Fantastical Truth

242. Should Christians Read Lewis and Tolkien But No Newer Fantasy? Dec 17, 2024

What’s the most annoying slogan from Christian critics of fantasy? That may be, “We’re not meant to enjoy stories; instead we must Preach the Gospel.” But what may be the second most annoying slogan about Christian fantasy? One surely is, “We don’t need newer stories if we have Lewis and Tolkien.” How then can we as fans respond with grace to Lewis-and-Tolkien-Onlyism?

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1. Why are Lewis and Tolkien absolutely fantastic?

If anyone else has grounds for confidence in these fandoms, we have more.
Here’s our podcast series with guest “Rilian”: Looking Back on ‘Lord of the Rings’
189. What Are the Best Books by C. S. Lewis?
191. How Did Lewis and Tolkien Celebrate and Critique Christmas? | with David Bates
225. Why Do Modern Fans Love Middle-Earth Mixing? | with Evan Cooney
228. Why Don’t Christian-Made Arts Top Secular Charts?

2. Where do we see Lewis-and-Tolkien-Onlyism?

Casual conversations, often with certain Christian/conservative dads.
“Theobros” have told Stephen, “Why even bother with the new stuff?”
“We have Lewis and Tolkien, so we don’t need any modern stories.”
Many parents also consider these authors “safe” for all readers.

3. How do we rebut Lewis-and-Tolkien-Onlyism?

Similar to translation debates, this “freezes” a particular era as the “best.”
Ecclesiastes 7:10 cautions the wise against such impulsive nostalgia.
Fans likely wouldn’t apply the same standards to translations or music.
If they did, then they’re not doing their job as Christians or parents.
Would they really restrict their sons or daughters from any other stories?
What about stories loved by teenage girls, such as YA romantasy/cozy?
What about stories loved by young boys, such as heroic graphic novels?
Finally, Lewis and Tolkien themselves would reject such an “idealism.”
Tolkien made new stories with modern flourishes, such as Bree spycraft.
As we shared last year, Tolkien had fun making Father Christmas stories.
For example, Lewis read widely on both old books and new books.
It’s clear from obscure essays that Lewis was even fond of pulp sci-fi!
Lewis would have counted his own books as “new books,” not classic:

“It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between. If that is too much for you, you should at least read one old one to every three new ones.”

—C. S. Lewis

These men, however, are not even “church fathers.” God Himself says:

Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!

—Psalm 96:1

The best reason against this reading limit: God’s culture call is dynamic.
Never does Scripture hint at “freezing” our creativity at a certain point.
Readers of varying ages, peoples, and personalities love different stories.
New Earth will have the honor and glory of all the nations (Rev. 21:26).

Com station

Caleb Cooke emailed about episode 241 on Christmas stories:

Loved your discussion on Christmas Movies.

I would like to submit for your consideration, Little Women 1994 version. It came out at Christmas time, it features Christmas dinner and Christmas carols, and amazing music and Christmas themes. I like to watch it around Christmas time even though you could watch it anytime.

Other comments: Santa Clause is Coming to Town is the best of the Classic animated Christmas TV specials. It wonderfully tells a story of bravery, love, and redemption.

A Muppet Christmas Carol is probably my favorite version of that story, although special mention goes to the Doctor Who Christmas Special where the Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith plays the Ghost of Christmas Past and Present to a Sci-Fi Future Scrooge. This might deserve an entire Fantastical Truth episode as The Doctor essential uses story and adventures that create new childhood memories to reprogram the imagination of the cold-hearted miser in order to give him a heart of flesh thereby saving his soul and the lives of hundreds of people. Come to think of it, that is very similar to Dickens’ story at it’s heart; Maybe A Christmas Carol is the OG fantastical truth Christmas fiction!

A faithful follower,

Caleb

Next on Fantastical Truth

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

**241. What Are the Best and Worst Fantastical Christmas Stories?** Dec 10, 2024
‘Tis the season for Christmas stories and stories fans claim are Christmas stories. Which ones have aged for every season? And which ones could be safely left back in childhood when we thought they were fun? In this special episode, let’s open the spiced eggnog, celebrate the best, and boo the rest.

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The Jabin Kainos series by Vince Mancuso

Mission update

Lorehaven article: I Tried to Read the Original *Wicked* Book But Did Not Finish

Lorehaven Onscreen: *Dear Santa* Presents Satan as Another Misunderstood Villain

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1. Which are the best/worst Nativity adaptations?

Netflix’s recent *Mary* film starts with a narration from their heroine:

“You may think you know my story. Trust me, you don’t.” (Source.) Huh.

Stephen prefers *The Nativity Story* and of course *The Chosen* specials.

He grew up watching many Nativity adaptations from Christian creators.

Zack is a fan of Sony Animation’s 2017 animated version *The Star*.

2. How do we like secular Christmas stories?

Tales like *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* and *Arthur Christmas* count.

So do “secular” stories that engage with faith, like *It’s a Wonderful Life*.

Classics like *Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer* have some surprising edge.

For other films, like *The Santa Clause* (series) and *Elf*, mileage may vary.

3. What about ‘honorary’ Christmas stories?

Fans argue for *Die Hard* and such-like, but Stephen really does not care.

Similarly, does it matter that *Iron Man 3* and *Shazam* occur at Christmas?

None of these films, after all, actually released for the Christmas season.

Stephen might claim *The Hobbit*, *LOTR*, and *TLWW* are Christmas tales.

Top question for listeners

**Which are your best and worst fantastical Christmas stories?**

Caden Gillon enjoyed last month’s episode 238 about dystopias:

Dystopia is an amazing genre, with so many facets to explore. When I heard episode # 238, I got really excited. Not to get off topic, but when I was younger, I devoured my way through the books *The Hunger Games* and the *Divergent.* Also, the movie *The Book of Eli* is a great example, where one character wants a Bible desperately for not-so-good intentions. Dystopia engages our minds in a way that makes us think ”wow, I’m glad it’s not like that right now in our society.” Many of us can agree on one thing, it’s an interesting topic, and has a meaning that can hit home if said in the right way.

When you read dystopia, as you guys said, it seems like everyone (except politicians) can relate to it. Man, early Christians dealt with dystopia in Rome, many countries do today (a good example, *Tortured for Christ* by Richard Wurmbrand). It’s a darkness that’s found in dictatorships and third world countries. I just wanted to say, and maybe you guys could mention this, we’re living in paradise here in North America. To respond to the question you guys placed in the episode name, I think dystopia is important for us in the way that it makes us realize where we are, and where we could be, and how we’re lucky it isn’t that way!

Remember this: Not to be pessimistic, but society isn’t always going to be the same. never take for granted the times we live in now!

Loving the podcast!

Caden Gillon.

The Adaptation Stationmaster doesn’t agree with Ransom Trilogy hype in episode 240:

May I express a controversial opinion?

I think the Ransom books are the weakest works of fiction C. S. Lewis wrote. Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra have some really good dialogue scenes (at the beginning of Silent Planet and in the middle of Perelandra) but a lot of them is just a bunch of description with hardly anything happening and, eh, I’ve read better descriptions by Lewis.

That Hideous Strength has a great cast of villains. I wish I could love the book as a whole. I’ve tried to love it. But I just find a lot of it clunky, especially the stuff with the heroes. And that’s a problem when a book is trying hard to convey how much better it is to be one of the heroes than the villains. To an unusual extent for Lewis, this book keeps telling me what to feel without making me feel it. It’s almost like he wrote an outline for a book.

I think something this podcast episode mentioned is very telling. That Hideous Strength is mostly popular with “theological dude bros” (Sorry, if I’m misremembering the phrase) e.g. people who already agree (broadly anyway) with C. S. Lewis’s perspective. The Chronicles of Narnia and Till We Have Faces can be enjoyed by readers even if they don’t totally agree with the worldview behind them. I can’t imagine, say, a feminist reading That Hideous Strength with anything other than disgust, never mind being converted by it. (If anyone knows or has heard of people who disagree with Lewis on the natural order of the world but still enjoy That Hideous Strength, I’d be really interested in hearing about them. I don’t mean that as a challenge; I honestly do think it would be really interesting.) Maybe the problem is that Lewis saw the poetic appeal of hierarchy so clearly and couldn’t see the poetic appeal of egalitarianism at all.

Having said all that, adapting the Ransom Trilogy makes infinitely more sense than Boxen. LOL.

Next on Fantastical Truth

What’s the most annoying slogan from Christian critics of fantasy? That may be, “We’re not meant to enjoy stories; instead we must Preach the Gospel.” But what may be the *second* most annoying slogan about Christian fantasy? One surely is, “We don’t need newer stories if we have Lewis and Tolkien.” How then can we as fans respond with grace to Lewis-and-Tolkien-Onlyism?

Out of the Silent Planet, C. S. Lewis — **240. How Could We Adapt C. S. Lewis’s Ransom Trilogy for the Screen?** Dec 03, 2024
Nov. 29 was C. S. Lewis’s birthday. The famous author and scholar was born 126 years ago in 1898. And while fans eagerly await whatever director Greta Gerwig and Netflix might do with Narnia, we decided to ask: how would we take Lewis’s other fantasy tales, the Ransom Trilogy, to adapt for the screen?

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Enclave Publishing: *Memoria* by J. J. Fischer

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The Jabin Kainos series by Vince Mancuso

Mission update

Lorehaven Onscreen: *Wicked Part 1 Honors the Weak, Not the Woke*

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Yes, many know the series as the Space Trilogy. But some scholar-fans (Stephen included) believe that term contradicts a key theme of Lewis’s world.

