing: we announce the Lorehaven Authorship Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes Fantastical Truth podcast series: Left Behind Legacy 216. Why Do Christians Fight Over End-Times Prophecies? | E. Stephen Burnett vs Zackary Russell 217. How Did Publishers Steward the Blockbuster Left Behind Series? | with Dan Balow 218. How Did The Kids Get Left Behind? | with Chris Fabry 219. How Did GAP Digital Turn Left Behind Into Cinematic Audio Drama? | with Todd Busteed 220. How Did the ‘Left Behind’ Kids Audio Drama Speed-Run the Tribulation? | with Darby Kern 221. How Did The Left Behind Series Enrapture Millions of Fans? | with Jerry B. Jenkins Other Lorehaven resources on the Left Behind series Lorehaven.com search keyphrase: LEFT BEHIND Left Behind (1995) in the Lorehaven Library From the archives, Stephen’s article series: Twelve Reasons the ‘Left Behind’ Series is Actually Awesome How to Make a ‘Left Behind’ Streaming Series That’s Actually Awesome, Daniel Whyte IV Secular endorsements of the Left Behind series “This is the most successful Christian fiction series ever.” ―Publishers Weekly “Combines Tom Clancy–like suspense with touches of romance, high-tech flash, and biblical references.” ―New York Times “Call it what you like, the Left Behind series . . . now has a label its creators could have never predicted: blockbuster success.” ―Entertainment Back cover of Left Behind, book 1, published in late 1995: A novel of the Earth’s last days. In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappear. Vehicles, suddenly unmanned, careen out of control. People are terror stricken as loved ones vanish before their eyes. In the midst of global chaos, airline captain Rayford Steele must search for his family, for answers, for truth. As devastating as the disappearances have been, the darkest days may lie ahead. 1. Left Behind proclaims gospel truth* Let’s start with the true. This book really wants to get you saved. It’s a product of deep Biblical Christian desires to redeem souls. Two authors (largely) make this work: the nonfiction author Tim LaHaye (The Act of Marriage) plus fiction author Jerry B. Jenkins. Both men, however, are evangelicals who want the gospel spread. So the novel shares a goal with others thriller based on possible futures: to tell a plot-driven story yet also provoke reader action. At times the threat of sin does feel lesser than that of Antichrist. All biblical Christians agree to repent and receive Jesus as Savior. Yet not all biblical Christians agree with “pray the sinner’s prayer.” And certainly only some Christians accept this end-times scenario. The late LaHaye, and Jenkins as well, would surely agree with this. Let readers, then, always discern what in the book is gospel truth and what are opinions (however deeply studied) about prophecy. 2. The story has unbelieving ‘good’ heroes Left Behind is underrated for this—its protagonists are good guys. Buck Williams has high ethics in his newsmagazine journalism. Rayford Steele has been (until now) a loving husband and father. Chloe Steele is a young college student free of remarkable sin. And finally, Bruce Barnes is a decent pastor at his local church. And yet … all these men lack Jesus, and they’re drifting into sin. The novel’s opening spells out the lurking evil in one man’s heart: “Rayford Steele’s mind was on a woman he’d never touched.” It seems that Rayford’s family-man decency only lasts so long. For the authors, then, the Rapture is as much a warning trumpet blast to his heart as it is a measure of mercy for existing Christians. Many fans reacted strongly to this theme. How could such good people, even a pastor at a church, be left out of any pre–Second Coming event? Weren’t they by all accounts decent people? Conversely, lest any Christians suppose unbelievers are all wanton sinners, Jenkins answers that no, we can root for these people. Even without the label, Left Behind shows common grace in action. Common grace can make you decent, but only Jesus will save you. 3. Left Behind stays functional and practical This novel is written, by design, to be as widely read as possible. Jerry B. Jenkins has spoken on this as the authors’ express goal. This isn’t literary fiction. Chapters are short. The style is simple. The original Left Behind is a rather thick book at 468 pages, but with large font face, wide margins, and lots of white space. All these invite as many readers as possible; this story is populist. Therefore, critics who fault the book for not meeting the goals they have migrated over from other books are revealing their ignorance or possibly elitism. Left Behind isn’t trying to be a timeless classic. In fact, many of the original moments quickly felt very timebound. Characters use dial-up modems; cell phones show up sporadically. Later revised versions updated the technology. Yet as Jerry B. Jenkins told us in 2024, he’s content to leave the series as it is. However, Left Behind also feels oddly distant from some moments. Rayford’s finding of his vanished family is an emotional high point. Other scenes, like a car bombing, get summarized at a distance. This creates plot accessibility, but not so much character access. With some exceptions, then, Left Behind values truth (and its own strong opinions) and goodness in substance over beauty in style. Again, this was likely by intention on the creators’ part. Sometimes what the prosaic style sacrifices for speed still creates deep emotions because the momentum draws in more readers. Later volumes, like book 6, delved deeper into emotional journeys. You feel (even in passing) the weight of hero deaths and struggles. Ultimately, Left Behind offered a different kind of beauty—brisk and efficient pro writing, repetition, and popular accessibility, all of which set a course for this runaway successful late-1990s series. Com station Top questions for listeners Do you expect the Rapture at any moment? Or some other event? What did you (or your parents?) think about the novel Left Behind? Email us podcast@lorehaven.com or tag as on the social medias. Mandi W. wrote in reply to an unspecified episode: So I am not really a sci-fi/dystopian reader, but follow LH/Enclave for my veracious teen readers. My shocking love was The Chaos Grid and Crier Stone books from Lindsey Llewellyn. Well done!!! I actually read them each in 1 sitting and stayed up WAY too late doing so. ;o) Lydia sent this about last week’s episode 294: Your point about sci-fi/fantastical exploration and dominion-taking being a huge part of our future in the new heavens & new earth reminds me of my favorite quote from Wayne Thomas Batson’s Door Within trilogy: the last chapter of the last book ends with the hero asking the God figure, the King, if there will be adventures in His kingdom. The King smiles and says, “More than you can possibly imagine.” That line changed my perspective on eternity completely. Several educational years later, I’m a postmillenial and eager for stories that can transcend time and inspire generations to take dominion of the world for Christ’s kingdom. Here’s to an increase of that in the years to come! Next on Fantastical Truth This podcast and other resources from Lorehaven focus on readers. That’s why, when aspiring writers send us questions like, Where can I find an agent? or Will you look at my unpublished manuscript?, we haven’t had much to share in that area. Until now. This month we launch the Lorehaven Authorship in the Lorehaven Guild on Discord. Let’s explore how these new digital discipleship channels, pro livestreams, and fan-focused Book Festival will help authors cultivate their God-given creative purpose.

