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, 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?

Distortionists in the real world corrupt the beautiful, good, and true.[1. Photo by Bree Anne on Unsplash.] Some individuals who fall into such a dark side might make themselves beyond repentance—that is, reprobate. We might call them “ghouls.” … And such were some of you. We wanted to talk about monsters today, and we’ll start next week. First, let’s turn from the darkness and into the light, keeping our eyes open for hazards as we head into an exciting, messy, promising season of … spiritual revival and renewal for the souls of men and women? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Singularity by Shannon McDermott Cultural Engagement Giveaway: The Pop Culture Parent, On Magic and Miracles, and Above the Circle of Earth The Tixie Chronicles by Jack Borden Mission update New at Lorehaven: This Present Darkness book quest Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Backstory: Bethel McGrew Bethel McGrew has a doctorate in math and is a widely published freelance writer. Her work has appeared in First Things, National Review, The Spectator, and many other national and international outlets. Her Substack, Further Up, is one of the top paid newsletters in “Faith & Spirituality” on the platform. She has also contributed to two essay anthologies on Jordan Peterson. When not writing social criticism, she enjoys writing about literature, film, music, and history. FurtherUp.net Bethel McGrew on X: @‌BMcGrewvy Life on the Silent Planet: Essays on Christian Living from C.S. Lewis’s Ransom Trilogy WORLD Magazine (Oct. 2025): “A tragic vision of the world: Three books that shaped my thinking“ WORLD Opinions: “Shocked by evil: the surprising seekers going to church in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder“ Quotes and notes “The salvation of a single soul is more important than the production or preservation of all the epics and tragedies in the world.” —C. S. Lewis, “Christianity and Literature,” in Christian Reflections, page 10 1. Real revivals are genuinely exciting. Don’t be cynics based on people trying to make Revival just happen. What they do for man-centered pseudo-events, God does for real. And the fact is: this revival (with renewal) has been developing a while. Zack and I explored this in our episode about the cultural “vibe shift.” Pastor Costi Hinn on a recent podcast discerned between revival for non-Christians and renewal for discouraged or low-energy Christians. On a personal note, Stephen feels that sense of renewal this month. This despite the real grief over great evil (and ghouls celebrating this). Unlike previous efforts that brought mainly renewal, this one is revival. However small or large, people are getting “Christ-curious” and more. They’re reading Bible, going to church, posting tips and testimonies. Moreover, wiser Christians are giving all the gospel, repentance too. Stephen sees the fusion of cultural conservatism, early fundamentalistic revival fervor, and the best and simplest version of doctrinal precision. When even the Secretary of State gets New Earth right, praise the Lord! Listen to our episode 136 about keeping politics in their rightful place. 2. But even true revivals can get messy. Previous revivals (or so-called revivals) often brought mixed results. The Great Awakening was fused with colonial spirit and patriotism. But the results were largely positive across generations in the U.S. The “second great awakening” was dubious, with a lot of emotivism. Billy Sunday blended evangelistic fervor with cultural legalism. And yes, even the martyred Jim Elliot had some real pietism issues. The Jesus Movement had odd personalities, cults, and dysfunction. Stephen witnessed “Young, Restless, Reformed” who emphasized the centrality of the gospel yet largely divided on applications in culture. And yet across all these messes, the Holy Spirit regenerated hearts. This new movement will have a lot more flags than church influencers guessed. Naturally that’ll bring some hazards of Kingdom confusion. But we remain bullish. Let’s not silence these risks, but talk them out. It’s so healthy to air out our differences as Christians or “Christ-curious.” 3. How we respond to real revival or renewal As we mentioned, avoid cynicism but also emotivism or legalism. Look for faithfulness in preaching and Jesus Christ specifically exalted. Beware generic God-talk, focus on morals, mantle-grabbers, and fiends. But don’t confuse secondary disagreements for substantive critique. Know that every time a new person confesses Christ, that’s a miracle! Let the energy and messiness affect you personally in every calling. If you’ve a day job, do it faithfully, even if you can’t do the “big stuff.” Pray for renewal (as we should we doing) and extra energy for holiness. Read your Bible (a good one). Go to church (a good one). And pray. See every good thing as a means to Jesus Christ, not vice-versa. Look for great art, music, and fantastical stories by Christian creators. If you are one, recognize that these may be your own future readers! Don’t skip the enthusiastic folks before you in search of a “modern audience.” That’s ungrateful for God’s work, and foolish marketing. See these great gifts as a foretaste of eternity here on New Earth. Com station Top question for listeners When have you enjoyed true revival or renewal in your life or church? Caleb, a hero of the Lorehaven Guild, tells us: I met Charlie [Kirk] on multiple occasions and listened to his daily show religiously. I have never met a more humble, gracious, generous person who consistently sought to elevate those around him. The first time we met was in 2020 when my wife and I flew down to Phx from Fargo in order to attend the Protect the Count rally the week of the election. After the rally, we were able to tour the headquarters and met him there. We prayed with him, then he invited us to stay, bought us dinner and let us sit in the studio to watch the livestream. While we were there, we also met his pastor Rob McCoy who was coming on the show to speak. Charlie and TPUSA so impressed us, we became supporting members and unofficial ambassadors. We attended every event we could. Anytime he saw us in the audience, he would call us out by name! I once corrected him on some Bible fact, and he was gracious, saying, “A wise man loves correction.” Three weeks before the assassination, we saw him at event in South Carolina. We were invited into the green room backstage at the theater. He jumped up to welcome us, fondly introduced us to the host of the event as his “superfans,” complimented me on the email feedback that had sent him. Then, he put me on the spot. “What’s on your mind, today, Caleb?” I asked a question about how Christians should Biblically view the current physical nation of Israel. So, he suggested that myself and the hosting pastor, who was wearing an Israel/America flag pin, have a quick debate while he himself moderated. He supplied clarifying Bible verses and facts about the current Israeli state. He was very kind to elevate me rather than himself in that situation. He gave me a great compliment, “When Caleb speaks, I listen.” Next on Fantastical Truth How often does this happen? 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 events ensue, and if we kept up this description the grown-ups would not let you listen to this podcast. 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?