Quotes and notes

BBC releasing a radio dramatization of the Space Trilogy

The Devil Went Down to Venus: Lessons from the Un-Man, Bethel McGrew

*Life on the Silent Planet: Essays on Christian Living from C.S. Lewis’s Ransom Trilogy*

1. How on Mars to adapt *Out of the Silent Planet*?

2. How on Venus could we adapt *Perelandra*?

3. How on Earth to adapt *That Hideous Strength*?

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How would you adapt C. S. Lewis’s Ransom Trilogy for the screen?

Next on Fantastical Truth

‘Tis the season for Christmas stories and stories fans claim are Christmas stories. Which ones have aged for every season? And which ones could be safely left back in childhood when we thought they were fun? In our next episode, let’s open the spiced eggnog, celebrate the best, and boo the rest.

239. Do You Prefer ‘Literary’ or ‘Genre’ Fantastical Fiction? Nov 19, 2024

We love stories with fine writing.[1. Photo by Jonathan Francisca on Unsplash.] As the Scripture says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” But sometimes readers just want basic style, quick tools for the simple job of getting you in and out of a fantastical work of fiction. Which kind of stories do you prefer and why?

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1. What I mean by ‘literary’ fiction vs. ‘genre’ fiction

Literary fiction

Tends to focus on poetical language, deeper themes, character journeys.
Sentences and paragraphs can be much longer and more complex.
Books often use words as ornate instruments, not as simple tools.
Less emphasis on reaching more readers and more emphasis on the Art.
Tends to have limited readership and become educational, not just fun.

Genre fiction

Tends to focus on basic plot, tropes, clear and simpler ideas/characters.
Sentences are more basic—subject, verb, object—and much shorter.
Books use words mainly as tools for the job, not ornate instruments.
Less emphasis on the Art and more emphasis on reaching more readers.
Tends to have broader readership and become fun, not just educational.

2. Why I get vexed by some ‘literary’ associations

Notice I didn’t say “literary fiction” but associations—ideas around it.
I feel vexed when literature teachers get preoccupied with Symbolism.
This confuses the means of symbols for the ends of their meanings.
See, for example, the false teachers who reduce the Bible to symbols.
Some teachers really do seem to be imposing their views on the book.
I recall several such examples from my old American Literature classes.
Simple words, like “nightcap,” got misinterpreted with sexual meanings.
Also, thanks to my upcoming novel, I’ve stumbled into a niche subgenre.
Turns out that “missionaries in space” has a few very literary attempts.
Of two top examples (I won’t name them), I’ve tried to read one so far.
Frankly, the novel was dull. Very little sci-fi. Aliens way in the distance.
The novel followed mostly very wealthy, remote, and unlikeable persons.
And that’s another stigma with “literary” schools—the aloof elitism.
Meanwhile, many literary sorts get preoccupied with politics and culture.
They seem to think that real life also functions by “literary fiction” rules.
And of course, the dullest teachers can turn great books into chores.
One sci-fi writer, Bruce McAllister, tried a famous experiment in 1963.
As a presumptuous student age 16, he wrote to 150 top literary figures.
He asked: Did they really consciously put all these symbols in their work?

The answers to the questionnaire were as varied as the writers themselves. Did Isaac Asimov plant symbolism in his work? “Consciously? Heavens, no! Unconsciously? How can one avoid it?” Iris Murdoch sagely advises that “there is much more symbolism in ordinary life than some critics seem to realize.” Ayn Rand wins the prize for concision; addressing McAllister’s example of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter, she wrote, “This is not a definition, it is not true—and, therefore, your questions do not make sense.” Kerouac is a close second; he writes, “Symbolism is alright in ‘Fiction’ but I tell true life stories simply about what happened to people I knew.”

McAllister later became a literature teacher and a notable sci-fi writer.

Though McAllister now claims, “It never occurred to me that [the writers] would answer,” once they did he was delighted—as was his English teacher: “a sweet, teacherly soul,” impressed by his industry but unable to absorb the import of its result. The search for symbols would continue, at least until the end of the 1964–65 school year.

“The conclusion I came to was that nobody had asked them. New Criticism was about the scholars and the text; writers were cut out of the equation. Scholars would talk about symbolism in writing, but no one had asked the writers.”

Ultimately, the answer is not “the literature teachers are making it all up.”
Instead it’s more like, “Sometimes they make it up, but not always.”
So there are intentional deeper, symbolic references in literary fiction.

3. Great genre fiction can also show literary flair

But guess what. Sometimes genre fiction also includes deeper meaning.
Genre fiction, too, can break out a startling sentence or sweet symbol.
In so doing, the genre fiction may echo one key principle of the gospel.
Scripture seems to endorse at least one “folly” that upends “wisdom”:

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

1 Corinthians 1:18–20

And yet Scripture includes many books, like Proverbs, extolling wisdom.
Paul seems to dismiss a kind of purely academic, worldly wisdom.
He is not advocating some totalizing vox populi, vox Dei notion.
Scripture itself is clearer in some places than others (called perspicuity).
Yet the Bible also holds incredible depths that scholars keep seeking out.
So my resolution is not as simple as “why not both?” but is close to that.
Personally, I believe in “genre fiction” that can incorporate literary value.
Again, the gospel is all about Jesus stooping down to reach humans.
This key doctrine honors His “elite” nature as God yet also His humility.
In our search for fantastic stories, let’s honor authors who do the same.
Accessible stories can also try ornate sentences and deeper symbols.
I want stories with a “big word” at least once a chapter, get me thinking.
Every once in a while, break out a long paragraph or complex sentence!
But keep things simple, in order to reach readers and serve one another.
Thus we seek that invisible asymptote between “literary” and “genre.”
(And if you’re unclear on the meaning of asymptote, look it up!)

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RK McClure (@pearls4swineguy) on X enjoyed episode 236:

@‌Lorehaven and specifically, the #FantasticalTruth Podcast has been so good for me. They have validated my love and use of fantasy, sci-fi, and even #ChristianHorror for God’s glory. If you have ever wondered if Christians can engage with horror, give this episode a listen.

Davidls commented on the episode 236 page at Lorehaven.com:

A combination of the death of a classmate, and watching one of the Faces of Death films, showed me that I was too casual about death in general, but also that I wasn’t completely desensitized. When watching a slasher film I knew that the whole thing was fake, so I wasn’t bothered by it. When I saw a story about death in the news, I didn’t think of it as fake, but I also didn’t have much in the way of compassion because they weren’t people I knew, and I hadn’t seen their horrible deaths. But with the death of a classmate, and seeing the gruesome deaths of others, it was like I had been woken up by a cold bucket of water and a punch to the gut. Compassion was awakened in me. And as I come to know Jesus better, that compassion grows.

Next on Fantastical Truth

This is our final episode before Thanksgiving 2024! As we head into the holidays, let’s thank God for His gift of the complex gospel that He has made simple for us, as we go on seeking and finding His fantastical truth.

238. Do Christians Need Dystopian Fiction? Nov 12, 2024

Boom. Doom. Gloom. Criminals pillage. Cities burn. Mobs rampage. Tyrants rule with iron fists. We live in a society! People here often feel we’re overdue for dystopia. Even now, dystopian tales prove popular among many readers. Let’s explore why and ask whether Christian fans really need these stories.

Episode sponsors

Mission update

New review of Lethal Kings by Victoria McCombs
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Quotes and notes

Concession stand

This is part of our Fiction’s Chief End series, thus the word need.
The dystopian genre has biblical roots. It’s echoed in the real-life encounters between David and King Saul, and in the parable Jesus told about the persistent widow.
Dystopian stories usually have Man vs. Society conflict.
Dystopia is one of the founding stories of the United States, along with the frontier.
We’re recording this after a national election in the U.S.
The timing is a feature, not a bug–purposeful, not accidental.
In this transition period, everyone is forwarding their vision for the future, and warning of dark possibilities they’ve seen in stories.
But we do our best to avoid conversations about particular politicians or policies.
So we will also avoid the cliched discussions about dystopia tropes (such as teenage rebel love triangles).

1. Dystopian fiction helps us face real-life dystopia.

Most of us don’t have access to the levers of power in our political system.
This genre is not primarily for political leaders. These stories usually focus on people with very little political capital.
This is the first reason why dystopian fiction is useful for the average citizen: it gives us a blueprint for extreme resilience.
For decades now, every election has been billed as “the most important of our lifetime.”
Beware the fabricated dystopia that partisan media is trying to convince you that you live in.
Because the problem is that people already think they are living in a dystopian world.
That’s where books in this genre are a helpful corrective: they show us a world that’s truly swallowed by tyranny.
More than that, they (usually) show us how people survive, respond, and in some cases even conquer the tyrants.
Again, you may think the tyrant is in the White House, or you may think the tyrants are in the Deep State. Or perhaps the World Economic Forum. Or just your HOA. Doesn’t matter. We usually don’t get the government we want, or if we do, it doesn’t last long. And we all have a primitive fear of someone’s boot stomping on our neck.
That’s why entering the imagination of an author can be a helpful way of facing this fear.

2. Dystopian stories give us a reverse “how to” manual.

Dystopian stories show photo-negatives of the lives we hope to enjoy.
They show us what to avoid as a society, the logical end of unchecked corruption, immorality, abuse of power.
They help us spot the very first steps of the road into hell, which is usually paved with good intentions. The problem is that small compromises have compound interest.