Last year brought many challenges for Christian fantasy fans. From flops at the theaters now threatened by streaming slop, to creators making more events for Christian storytelling, to the continued growth of biblical fiction as the top genre of Christian-made entertainment—let’s survey the top ten fantasy-related headlines from last year. Episode sponsors Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen The Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli Cole Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: many features over the holidays! We announced our new book quest in the Lorehaven Guild: Taliesin Onscreen: ‘Stranger Things’ Season Five Gives Weight to Parents’ Fears, A. D. Sheehan Onscreen: ‘David’ Creators Answer all Your Questions About the Animated Hit Movie, Josh Shepherd Engage: Alleged ‘Rock and Roll’ Soundtrack Incites Suspicion of Netflix’s Narnia Movie, newcomer Sierra Simopoulos Sierra Simopoulos also reviewed Sons of Day and Night My own article: Why Christians Need Fantastical Stories Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Stop by the homepage for many upgrades, especially the Library. Soon: discover the Guild’s new wing, the Lorehaven Authorship. 10. Superheroes failed to save ailing cinema Marvel movies, despite their strengths, all flopped at the box office. Personally I did like Fantastic Four: First Steps, but didn’t love it. Lorehaven folks were generally positive about some hero movies. ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Labors to Save a Struggling MCU, Marian A. Jacobs The Antiheroes of Thunderbolts* Preach to Marvel Itself, Daniel Whyte IV ‘Superman’ (2025) Will Make You Believe a Man Can Be Earnest, Josiah DeGraaf However, audiences were tepid; none of these films broke even. The greatest foe of superheroes? Flippancy. Next: lack of family. MCU reached its apex with creators who at least feigned sincerity. DC’s nobledark tone was winning fans, until the studio freaked out. 9. Disney’s ‘Snow White’ remake bombed Sticking with cinemas, this one might be the year’s greatest fail. ‘Snow White’ (2025) Isn’t the Fairest of Adaptations, Parker J. Cole I didn’t see it. Few people did. More people saw YouTube roasts. This whole nonsense was an ugly reflection of three terrible trends ruining films: “woke” checkboxes, cynicism, and corporate gloss. 8. Fans abandoned legacy sci-fi franchises Once a Doctor Who hero, Russell T. Davies has ruined that series. Star Trek is adrift, desperately trying to hail imaginary “new fans.” Of course, Star Wars keeps failing to please its own alienated fans. The greatest culprit here: Godless, sex-obsessed progressivism. One can’t correct from this without visibly rejecting “woke” politics. 7. K-Pop Demon Hunters owned the summer We haven’t had a genuine pop-culture movie phenomenon in ages. Then along comes this little giant animated movie on Netflix. ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ Pits Singing Heroines vs. Monster Idols, Marian A. Jacobs Kids sang catchy songs. Adults found deeper themes to explore. YouTube reactions and covers on Instagram/TikTok exploded. For the first time, Netflix had a true four-quadrant hit on its hands. And dear Lord, may they learn only the right lessons from this, and not turn this into another streaming slop like so much other stuff. 6. ‘Woke’ stories stepped back, yet persisted 251. Could a Cultural ‘Vibe Shift’ Advance Christian-Made Fiction? Due to political events we won’t detail, that agenda is on the wane. At least the Sexualityism religion is seen as stale and unstable. Many are still trying to figure out what, if any, ideas will replace it. A. D. Sheehan had to critique Brandon Sanderson, a late arrival to the “woke” content scene: Brandon Sanderson’s New Fantasy ‘Wind and Truth’ Summons a Postmodern Cringestorm. Oddly enough, we keep seeing Christian parents posting about the random books they find, after which they ask “Is it woke?” Pro tip: yeah, it’s probably woke, especially with a cover like that. By now we surely have enough Christian-made novels to help? 5. Corporate slop threatens human stories 274. Why Shouldn’t AI-Generated Content Replace Human Stories? This is partly about AI-generated slop, but not always. Skeptical fans now refer to anything bad with “this looks AI.” Why? Because the problem goes deeper than technology amok. Long before AI, corporate studios began relying on algorithms. I believe that’s when these stories began feeling less, well, human. 272. Can We Save Cinema from Sloppy Stories? Instead of human hunches, stories get greenlit by metallic minds. Reference: the short-lived run of Robert Zemekis mocap movies. At first people express curiosity, but eventually they get bored. Prediction: this too shall pass. We’ll see a lot of forced “firsts,” like “the first fully AI-generated movie.” They may even succeed. But the novelty will quickly wear off as it did before Mars Needs Moms. Still, Christian creators must dig deeper to defend organic human stories with philosophies deeper than “AI destroys the Earth.” 4. Conservative TV is trying more fantasy We greatly anticipate the DailyWire+ show The Pendragon Cycle. Based on Stephen Lawhead’s novels, seven episodes drop Jan. 22. Christian showrunner Jeremy Boreing actually stepped down from being Daily Wire co-CEO, it seems, to ensure finishing this series. Political hot takes scarcely outlast the day. Great stories last long. Alas, there’s the constantly controversial Magician’s Nephew movie Marketing for this is dreadful, with publicly floated nonsense about an actress playing Aslan or the movie featuring “rock and roll.” 257. By Aslan’s Mane, is Netflix Really Casting a Lady as the Lion? Meanwhile, platforms like Angel (run by LDS members, yet with freedom for Christians) released The Wingfeather Saga season 2. We also saw a new angel-heroes show, Gabriel and the Guardians. ‘Gabriel and the Guardians’ Echoes a Golden Era of Saturday Morning Cartoons, Jenneth Leed Alas, any sci-fi-ish efforts seem restricted to dystopian dramas. We need higher budgets and risks to widen those genre limits. 3. Realm Makers unites Christian creators 265. How Can We Shine the Gospel at the Realm Makers Expo? 266. How Do You Assemble a New Expo for Christian Fandoms? | with Scott Minor Last year’s conference in Grand Rapids marked an experiment. Can this organization blend creator training with a public expo? Results were mixed-positive, mainly because of the venue choice. For me, a debut sci-fi novelist, results may have skewed better. Yet our primary audience must be Christian fans and families. A semi-major downtown is difficult for these folks to access. Next year’s new venue in St. Louis looks much more promising! And it sounds like the public Expo will be easier for fans to access. For Christian fantasy to grow, we must unite over common interest. Yet this unity must be based on love for the true Jesus, our Author. 2. Biblical fiction is the top Christian genre There’s no contest. Amish and historical fiction is dethroned. Christian fantasy (mostly romantasy) remains confined to books. Amazon’s ‘House of David’ Anoints an Intriguing Biblical Epic, Michael Allen ‘House of David’ Is Crowned King of Amazon Prime, Jenneth Leed 1. Fantasy for teen/YA women continues to rule the Christian-made fantastical worlds This might well be the repeat headline from previous years. Facts are facts. Teen girls and women outread everyone else. When they like fantasy, they prefer female heroes/relationships. Romantasy is the queen. And her handmaiden is royal drama. 249. What is ‘Romantasy’? | with Parker J. Cole And the new princess on the block? Time-travel romance, for sure. 263. What is Time-Travel Romance? | Every Hour Until Then with Gabrielle Meyer These books get the most attention on Instagram and elsewhere. Is it true that “men don’t read”? Not necessarily. Men do read. But they tend to read nonfiction about culture, theology, history. And for fantastical fiction, these readers have unique expectations. Christians here favor proven legacies, especially Lewis/Tolkien. One can’t complain about the reality. Instead, meet the standard. Frankly, that’s my hope for Above the Circle of Earth and beyond. Of course I support teen/YA female-focused fantasy stories! Yet that’s not my genre; it doesn’t help me, personally, grow in joy. Surely there are more readers who favor other kinds of stories, maybe deeper, maybe in underdog genres like sci-fi and horror. Christians must expect a true joyous sci-fi future under King Jesus. And we uniquely understand supernatural realities/horror today. But making new stories isn’t enough. We must cultivate readers. That’s our mission at Lorehaven with our new mission statement: Escape bad books. Find the best Christian fantasy and sci-fi! Watch this space for more about bad books, reader cultivation, and new resolutions to avoid scroll traps and level up your imagination. Com station Top question for listeners What was your top fantasy story or least-liked story in 2025? Next on Fantastical Truth “In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the world disappear.” Jesus returned thirty years ago. Or rather, He sort of pre-returned, the warm-up act, if you will. Many faithful Christians believe in this kind of “rapture.” And in December 1995, two authors teamed up and used this idea to create the most successful biblical end-times thriller we’ve yet seen. Last summer, we overviewed the series. Yet now we’ll ask how that first Left Behind novel has aged, thirty years after its release.