Since the late 2000s, children and grownups have been getting drawn into their mobile devices and tablets. Before then, some were also hooked on TV and video games. Yet how could anyone create those devices without training their imaginations on great works of art? Carolyn Leiloglou, author of The Restorationists fantasy series, returns to help us recall the biblical purpose of art and stories, and how we help children learn to love them. Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Beneath False Stars by S. D. Grimm Outlaw Blood by Noah J. Matthews The Tixie Chronicles by Jack Borden Mission update New at Lorehaven: review of Augmented and more every Friday Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild We’re finishing Echo Nova and moving to This Present Darkness Carolyn Leiloglou Backstory: Carolyn Leiloglou Carolyn Leiloglou (lay-LAW-glue) is the author of the middle grade fantasy novels Beneath the Swirling Sky and Between Flowers and Bones as well as the picture book Library’s Most Wanted. Carolyn is the granddaughter of art collectors, daughter of an art teacher, and homeschooling mom to four wildly creative kids. She’s an award-winning author whose poems and short stories have appeared in children’s magazines around the world, including Clubhouse Jr. Carolyn also reviews her favorite children’s books on her platform, House full of Bookworms. Her newest book, middle-grade fantasy Beyond the Far Horizon, released this month. CarolynLeiloglou.com TheRestorationists.com Listen here to our first episode with Carolyn Leiloglou. 1. How to resist the digital screen takeover Stephen recalls life before computers and certainly mobile devices. Even TVs were guarded in his young age, with mixed-positive results. Yet now screens are everywhere, creating dependency and addictions. Overuse of devices can damage children’s developing imaginations. Christians with other parents and leaders consider more screen rules. Zack gives his kids “digital training wheels” at different ages to learn proper use of technology, rather than an all-or-nothing approach. 2. How books can restore kids’ imaginations Great artworks remind us that God, not man, is our ultimate Creator. They often reflect Jesus in their celebrations of sacrificial heroes. And they echo the Holy Spirit who changes people to worship Him. Such artworks also reflect God’s world, with beauties and challenge. They also reflect people with all their complexities and simplicity. 3. Creating the Restorationists fantasy series Quick origin recap of this series, starting with book 1’s 2023 release. In book 1, Vincent finds he can leap into paintings to save their worlds. Then in book 2, Vincent and his cousin Georgia fight the Distortionists. Book 3 ends this trilogy, yet more might lie beyond that artful finale. Final homeschooling and imagination-training tips from Carolyn. Com station Top question for listeners When the distortionists attack, how do you fight for restoration? Next on Fantastical Truth Distortionists in the real world corrupt the beautiful, good, and true. Some individuals who fall into such a dark side might make themselves beyond repentance—that is, reprobate. We might call them “ghouls.” Ultimately that is God’s decision, not ours. Yet we discern their actions and beliefs that are ghoulish. Nonfiction tells us this. Great stories, however, have a different purpose: to show this truth. Bethel McGrew returns to explore with us how Christian creatives can best combat the worldview ghouls among us.

Last week, an assassin’s bullet ended the earthly life of Christian brother, husband, father, and popular political activist Charlie Kirk. Thousands were watching on the campus of Utah Valley University in the early afternoon of Sept. 10, 2025. Millions more prayed for an hour that Kirk would somehow survive. And then we mourned his death. Lorehaven is not a political group. But we do join in this public lamentation. And we look to fantastical stories of great villains and greater heroes to explore the bigger and pre-political questions beneath this tragedy: how we must fight evil in the world. Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Beneath False Stars by S. D. Grimm Outlaw Blood by Noah J. Matthews The Tixie Chronicles by Jack Borden Mission update New at Lorehaven: reviews of Suspended in the Stars and Augmented Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes Our episodes about “culture war” vs. culture creation: 40. How May Fantastic Stories Help Us See Politics in Biblical Perspective? 136. How Did Politics Become King of Evangelical Popular Culture? 178. Should We Weaponize Fantastical Stories To ‘Own the Libs’? 188. Can Political Pundits Create Fantastical Stories? 251. Could a Cultural ‘Vibe Shift’ Advance Christian-Made Fiction? Psalm 7:12–17 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts. Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends. I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High. Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (ESV) For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. 2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (ESV) For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. Screenshot from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002). 1. ‘Ride with me. Ride out and meet them.’ Our personalities influence how we initially respond to great tragedy. Many people need a lot more time to heal, to weep, to embrace. Yet others (myself included) want to grieve while charging forth. Understand, the martial metaphors we use are not literal. That’s not our place, as podcasters and fantastical fans. But it may be your place in the vocation you’re given. Some listening may literally enforce law and order. You may be a soldier who literally rides out. Either way, we may follow Aragorn’s call. More importantly, we follow Christ. 2. ‘For death and glory.’ But why do we ride? Some find more comfort in ideas dying for Christ. Stephen resonates with this, but would much rather live for Christ. If martyrdom occurs, that’s a bug, not a feature, yet redeemable. Even risking one’s life for the good is better than killing others. Théoden King, in the quote, is willing to risk his life in battle. But make no mistake, the Rohirrim also want to slay orcs. Here we use the “orcs” as bad ideas, not real persons. But for the men of Rohan, their orc-slaying is justice. Orcs are more like demons, irredeemable invaders. They’re disordered, scavengers, and parasites. Just like any evil that infects this good land. What is glory? Only death worthy of song? The Christian must hear, “God’s glory.” 3. ‘For Rohan. For your people.’ We love how Aragorn does not correct Theoden King, yet clarifies this. Their ride forth is not for their own personal satisfaction and pride. Instead they ride for their families, their people, their nation. This good impulse is often slandered as “nationalism.” It’s healthy patriotism. All of us should have it. Patriotism overlaps with simple love and loyalty. We should want all to love “their own” homes. Brits most love Britain. Indians love India. Americans should most love America. And all should respect others’ loves. Aragorn loves Gondor over Rohan. And yet he also loves the Rohirrim. Yes, loves can become disordered. Better to risk this than shun love. 4. ‘Forth Eorlingas!’ … ‘To the King!’ Finally, our “Rohan” is ancient and forever, all good places in one Home. Someday all the saints will ride forth from the sky, led by the final Hero. He will perfectly avenge all evil, pour out their blood over the Earth. No one can question Him, change the subject, or excuse their evils. He will damn to Hell the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet. And there everyone would also be doomed, apart from His grace. Charlie Kirk honored Jesus as Lord and Savior, and so shall we all. He wanted to build a world of heroes and good stories. Us too. That’s why Lorehaven isn’t political. We are instead pre-political. Now more than ever, we need fantastical hero stories to enjoy. Revelation 19:11–21 (ESV) Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. Com station How does tragic evil spur you to ride forth for action? Next on Fantastical Truth Since the late 2000s, children and grownups have been getting drawn into their mobile devices and tablets. Before then, some were also hooked on TV and video games. Yet how could anyone create those devices without training their imaginations on great works of art? Carolyn Leiloglou, author of The Restorationists fantasy series, returns to help us recall the biblical purpose of art and stories, and how we help children learn to love them.