You can look the other way once, and it’s no big deal, except it makes it easier for you to compromise the next time, and pretty soon that’s all you’re doing; compromising, because that’s the way you think things are done. You know those guys I busted? You think they were the bad guys? Because they weren’t, they weren’t bad guys, they were just like you and me. Except they compromised… Once.
— Jack Bauer, 24

They also reveal what we should fight for.
Reminds us not to take our freedoms for granted.

3. Dystopian novels force us to face the darkness within.

One hidden danger of dystopian fiction is wish fulfillment.
The best dystopian fiction goes beyond just smashing a bad system and challenges the protagonists to build a new system.
Dystopian stories show us what to avoid in society–by pointing out what we need to beware of in ourselves.
That question of “How far would you go?” is very relevant today, given conversations about political revenge.

“Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible (p. 132).”

—Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

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Winner of the sharing contest for Mike Duran’s Christian Horror

This week’s winner is Bryan Timothy Mitchell!
Going into next year, we plan to do more book giveaways.

Next on Fantastical Truth

We love stories with fine writing. As the Scripture says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” But often readers want basic style, quick tools of phrase for the simple job of getting you in and out of a fantastical work of fiction. Which kind of stories do you prefer and why?

**237. How Has ‘The Chosen’ Become The World’s Top Christian-Made Fandom? | with Ryan Swanson** Nov 05, 2024
Hi! Wow. Middle of autumn. I know what you’re thinking about. Christmas! This weekend the new comedy *The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!* releases in theaters. And five Thanksgiving seasons ago, in Nov. 2019, new fans began watching the second half of a new biblical fiction drama called *The Chosen*. This week, we’re thankful to host one of the three *Chosen* screenwriters who also cowrote *The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!*, Ryan Swanson.

Episode sponsors

Sky Turtle Nova: *Rift* by Steven James

*Above the Circle of Earth* by E. Stephen Burnett

The Jabin Kainos series by Vince Mancuso

Mission update

New review of *The Time Door* by Shannon McDermott

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Concession stand

Even among our listeners, some may have negative views of this show

We’ve dealt with many of those in episode 148: Why Do Some Christians Revile ‘The Chosen’? | with Josiah DeGraaf and Jenneth Dyck

Also, must credit Jenneth Dyck (writer of this article) for this connection!

We recorded this interview was recorded before big news at ChosenCon.

Swanson is showrunner for “The Chosen Adventures” animated series.

If we knew, we would have asked more about this expanded Bibleverse.

But this chap is *good* and didn’t give a single indication of this big news.

Introducing guest Ryan Swanson

Head writer and executive producer Ryan Swanson happened to go to high school with Dallas’s wife Amanda (he was her Sadie Hawkins dance date, actually). Several years ago, they got back in touch, Amanda introduced Dallas and Ryan, and the rest is history. All three writers on *The Chosen* (Ryan, Tyler Thompson, and Dallas) contribute equally, but Dallas and Tyler would be the first to tell you Ryan is the “keeper of the story.” Nothing gets through unless Ryan deems it high enough quality. It must pass the smell test; it must be good storytelling and television. If we have something to include from Scripture or an important spiritual truth to convey, that’s awesome, but Ryan makes sure it “works.” Not by changing it, of course, but by making sure the show and the plot elevate it.

Ryan Swanson at IMDB

TheChosen.TV

1. From early faith to filmmaking experience

How did you discover biblical faith and fantastic imagination?

What gifts and interests led to you wanting to become a storyteller?

What films did you help make? What did you love about that process?

2. From filmmaking experience to *The Chosen*

How did a chance connection lead you to join *The Chosen* creator team?

What might we have not heard about *The Chosen*’s original creation?

After hitting the halfway point, what are the show’s greatest challenges?

*The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!*, directed by Dallas Jenkins and co-written by Ryan Swanson, releases in theaters Friday, Nov. 8.

3. From *The Chosen* to *Best Christmas Pageant Ever!*

How did Dallas (or whoever) ask you to help write this month’s remake?

What do you like about this classic 1971 holiday story and original films?

What’s next for you with *The Chosen*, other films/projects, and beyond?

Com station

**Who would win in a fight between the Sons of Thunder and the Herdmans?**

@‌ChloeGotLB40 recalls meeting the makers of LB drama (ep. 219):

I had the privilege to record the song Remember Me from Mark Schultz years ago, at Gap Digital during the time they were recording these. I’m grateful that Todd didn’t inform me who he played in the series until after I finished the song. Imagine my shock to know that “Mac” recorded my song! At that time, I only knew him as the guy who ran Gap Digital and did these audio dramas. I had asked him to sign a magazine for me. He asked me if I wanted it signed by Todd Busteed or Spencer Binford. It took me about 30 seconds to realize he was the voice of Mac! This series is what my name here is based on…Chloe got Left Behind.

Jason Bergstrom enjoyed episode 235 about scary alien stories:

I hadn’t really equated the types of alien stories with how they represent some of our basic fears. The kind that might freak me out the most is the fear of “invading your personal space” and feeling helpless in the face of such a creature. *Alien* and *Aliens* are two of my all-time favorite movies, despite the first one qualifying as more frightful. The xenomorph with its beastly design and never-ending goal to get you like a space zombie is one thing, but then how they’re born from your own body in a way that’s out of your control is very scary. It’s the fear of “invading your personal space” on two levels.

Did anyone else read the *My Teacher is an Alien* books? I loved those as a kid. I reread them with my son a couple years ago and the first three are good, then the fourth goes super environmentalist. Pretty disappointed. Props, Zack, for mentioning *Sphere*. That was my favorite Crichton book–and yes, way better than the movie.

Next on Fantastical Truth

Boom. Doom. Gloom. Criminals pillage. Cities burn. Mobs rampage. Tyrants rule with iron fists. We live in a society! People here often feel we’re overdue for dystopia. Even now, dystopian tales prove popular among many readers. Let’s explore why and ask whether Christian fans really *need* these stories.

**236. How Can Scary Stories Expose Human Sin? | Christian Horror with Mike Duran** Oct 29, 2024
What’s the red-headed stepchild of Christian-made fiction? If you said *science fiction*, you’re partly right. But here’s a happy prediction: this other wandering genre is probably getting adopted! That might leave outside the other orphaned books—in the genre called *horror*. Is this one genre above others doomed to be rejected? Mike Duran, author of the nonfiction book *Christian Horror*, returns to challenge our preconceptions of spooky stories.

**Special note:** Share this podcast episode before Nov. 5 for a chance to win your free autographed copy of *Christian Horror*. Use the hashtag #ChristianHorror when you tag Lorehaven on Facebook, on Instagram, or on TwitterX.

Episode sponsors

Sky Turtle Nova: *Rift* by Steven James

*DreadKing* by David Liberto

The Jabin Kainos series by Vince Mancuso

Mission update

Lorehaven Onscreen: ‘The Deliverance’ Shows Christ’s Power to Cast Out Evil and Reunite Families by Parker J. Cole

Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild

This previous podcast episode explores the purpose of healthier horror fiction.

Quotes and notes on Christian-made scary stories

Search all Lorehaven for episodes, articles, and books labeled *horror*

39. How Might Bram Stoker’s Novel ‘Dracula’ Cast Light Against Modern Vampires? | with Geoffrey Reiter

Don’t Let Halloween Flippancy Distract You From Real Horrors and Promises

Find Light in Darkness With These Six Christian Paranormal Thrillers

132. Do Christians Really Need Horror? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 5

133. How Are New Fans Discovering the Horror and Holiness of ‘Dracula’?

184. How Can Nobledark Horror Explore the Problem of Evil? | with Marc Schooley

185. What Are the Scariest Ghost Stories in Scripture?

186. Does the Devil Deceive People into Real Witchcraft? | with Marian Jacobs

How The Crucifix Shows Christ’s Salvation in Dark Fantastical Stories

Concession stand

This may be your first time, yet we’ve often explored horror at Lorehaven.

Some may view horror as a “stumbling block”; that’s a legit objection.

Yet others find comfort in seeing a story that shows sin’s darkness.

Scripture itself shows people rejoicing in God’s law that exposes evil.

Today, many people need to believe Satan exists before they find Christ.

That is just what the best horror tales, old and new, are designed to do.

Introducing guest Mike Duran

Mike Duran is a novelist, artist, and freelance writer. Mike writes fiction and non-fiction. His newest release is *Keeper of the Woods* (2024); he also wrote *The Ghost Box* (2014), which was selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the best 2015 indie novels—first in a paranoir series that continues with *Saint Death* (2016), and *The Third Golem* (2020). His nonfiction books *Christians and Conspiracy Theories* (2023) and *Christian Horror* (second edition, 2023) apply biblical truth to these fantastical topics.

MikeDuran.com

@‌MikeDuranAuthor on FB

@‌MikeDuranAuthor on X

1. How do Christians avoid confronting real horror?

Well-meaning Christians use “clean” or “family” fiction to cover over sins.

When people are evil, we assume it’s because they were treated badly.

We excuse supposed “acceptable” sins in our lives, churches, cultures.

If our leaders sin, we claim it’s necessary for the greater good/the world.

Or we may intentionally listen to deceptions of the world/Satan/flesh.

Finally, we just ignore all of it; we get out our phones and play games.