Earlier this month, and just in time for Christmas, Focus on the Family made a fun announcement: an upcoming theatrical adaptation of Adventures in Odyssey. Dubbed Journey Into The Impossible, this 3D animated film will explore the town of Odyssey before the establishment of Whit’s End. What kinds of adventures will a young John Avery Whittaker enjoy? (This special episode was recorded live.) Episode sponsors Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen A Faie Tale by Vince Mancuso MYTH: Reign of the Immortals by J. F. Nickens Mission update ‘Stranger Things’ Season Five Gives Weight to Parents’ Fears, A. D. Sheehan Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes ‘Adventures in Odyssey’ Goes to the Movies? , Lorehaven, Dec. 4 ‘Adventures in Odyssey’ Goes to the Movies? Adventures in Odyssey is releasing a new animated feature film. The working title is Journey into the Impossible. It’s scheduled for a theatrical release in fall 2026. Unlike previous video releases, this film is canon to the audio drama timeline. It serves as a prequel set years before the main series. The film will focus on a younger John Avery Whittaker (Whit), his wife Jenny, and their son Jason. The movie will feature 3D animation stylized with a “2D storybook appearance.” Creators say this will blend modern production quality with a nostalgic visual aesthetic. The project is led by long-time Adventures in Odyssey showrunner Dave Arnold. It also features work by former Disney animator John Pomeroy, ensuring faithfulness to the show’s legacy. A major goal of the film is to introduce the franchise to a new generation of families who may not be familiar with the 1,000+ episode audio drama. We discuss Whit’s enduring appeal as a “positive patriarch.” He is a wise, capable, and gentle male role model, contrasting with many father figures in modern media. The creators are prioritizing a theatrical release to encourage families, churches, and homeschool groups to watch it together as a community event, rather than just streaming it individually. Next on Fantastical Truth “In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the world disappear.” Jesus returned thirty years ago. Or rather, He sort of pre-returned, the warm-up act, if you will. Many faithful Christians believe in this kind of “rapture.” And in December 1995, two authors teamed up and used this idea to create the most successful biblical end-times thriller we’ve yet seen. Last summer, we looked back on the Left Behind series legacy. Yet now we’ll ask how that first Left Behind novel has aged, thirty years after its release.

“We do not celebrate Christmas that way.” “We do not read those kinds of books.” “We ‘do not handle, do not taste, do not touch.’” We know our world is full of rebellion against God’s law. But many people overreact to moral license with a strict imposing of out-of-context or made-up laws. Faithful saints call this legalism, and Christian fantasy fans know plenty about this. When that influencer or relative rebukes your fantastical interest, how you can respond with grace and truth? Episode sponsors Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen A Faie Tale by Vince Mancuso MYTH: Reign of the Immortals by J. F. Nickens Mission update New at Lorehaven: reviews of Ruthless and Shadowcast Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes What Is Fiction Legalism?, E. Stephen Burnett Even If We Like Fantasy and Sci-Fi, We Can Still Practice Accidental Legalism, Marian A. Jacobs 50. Do Christians Really Need Fiction? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 1, Fantastical Truth podcast 1. Legalism denies the word of God itself. We’ve heard and experienced many stories of judgy legalists. Some are worse than others. Some comments are snide asides. I heard one author’s work dismissed as “not in the real world.” And yes, I’ve had people challenge Lewis, Tolkien, other stories. Others rail more on social media against metal music or pageants. But don’t confuse these false teachers with people they deceive. Your family members may be confused and repeating memes. In either case, work to overcome defensiveness or bad feelings. Your firm foundation: legalism is anti-gospel; the Bible rejects it. So study the word of God. Don’t let legalists ruin that for you! Get into the gospel with the epistles, Romans, and other epistles. Focus on texts like Romans 14, 1 Cor. 8-10, and all of Galatians. 2. Legalism denies the good of God’s gifts. Moving to legalistic teachers, they often escape to fantasy worlds. They like alternative realities where people don’t like/need stories. You can (kindly) hit ’em with that little rejoinder, see how it works. In either case, be sure you study up on God’s creative purpose. Start in Genesis and take this text seriously: it’s history in poetry! Pay special heed to the “cultural mandate” in Gen. 1:27-28. Any ignorance of this call also overthrow God’s call to family. So no one gets to do preaching or “ministry” minimization here! From this text, learned theologians discern that God is and loves three virtues in no particular order: beauty, goodness, and truth. God also loves to give good gifts to evil men and His children. We get this truth directly from texts like Matt. 7:11 and James 1:17. Sin ruin gifts? Not for studying, praying believers (1 Tim. 4:1-5). 3. And legalism denies God’s real world. It is not Christianity, but gnosticism, to despise God’s creation. Get your eschatology right, after all the charts and controversies. It’s simply flawed to suggest we’re bound for a bodiless world. Scripture constantly hints, then promises, a renewed planet Earth. Heaven will come down here, rather than replacing all of our world. Let’s get the end of Revelation right about New Heavens and New Earth, Christ’s eternal and holy kingdom that restores paradise! For Stephen, this doctrine was key to debunking fiction legalism. It helps me avoid the responses of depression or deconstruction. On good days I feel sympathy and love for sincere fiction legalists. With this solid foundation we can “swashbuckle” them with smiles. We can affirm the need for truth and holiness, but show how it is in fact made-up laws, not God’s actual word, that forbid good gifts. And we can show how these stories help us grow to be like Jesus. Com station Top question for listeners When did you confront a fiction legalist? How did you respond? tallgrant liked ep. 290 on YouTube: Happy to see this covered, and even happier to get the other half in the Abolition of Man at least touched on! The position Lewis takes about a very small ruling class who make decisions about all of morality for everyone who comes after very much aligns with the ultimate revealed mission of the N.I.C.E. Not to mention the issues being raised about where a potential soul can come from. I find his look at the outworking and consequences of post-modern thought and reasoning really intriguing, considering that this was all put to paper before the conclusion of the second world war and the mass dissemination of those ideas outside the academic world.

Well, we recently talked about the first Chronicle of Narnia … the book! Yet many fans found or rediscovered this series thanks to the Disney-distributed, Walden Media–made film from director Andrew Adamson. Want to feel old? That was two decades ago! So now we shall look back at Narnia’s journey to the box office with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which released twenty years ago on Dec. 9, 2005. Episode sponsors Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen A Faie Tale by Vince Mancuso MYTH: Reign of the Immortals by J. F. Nickens Mission update New at Lorehaven: Netflix’s New ‘Frankenstein’ Reveals Why a Time-Shifted ‘Magician’s Nephew’ Film May Work , Daniel Whyte IV Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Coming in January: our book quest through Stephen Lawhead’s fantasy novel Taliesin Backstory: Mark Joseph Mark Joseph is a music and film producer, author, columnist and founder of MJM Entertainment Group, a multi-faceted entertainment company with interests in film, publishing, music, TV production and film consulting. Joseph got his start in television as an anchor for NHK and CNN’s The Entertainment Report in the 1990’s and his company MJM produced documentaries and supervised the international release of over a hundred albums by various pop and rock artists. In addition to producing his own films, he oversees a marketing team that has marketed 75 films since 2001. From 2000-2005 he worked in development and marketing for Walden Media and Crusader Entertainment and oversaw a grassroots marketing team. He has served as a producer on 15 films, including Max Rose starring Jerry Lewis, The Vessel starring Martin Sheen, America, Japan: Searching For The Dream, Frank vs. God and others. Joseph is the author of four books including The Lion, The Professor & The Movies: Narnia’s Journey To The Big Screen and has been a regular contributor to publications like Forbes, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, USA Today, The Huffington Post and FoxNews.com. He is currently a senior columnist for Newsweek and hosts the podcast The Mark Joseph Show. Most recently, he produced the film Reagan, starring Dennis Quaid and published the book Making REAGAN: A Memoir from the Producer of the REAGAN Movie. He also produced the film’s two soundtracks including songs from Bob Dylan, Clint Black, Gene Simmons of KISS, Tanya Tucker and others. Mark and his wife Kara have six children and reside in Southern California. YAF.org: Mark Joseph Facebook: MJM Entertainment Group Instagram: @markjoseph00 The Lion, The Professor & The Movies: Narnia’s Journey To The Big Screen Making REAGAN: A Memoir from the Producer of the REAGAN Movie 1. Narnia’s journey from book to screen … The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe got one TV animation (1979) Then the story (plus two more) came to live-action BBC TV (1988) Yet it was the Walden Media–made film that went bigger (2005) That film released just twenty years ago in the U.S., Dec. 9, 2005 Mark Joseph’s role from those early days as Narnia pre-producer 2. … Through the winter of production … Stephen first learned this was official in a NY Times ad Dec. 2003. Early rumors included Disney aid (true), Kidman’s Witch (untrue). Director: Andrew Adamson. Early casting. Scriptwriters and team. In the afterglow of LOTR, Narnia also filmed much in New Zealand. WETA Workshop did armor work. Other studios did visual effects. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe film released Dec. 9, 2005. 3. … And into the spring of fan acclaim Teasers and trailers pleased fans, with only a few early hiccups. Against a $180 million budget, earned $745 million worldwide. Led to two sequels that earned less. Ended. Restart didn’t work. Now we have Greta Gerwig starting with The Magician’s Nephew. Any informal shared advice, constructive criticism, final memories. Com station Top question for listeners How did you first see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)? Terri Hamilton recalls her Narnia origin tale (ep. 289): I found the Narnia series in my school library when I was in 4th grade, and yes, they were in the proper order. It was a watershed moment for me. I bought myself a boxed set a few years later. Boy, did I look for portals! When I get into a discussion about the book order, I point out The Magician’s Nephew is a prequel, explaining the back story of the first book. Next on Fantastical Truth “We do not celebrate Christmas that way.” “We do not read those kinds of books.” “We ‘do not handle, do not taste, do not touch.’” We know our world is full of rebellion against God’s law. But many people overreact to moral license with a strict imposing of out-of-context or made-up laws. Faithful saints call this legalism, and Christian fantasy fans know plenty about this. When that social-media pastor rebukes your favorite sci-fi, or that relative raises a judgy eyebrow at holiday dinners, how you can respond with grace, truth, and love for legalists?