To become a hero following your God-given destiny, you’d best stay out of jail.[1. Photo by Saad Chaudhry on Unsplash.] Yet some Christian heroes do get caught in bad habits that keep them pacing in their tiny cells rather than practicing wise discipline as they go on adventures. How do Christian creators, in particular, fall into the traps of “cage stages”? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Beneath False Stars by S. D. Grimm Outlaw Blood by Noah J. Matthews The Tixie Chronicles by Jack Borden Mission update New at Lorehaven: weekly reviews, Jenneth’s Light of the World review Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Concession stand Some people and personalities are more prone to certain obsessions. Here we make no judgment about motivations; these things happen. Seeing someone in a “cage” should prompt pity, not anger or mockery. Still, you may want to keep a distance from cages or point the way out. 1. ‘Everything is about my distinct doctrines’! This is the original “cage stage,” referring to folks who find “Calvinism.” That’s a nickname for a particular Christian view of God’s sovereignty. It’s often tied with strong beliefs about local church leadership. The late R. C. Sproul, himself a Reformed teacher, wrote in 2013: My friend Michael Horton often comments on the phenomenon of “cage-stage Calvinism,” that strange malady that seems to afflict so many people who have just seen the truth of the Reformed doctrines of grace. We’ve all known one of these “cage-stage Calvinists.” Many of us were even one of them when we were first convinced of God’s sovereignty in salvation. Cage-stage Calvinists are identifiable by their insistence on turning every discussion into an argument for limited atonement or for making it their personal mission to ensure everyone they know hears—often quite loudly—the truths of divine election. Now, having a zeal for the truth is always commendable. But a zeal for the truth that manifests itself in obnoxiousness won’t convince anyone of the biblical truth of Reformed theology. As many of us can attest from personal experience, it will actually push them away.[1. R. C. Sproul, “Escaping the ‘Cage Stage’,” Ligonier Ministries, Nov. 24, 2013.] But we’ve known folks who found any new beliefs and became intense. Sometimes it feels like a fandom, often associated with famous leaders. In fact, you may have this story when you found Jesus or a new church. But what feels new and thrilling to you may be dull or familiar to others. It’s a challenge to preserve our enthusiasm while also respecting others. 2. ‘Everything is about this fandom I found!’ This one covers a wide spectrum, including Christian doctrine fandoms. But this also covers fantasy franchises, authors, worlds, games, hobbies. Stephen recalls finding the amazing wide world of adventure anime. Even back then he compared this growing awareness to a “cage stage.” Others get trapped in talking about their feelings or personality types. Some won’t stop talking about psychology or self-studying buzzwords. Often this overlaps with a tendency to slap labels on all the things: not just story genres and tropes but also personality codes and conditions. This is a form of creativity, yet also might require some self-”caging.” That way we can better integrate the new fandom with all of reality. 3. ‘Everything is about my political causes!’ Finally, this one may be the worst and the most annoying stage. In our view, this certainly requires some “caging” until folks cool off. Many creative Christians feel very deeply about issues like injustice. When some recently discover, say, “Government is bad,” they go nuts. They’re often vulnerable to alarmism, fake news, and emotive-ism. Some merely dabble in “political” issues, or rather, ideological notions. But if you’re in for a penny, you’re in for a pound. This stuff is totalizing. And that’s why many talk more about politics than their creative work. This, above all, marks a grave threat to faithful Christian creativity. Sociopolitical causes are certainly part of Christians’ work in the world. But if you talk about nothing else, even on socials, that’s a cage stage. That goes double if you anger easily at legitimate policy disputes. Allie Beth Stuckey says, “Politics matter because policies matter because people matter.” So prove that you first value people, then policies, then the politics. If you don’t value people, then you’re forgetting our human purpose. With doctrines, fandoms, or politics, you’d confuse the means for ends. Com station Top question for listeners: Which ‘cage stages’ have you managed to escape? Next on Fantastical Truth Since the late 2000s, children and grownups have been getting drawn into their mobile devices and tablets. Before then, some were also hooked on TV and video games. Yet how could anyone create those devices without training their imaginations on great works of art? Carolyn Leiloglou, author of The Restorationists fantasy series, returns to help us recall the biblical purpose of art and stories, and how we help children learn to love them.