2. Why might we wrongly obsess on horror images?

Stephen saw an expensive lawn full of horror-for-its-own sake images.

These weren’t warnings, or part of a story. There was no other context.

It’s a sort of flippancy that tries to laugh at death, an unearned “victory.”

This is the kind of purposeless horror that Christians rightly critique.

Now a lot of people, overcorrecting for the “clean” stuff, may praise this.

In some cases, they have likely gone from the frying pan into the fire.

Share this podcast episode before Nov. 5 for a chance to win your free autographed copy of *Christian Horror*. Use the hashtag #ChristianHorror when you tag Lorehaven on Facebook, on Instagram, or on TwitterX.

3. What’s a more biblical view of ‘Christian horror’?

Scripture itself never assumes someone else will teach the scary parts.

From the very beginning, a creepy serpents tempts Adam and Eve.

God passes judgments of mortality, murder, anarchy, and the Flood.

Later we get hints about Satan’s dark activities behind the scenes.

Evil spirits get even more active in the days of Jesus’s work on Earth.

Today, demons and dark spiritual ideas are real; stories must show them.

Com station

**What’s your favorite scary story that helps you see sin for what it is?**

Sean Truax in the RealmSphere shared thoughts about ep. 233:

So, late with a comment as I listened to this a few days ago, sorry.

This is another excellent episode and it had me questioning some of my own beliefs and how I was raised.

I grew up in a Christian home, mom taught a weekly Good News Club, and both of my parents volunteered quite a bit at Church (Children’s ministry for my mom, adult Sunday School for my dad). My parents are also huge Science Fiction nerds. I have memories of attending a Star Trek convention back in the mid-70s. Heinlein and Azimov books were throughout our house, and they took us to see Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back more times than I can count.

Fantasy was a different story. I know I saw the cartoon of “The Hobbit” in the late 70’s/early 80’s, but that was it. Dungeons & Dragons were forbidden, and that stuck with me into adulthood so much that Fantasy Fiction isn’t my thing. The exception is Tolkien and CS Lewis, we had those books grown up, but nothing else. But D&D? Yeah, I struggle with that one.

I can appreciate those who like to play RPGs (I still have some sci-fi ones), but the whole “avoid the appearance of evil” is very much in my head when I see or hear about Christians playing D&D. I have learned that the “appearance” part is less important than what God is telling you about your hobbies. Are they an idol on your time (or money), or in the case of RPGs, are they a way for you to act in an un-Christian manner simply because it’s make-believe?

I like how you guys broke down the difference between what 1 Thess 5:22 says, and how many have re-interpreted it. From what I said above, yes, I’m a victim of the re-interpretation. I don’t know that I will go out and start bingeing on Christian Fantasy books now, but you’ve given me something to think and pray about.

Next on Fantastical Truth

Hi! Wow. Middle of autumn. I know what you’re thinking about. Christmas! This weekend the new comedy *The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!* releases in theaters. And five Thanksgiving seasons ago, in Nov. 2019, new fans began watching the second half of a new biblical fiction drama called *The Chosen*. Next week, we’re thankful to host one of the three *Chosen* screenwriters who also cowrote *The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!*, Ryan Swanson.

235. What Are the Scariest Stories About Aliens Among Us? Oct 22, 2024

Most fantasy fans don’t truly believe that dragons lurk in caves or the Fae are dancing in the woods by moonlight. But if you’re a sci-fi or horror fan, you might truly believe that real creatures from space have come to Earth for nefarious ends. Or that they might dwell among us today. Now that we might know the name of the U.S. Pentagon’s secret UFO or UAP program, let’s consider: what are the scariest alien stories? And why do so many fans want to be scared by these narratives about unearthly beings on Earth?

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Mission update

Concession stand

This is the ninth part in our occasional series Armies of the Aliens.
If we don’t mention your favorite alien theory, perhaps we did before.
As of this recording, extraterrestrial species have not been officially confirmed.
All of our stories about aliens, therefore, are based on imagination—not an actual species.
So, we’re going to focus on what all these fictional species reflect about humanity’s view of itself, the world, and even God.

Quotes and notes

Zack on Parker J. Cole’s podcast The Write Stuff: “When Faith Meets UFOs: A Christian Perspective on The Immaculate Constellation”
Pentagon holds briefing as Israel says they killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar
Michael Shellenberger tweet on Oct. 8, 2024

1. Wicked aliens can invade your personal space.

Many alien movies are very simple: a horror creature chases people in some kind of haunted house.
These stories prey on our primal fears of the unknown, our disgust with the horrible, and the dread of the superior.
H. P. Lovecraft is the inspiration of many of these stories of cosmic horror.
This type of alien is seen in movies like Alien, Predator, The Thing, Virus, Event Horizon, Pitch Black, Doom, Monsters, Dreamcatcher, and A Quiet Place.
What draws us to these stories is the desire to conquer the unknown. It’s a new frontier to brave, and for Americans, the frontier is a key part of our culture.
We also value conquering our own internal demons, inspired by the famous quote, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”
These stories alternately act as a crude metaphor for the Enlightenment and a rebuke of it. We’re either conquering our ignorance or being reminded that there’s a limit to what we can know.
Often these stories have a theme of “they dug too deep.”

2. Powerful aliens can attack our cities and nations.

In this second category, what’s at stake is not merely the lives of a few people, but the entire area in which they live.
These stories are often a metaphor for the horrors of war, especially the overwhelming odds when facing a far superior military.
Movies about this include War of the Worlds, Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2017), Independence Day, Cloverfield, Battleship, Skyline, and Oblivion.
TV shows include Falling Skies, V, Colony, and The Three Body Problem (but please watch the Amazon Prime–distributed version, not the Netflix one)
The fear we face in these stories is whether or not civilization itself has an expiration date.
These stories echo back what must have been the traumatizing experience of The Tower of Babel.
They remind us that, as powerful as our technology becomes, there is still Someone mightier.

3. Demonic aliens can destroy our very humanity.

These types of aliens won’t simply hunt you down or blow up all the skyscrapers.
Instead, they want to capture your soul and alter your very nature.
There’s something terrifying about your body and even your mind being hijacked by an alien creature.
We see this in Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Host, Annihilation, The 5th Wave, Sphere, and Star Trek episodes with The Borg.
The fear being explored here is the fear of going insane and/or becoming evil. Can someone become too far gone for rehabilitation? For salvation?

Com station

Next on Fantastical Truth

What’s the red-headed stepchild of Christian-made fiction? If you said science fiction, you’re partly right. But here’s a happy prediction: this other wandering genre is probably getting adopted! That might leave outside the other orphaned books—in the genre called horror. Is this one genre above others doomed to be rejected? Mike Duran, author of the nonfiction book Christian Horror, returns to challenge our preconceptions of spooky stories.

Voices of the Future: Stories of Healing & Home — **234. Who Are the Future Voices of Christian Fantastical Storytelling? | with Brett Harris and Kara Swanson** Oct 15, 2024
We just upgraded Lorehaven.com, especially the Library with its many genres and subgenres.[1. Photo by Camille Orgel on Unsplash.] Nearly 1,400 titles cover a wealth of Christian-made fantastical fiction going all the way back to *The Hobbit*. Most of those published titles are fantasy. That’s the most popular genre today. But what might be *the future* of Christian-made fantastical storytelling? Kara Swanson and Brett Harris, directors and co-founders of The Author Conservatory, give us a glimpse into what themes and themes they see from upcoming authors.

Episode sponsors

Audio-Epic.com: “1232” audio drama podcast

*DreadKing* by David Liberto

The Jabin Kainos series by Vince Mancuso

*Voices of the Future vol. 3: Stories of Healing & Home* is available. Author Conservatory plans to release vol. 4 later in 2024.

Mission update

Last week we published a retro review of *A Star Curiously Singing*

Visit our Library to find the perfect fantastical novels this season

Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild

Concession stand

We’re not a writers’ podcast, but it’s fun to glimpse behind the scenes.

Of course, every attempted prediction of the future is just speculation.

Stay tuned next year, because this episode is a prequel to a whole series.

This episode was inspired by the *Voices of the Future* anthology series.

Reintroducing guest Kara Swanson

Kara Swanson writes stories about fairy tales and fiery souls. She spent her childhood a little like a Lost Girl, running barefoot through lush green jungles which inspired her award-winning Peter Pan retellings, *Dust* and *Shadow*. She is also the cofounder of the Author Conservatory, where she has the honor of teaching young writers to craft sustainable author careers. You’ll find Kara with her toes in California sand as a SoCal resident, belting Broadway show tunes on weekend drives to Disneyland with her delightfully nerdy husband, or chatting about magic and mayhem on Instagram.

KaraSwanson.com

AuthorConservatory.com

Instagram @‌karaswansonauthor

Introducing guest Brett Harris

Brett Harris is the bestselling author of *Do Hard Things* and co-founder of the Young Writer’s Workshop and the Author Conservatory, which have trained thousands of writers since 2017. He is a personal mentor and coach for many of the world’s top young writers and authors and his mission is to raise up the next C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.

*Do Hard Things* at Amazon

AuthorConservatory.com

1. What’s the Author Conservatory origin story?

Who had the idea for this different sort of author training model?

How many and what sorts of authors are enrolled in the training?

Why do you want to “raise up the next C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien”?

2. What sorts of books are most popular today?

A stop by nonfiction: politics, history, biography, philosophy, self-help?

Christian fiction vs. nonfiction: historical, romantic, cozy, mystery, other?