Long ago, before the great lion Aslan bounded onto bookshelves, C. S. Lewis wrote a science fiction novel set on mythological Mars. From there, the sequel carried Dr. Elwin Ransom by angels to the sister planet Venus. And from there … the Ransom/Cosmic/Space Trilogy descended to the dull world of corrupt college boards, inner-ring politics, and a secret technocracy bent on world domination with the aid of mad science and demons and everything. Eighty years after That Hideous Strength, we explore why C. S. Lewis created this earthbound and weird and wonderful pre-political supernatural thriller. Episode sponsors Sons of Day and Night by Mariposa Aristeo A Faie Tale by Vince Mancuso Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: Josiah DeGraaf’s Sun Eater series article Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild That hideously obscure front cover image. 1. The temptations to wield inner rings The Ransom Trilogy really includes all three fantastical genres. It starts with sci-fi, continues to fantasy, ends in supernatural. Stephen would have appreciated knowing this before this book! Because that fact, plus the cover, will affect your expectations. More than the other two, Hideous Strength feels a weird hybrid. For instance, it begins on Earth and feels “grown-up,” even dull. Who is Mark Studdock and Jane? Why do we care about them? And where is Dr. Ransom and the creatures of books 1 and 2? But here Lewis is addressing some deep and personal enemies. One of them is the “inner ring” villain he writes about elsewhere. Call this “the room where it happens,” that seat of power. Right now some conspiracists claim to “expose” secret inner rings. Yet more often they’re trying to make new “rings” themselves. This “normal,” subtle threat marks the first real evil of the story. Mark, a social-climbing sociologist, craves to reach this influence. Then he gets there … and discovers it’s run by the greater threat. 2. A not-so-N.I.C.E. secular technocracy Enter the National Institute for Co-ordinated Experiments. It’s a social movement, an actual autocratic state bent on power. They’re all about science, social engineering, efficiency, machines. These theorists take the worst of evil ideologies and mix them up. And for Lewis, this represents the worst corruptions of academia. They destroy natural land like Saruman. Hijack history like IngSoc. And they take over newspapers in plain sight like any petty tyrant. Some have different aims/ideas, such as a truly scary revelation about what exactly has gone wrong with the sterility of the Moon. Others are so poisoned by elitism that they “naturally” fall into evil. That’s why we call this a pre-political story. Yes, it’s about politics and has overlapping theme, but is about the ideas beneath this. N.I.C.E.’s goal: the subjugation of the human race to macrobes. From here, Lewis finally explains the recurring visions of Jane Studdock (revealing the conspiracy) and a holy resistance order. And, lest there be any doubt, we soon learn the worst threat of all. 3. Devils vs. power to demolish strongholds At last, Dr. Ransom enters the story, leading a small diverse group. He’s recruited Christian fellow academics, sure, but also one rather sympathetic skeptic, leading women, and working-class folks. Their enemy is not just flesh and blood, but dark spiritual powers. That’s why we call Hideous Strength a true supernatural thriller. Astute readers will discern demonic activity behind the veil. That’s no surprise for the author of The Screwtape Letters. Yet the activity is more subtle, in allusion, not overt like Peretti. Ultimately we discern the demons/humans spread their evil ideas in an area Lewis knew very well: the corruption of language. Words, meanings, symbols, translations are vital to this story. And perhaps it’s no surprise that the ultimate battle is won not by weapons or even direct intrusions of magic, but by word powers. Clearly the author had in mind a certain Genesis 11 narrative! By the end, one hero utters this divine judgment: “Qui Verbum Dei contempserunt, eis auferetur etiam verbum hominis.” (Kee vehr-boom Deh-ee kon-temp-seh-roont, eh-ees ow-feh-reh-toor eh-tee-ahm vehr-boom ho-mee-nees) Translated: “They that have despised the word of God, from them shall the word of man also be taken away.” These villains “have pulled down Deep Heaven onto their heads.” Holy agents unite from the planets and the past to empower good. Lewis also brings in, quite overtly, his love for medieval cosmology and the planetary influences that are crucial to this universe. And now (with a reread) Stephen has experienced this story with delight like he had hoped, particularly with Lewis’s latter head-hopping and fun-poking at the expense of N.I.C.E.’s evildoers. That Hideous Strength ends with startling eucatastrophe and celebration of biblical and based virtues, from cosmic to familial. It’s no wonder the story has gained new fans in these similar days. Com station Top question for listeners Do you prefer demonic evil in fiction to be overt or subtle? Next on Fantastical Truth Well, we just talked about the first Chronicle of Narnia … the book! Yet many fans found or rediscovered this series thanks to the Disney-distributed, Walden Media–made film from director Andrew Adamson. Want to feel old? That was two decades ago! So now we shall look back at Narnia’s journey to the box office with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which released twenty years ago on Dec. 9, 2005.