Here in the U.S., we just had Labor Day, meant to mark the actions of hard-working Americans. And right now many Christian families honor the work of Christian heroes who are now at rest, such as pastor John MacArthur and Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson. Many fantastical stories wouldn’t be here without faithful Christians. When they pass on, and people discuss and debate their legacies, how can we best honor their labors? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Beneath False Stars by S. D. Grimm Outlaw Blood by Noah J. Matthews The Tixie Chronicles by Jack Borden Mission update Lorehaven new reviews: The Heart of the King and Beneath False Stars Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes “John MacArthur, Fiery Preacher and Culture Warrior, Dies at 86,” Ruth Graham at The New York Times, July 15, 2025 “James Dobson Was My Horror, and Yours,” Sarah Jones at New York Magazine, Aug. 27, 2025 (only six days after Dobson’s Aug. 21 death) Naiveté is not a trait to be cultivated in our children. Prudishness is foolish immaturity. It leaves our children gullible and vulnerable. The naïve are the easiest targets for the seductive wiles of temptation. Throughout the book of Proverbs, the naïve (“simple” in many translations) are held up as negative examples. It is a grave mistake to think of our children as little angels who need to be handled delicately so they don’t get corrupted. Rather, they are corrupt little sinners who need to be led to righteousness. “Treating the Symptoms, Not the Sin,” John MacArthur sermon dated May 8, 2015 It began as an experiment. In 1986 Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family wanted to produce a high-quality drama series for the radio. He hoped that it would appeal to Christians looking for alternatives to Saturday morning cartoons or simply families in search of wholesome entertainment. Steve Harris and Phil Lollar, the show’s creators, brainstormed what the series could be. They decided that it should be set in a small town (called Odyssey) somewhere in the Midwest and hearken to the golden age of radio without sounding dated. In 1987, a 13-week test series was aired on the Focus on the Family broadcast. It was called Family Portraits and chronicled the lives and times of Odyssey residents — including John Whittaker and a special “soda shop and discovery emporium” called Whit’s End. Audience response was so favorable that Focus went one step further and created the weekly radio program that would eventually be called Adventures in Odyssey. “The History of Adventures in Odyssey,” WhitsEnd.org, undated article now archived 1. We love ‘small’ and ‘big’ Christian heroes Big heroes take big risks to meet big needs during big moments. They’re truly multi-talented, often skilled with speaking and writing. Best of all, despite their flaws, they truly love our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Our Lord uses few “big” heroes to benefit many churches and believers. Example: big heroes of the Bible, reflected in many fantastical heroes. Even better, He uses leagues of “small” heroes to build up communities. Example: side characters of Scripture (unnamed?), and fantastical NPCs. 2. Yet we may also debate heroes’ legacies. This is less expected after quietly faithful or lesser-known Christians die. During grief, funerals, and mourning, negative responses are less public. That’s less so with big Christian heroes who often get criticized outright. Critics say that MacArthur and Dobson both had blind spots at best. But some go further, accusing them of enabling bad sins against them. Some blame popular Christians for not preventing abuse or hypocrisy. Effectively, “If you had not been here, I would have never suffered this.” 3. How can we best discuss heroes’ legacies? Like Harry Potter with Prof. Dumbledore, we grow by discerning nuance. Stephen suggests honest loyalty with Christian heroes, similar to Harry. We admit blind spots and flaws; we do not expect leaders to be God. We wisely recognize that God alone is good, and He uses flawed men. The same is true of flawed yet faithful Christian individuals who pass on. Obituaries could acknowledge controversies about popular Christians. Yet wiser obits leave wider discussions for later, theme-based content. Com station Top question for listeners Who was the last “big” or “small” hero whose death you grieved? Next on Fantastical Truth Heroes are born (in God’s view!) yet also built (in man’s view!). To become a hero following your God-given destiny, you’d best stay out of jail. Yet some Christian heroes do get caught in bad habits that keep them pacing in their tiny cells rather than practicing wise discipline as they go on adventures. How do Christian creators, in particular, fall into the traps of “cage stages”?

So many books, so little time, space, and money. Many fans love collecting physical copies of their favorite stories, often so much that they run out of bookshelf space. (Stephen and Zack are in this situation!) Now that we have audiobook and digital copies, isn’t book collection a waste of resources? Episode sponsors Oasis Family Media presents “1232” dramatic audio podcast The Waymaker’s Foresight by Dan Megill The Pop Culture Parent by Ted Turnau, E. Stephen Burnett, Dr. Jared Moore Mission update New at Lorehaven: reviews for The Heart of the King and Beneath False Stars Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Concessions: This is about culture in general, not Christian families or homeschoolers. Not focused on this episode about the recent trends of books that are turning away prospective male readers. 1. Physical books make a wise investment. Judas Iscariot, kinda: “These books could have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Reading a book is more work than watching a movie or enjoying some other form of entertainment, so people have high expectations. And too many books have disappointed, browbeat, or lectured them. Many people are right to be skeptical that a book will be worth their money. “We’re basically after Joe’s beer money, and Joe likes his beer, so you better make sure that what you give him is at least as pleasurable to him as having his six-pack of beer would be.” — Jerry Pournelle You can always make more money, though. And more importantly, you can make a book budget. There’s also the library. Another concern is that reading books, especially speculative fiction, will not help us get the jobs that make enough money. But every job requires communication and people skills, and this is a skill best learned through a novel. “According to the neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf, so-called deep reading—sustained immersion in a text—stimulates a number of valuable mental habits, including critical thinking and self-reflection, in ways that skimming or reading in short bursts does not.” Zackary Russell’s central bookshelf, as of August 2025 2. Physical books really should take up space. Why own physical books when you can erase any “carbon footprint” they would take up by owning them digitally? People who move frequently—for work, ministry, or personal reasons—might find that owning a large physical collection challenging. Even at my daughter’s college, the first floor of the library is a computer lab. The book stacks are in the basement. Digital books can go in your pocket and you can read them any time you have a spare moment. But of course, you can do a million other things on your phone. Space is more limited but you can usually find room for a new bookshelf or else hang a new shelf or two. Bookstagram and BookTok and “Shelfies” are a thing because people like beautiful physical items. Holding a physical book, especially without any digital devices within reach, helps you more fully immerse yourself in the story. You also remember things more easily from a physical book reading experience. 3. Physical books are well worth your time. This is harder to address, because you can never get back any time that is spent. I certainly didn’t read all the books assigned in high school English class. But do you berate yourself for spending time remembering the past or imagining the future? Or trying to understand someone else? Or picturing a potential course of action? These are all things the imagination helps with, and we train our imagination through fiction. We can’t simply impart life skills or decision-making criteria. We learn those best through stories. Even the book of Proverbs uses stories. “Being bored has become unnatural.” This is the real blight of our time. Smartphones have given us a constant ache for a dopamine rush. And if you’re just reading a book for pleasure, why not read things on social media for pleasure? The real problem is the FOMO from everything digital media offers us. Maybe new laws like Texas cell phone ban will reverse this. Com station Top question for listeners Will you share with us pictures of your physical book collection? The Adaptation Stationmaster commented on ep. 276: Real rainbows in nature have lovely, soft, delicate colors. The rainbow flag looks tacky by comparison. Next on Fantastical Truth Here in the U.S., we’re about to have Labor Day, meant to mark the actions of hard-working Americans. And right now many Christian families honor the work of Christian heroes who are now at rest, such as pastor John MacArthur and Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson. Many fantastical stories wouldn’t be here without leaders like this. When they pass on, and people discuss and debate their ministries, how can we best honor their labors?