Christian fantastical fiction: fantasy? science fiction? any “horror” at all?

3. What novels may prove popular in the future?

Which fantasy genres do Conservatory authors enjoy creating the most?

What stories, authors, subgenres are influencing these new authors?

Any guesses about future genre hybrids or dark horse genres like sci-fi?

Com station

Top question for listeners

**What’s your favorite fantastical genre? Which do you want more of?**

Andrea J. Graham remarked on a social post for episode 233:

Sorry but abstain from the very appearance of evil does mean to abstain from the appearance of evil. We don’t get to cherry pick what we like and believe is safe out of God’s word. Gerrymander it to say anything but the plain and self evident meaning of the text at your own risk. But only the Holy Spirit gets to apply the text and define what specific evils are so evil we don’t want caught so much as looking guilty and such is almost certainly sins in the text such as fornication not drinking root beer and ball room dancing and playing Uno.

Shaneen shared a comment at the Lorehaven.com episode page:

The example of co-workers of opposite genders is not very sound for me.

A better example: Christians are commanded not to have intercourse until after marriage.
Suppose a Christian man and woman, both single, co-habit the same house alone. They are not sleeping together; nevertheless, they are in a position which makes it very hard to prove they are not.

The Christian onlooker would (we hope) make inquires before passing judgment; the non-believer, so often looking for any reason to find fault with us, could yell “hypocrisy “, or perhaps, “oh, it’s not such a big deal then, if they can do it so can I.”

Next on Fantastical Truth

Most fantasy fans don’t truly believe that dragons lurk in caves or the Fae are dancing in the woods by moonlight. But if you’re a sci-fi or horror fan, you might truly believe that *real* creatures from space have come to Earth for nefarious ends. Or that they might dwell among us today. Now that we might know the name of the U.S. Pentagon’s secret UFO or UAP program, let’s consider: what are the scariest alien stories? And why do so many fans *want* to be scared by these narratives about unearthly beings on Earth?

The Pop Culture Culture Parent, Ted Turnau, E. Stephen Burnett, Jared Moore — **233. Should Christian Fans Really ‘Avoid the Appearance of Evil’?** Oct 08, 2024
“Judge not” gets twisted to shut down God’s Law.[1. Photo by Peyman Shojaei on Unsplash.] The phrase “money is the root of all evil” gets twisted to shut down biblical ambition. And “no eye has see, no ear has heard” often gets twisted to shut down a longing for Heaven. But what twisted Scripture most often gets used to reject Christ-exalting fantastical imagination? This top text may be 1 Thessalonians 5:22: “Avoid the appearance of evil.” But does that text actually say to avoid not just *actual* evil, but anything that *appears evil* in the eyes of … *someone*?

Episode sponsors

Enclave Publishing: *The Immortal Abyss*

*Exile’s Hope* by David Liberto

The Lorehaven Guild: *Amish Vampires in Space* book quest

Mission update

Josh Shepherd exclusively interviewed *Rings of Power* showrunners.

Jessica Boudreaux shared concerns about increasing YA sensuality.

We’ve launched upgrades to Lorehaven.com, especially the Library.

Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild.

Concession stand

We are speaking here against a *deep* Bible misconception.

For a moment, you *may* feel like we’re denying actual gospel.

The myth is so common that even Google AI refers to the Scripture twist:

Some commentaries on the meaning of this verse include: . . .

Avoiding not only the identical evil thing itself, but all shows and resemblances of it

Terminating contact with any place, action, language, or relationship that gives people the impression that you are doing something wrong

Notice our frequent use of the word *someone*. That’s by design.

And that’s because some unknown *someone* often haunts this topic.

Who is the *someone*? Why are we following his/her notion about “evil”?

1 Thessalonians 5:22 says:

Abstain from all appearance of evil. (KJV)

Reject every kind of evil. (NIV)

Abstain from every form of evil. (ESV)

Stay away from every kind of evil. (CSB)

1. 1 Thess. 5:22 only refers to actual evil actions.

Nothing in this verse, in English or Greek, means *not evil but looks like it.*

The verse speaks only about avoiding actual evil wherever this *appears*.

So many misread this that we address it fully in *The Pop Culture Parent:*

Some Christians believe we must not only avoid committing actual sins but also avoid anything that could *appear* evil to someone else. However, a quick study of the full chapter in 1 Thessalonians shows that the term *eidos* (“appearance” in the King James Version) has nothing to do with someone’s opinion of how something looks.

Paul tells Christians to respect teachers but also test them, no doubt by comparing their teachings with Scripture and the gospel. They must avoid false teaching—not what *appears* to be false but what is actually false. The King James Version’s “appearance” is better translated into current-day English as “form” or “kind” of evil. In fact, no modern Bible translation uses “appearance” here, and original readers of the KJV probably took *appearance of evil* to mean actual evil.

*The Pop Culture Parent*, page 82

2. One does not simply avoid things that *look* evil.

Recently we saw this standard applied to the so-called Billy Graham rule.

But for most people (especially outside non-vocational) ministry, it’s impossible to *never* be technically “alone” with an opposite-sex person.

If we tried to do this, we’d be subject to unbiblical notions of “evil.”

Some people claim the Bible itself is evil. Should we avoid that too?

Not even Jesus Christ himself followed this “rule” to the letter.

Indeed, to misread [this verse] as meaning “anything that might look evil” leads to an absurd standard no one could keep, not even Jesus. He ate with sinners and talked with prostitutes, and the Pharisees thought his actions appeared to be evil. Jesus claimed to be the great I Am, and the Pharisees picked up stones because it appeared that Jesus had committed blasphemy.

*The Pop Culture Parent*, page 83

3. If we try doing this, *someone* will be haunting us.

We see many bad Christians manipulate others with this “standard.”

They always assume (not prove) that they are the haunting “someone.”

But why should *their* special view of “appearance” control everyone else?

This toxic brew will only generate worsening cycles of fake “morality.”

We also see many non-Christians impose fake “morality” in this way.

Too many sincere Christians are fooled into pleasing humans, not God.

And for Christian fans, we often select/avoid stories based on this “rule.”

Our recommendation: reject the “rule” as antibiblical and fake “holiness.”

Christians must not let a misreading of this verse restrict our freedom to enjoy certain things with thanksgiving to God. Moreover, if we misuse this verse, we may be fueling hypocrisy, teaching our children that we value outward appearances more than the truth.

*The Pop Culture Parent*, page 83

Com station

Top question for listeners

**Have you ever tried to avoid not just evil, but things that** **look** **evil?**

@‌a.r.grosjeanauthor replied on Instagram about Jessica’s article:

I agree. Cuddles and kisses should be as good as it gets for anyone under 18. Even if it hints for sex behind closed doors should be left out. Adult books are fine for anything more than that. I know kids these days do read adult books but it shouldn’t be in YA stories. ❤️

@‌salmon_dabarn also replied on Instagram:

They use the term wholesome for video games too and they are the furthest things from it👏👏

Next on Fantastical Truth

We just upgraded Lorehaven.com, especially the Library with its many genres and subgenres. Nearly 1,400 titles cover a wealth of Christian-made fantastical fiction going all the way back to *The Hobbit*. Most of those published titles are fantasy. That’s the most popular genre today. But what might be *the future* of Christian-made fantastical storytelling? Kara Swanson and Brett Harris, directors and co-founders of The Author Conservatory, give us a glimpse into what themes and types of stories they see from upcoming authors.

232. What If You Fought a Forest that Cursed Your Family? | The Burning Tree with Helen Dent Oct 01, 2024

One girl in rural Georgia must confront the ancient tree that cursed two families, and her whole community, in this deep-rooted rural fantasy.

231. Should Readers Look for ‘Clean’ or ‘Wholesome’ Stories? Sep 24, 2024

If we look for books without obvious “poisons,” we may overlook our imaginations' need for stories of good taste and nutritional value.

230. Why Do Modern Stories Keep Reversing Heroes and Villains? Sep 17, 2024

Cynics often envy real-life heroes like national leaders and astronauts, which drives the self-righteous subversions of heroic virtue in fiction.

229. What If Christians Joined Civil War Against Immortal Elites? | The Wall by Brian Penn Sep 10, 2024

Soldier-spy Asher must wrestle with faith and life behind enemy lines, just as Christians engage the challenges of fictional dystopian worlds.

228. Why Don’t Christian-Made Arts Top Secular Charts? Sep 03, 2024

Many Christians ask why “the world” tends to make the most popular stories, but we have real answers for why secular culture stays no. 1.

227. Is Christianity Preventing a ‘Star Trek’ Future? | with Dr. Sarah Salviander Aug 27, 2024

Christian scholars helped create modern science, yet many sci-fi speculators assume believers should have no place in their visions of progress.

226. Does the Holy Spirit ‘Inspire’ Fantastical Stories? Aug 20, 2024

When wonderful stories or songs make us feel "inspirational," we can thank God for His gifts of human talent, despite our sins and struggles.

225. Why Do Modern Fans Love Middle-Earth Mixing? | with Evan Cooney Aug 13, 2024

Fans across generations have learned to love The Lord of the Rings books, films, and memes for reasons deeper than simplistic morals.

224. Why Does ‘Church Back Home Syndrome’ Distort Christian Imagination? Aug 06, 2024

Victims of bad experiences with Christians cannot help but see most stories in light of their desires to avoid hurt or punish the perpetrators.