“Suddenly Aslan came bounding into it.” That is how C. S. Lewis described the plot twist in his creative process for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. “I don’t know where the Lion came from or why He came. But once He was there, He pulled the whole story together.” And in turn, this story has pulled together the imaginations of millions across the world. Now, 75 years after the first Chronicles of Narnia book was published, let’s explore how this changed fantasy forever. Episode sponsors Sons of Day and Night by Mariposa Aristeo A Faie Tale by Vince Mancuso Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: our retro review of Kathy Tyers’ Firebird The Sun Eater Series is the Modern Sci-Fi Epic Christians Have Been Awaiting, article by Josiah DeGraaf Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes: exploring Narnia The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe review at Lorehaven The Chronicles of Narnia series review at Lorehaven, March 2020 Fantastical Truth episode 24. How Do We Defeat the Top Seven Myths about The Chronicles of Narnia? Part 1 Episode 26. How Do We Defeat the Top Seven Myths about The Chronicles of Narnia? Part 2 Episode 35. Did C. S. Lewis Say It’s ‘Pure Moonshine’ to Create Stories that Teach Christian Truth? Episode 261. Why Do We Love The Magician’s Nephew? Quotes and notes: the creation of Narnia Some people seem to think that I began by asking myself how I could say something about Christianity to children; then fixed on the fairy tale as an instrument; then collected information about child-psychology and decided what age-group I’d write for; drew up a list of basic Christian truths and hammered out ‘allegories’ to embody them. This is all pure moonshine. I couldn’t write in that way at all. Everything began with images; a faun carrying an umbrella, a queen on a sledge, a magnificent lion. At first there wasn’t even anything Christian about them; that element pushed itself in of its own accord. —C. S. Lewis, “Sometimes Fairy Stories May Say Best What’s To Be Said,” (1956) All my seven Narnian books, and my three science-fiction books, began with seeing pictures in my head. At first they were not a story, just pictures. The Lion all began with a picture of a Faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood. This picture had been in my mind since I was about sixteen. Then one day, when I was about forty, I said to myself: ‘Let’s try to make a story about it.’ At first I had very little idea how the story would go. But then suddenly Aslan came bounding into it. I think I had been having a good many dreams of lions about that time. Apart from that, I don’t know where the Lion came from or why He came. But once He was there He pulled the whole story together, and soon He pulled the six other Narnian stories in after Him. So you see that, in a sense, I know very little about how this story was born. That is, I don’t know where the pictures came from. And I don’t believe anyone knows exactly how he ‘makes things up’. Making up is a very mysterious thing. When you ‘have an idea’ could you tell anyone exactly how you thought of it? —C. S. Lewis, “It All Began with a Picture,” 1960 [Narnia’]s beauties often get blunted or made lukewarm by the persistent myth spread by well-meaning readers, including many Christians, that the Narnia books are merely “allegorical.” (For example, one author even wrote that Professor Kirke’s mansion “is symbolic of the church” while the wardrobe “symbolizes the Bible.”) But the “allegory” label ignores the stories’ true purpose according to Lewis, who insisted on calling his world a supposal. In one letter, Lewis wrote that his Narnia stories answered the question, “What might Christ become like if there really were a world like Narnia and He chose to be incarnate and die and rise again in that world as He actually has done in ours?” Lewis then concluded, “This is not allegory at all.” Case closed. And Aslan be praised that it is closed, because if we turn these stories into mere allegory, we might end up using Narnia like a mere code or container pointing to “higher” ideals. —The Chronicles of Narnia series review, Lorehaven, March 2020 Early 2000s edition, with cover based on the classic Pauline Baynes illustration. 1. The Lion … Lewis took great care to model Aslan’s behavior on our true Lion. When the kids hear of him, they have deep heartfelt responses. (That’s why this is book 1, because Aslan must be a surprise to us.) We love this hero because he’s “not a tame Lion, but he is good.” And in this story, Aslan directly repeats the death and resurrection. Lewis in another famous essay disclaims a popular Christian idea. It goes like, “To make fantasy ‘Christian,’ it must be allegory.” But the series isn’t allegory, and Lewis found deep meaning later. Nor is Aslan a simple allegory for Jesus; in this world, Aslan is In modern terms, imagine if Jesus were active in a “multiverse.” Yes, it’s still imaginary. This idea wouldn’t work in serious theology. That’s the beauty of fantasy; this needs no “allegory” for support. 2. … The Witch … Somehow the White Witch has become nearly as famous as Aslan. There’s of course the Snow Queen inspiration that ties her to myth. Yet oddly, Lewis also references the myth of “Adam’s first wife.” Beaver states this as fact, but we later learn her true origin. Here, however, it’s enough to see her as the iconic evil ice queen. Jadis is an overt inversion of the “nurturing” mother-figure. In modern terms she may seem shallow—no motive, no backstory. But as Lewis has said, the fairy tale’s beauty is partly in its brevity. The White Witch is a Satanic-level foe who corrupts the seasons. Lewis, at heart a medievalist, likely built Jovian motifs in the story. That is, a kingly and joyous victory over forces of cold and death. Remember, unlike the film, it is Aslan who wins, not the Pevensies. (Yet major shoutouts go to Tilda Swinton for defining this villain!) 3. … and the Wardrobe When Stephen was a kid, he read the Narnia series all wrong. Those first four books’ “portal” moments felt most fascinating. g., the wardrobe, the train station, the painting, the moor door. There is a genuine thrill to the idea of stepping into other worlds. Yet to this day, perhaps the Wardrobe is the best way into Narnia. Children then as now can hide in real closets and deeply imagine. If we grew up with Narnia, who hasn’t thought it could be true? This seems a great gift of God, to micro-“believe” these fantasies. Perhaps even Father Christmas, on some days, feels possibly real. And then, when the fantasy ends, you must re-face the real world. Lewis abruptly and almost tragically ends this story in England. Later books expand the world and the deeper meanings of Narnia. Com station Top question for listeners How did you first read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe? Next on Fantastical Truth Long ago, before the great lion Aslan bounded onto bookshelves, C. S. Lewis wrote a science fiction novel set on mythological Mars. From there his hero Dr. Elwin Ransom was carried by angels to the sister planet Venus. And from there … the Ransom/Cosmic/Space Trilogy descended to the dull world of college board meetings, inner-ring politics, and a secret technocratic society bent on world domination with the aid of mad science and demons and everything. Eighty years after That Hideous Strength was published, we explore why C. S. Lewis created this earthbound and weird and wonderful pre-political supernatural thriller.

We still believe in cultural engagement. That’s the Christian mission to share our faith in the real world, seeking to win souls to Jesus. These souls naturally seek biblical influences in stories, songs, and beyond. So why do some believers claim that they want “cultural engagement” but then, when angry or manipulative anti-Christian critics engage us right back, throw up their hands and call for pietistic separation? Episode sponsors Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney by Daniel Schwabauer A Faie Tale by Vince Mancuso The Pop Culture Parent Mission update New at Lorehaven: new book quest for A Study of Shattered Spells Also new: reviews for Lord of Winter and Picked Up Pieces Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild 1. How ‘cultural engagement’ started Christians inherited a legacy of sheltering, e.g. “fundamentalism.” That term also gets associated with “separation from the world.” From there other Christians moved to broader “evangelicalism.” That newer term is more about living in (but not of) the world. Yet this “evangelicalism” had a particular missionary emphasis. We wanted to adapt what’s good about the world for ourselves. And we sought to make comfortable places for unbelievers. This also get associated with “Christian versions” of stories/songs. Now new generations want to reject the first, modify the second. First, they rightly see sin and harm in cultural fundamentalism. Second, they see greatness in many secular stories and songs. Third, they want to make great stories/songs that aren’t terrible. Results? Much content about genuinely bad church dysfunctions. Many reviews and articles praising secular stories and songs. And now, finally, Christian-made stories/songs that are great! 