Over summer and school seasons alike, many Christian parents want books for their kids that don’t have things like “Agenda” or “Wokeness.”[1. Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash.] But in our zeal to keep bad, poisonous content out of books, might we miss our children’s more important need to enjoy good, nutritious content in our fantastical fiction? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Winter’s Chill by Morgan L. Busse The Waymaker’s Foresight by Dan Megill The Pop Culture Parent by Ted Turnau, E. Stephen Burnett, Dr. Jared Moore Mission update New at Lorehaven: reviews of Illuminary and The Heart of the King Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild 1. Yes, kids need books that repeat truth! No one should pretend many general market books aren’t “woke,” etc. There has been a vast effort to get this ideology into content for kids. So it’s a great starting point to ask about “agenda.” But don’t stop there. If you do stop there, then you might accept books that share half-truths. Or they may be free of one “agenda” while smuggling in other deceptions. Rainbows may hide lies, but black-and-white stories may do the same! 2. But kids also need books that are good. If we want books that are “free of poison,” that’s a very low bar to clear. What about books that are well-made? Timeless or have potential to be? Ask if any book also has quality level matching what kids want or need. Consider: books made by honest creators, not committee-generated stuff. Also: books that show real heroes, yet with realistic (kid appropriate) flaws. Rainbows might be used for evil ends, but look for good reflections of light! 3. And kids need books that celebrate beauty. Good books have truth/goodness; great ones also honor God’s creation. If “beauty” seems too high-falutin’, just hear that word as healthy emotion. Great books capture all the human experience, with sufferings and joys. They’ll also show the wonders of God’s world and our creations in here. Even better, they’ll hearken to the restored paradise awaiting His people. Rainbows get used to honor ugliness, but God made them for His glory! Com station Top question for listeners What truthful, good, and beautiful books did you enjoy growing up? Next on Fantastical Truth So many books, so little time, space, and money. Many fans love collect physical copies of their favorite stories, often so much that they run out of bookshelf space. (Stephen and Zack are in this situation!)  With the availability of audiobook and digital copies, isn’t book collection a waste of resources?

We’ve just seen the end of this year’s summer blockbuster movie season, such as it was. Most of the drama was about the movies rather than in the movies. Fans debate whether stories should be lighter, focusing on “fun” with simple virtues, as opposed to heavier stories with “serious” ideas. Right now it seems Team Light Stories is winning over Team Heavy Stories—and yet nobody is really winning at the box office. How can Christian fans engage stories that are light versus heavy? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Winter’s Chill by Morgan L. Busse The Waymaker’s Foresight by Dan Megill Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: Marian’s article about K-Pop Demon Hunters New reviews: Unfixed by Amy L. Saunders, Illuminary by Chawna Shroeder Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes “The Operating System Of Cyberpunk Fiction,” Zackary Russell “Screwtape Wants You to Think Only Horror is Real, but Joy is Sentimental,” E. Stephen Burnett 1. Many fans favor light or fun colorful stories By “light” or “fun,” we mean simpler/popular morals, lots of jokes, color. We don’t mean flippant or crude stories, though some can tend this way. These stories often embrace or lampshade long-familiar genre tropes. They often get praised by fans and critics, but fail to set many records. Lots of people liked the new Superman movie (but not Stephen or Zack). And many people liked the new Fantastic Four (but it’s also struggling). Neither film did better than most DC or Marvel films of the past, pre-2020. And yet more of the big franchises are choosing this creative direction. Critics who want “realism” must recall that real people like lighter stories. Maybe these fans tend to like simple reminders about simple ideas/truths. When real life is a struggle, these fans like to escape into simpler stories. These fans prefer plain “inspirational” figures over “aspirational” heroes. 2. Other fans enjoy heavier or serious stories And by “heavier” or “serious” stories, we mean challenging, realistic tales. We don’t mean nihilistic or deconstructive, though some tend this way. These stories often embrace human tradition (a better version of “trope”). They often find praised and criticism by fans and critics, and set records. Fans loved the Star Wars Andor series and more-serious Marvel/DC stories. And many people like Christopher Nolan’s many films, Dune, and similar. But these stories (in books or cinema) often prove high-risk for many fans. So they are playing better on less-expensive media, such as streaming TV. Critics who want “fun” must recall that life isn’t like a shallow movie-land. These fans may like complex reflections of many challenging ideas/truths. When real life is a struggle, these fans like stories that provide answers. These fans prefer “aspirational” heroes over plain “inspirational” figures. 3. More fans embrace light and heavy stories A surprising amount of franchises insist on both approaches all at once. Some moments are comedic/whimsical; others are dark, challenging, heavy Many manga and anime stories do this, such as Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece. Recent OP plot: “pastor” turns pirate cyborg to save his adopted daughter. Even the smash hit K-Pop Demon Hunters reflects light and heavy ideas. Fans love the teaser for Project Hail Mary adapted from Andy Weir’s novel. The original Star Wars films as well as Rogue One are both light and heavy. Alas, studios struggle with these balanced films, but books may do better. Perhaps these stories best reflect our reality of plain and complex ideas. Real fans like both light ideas/truths and heavier, more challenging themes. This may better match real life, with times to escape and seek out answers. These stories show “inspirational” figures like us and aspirational heroes. Com station Top question for listeners During hard times, do you tend to favor light or heavier stories? Next on Fantastical Truth Over summer and school seasons alike, many Christian parents want books for their kids that don’t have things like “Agenda” or “Wokeness.” But in our zeal to keep bad, poisonous content out of books, might we miss our children’s more important need to enjoy good, nutritious content in our fantastical fiction?