223. Why Celebrate Stories #MadeByHumans? Jul 30, 2024

Generative AI might help fill creative gaps, but God calls his people to reflect His image with natural humanity in the stories we create.

222. What If You Had to Fight Your Own Dreams? | The Nightmare Virus with Nadine Brandes Jul 24, 2024

When dream-worlds turn into humankind's next pandemic, we must ask big questions about how best to defeat the darkness.

221. How Did The Left Behind Series Enrapture Millions of Fans? | with Jerry Jenkins Jul 16, 2024

Left Behind series author Jerry Jenkins looks back on the series' legacy over sixteen thriller novels, forty teen spinoff books, and beyond.

220. How Did the ‘Left Behind’ Kids Audio Drama Speed-Run the Tribulation? | with Darby Kern Jul 09, 2024

Twenty years after Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan fought the Antichrist, writer Darby Kern shares how GAP Digital stewarded the audio series.

219. How Did GAP Digital Turn Left Behind Into Cinematic Audio Drama? | with Todd Busteed Jul 02, 2024

Based on the best-selling novels, here's how GAP Digital and Tyndale House Publishers presented the dramatic audio edition of Left Behind.

218. How Did The Kids Get Left Behind? | with Chris Fabry Jun 25, 2024

From school resistance to global plagues, Chris Fabry wrote the Young Trib Force's adventures for the bestselling Left Behind: The Kids series.

217. How Did Publishers Steward the Blockbuster Left Behind Series? | with Dan Balow Jun 18, 2024

Twenty years ago, one end-times fiction series thrilled millions of souls, and Tyndale House marketing chief Dan Balow helped make it happen.

216. Why Do Christians Fight Over End-Times Prophecies? | E. Stephen Burnett vs Zackary Russell Jun 11, 2024

Christians love to wield charts, create thrillers, and debate our doom, so naturally that’s how we will start our new series: Left Behind Legacy.

215. What if Heroes Made Robots to Save Jews? | Breath of Bones with Tricia and Nathan Goyer Jun 04, 2024

This new author team shares how homeschool families learn to love fantasy fiction, plus the clockwork challenges of alt-history wartime.

214. What if a False Christ Started a Cult in Your Town? | The Visitation May 28, 2024

Twenty-five years after release, Frank Peretti’s supernatural thriller still boldly shows a struggling ex-pastor fighting foes scarier than demons.

213. Are ‘Memes’ and Viral Content Ruining Fantastical Franchises? May 21, 2024

Many movies and shows seem designed to “go viral” and provoke free promotion based on flippant references instead of sincere story value.

212. Should Video Games Star Sensual Heroines? | with Paeter Frandsen and Cap Stewart May 14, 2024

Just as bad religious rules can barely restrain our visual sins, secular legalism can't make us respect game heroines as human beings.

211. Why Do Failed Heroes Feel So Frustrating? May 07, 2024

Fans want to cheer our heroes despite their bad choices, including King David in history, King Arthur in mythology, and Paul Atreides in fiction.

210. What Can First-Time Guests Expect at a Christian Writers’ Conference? | with J. J. Johnson Apr 30, 2024

Christian authors make amazing stories while conferences like Realm Makers help make the authors—and are poised to grow even bigger.

209. How Can We Avoid Clichéd Criticism of Christian Fiction? Apr 23, 2024

If you still think Christian-made stories have shallow heroes and cheap evangelism, you may be surprised how much these stories have grown.

208: How Does The Logos Theatre Adapt Narnia for the Stage? | with Noah Stratton Apr 16, 2024

The Logos Theatre producer and actor arrives from a magical train station to explore stage performance and puppetry for Christ’s glory.

207. Should We Get Mad When Christians Scorn Fantastical Fiction? Apr 09, 2024

When mechanistic critics accuse you of valuing “entertainment” over holiness, we can graciously challenge their mechanical beliefs.

206. Can Pictures of Jesus Fool People Into Worshiping Idols? | with Jenneth Dyck Apr 02, 2024

Some critics claim that Easter pageants, streaming dramas, or Christ-figures in fantastical novels are “graven images” that lead to idolatry.

205. How Will Jesus Save Us From Suffering and Death? | with J. J. Fischer Mar 26, 2024

The Nightingale Trilogy and Soul Mark Duology author joins us to celebrate how Christ will destroy humankind’s last enemy.

204. How Does Jesus Save Us From Our Own Wicked Villainy? Mar 19, 2024

Jesus doesn’t only save people from Satan and suffering, but from the worst plot-twist enemy all along—the darkness of our human hearts.

203. How Did Jesus Save Us from That Dragon the Devil? | with Laurie Christine Mar 12, 2024

This season we celebrate our ultimate Hero, Jesus Christ, who defeats not just sin and suffering but our ancient serpentine enemy.

202. Four Years Later, How Did Pandemic Lockdowns Change Our Reading Experience? Mar 05, 2024

Hand-washing. Social distancing. Fired employees. Air transmission. Four long years ago, everything changed when COVID-19 attacked.

201. How Do Some Stories Fail to Help Us Love Our Neighbors? Feb 27, 2024

Despite many creators' good intentions, stories that undervalue God-given beauty, goodness, or truth can harm people we’re called to love.

200. Why Should We Love to Explore Fantastical Stories for God’s Glory? Feb 20, 2024

Let’s consider not just how to find the best Christian-made fantasy, but why God commands us to explore His creation and manmade culture.

199. How Should Christians Fight to Love a Declining Disney? | with Josh Shepherd Feb 13, 2024

After fired actors and many flopped franchises, we can discern Disney’s real problems yet appreciate its legacy of stories.

198. How Can Christian Fantasy Fans Love and Respect Sports Fans? Feb 06, 2024

When friends prefer players and points over dragons and spaceships, let’s find in Scripture the purposes of both games and stories.

197. How Do Christian Creators Make Video Adventures? | Soma Games with Chris Skaggs Jan 30, 2024

Unlike old gaming stereotypes, video games are blending the best of multiple creative fields into playable adventures that can glorify God.

196. How Do Fantastical Books Get Made? | with Jamie Foley Jan 23, 2024

We go behind the scenes at Enclave Publishing to follow the creation of a new fantastical novel: from draft to page design to final publication.

195. Should Stories Minimize Morality to Advance Personal Liberation? | with Thomas Umstattd Jr. Jan 17, 2024

Traditional literary heroes pursue virtue, but some modern stories prefer a novel notion of “empowerment.”

194. Which Villains Beat the Superheroes in 2023 Flopbuster Films? Jan 09, 2024

For many reasons, last year's corporate fantasies like Disney, Marvel, DC Comics, Star Wars, and Doctor Who haven't fared well with fans.

193. Are You ‘Allergic’ To Some Fantastical Fiction? Jan 02, 2024

Achoo! Stephen, Zack, and ten previous podcast guests explore how some stories contain genre substances we just can’t handle.

192. Twenty Years Ago, How Did ‘Return of the King’ Rule the Movies? | with Rilian of NarniaWeb Dec 19, 2023

From the city of Minas Tirith to Sam versus Shelob to the Rohirrim’s charge, we recall our epic experience with The Lord of the Rings films.

191. How Did Lewis and Tolkien Celebrate and Critique Christmas? | with David Bates Dec 12, 2023

C. S. Lewis mocked secular “trumpery” and J. R. R. Tolkien wrote Santa fanfiction for his children, yet both men celebrated the Incarnation.

190. Why Should We Enjoy Spicy and Sugary Stories in Moderation? Dec 05, 2023

Whether we prefer our stories hot and savory, or cool and sweet, Scripture commands us to practice reasonable limits.

189. What Are the Best Books by C. S. Lewis? Nov 28, 2023

Just in time for C. S. Lewis's Nov. 29 birthday, we explore our favorites of the famous author's nonfiction and fantastical stories.

188. Can Political Pundits Create Fantastical Stories? Nov 14, 2023

Podcasts and polemics about hot topics might become profitable tools that Christian creators need to make culture for generations.

187. How Can Families Fight Through A Story’s Dark Forest? | The Wingfeather Saga with Andrew Peterson Nov 07, 2023

Explore the mysterious lands of Aerwiar in this growing fantasy world of creatures to be fought, tamed, or trusted.

186. Does the Devil Deceive People into Real Witchcraft? | with Marian Jacobs Oct 31, 2023

Satan is still prowling the Earth and tricking people into the darkness of the real occult.

185. What Are the Scariest Ghost Stories in Scripture? Oct 24, 2023

From a king who inquired of the dead, to a party-crashing disembodied hand, to a "ghost" walking on the waves, all of Scripture's spooky accounts point to Christ.

184. How Can Nobledark Horror Explore the Problem of Evil? | with Marc Schooley Oct 17, 2023

God’s word helps us confront wickedness in ourselves and the world, while great stories also help train our hearts for these spiritual battles.

183. Are Some Books So Scary That They Must Be ‘Banned’? Oct 10, 2023

While some people want to restrict books and critics condemn “bans,” the most feared Book of all tells us to discern all things for Christ’s sake.

182. How Does ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Teach Wisdom, Love, and Courage? Oct 03, 2023

When we get lost in a wonderful land, let's resist darkness and follow the narrow brick road toward the promised City for eternal saints.

181. What If You Fell Into Classic Paintings? | Beneath the Swirling Sky with Carolyn Leiloglou Sep 26, 2023

In this new series, framed artworks become magical portals to other worlds, thanks to one homeschool mom and middle-grade author.