2. How ‘cultural engagement’ is going Now that we’ve identified the graces, let’s talk about the idols. (In this we follow two of the five engagement steps in TPCP.) You see, some “engagement” folks forget that third creative stage. Many got stuck in ranting (supposed) cultural fundamentalism. Yes, our old pal Church Back Home Syndrome reappears here. Others got stuck finding greatness in secular stories/songs. They forgot the part about finding idols in those “cultural artifacts.” They grew so positive that they failed to perceive the real world. For instance, some ignore real hatreds of Christians in the world. We’ve heard from big-name creators who encountered this. They were as “winsome” as could be, but got soft-persecuted. “Engagers” especially neglect finding ways to create new stuff. Perhaps they miss the purpose of “glorifying/enjoying God.” Without spilling tea, Stephen has seen this among some writers. They wanted to “engage” “for nonbelievers” their favorite stuff. So you got articles about Scorsese movies and art-house films. English majors had a particular like for engaging non-pop culture. But regarding actual pop culture, memes, politics, etc.? Ugh, no. A few “engagers” ended up bitter, confused, even deconstructed. Their view of culture is bad; their view of social issues is worse. It’s like they expected “engagement” would not involve conflict. But the very concept includes challenges—of worldview idols! Any creative work will involve creative differences, e.g. conflict. This may explain why some are reverting to cultural insularity. We see the return of pietistic slogans about culture, esp. politics. They speak much of their own discomfort, fear, “piety,” holiness. And they call for separation from implied-bad “worlds” like politics. More often than not, they create nothing new, only more critiques. This is “fundamentalism” all over again—anti-cultural engagement. 3. How we do actual ‘cultural engagement’ Go back to the Bible’s best examples of this method by apostles. Find these in the book of Acts, especially Acts chapter 17. In this keystone text, Paul engages the culture of Athens. So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:22–31 Paul isn’t bothered by those bad Christians somewhere else. He also doesn’t cite his “provoked” sense about idols (verse 16). He’s deeply human but also disciplined and rational to engage. Here in the public square, his ideas and challenges are welcome. He praises the Athenians, with a hint of backhanded compliment. Is there humor in his description of the “unknown god” altar? Paul “appropriates” the phrase plus the words of Greek poets. And he re-contextualizes them while assuming God’s word is true. His goal is the specific conversion of heathen nonbelievers. Paul does a lot of setup before later discussions continue. This is an overt pre-evangelistic (Other chats vary.) However, Paul isn’t in this cultural engagement “mode” all the time. Other times it’s better to defend one’s own rights or get tough! If even a top Gentile missionary does this, how much more do we? Perhaps the apostle (also tentmaker and citizen) knew wisdom. We’re not always pro missionaries or pastors. We have vocations. Application: we don’t need less cultural engagement, but more. We still believe in cultural engagement. These other guys do not! Some of them, perhaps, wanted “engagement” as more of a cope. Like their forebears, they find comfort in hating/loving “the world.” That’s simply not a sustainable motive, nor is it a biblical motive. It’ll send you right back to false pietism/bad “fundamentalism.” And it’ll send us back to assume “everything is about evangelism.” Remember again our chief end: not to defeat sin, and also not to impress the neighbors, but to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. That’s why it’s so important to make new stories for that reason. Thus our purpose here: we occasionally do a cultural engagement. But more often we seek the stories under the secular stories. And more often still, we share fantastical Christian-made stories. Com station Talena Winters, author of The Rise of Grigori series, wrote this in response to Episode 284. How Would Any Real Aliens Actually Invade Earth?: Just a note about your recent episode about aliens, and the theory one of you proposed about “supernatural tech”. I actually agree with this…Besides what you mentioned about Elijah being caught up in a “chariot of fire,” there are some excellent and interesting passages in the non-canonical Book of Enoch that talk about a Watcher (one of the angels, not necessarily a fallen one, usually described as Uriel) who takes Enoch on a “tour of heaven” in a craft that sounds a lot like a flying ship or craft he describes as a cloud or as being made of spirit…I have a whole lot more I could say about this, with my beliefs being informed, in part, by the work of Michael Heiser. The point is, do I think these demons (and fallen Watchers, though most of them are trapped in the Abyss until judgement) have physical technology, and can they appear in physical form as aliens? Absolutely. Do I think they may be “leaking” technology to humans for our detriment? It absolutely fits their M.O. Top question for listeners How do you culturally engage secular stories and songs? Next on Fantastical Truth “Suddenly Aslan came bounding into it.” That is how C. S. Lewis described the plot twist in his creative process for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. “I don’t know where the Lion came from or why He came. But once He was there, He pulled the whole story together.” And in turn, this story has pulled together the imaginations of millions across the world. Now, 75 years after the first Chronicles of Narnia book was published, let’s explore how this changed fantasy forever.

To fight real monsters, we don’t need toxic empathy or the notion that exorcisms can resolve all demonic problems. Instead we start with the gospel of Jesus Christ that alone brings holiness. Yet how do we also train our imaginations with better stories to help us battle the beasts? Geoffrey Reiter returns to the studio to explore how great literature reflects God’s grace that helps us defeat the darkness. Episode sponsors Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney by Daniel Schwabauer A Faie Tale by Vince Mancuso Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: reviews for Lord of Winter and Picked Up Pieces Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Backstory: Geoffrey Reiter Geoffrey Reiter is Associate Chair of Arts and Sciences and Coordinator of Humanities at Lancaster Bible College. He is also an Associate Editor at the website Christ and Pop Culture, where he frequently writes about weird horror and dark fantasy. As a scholar of weird fiction, Reiter has published academic articles on such authors as H. P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen, Bram Stoker, and Clark Ashton Smith. His poetry and fiction have previously appeared in Spectral Realms, Star*Line, Psenumbra, ParABnormal, The Mythic Circle, 34 Orchard, and Black Wings VII. His book The Lime Kiln and Other Enchanted Spaces was published by Hippocampus Press earlier this year. Geoffrey Reiter at Christ and Pop Culture The Lime Kiln and Other Enchanted Spaces from Amazon The Lime Kiln and Other Enchanted Spaces from Hippocampus Press 1. Behold the monsters we may see in reality. Last week critics were discussing when to “deplatform” monsters. Today’s popular memes and franchise stories portray evil demons. Others talk about human “monsters” who abuse and manipulate. Some victims or bad counselors advise empathizing with real evil. Others leap straight for exorcisms or aggressive countermeasures. But secular folks may have limited success with combating evil. As one Spider-Man 3 poster said, “The greatest battle lies within.” First we must address the problem of our own monstrous hearts. Our solution is true repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Only then can we truly begin fighting back against other monsters. Listen to this episode from our first year. 2. How to fight back: the weapons of saints “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” —Romans 12:21 Our battle often depends on our unique callings and vocations. For instance, some battle evils mainly in their families or churches. Others may be called to move outward to engage the wider world. If we fight back with sinful tools, we risk reversion to monsters. This legacy haunts many Christians, but we needn’t be slaves to it. Nor need we focus solely on the problems amongst ourselves. Behind the gospel, we have many great tools to identify monsters. An underrated tool: great stories that also happens to expose evil and illustrate biblical ways to defeat these monsters in reality. Lately there’s grown a divide between folks who want to “win culture wars” and those who fancy literature. Why not both? A wise “culture warrior” needs reason and imagination. And a wise “literature scholar” must consider real-world applications. These are among the “weapons” with “divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4) built by enemies who are not human. 3. Defeating the monsters of The Lime Kiln Geoffrey has previously joined us to explore Stoker’s Dracula. This brilliant book explores a monster of many potential elements: the suave seducer, the toxic male predator, the foreign conqueror. Geoffrey’s new book The Lime Kiln and Other Enchanted Spaces collects “weird stories” and poems that feature various spooks such as ghosts, a killer robot, a vampire, and unpleasant beasties. These aren’t just pulp favorites, but enduring imaginations. Each monster reveals a particular kind of real-world analogue. We find evil lurking in surprising places, challenging assumptions. And we also find surprising heroes who survive or defeat evil. Com station Top question for listeners Which real monsters have you met, survived, or even defeated? Next on Fantastical Truth We still believe in cultural engagement. That’s the Christian mission to share our faith in the real world, seeking to win souls to Jesus. These souls naturally seek biblical influences in stories, songs, and beyond. So let’s explore a growing challenge: why some believers claim that they want “cultural engagement” but then, when angry or manipulative anti-Christian critics engage us right back, effectively surrender and call for pietistic separation.