Last month at the Realm Makers Expo, we met many skilled Christian creators who are making amazing stories in books, games, and the visual arts. Yet some people believe all this stuff is pointless or outdated and will soon be replaced by so-called “AI art.” Are they right? Will computer-generated content outpace art made by humans? And is such a belief even biblically defensible? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Winter’s Chill by Morgan L. Busse The Waymaker’s Foresight by Dan Megill Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: reviews of Winter’s Chill, upcoming Unfixed Also new at the site: Josiah DeGraaf’s take on the recent Superman movie Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes “When you meet anything that’s going to be human and isn’t yet, or used to be human once and isn’t now, or ought to be human and isn’t, you keep your eyes on it and feel for your hatchet.” —Mr. Beaver from C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe “Ginny! … Haven’t I taught you anything? What have I always told you? Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain?” —Arthur Weasley from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets … Joshua did not draw back his hand with which he stretched out the javelin until he had devoted all the inhabitants of Ai to destruction. —The Bible, Joshua 8:26 (ESV) Ep 170. Will Artificial Intelligence Destroy Human Creativity? Showrunner: the “Netflix of AI” that would let people make their own TV shows Build AI or Be Buried By Those Who Do Concession stand This is a conversation for story fans, yet with some application for creators. Stephen has and will use AI for databases and limited nonfiction research. However, he still insists this “search engine” give reliable primary sources. We at Lorehaven promote stories #MadeByHumans, covers and content. We may debate using AI generations in marketing for novels and movies. Stephen opposes this; we already have anti-human marketing now, thanks! AI can shape directions of outreach, yet fans want personal connections. Any justifications for generated marketing can easily apply to the stories. We’ll particularly speak below to critiques of “AI will level the playing field.” 1. AI ‘art’ dishonors popular creators Fans, authors, and publishers are debating how/whether to use AI tools. Some take some anti “big corporation” postures against Hollywood, etc. This frankly ignores the common grace in big companies across the world. It promotes a false notion of “democracy” that ignores wisdom and skill, This is the exact notion promoted by Screwtape with “I’m as good as you.” It’s more famously promoted by Syndrome from The Incredibles (2004): “Oh, I’m real. Real enough to defeat you! And I did it without your precious gifts, your oh-so-special powers. I’ll give them heroics. I’ll give them the most spectacular heroics anyone’s ever seen! And when I’m old and I’ve had my fun, I’ll sell my inventions so that everyone can be superheroes. Everyone can be super! And when everyone’s super (evil laugh) no one will be.” 2. AI ‘art’ dishonors faithful Christian artists For years we at Lorehaven have extolled God’s gift of human imagination. We’ve carefully critiqued stories that exchange realism with sentimentality. And we find top storytellers, including last week’s guests, the Bancroft Bros. AI-generated “replacements” will make a mockery of human imagination. If we accept them, we may as well accept “generated” morals and themes. Haven’t we already rejected imposter realities from bad Christian movies? 3. AI ‘art’ can involve sins like lies and theft Big companies let their databases “scrape” creative works under copyright. Now we’ve seen that studios like Disney and Universal are filing lawsuits. Stephen says: good, we need ways to show our societies value imagination. Meanwhile, we go back to biblical ethical views of credit for creative works. Do we believe in books that don’t credit ghostwriters, human or computer? Yes, AI is here to stay, but will likely serve as a novelty, mostly for memes. Clearly some creators will incorporate AI into animation and other films. And for Stephen’s part, if a Christian story did this, he will avoid that work. It’s bad enough out there with bad human-made stuff. Time is too short. Com station Top question for listeners Would you enjoy a full-length AI-generated book or movie? Next on Fantastical Truth We’ve just seen the end of this year’s summer blockbuster movie season, such as it was. Most of the drama was about the movies rather than in the movies. Fans debate whether stories should focus on “fun” stories with simple virtues as opposed to “serious” stories based on “aura” and myth. Right now it seems Team Fun is winning over Team Serious, but also, nobody is really winning the box office. How can Christian fans engage stories that are fun versus serious?