180. How Can Creative Stories Reflect Curious Realities? | The Looking-Glass Illusion with Sara Ella Sep 19, 2023

Sara Ella explores her duology inspired by Alice in Wonderland, where whimsy leads to joy and "nonsense" beckons to foundational truth.

179. How Can Great Stories Show ‘Real’ Men vs. Good Men? Sep 12, 2023

Inspired by Nancy R. Pearcey's new book The Toxic War on Masculinity, we compare the "Real" Man with the good men in fantastical stories.

178. Should We Weaponize Fantastical Stories To ‘Own the Libs’? Sep 05, 2023

Christians may debate the place of "culture wars," but novels should be diplomatic artworks, not tools of destruction.

177. How Does J. K. Rowling’s World Expose Legalism, Fandom, and Sexual Activism? | with Marian Jacobs Aug 29, 2023

Harry Potter's author proves more complex than many of her characters, seeking to show human nature better than her critics.

176. How Can Christians Plant An ‘Oasis of Imagination’? | with Ted Turnau Aug 22, 2023

Ted Turnau (Popologetics, The Pop Culture Parent) subverts cultural idols and challenges us to engage our world through better creativity.

175. Are the Aliens Liars, Lunatics, or Lords? Aug 15, 2023

Christians have long believed aliens are demons, while unbelievers may see these mythical creatures as brutish beasts or enlightened beings.

174. How Can Fantastical Stories Train Christian Fans in Philosophy? | with Phil Lollar Aug 08, 2023

“Adventures in Odyssey” founding father Phil Lollar rejoins us to share how great stories go beyond feelings to help renew our minds in Christ.

173. Why Are So Many Summer ‘Blockbusters’ Getting Busted? Aug 01, 2023

While storytellers strike against studios, and fans reject many franchise movies, Christians can discern the goodness and evils of Hollywood.

172. Why Should Christian Fans Honor and Support Story Creators? Jul 25, 2023

Despite thorns, thistles, and other idols that corrupt God’s callings, let’s show our respect for authors who work hard to make great stories.

171. How Did Christian Creators Seek Wonder at Realm Makers 2023? Jul 20, 2023

We asked conference newcomers and authors alike how wonderful stories have led them to rediscover truth and worship Jesus Christ.

170. Will Artificial Intelligence Destroy Human Creativity? Jul 11, 2023

As we try using artificial intelligence to make upgraded books and images, we may find humanity itself getting downgraded.

169. Should Christian Stories Feel Free to Show Cussin’ and Fightin’? Jul 04, 2023

With great freedom comes great responsibility, not using fiction sins to gratify the flesh but to worship Jesus and serve one another.

168. Fifteen Years Ago, How Did ‘The Shack’ Deconstruct Bible Doctrine? Jun 27, 2023

Since summer 2008, The Shack has helped many readers feel they could relate to God, but also challenged many gospel realities.

167. How Can Christian Parents Train Their Kids to Become Fantastic Creators? | with Naomi A. Russell Jun 21, 2023

If Christians truly want to share fantastic stories, they must raise their children to value these works and the hard choices of creativity.

166. Should Christians Hire Nonbelievers to Help Make Fantastical Stories? Jun 13, 2023

People criticize Christian creators for working with nonbelievers, but the Bible assumes we’ll face these challenges in a mixed-up world.

165. How Does Science Fiction Help Us Escape Real-World Gravity? | with B. L. Dean Jun 06, 2023

Sci-fi’s final frontiers and evil empires train us to live with purpose and engage challenges back home on Earth.

164. How Can We Find Great Stories for Our Children’s Good? May 30, 2023

E. Stephen Burnett explores discernment in light of the gospel, offering practical resources for parents to share the best books with their kids.

163. How Are Homeschool Families Seeking Christian Fantastical Fiction? May 23, 2023

Homeschool families are facing new challenges in today's culture and hoping to find edifying novels for kids of all ages.

162. How Can Christians Engage Wisely With Conspiracy Theories? | with Mike Duran May 16, 2023

While nations rage and peoples plot in vain, Mike Duran helps us find the links between biblical perspectives and secular speculations.

161. How Can We Celebrate the Restoration of Failed Franchises? May 09, 2023

As many fantastic worlds fall into ruin by religious agendas and shallow storytelling, let’s explore the few franchises that honor their legacy.

160. How Does ‘Cultural Christianity’ Harm and Help Stories? May 02, 2023

Public moral tropes and faith expressions can lead to false conversions in our churches but also true gospel influence in our culture.

159. What If Your Genius Math Skills Got You in Trouble with the Mob? | Calculated with Nova McBee Apr 25, 2023

Nova McBee pilots into our studio to share inspirations for Calculated plus its sequels and a movie in development.

158. Can a Man-Made Lifeform Reflect God’s Glory? | Synapse with Steven James Apr 18, 2023

While real programmers pursue artificial intelligence, one sci-fi creator explores what happens if robotic lifeforms find religious belief.

157. Will We Get Superpowers After the Resurrection? Apr 11, 2023

On the New Earth, resurrected saints will be perfectly human. But do we get to fly? Or “apparate” from place to place? Or dive underwater for hours?

156. Why Does Sexualityism Threaten Christian Fiction? | with Bethel McGrew Apr 04, 2023

Today's fast-growing false religion of Sexualityism worships human sexual identities, and could begin to creep into Christian-made fantasy.

155. How Might Sentimentalism Threaten Christian Fiction? Mar 28, 2023

Sentimentalism weakens old and new stories by insisting that humans are basically good, the Fall wasn't that bad, and Jesus Christ is merely optional.

154. What If You Had to Fake Being Genetically Modified? | Enhanced with Candace Kade Mar 21, 2023

Candace Kade rides into the studio to share her own social credit points plus Enhanced, her debut novel set in a cyberpunk dystopian world.

153. When Can Deconstructionism Threaten Christian Fiction? | with Michael Young aka ‘Wokal Distance’ Mar 14, 2023

Every Christian may struggle with doubt, but demolition activists want you to imagine postmodern fantasies beyond the biblical gospel.

152. How Can Christian Fantasy Fans Heal from Church Trauma? | with Marian Jacobs and L. G. McCary Mar 07, 2023

Fantastical foes may smuggle false religions into some novels, but these may look like heroes to readers who suffer real harm in God’s house.

151. How Can Fantastical Satire Sharpen Our Theology? | The Pilgrim’s Progress Reloaded with David Umstattd Feb 28, 2023

This new version of Bunyan’s classic shares comic relief for serious purpose, complete with robots, space marines, and talking platypuses.

150. Is the U.S. Government Covering Up Spy Balloons or Alien Spaceships? | with James R. Hannibal Feb 21, 2023

Even when investigators seem to solve aerial mysteries, we can't help suspecting more secrets about enemy ships or alien secrets.

149. Why Do Christian Fiction Fans Love So Much Romance? Feb 14, 2023

Our hosts enjoy sweet concessions and ask why many Christian-made novels, including fantasy, celebrate Valentine’s Day every day.

148. Why Do Some Christians Revile ‘The Chosen’? | with Josiah DeGraaf and Jenneth Dyck Feb 07, 2023

Critics of biblical fiction forget our need for Christian imagination, not only to preach sermons but also to worship Jesus with public creativity.

147. Why Can Christians Celebrate Stories about Merlin and King Arthur? | with Robert Treskillard Jan 31, 2023

Sir Robert Treskillard joins our studio roundtable to share his medieval fantasy Merlin's Spiral series.

146. How Did Animators Adapt The Wingfeather Saga For Streaming TV? | with Keith Lango Jan 24, 2023

CG artist Keith Lango takes us behind the studio scenes to explore how artists and animators brought Andrew Peterson’s fantasy to life.

145. How Did Edmund Spenser’s ‘The Faerie Queene’ Shape Christian Fantasy? | with Rebecca K. Reynolds Jan 17, 2023

One British poet's 1590s allegorical fantasy adventure is getting a new text-faithful prose adaptation.

144. Which Top Six Fantasy Franchises Gave Fans Grief in 2022? Jan 10, 2023

Amazon, Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros. seem to be dividing several fiction franchises, for several reasons Christians fans should discern.

143. Which Top Ten Lorehaven Stories Proved Most Popular in 2022? Jan 06, 2023

We start our new season of Fantastical Truth by reviewing our top ten articles, news, and pages at Lorehaven.com last year.

142. What Christmas Gift ‘Tools, Not Toys’ Helped You Grow As a Person? Dec 20, 2022

Stephen and Zack reminisce about their favorite Christmas gifts of “tools, not toys” that helped them seek their fantastical missions.

141. Ten Years After ‘An Unexpected Journey,’ Must We Really Hate The Hobbit Films? | with Rilian of NarniaWeb Dec 13, 2022

“Rilian” of NarniaWeb returns to share frustration and appreciation for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit series, whose first film debuted ten years ago.

140. When Should You Start Playing Christmas Music—the Best and Worst? Dec 06, 2022

Sing along with us and debate when to enjoy your Christmas music, including your favorite seasonal songs and the worst tunes you've ever heard.

139. What If You Could Win a Race and Change World Law? | The Chase Runner series with Bradley Caffee Nov 29, 2022

Bradley Caffee, author of The Chase, The Change, and The Choice, dashes into our studio to lead the young-adult resistance.

138. What If the Government Made You Act Like An Android? | Aberration with Cathy McCrumb Nov 15, 2022

In the Children of the Consortium series, one woman's broken nanotech implant helps her rediscover human connection.