Demons do bad things in the Bible and in the modern world. But how does a fallen spirit get around its limitations as an immaterial being? Meanwhile, how do creators of movies about demons get around the obvious budget limitations and need for showing not telling? Answer in both cases: demons “possess” people. Even in sci-fi the bad “entities” do this. But is this really the best word to use for how these Satanic agents can really influence, provoke, or oppress human beings? Episode sponsors Audio-Epic.com: “1232” podcast The Seekers series by J. A. Webb Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: review for Sara Ella’s Glass Across the Sea Coming next: reviews for Lord of Winter and Picked Up Pieces Also new Onscreen: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Cuts a Careful Line Between Evil and Redemption by A. D. Sheehan Finally, @‌jenbooth.author won the Cultural Engagement Giveaway! Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild 1. People love scary stories about demons. Jesus and the apostles often cast demons out of their victims. Acts has further accounts of what we call “demon possession.” Rumors of demons in society or the wild forests persist in history. Such supernatural narratives have long captured our imaginations. In all history, the present, and in fiction, we often blame demons. And we have many accounts and legends about possession. Christians make whole ministries about “spiritual warfare.” Frank E. Peretti memorably dramatized such encounters. Even pop culture loves the image of priests and exorcisms. Many movies, like Fallen with Denzel Washington, explore demons. A more Christian example is Nefarious, with its possessed killer. Even sci-fi gets in on the spooky, with tales of incorporeal entities Many a Star Trek story hosted these critters from a creepy storm planet, alternate dimension, and/or mystery nebula of the week. These inform our imaginations when we see horribly evil actions. People will say, “that’s demonic” or even “that is demons’ work.” Yet this habit goes way back in the Church—for good or ill. 2. ‘Demon possession is an unfortunate term’ The term demon possession is an unfortunate term that has found its way into some English translations of the Bible but is not really reflected in the Greek text. The Greek New Testament can speak of people who “have a demon” (Matt. 11:18; Luke 7:33; 8:27; John 7:20; 8:48, 49, 52; 10:20), but it never uses language that suggests that a demon actually “possesses” someone. The problem with the terms demon possession and demonized is that they give the nuance of such strong demonic influence that they seem to imply that the person who is under demonic attack has no choice but to succumb to it. They suggest that the person is unable any longer to exercise his or her will and is completely under the domination of the evil spirit. While this may have been true in extreme cases such as that of the Gerasene demoniac (see. Mark 5:1–20; note that after Jesus casts the demons out of him, he was then “in his right mind,” v. 15), it is certainly not true with many cases of demonic attack or conflict with demons in many people’s lives. —Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, p. 423 Grudem carefully reserves the term “demonized” for severe cases. He adds that all 13 instances of that Greek term are in the Gospels. Evil spirits also harass and “torment” people, like Saul (1 Sam. 14). This does not mean they are possessed, but deeply afflicted. Sam Storms’ Spiritual Warfare attributes a lot to demon influence. He does not attempt to sort demons’ power “sets” or ability levels. And he’s incurious about real issues like trauma and mental illness. We don’t yet know how these issues may mix with demons’ work. Stephen’s theory: demons may find troubled people less resistant. In other words, demons target people vulnerable from this trauma. That doesn’t mean these people “demonized” or “possessed.” In fact, it means they need repentance and faith like anyone. After that, demonic influence will be weakened if not eliminated. Such is the testimony of many people who played with evil spirits. When they called on Jesus, demons left and their healing began. 3. Spiritual warfare begins with our holiness. Not All Evil and Sin is From Satan and Demons, but Some Is. If we think of the overall emphasis of the New Testament epistles, we realize that very little space is given to discussing demonic activity in the lives of believers or methods to resist and oppose such activity. The emphasis is on telling believers not to sin but to live lives of righteousness. For example, in 1 Corinthians, when there is a problem of “dissensions,” Paul does not tell the church to rebuke a spirit of dissension, but simply urges them to “agree” and “be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). —Grudem, p. 420 We love biblical exorcisms best because they’re absolutely true. When our Lord drives out a demon, that critter is gone A true Christian will still struggle with personal sin, trauma, illness. Unrepentant sin could still lead to some influence by demons. But nothing in Scripture indicates demons could “take over” us. Since the term demon possessed is a misleading one to use in all cases, especially when referring to Christians, I would prefer to avoid it altogether. It seems better simply to recognize that there can be varying degrees of demonic attack or influence on people, even on Christians, and to leave it at that. In all cases the remedy will be the same anyway: rebuke the demon in the name of Jesus and command it to leave … —Grudem, p. 424–425 At the same time, one wonders if we too have this same authority. John MacArthur, no “spiritual warfare” guru, suggests we may not. He tells of meeting a demon-oppressed girl with the classic signs. I don’t think that demon was afraid of me humanly.  I don’t have any human power to deal with demons.  In fact, Jerry and I didn’t know what to do.  We started trying to send the demons away.  We sent them everywhere you could think of, the pit, the abyss, Phoenix, anywhere hot, you know. And the bottom…the bottom line is they didn’t go anywhere and so we just were praying and saying, “You know, this isn’t working, this casting out thing isn’t working. I’m not Jesus and we’re not apostles and we don’t have authority over that kingdom.” There’s only one way that this girl will ever be delivered and that is when Christ delivers her in the act of salvation.  So we wrestled, literally physically trying to restrain her and get her in a chair and she was so exhausted physically and finally calmed down and we gave her the gospel.  And she confessed her sin. I’ll never forget it, just really gushed out her sin before the Lord and embraced Jesus Christ and then it was just this calm that came everywhere.  There was deliverance.  Nothing to do with me, nothing to do with a formula, nothing to do with an exorcism, nothing to do with that at all, that…that is not what deals with demons.  She needed to be delivered from the kingdom of darkness, you understand that?  And she was. She was. —John MacArthur sermon transcript from Grace to You, “Jesus’ Authority over Demons, Part 2,” July 16, 2000 Many saints, however, have told of their authority over demons. Why didn’t that work with MacArthur? or in other situations? And even Peretti acknowledges some demons can whoop saints. Are these the “edge cases”? Or did MacArthur need more training? Again, Stephen’s theory: mental illness may give demons an edge. Christian cast exorcism! Demon used bipolar! Exorcism ineffective! But if the Holy Spirit moves into the “house,” there’s no room left. That’s why healing must begin with the gospel, which leads to our journey toward constant repentance, recovery from trauma, etc. For those with mental illness, certain therapy and meds may help. Either way, casting out demons won’t redeem a soul. Christ will. Open discussion Com station Top question for listeners What real or fictional accounts of so-called “demon possession” or demonic oppression have you heard? Next on Fantastical Truth To fight real monsters, we don’t need toxic empathy or the notion that exorcisms can resolve all demonic problems. Instead we start with the gospel of Jesus Christ that alone brings holiness. Yet how do we also train our imaginations with better stories to help us battle the beasts? Geoffrey Reiter returns to the studio to explore how great literature reflects God’s grace that helps us defeat the darkness.

Many fans love the idea of demon hunters, whether they are Dr. Abraham Van Helsing’s warrior band, hyper-disciplined young shonen slayers, immortal elves, or K-pop stars. But in response to these righteous crusades, some fans find themselves defending the monsters. Are they really that bad? Shouldn’t we find ways to empathize with them? Today we explore the thorny problem of fans who won’t just defend but actually liken themselves to demons. Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Glass Across the Sea by Sara Ella The Seekers series by J. A. Webb Cultural Engagement Giveaway: The Pop Culture Parent, On Magic and Miracles, and Above the Circle of Earth Mission update Lorehaven reviews: Hideous Beauty, next: Glass Across the Sea Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Concession stand (demon hunters edition) If you’re new, we approach this topic from a biblical worldview. “Demon” definitions get fuzzy when speaking in fantasy worlds. Eastern portrayals get closer to neutral “spirits” or even like fae. But that’s very different in Frieren’s East-looks-West fantasy tale. For more biblical explorations of demons, wait until next week’s ep. Quotes and notes “Killing Demons is Awesome, Actually,” Master Samwise on YouTube, Oct. 17, 2025 When Can Deconstructionism Threaten Christian Fiction? | with Michael Young aka ‘Wokal Distance’, Lorehaven podcast, March 14, 2023 1. In some tales, ‘demons’ are neutral/broken. For this, we must concede fictional redefinitions of “demons.” That goes double for stories with moral, yet not Christian, beliefs. Howl’s Moving Castle (book and film) describes a “fire demon.” But in other tales, demons are more like corrupted human beings. They only have a particular bent toward physical acting-out of evil. Demon Slayer is one franchise that presents demons this way. So does that smash hit of last summer, K-Pop Demon Hunters. Even the Count Dracula gets some sympathy at the very end. Basically they’re more like fantasy monsters, e.g. metahumans. These by design help us reflect on our own monstrous natures. But … that self-directed empathy must lead to desire for change. And in many hero stories, demons must change or else be slain. 2. And in Frieren, demons are evil deceivers. Setup for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End manga/anime season 1. This world is directly inspired by DnD/RPG tropes, the classic kind. It’s a thoughtful/action sequel to the monomyth fantasy narrative. What happens after mortals die and the noble elf-mage lives on? Frieren trains a protege and recruits friends to take smaller quests. Along the way, they encounter a main series villain: demons. These demons look like humans but have supernatural powers. Moreover, they’re anti-empathetic. No tragic backstory. No hope. Unlike sinful humans or other villains, these can’t be redeemed. All that they claim, weep about, or do at all is meant to fool you. “Demons are simply monsters who have learned human speech.” “For them, words are just a way of deceiving humans.” This is much closer to the biblical picture of these fallen angels. It’s also a challenge to constant broken/tragic villains in fiction. 3. But some fans actually identify with evil. In response, some fans took umbrage to Frieren’s all-evil demons. Many welcomed this as a helpful corrective to overdone tropes. Others pushed back, looking for any “why couldn’t …?” loopholes. One dismissed this with materialistic excuses, “proving” too much! And some refused to acknowledge the existence of absolute evil. To them, any “demon” must be “empathized” with, and that’s all. Worst of all, some got in there and made this all about themselves. They saw themselves in the story not as heroes but as demons. Or they tried a hero-complex with a sociopolitical class evasion. They projected into the story “the marginalized” or “minorities.” A strange thought, this; most of us were just thinking of monsters. But folks often use a “political issue” as performative cosplay. The styling of one’s self as a “defender of oppressed” can make a fun distraction from realistic reflections of absolute evil. Christians see this as more than resistance to trope subversion. Such disputes reveal a terrible human affliction: hatred of truth. It’s an instinctive and sinful flinching at being called at all “evil.” Perhaps our Lord is using even “secular” stories to reflect His Law. No, we are not demons. But unless we repent we’ll share their fate. It would be just for God to destroy us. Thank Him for His mercy! Com station Top question for listeners Do you prefer fictional demons as broken or else totally evil? Next on Fantastical Truth Demons do bad things in the Bible and in the modern world. But how does a fallen spirit get around his limitations as an immaterial being? Meanwhile, how do creators of movies about demons get around the obvious budget limitations and need for showing not telling? Answer in both cases: demons “possess” people. Even in sci-fi the bad “entities” do this. But is this really the best word to use for how these Satanic agents can really influence, provoke, or oppress human beings?