As we’ve often heard, some modern films may feel difficult to enjoy! Yet today we celebrate famed animated tales of yore, including the artists behind classic characters like Cogsworth, Iago, Pumbaa, Pocahontas, Mulan, and Kronk … and now, coming this fall, the greatest Hero of all. Famed animators and twin brothers Tony and Tom Bancroft bring their magic to our studio in advance of their next feature film in cinemas, the traditionally animated Light of the World. Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Winter’s Chill by Morgan L. Busse The Company: Kingdom Writers, World Changers Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update Lorehaven reviews: recently Anointed, Warsafe, upcoming Winter’s Chill Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Backstory: Tony Bancroft Tony Bancroft is a 2D animator with a passion for animating, directing, storytelling, creating, and teaching the next generation. With over 30 years in the animation industry, Tony Bancroft has been creatively involved in almost every position making an animated film, video, commercial, or short film. His animation and directing skills have been sharpened and honed while working at Walt Disney Feature Animation, Sony Pictures, his own animation company, Toonacious Family Entertainment, and currently, as an independent contractor working with Disney, Warner Brothers, and many more. IG: @‌pumbaaguy TonyBancroft.com Disney.Fandom.com Wiki: Tony Bancroft Backstory: Tom Bancroft Tom Bancroft has over 30 years of experience in the animation industry, much of which was for Walt Disney Feature animation where he was an animator on 4 animated shorts and 8 feature films of which “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King,” “Aladdin”, “Pocahontas”, “Mulan”, and “Brother Bear” were part of the list. He has been nominated for Annie and Rueben division awards, spoken at the Kennedy Center and awarded an entry into the Chicago Children’s Film Festival. Bancroft left Disney in 2000 to follow his heart and help Big Idea Productions, creators of the popular “VeggieTales” animated series, create their first feature film, “Jonah: A Veggietales Movie”.  While there he also Directed/ co-created the popular 2D animated video series “Larryboy Adventures”. IG: @‌tombancroft1 TomBancroftStudio.com Disney.Fandom.com Wiki: Tom Bancroft Light of the World and beyond LightoftheWorld.com on Spotify: The Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast 1. Once upon a time, in a faraway decade … How to become a professional character animator in 10,000 easy steps From enchanted castles to ancient China, New Grooves, Veggie pirates Favorite or most challenging classic characters to draw, watch, or imitate From big studios to startup projects, mainstream and Christian shows 2. Honoring the Creator in animated craft God as our divine Artist, breathing into His creatures the breath of life The Cultural Mandate (Gen. 1:28) as applied to animation and filmmaking Origins of Light of the World (September 2025) and its unique approach Challenges of bringing Jesus Christ to life in classic traditional animation! 3. What’s the future of fantastical animation? Hopes for Light of the World and other Christian-made animated films Anticipations for the Realm Makers Expo and other fantastic crossovers Rumors about Disney returning to (groundbreaking?) trad animation Parting words for fans who might like to consider animation themselves Com station Top question for listeners What are your favorite traditionally animated classics or newer shows? Next on Fantastical Truth This month at the Realm Makers Expo, we met many skilled Christian creators who are making amazing stories in books, games, and the visual arts. Yet some people believe all this stuff is outdated and will be replaced by so-called “AI art.” Are they right? Will computer-generated fictional content outpace art made by humans? And is such a belief even biblically defensible?

Last week, Zackary Russell and E. Stephen Burnett celebrated the Realm Makers Expo![1. Photo by Felix Mooneeram on Unsplash.] That means this episode is another Stephen solo show. This one reveals a shocking truth: these days Stephen finds a lot more joy in books than he sees at the movie houses. Can fans, including Christians, help save the cinema from synthetic moralities, sloppy franchises, and scandalized/sillified superheroes? Episode sponsors Oasis Family Media presents “1232” dramatic audio podcast The Company: Kingdom Writers, World Changers Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update Lorehaven reviews: new Anointed, upcoming Warsafe Subscribe free to get updates and join the ever-growing Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes: superheroic articles ‘Batman v Superman’: An Exquisite Superhero Theodicy Does ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ Use ‘Safe’ Bad Words? Did Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 Fly or Flop? Revealed: Here’s the Little Trap I Set to Expose Rotten Tomatoes How Does #ReleaseTheSnyderCut Reveal Fandom’s Grace and Idolatry? ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Hints at Redemption from Postmodern Pain ‘The Flash’ Ranks Characters Over Spectacle for a Surprisingly Heartfelt Speedrun Quotes and notes: earlier podcast episodes 17. What Can Christian Fans Learn From #ReleaseTheSnyderCut’s Success? 58. How Did We Enjoy the Heroic Majesty of ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’? 122. Why Are More Fans Turning Against Their Favorite Franchises? 161. How Can We Celebrate the Restoration of Failed Franchises? 199. How Should Christians Fight to Love a Declining Disney? | with Josh Shepherd 258. How Would We Restore Disney Film Franchises? 1. Movie villain 1: made-up moralities Yes, Virginia, there really is a “woke agenda” that ruins a lot of movies. Most recently this resurfaced as associated with Disney/Pixar’s Elio Some claim the new Superman is “woke, but is this only director rhetoric? It’s waning, But look for creators to rally for a last self-worshiping hurrah. Stephen wanted to like Fantastic Four, but one of its actors is obnoxious. No, he doesn’t hold to the “shut up and sing” line. Actors are people too. But viewers can also support actors who don’t get into all that stuff. And yes, there are many such actors. Look for those who avoid politics. Apolitical actors include Henry Cavill, Tom Cruise, and Tom Felton Or directors like Kenneth Branagh, Terry Matalas, Christopher Nolan It may also matter to you whether directors are spouting woke shibboleths. Stephen usually finds it hard to ignore that nonsense from directors. Of course they very likely believe certain things that I strongly disbelieve. But if they spout about bad politics, they say, “You’re not my audience.” They’re revealing they care more about looking “righteous” before others. So it’s okay to avoid certain movies because you’d rather not “reward evil.” And it’s okay to support certain good movies because actors act better. Ask: does the movie’s creators tend to follow the “canon” of true morality? 2. Movie villain 2: flippant franchises Stephen isn’t alone; actor Wil Wheton (Wesley Crusher) feels similarly. A major problem with all those movie trailers was an air of self-indifference We’ve long since jumped the sharks of writers acting painfully self-aware This is the kind of “flippancy” Screwtape loves, where everything is a “joke.” We might also call this flippancy unrealistic. It’s the bad kind of escapism. Reality is real. Some things, including, death and dishonesty, aren’t funny. But this attitude doesn’t just come from bad writers—it starts at the top. Flippancies are increasingly steered by meme-level shtick, even studio PR. For instance, relying on the increasingly rigged Rotten Tomatoes “score.” Flippant systems rank movies as either “great” or “rotten,” with no nuance. Stephen has well-documented how this was done for his own film reviews. Movie critic Stephen M. Colbert first observed this for ScreenRant in 2019: The unfortunate impact is Rotten Tomatoes and other review aggregators regularly give major boosts to movies where reviewers generally lean in a more positive direction, but few people react negatively, by presenting them as having a higher score than movies that were genuinely reviewed better, yet elicited more negative responses. At the end of the day, everyone has unique tastes, and that includes movie critics, so the notion of taking all those disparate opinions on a movie, distilling it down into a simple thumbs up/down, then aggregating that into an average approval rating and expecting it to be applicable to individual audience members seems very backward. As always, audiences are better off finding a particular reviewer or outlet they tend to agree with and trusting in their reviews, or even better, take a “risk” and go see a movie with an exciting premise, cool marketing, or an actor or director you like and form your own opinion. Ask: does a movie company marketing tend to follow a “canon” of reality? 3. Movie villain 3: sillified superheroes Stephen wrote this before two out of three of this July’s big film releases. Personally, he enjoys overtly fun and serious superhero stories in all worlds. That means he likes many versions and won’t “gatekeep” hero characters. For example, he enjoys all the visual Superman adaptations: Reeves, Reeve, DCAU, several DC animated spinoffs, Routh, Cavill, and even Hoechlin. (My jury’s out on the new guy, because of the reasons I’ve listed above.) For years I’ve been allergic to demands of “comic accurate” being used to justify “true to the one single canon, or perception of such, that I like best.” Other fans want to know whether a story is faithful to morality and reality. These fans also want higher standards for cinematography and writing. As one of my social-media friends, Michael John Petty, recently observed: I used to be a major proponent of wanting things “comics accurate,” but nowadays I prefer the phrase “comics consistent.” Not all “accurate to the comics” ideas are good, but if you take what consistently is good and works with the characters, you can’t go wrong. That said, all of these Batmen [Adam West, Christian Bale, and Ben Affleck] are great in their own way, and work in their own way for consistent reasons — but that doesn’t mean they all need to be the same. Stephen feels “allergic” to early hype or hatred for yet-unseen versions. And he’s allergic to the sort of Bene Gesserit “seeding” of media narratives. That includes “caught” ideas about a filmmaker’s supposed sincerity or evil. “The key to success is sincerity. If you can fake that you’ve got it made.” (George Burns) At least one director said he loved superheroes because they are stupid. Alas, this director has personally popularized many flippant tropes. Stephen says he considers these “deathworks” that harm our culture. We’re already hearing about how a spinoff DC show gets back to vulgarian. Others, like many Marvel and DC directors, embrace the heroes earnestly. In general, people really need true sincerity about superheroes and villains. When a film or show can offer that, he’ll show up. If not, why waste time? Our loyalty is not to some comic canon or corporate character/figurehead. Instead, he looks to invest time and fandom energy in creators with vision. Ask: does the movie’s creators tend to follow a “canon” of real sincerity? Com station Top question for listeners What movies do you want to enjoy, or avoid, this summer season? Next on Fantastical Truth As we’ve often heard, some movies feel difficult to enjoy! Yet today we want to celebrate animated films across the years, including the artists behind classic characters like Cogsworth, Iago, Pumbaa, Pocahontas, Mulan, and Kronk … and now, coming this fall, the greatest Hero of all. Famed animators and twin brothers Tony Bancroft and Tom Bancroft bring their magic to our studio in advance of their next feature film in cinemas, the traditionally animated Light of the World.

Christian missionaries have traveled oceans to strange new lands.[1. “Clayfire” game concept art is courtesy The Salvation Poem Project.] They’ve smuggled Bibles into hostile territory. Someday they will even journey to space settlements. But what about today’s virtual mission fields in digital spaces, like gaming platforms and communities? Developer Brock Henderson with Christian Game Developers, whose conference teams up this month with Realm Makers, joins us to explore Kingdom service in these open worlds. Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing and Sky Turtle Press present Realm Makers Expo 2025 The Company: Kingdom Writers, World Changers Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update Lorehaven reviews: new A Study of Shattered Spells, upcoming Anointed Subscribe free to get updates and join the ever-growing Lorehaven Guild Backstory: Brock Henderson Brock Henderson is an Iowa-based game developer, designer, and missionary. He believes that video games are the preeminent art form of this century, with an ever-growing influence on our culture. His current work focuses on creating games that move beyond entertainment and spark connections between people. In his 15 years in game development, he has had the privilege of working on everything from the silly to the serious, shipping over 25 titles on nine platforms with more than 3 million downloads. He is the head of game development for the Salvation Poem Project and the founder of PxlPug. He also serves as board president for the Christian Game Developers Community and blogs and podcasts at Faith Forms. Salvation Poem Project BrockHenderson.com FaithForms.games 1. The mission of Christian Game Developers More about the organization’s origin and purpose History of the in-person conference for game creators Origin of the Realm Makers teamup and expectations for this year 2. How indie games remake digital worlds Fans are more frequently disputing design and story of the “big games” So it’s smaller games (mobile or big platform) that draw more attention Examples of games by Christian creators that have broken new ground: “Clayfire” (fantasy adventure game in development at Salvation Poem) “Sainthood” (cozy Christian game) “Bug and Seek” “David’s Mighty Warriors” High Fructose 3. Sketching a future for Christian-made games Realm Makers Expo: a step toward connecting developers and others New creative and technological frontiers for Christians in these realms How players witness wisely for Jesus Christ as they level up in the world Com station Top question for listeners What’s the worst or best Christian-made video game you’ve played? Next on Fantastical Truth Zackary Russell and E. Stephen Burnett are heading for the Realm Makers Expo! That means next week’s episode may be delayed, or might release Tuesday. Either way, it’ll be another Stephen solo show. This one reveals a shocking truth: these days Stephen finds a lot more joy in books than he sees at the movie houses. Can the modern cinema be saved from synthetic moralities, sloppy franchises, and scandalized/sillified superheroes?