Thanks to all the human drama of this year, you may have missed the news about even more professional military men been sharing testimonies about their witnessing unknown aerial phenomena blasting through the laws of physics. These sightings are not going away, forcing us to reckon with some truly potential scenarios. If aliens really invaded Earth, where from and how would they do it? And how do we discern these invasions and fight back? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Glass Across the Sea by Sara Ella The Seekers series by J. A. Webb Cultural Engagement Giveaway: The Pop Culture Parent, On Magic and Miracles, and Above the Circle of Earth Mission update New at Lorehaven: weekly(ish!) reviews of the best Christian fantasy Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Listen to last year’s previous episode entry in our Armies of the Aliens series. Quotes and notes: Armies of the Aliens series 22. How Do Christians Discern UFO Accounts in Light of Scripture? 47. Why Do Some People Long for Escape to a Galactic Community? 63. Did God Create Aliens and Would Jesus Need to Save Them? 73. Does the Pentagon’s UFO Report Expose Unidentified Aerial Phenomena? | with Colin Samul 80. What if Satan is Planning Alien Conspiracies for the End Times? | The Jake Muller Adventures with Darby Kern 119. Will Congress Disclose the UFOs Our Favorite Alien Stories Ask Us to Believe In? | with Colin Samul150. Is the U.S. Government Covering Up Spy Balloons or Alien Spaceships? | with James R. Hannibal 175. Are the Aliens Liars, Lunatics, or Lords? 235. What Are the Scariest Stories About Aliens Among Us? 1. Aliens ascend from Hell beneath us 2. Devils descend from the sky above us 3. Devils deceive us with mind invasions Com station Top question for listeners From where do you think aliens could invade—above, below, or within? Next on Fantastical Truth Many fans love demon hunters, whether they’re Dr. Van Helsing’s band of brothers, hyper-disciplined young shonen, immortal elves, or K-pop stars. But in response to these righteous crusades, many other fans find themselves defending demons. Are they really that bad? Shouldn’t we find ways to empathize with their plight? We will explore the thorny problem of fans who won’t just defend but actually liken themselves to demons.

How often does this happen to you? You’re a plain, ordinary, gorgeous heroine, who’s suddenly abducted by aliens and taken to Planet Gladiator Violence VI. There you encounter a bull-headed man with piercings in all his massive muscles, and various events ensue, and if we kept up this description the grown-ups would not let you listen to this podcast episode. And that’s probably the tamest version of what’s now called “romantasy.” These kinds of monster stories are winning legions of female fans. What manner of perversity is this? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Singularity by Shannon McDermott The Seekers series by J. A. Webb Cultural Engagement Giveaway: The Pop Culture Parent, On Magic and Miracles, and Above the Circle of Earth Mission update New at Lorehaven: new Embergold review, Monster Month returns Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Our current book quest is This Present Darkness Quotes and notes Lorehaven podcast ep. 149. Why Do Christian Fiction Fans Love So Much Romance? Lorehaven podcast ep. 249. What is ‘Romantasy’? | with Parker J. Cole Here Be Dragons: What Christians Need to Know About Romantasy, Kathryn Butler at The Gospel Coalition, Feb. 28, 2025 Ep 1240 | TikTok’s Spicy Novels Are Warping Women’s Minds, Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey, Sept. 10, 2025 Backstory: Parker J. Cole Onscreen writer Parker J. Cole is a USA Today Bestselling author of historical romance as well as a speaker, podcast host, and CEO of the podcast network PJC Media. As an author, Parker enjoys exploring history through the vehicle of romance. Her speaking topics focus on inspiration for aspiring authors. For over a decade, she has interviewed authors from all over the world via her podcast network. Consumed with a plethora of interests that keep her life busy, she lives in Detroit, Michigan. Visit her website at ParkerJCole.com. 1. Explore romantasy’s love and monsters Review of the original better purposes of romantic fiction. Overview of the hazards of romance (like escapism and sensuality). Romance often hints at fantasy, and fantasy often includes romance. Now we see the rise of a new genre nickname called “romantasy.” These stories include the dark and lurid stuff we described earlier. Yet many Christians do this wholesomely, such as perhaps Embergold. 2. Why real women chase the worst boys Stephen recalls this trope in fiction (even comic books) and reality. Harley Quinn, originally The Joker’s lover/victim, might be most famous. Zack brought the news stories of women defending literal assassins. For example, the assassin of the United Healthcare CEO in Dec. 2024. Meanwhile, some fans aggressively and self-righteously defend porn. Even a gentle presentation of “no spice” romantic fantasy angers them. Parker J. Cole shares why this “bad boy” trope was already so popular. Now it’s further evolved from monstrous men to actual monster-men. Romans 1:22 may reflect this perversion involving images of beasts. Verse 26 further describes “[relations] that are contrary to nature.” 3. How our Lord affirms/subverts this genre In the real world, male/female relationships are so often dysfunctional. Men behave passively, women want strength, yet also undergo abuse. Or else either side confuses male strength for “abuse” and vice-versa. Readers may crave to experience power and danger but in a “safe” way. Christians must reflect Jesus in reality and fiction as absolutely powerful. However, He is real, and He is not actually safe, but He is truly good. We are (or were) literally dead slaves to sin, and Jesus sets us free. In other words, all human beings start out as monsters loved by Him. That means men and women are His captives or servants for good! Yet our purpose goes beyond carnal indulgences, thrills, and dangers. He sets us free to serve Him, join His Church, and await eternal joys. Com station Top question for listeners When have you seen real or fictional monsters actually redeemed? Next on Fantastical Truth In all the wildness of this year, you may have missed a stunning bonus feature. Even more professional military men have been sharing testimonies on Capitol Hill about their witnessing unknown aerial phenomena blasting through the laws of physics. These sightings are not going away, forcing us to reckon with some truly potential scenarios. If aliens really invaded Earth, how would they do it? And how we discern these invasions and fight back?