137. Which Dystopian Doom Sounds Worse, Orwell’s ‘1984’ or Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’? Nov 08, 2022

We live in a society shaped by two dystopian fictions—Aldous Huxley's hedonistic fake-utopia versus George Orwell's authoritarian Big Brother.

136. How Did Politics Become King of Evangelical Popular Culture? Nov 01, 2022

Christians invest a lot into political persuasion, possibly neglecting stories' power to change human hearts.

135. Why Are Some Christians So Curious About Nephilim? Oct 26, 2022

Join us for this giant controversy about these "monsters," who make such a quick cameo in Genesis 6 but get a starring role in many Christian speculations.

134. Why Do Mad Scientists Keep Trying to Make Monsters? Oct 18, 2022

That twist ending is true—mad scientists are the real monsters, abusing their power, creations, and human lives because they want to become like God.

133. How Are New Fans Discovering the Horror and Holiness of ‘Dracula’? Oct 11, 2022

This year, over 200,000 Dracula Daily readers have rediscovered Bram Stoker’s original classic novel, cheering its earnestly good heroes who fight predators with the power of Christ.

132. Do Christians Really Need Horror? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 5 Oct 04, 2022

Horror can host ungodly creatures and themes that glorify darkness, not God, but the best horror helps us flee to the light and power of Christ.

131. What If An Airborne Mist Turned Humans Into Zombies? | The Skyworld Series with Morgan L. Busse Sep 27, 2022

In Morgan L. Busse's new Skyworld duology, the Mist is rising and threatening to turn humans into steampunk zombies.

130. Will Audiobooks Form the Future of Christian Fantasy? | Oasis Family Media with Steve Smith Sep 20, 2022

Listen to classic and new fantastical audio adventures while watching for a Sky Turtle with Oasis Family Media president Steve Smith, our next guest in the Steve Saga.

129. Why Does Fantastical Fiction Express God’s Creativity? | Enclave Publishing with Steve Laube Sep 13, 2022

Join agent/publisher Steve Laube to explore how and why Enclave Publishing shares award-winning Christian fantastical fiction.

128. How Can Christian Fans Engage Their Local Libraries? | with Steve Rzasa Sep 07, 2022

Steve Rzasa leads a public library, creates dozens of fantastical novels, and now arrives as our first guest in the Steve Saga.

127. Can a ‘Code of Honor’ Help Christian Unity in Creative Groups? Aug 30, 2022

When Christian fans aim to fight about fandom and imagination, let's look to Jesus and to mutual cautions about respect, morality, and celebrating our stories with purpose.

126. How Can We Respond With Grace and Truth to Christian Cringe? | with Kevin McCreary Aug 23, 2022

Say Goodnight Kevin's snarky reviewer helps us stay honest about cringey Christian culture while also being gracious to Christ's people.

125. Why Do ‘False Prophets’ Predict Doom for Movie Theaters and Other Cultural Experiences? Aug 16, 2022

Christians often sound negative about popular culture, but some secular critics seemed to forget that God made humans to gather in public and celebrate stories.

124. How Should Christian Novels Help Secular Readers? Aug 09, 2022

Christian-made novels best serve non-Christian readers by showing realistic worlds instead of sentimental heroes or morality.

123. Which Fantastical Novels Won Big at the 2022 Realm Awards? Aug 02, 2022

Stephen just returned from the Realm Makers conference, and shares with Zack all about the event, Lorehaven's booth, and Realm Award winners.

122. Why Are More Fans Turning Against Their Favorite Franchises? Jul 29, 2022

Christians may have a different take on fans who must grieve corrupted stories and learn to love again.

121. Will Humans Colonize the Cosmos Before Jesus Returns? Jul 19, 2022

Scripture says everyone on Earth will see Jesus Christ's glorious appearing, which could make a confusing future for people not living on Earth.

120. How Can Christians Enjoy Biblical Freedom in Fiction and Imagination? Jul 12, 2022

Christian fans are called to freedom, but we should use this gift to serve others, not as opportunity to sin.

119. Will Congress Disclose the UFOs Our Favorite Alien Stories Ask Us to Believe In? | with Colin Samul Jul 05, 2022

While government leaders debate laws about human life, some U.S. leaders and military pilots wonder if they've seen extraterrestrial ships.

118. Which Fantastical Stories Help Us Celebrate Human Life? Jun 28, 2022

Big news dropped June 24, inspiring us to rejoice in stories about the wonders of human life, pre-born and beyond.

117. Why Should You Build a Fantastical Lending Library? | with L.G. McCary Jun 21, 2022

Create your personal library to glorify Jesus, preserve great books, showcase God's creative gifts, and grant a legacy to your friends today and children tomorrow.

116. Why Do Homeschooled Students Love Fantastical Fiction? | with Ethan Nunn Jun 14, 2022

Speaker, teacher, and homeschool graduate Ethan Nunn helps us explore why families flock to Christian fantastical authors at homeschool events.

115. How Do Lorehaven Creators Strive to Follow Biblical Statements of Faith? Jun 07, 2022

For centuries Christians have confessed their faith as individuals, churches, and other groups, so here's what we believe at Lorehaven.

114. What If The Abolition of Man Became A Political Thriller? | The Testimony of Calvin Lewis with Daniel Friend May 31, 2022

Daniel Friend joins us to explore how experimental memory technology might abolish man.

113. What If You Learned Bible Lessons from Singing Veggies and Dead Sea Squirrels? | with Mike Nawrocki May 24, 2022

From absent hairbrushes, to kitchen-based boy bands, to Merle and Pearl Squirrel freshly thawed from the first century, Mike Nawrocki shares his stories.

112. How Does Fiction Help Us Love Our Enemies Even If We Must Defeat Them? May 17, 2022

Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader. Spider-Man vs. Venom. Superman vs. General Zod. Each tries to save his people and also his enemy, but with different results.

111. Why Do Your Kids Need Fantastical Stories for God’s Glory? May 10, 2022

Some children or teens have the strange superpower of speed-reading books, which can include many idols but also graces.

110. Could We Enter a ‘Golden Age’ of Christian-Made Fantastical Fiction? May 03, 2022

Zack believes more readers will soon clamor for Christian-made fantastical novels, while Stephen thinks this optimism might be premature.

109. How Should Local Churches Support Christian-Made Fantasy? Apr 26, 2022

Christians learn through stories and music, so if churches already have music pastors, perhaps we could add "story pastors" to help us cultivate, shepherd, and create great fiction.

108: How Does Christ’s Resurrection Change Our Old Lives Forever? | with Tim Chaffey Apr 19, 2022

He is risen! Christians celebrate the truth of Christ's victory over death, yet often miss the implications for our own promised resurrection.

107. Why Is The Daily Wire Spending Millions To Create Fantastic Shows for Kids? | with Frank J. Fleming Apr 12, 2022

Now that Disney producers are promising to add more false religion into their shows, this controversy may be animating new Christian creatives.

106. What If Homeschool Families Can Help Christian Fantasy Grow for Generations? Apr 05, 2022

We just hosted our Lorehaven booth at the Teach Them Diligently conference in Texas, where kids and their parents love Christian fantastical fiction.

105. What If Planet Earth Was Invaded By Hostile Corporate Aliens? | Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney with Daniel Schwabauer Mar 29, 2022

Daniel Schwabauer joins us to explore this new heroine's legal defense of planet Earth.

104. What If You Fled From God’s Wrath Into Puritan Allegory? | The Pilgrim’s Progress with Zachary Bartels Mar 22, 2022

Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles? Rediscover the complex allegories of John Bunyan's classic adventure.

103. When Christians Clash in Public, Can Great Stories Help Us Fight for Peace? Mar 15, 2022

Great stories might help us best discern Christian debates, training our hearts so we can focus on engaging ideas, not attacking individuals.

102. What Are the Top Ten Most-Played Episodes of Fantastical Truth? Mar 08, 2022

From UFOs to biblical imagination, to dragons versus televangelists, we’ll explore the big ideas our listeners have loved the most, and catch up with updates to our first 100 shows.

101. Why Have Some Christians Moved from Engaging Entertainment to Franchise Fatigue? | with Megan Basham Mar 01, 2022

Despite fan frustrations with "woke" stories, Christians can still engage popular culture while discerning our own callings and the world's idols.

100. What If You Traveled to A Place of Wonder, Excitement, and Discovery? | Adventures in Odyssey with Phil Lollar Feb 22, 2022

This Christian-made audio drama series explores fantastical themes in a small town with big personalities, delighting generations of fans since 1987.

99. How Can Christians Discern Sensual Scenes on the Printed Page? | with Parker J. Cole Feb 15, 2022

Longing looks and steamy smooches in stories might reflect God's gift of romantic love, yet provoke many readers into serious temptation.

98. Should Christian Creators Abandon Secular Fiction Markets? | with Thomas Umstattd Jr. Feb 08, 2022

Christian creators should simply (insert ideal here) to impress general market gatekeepers, right? Not so fast. Sometimes secular publishers actually dislike Christians.

97. What If Rabbits With Swords Fought For Hope in a Mended Wood? | The Green Ember with S. D. Smith Feb 02, 2022

S. D. Smith brings us into his popular Green Ember fantasy world of tiny creatures who find big adventure.

96. While Celebrity Creators Rise and Fall, How Do We Best Respect Christian Authors? Jan 25, 2022

We may treat winning authors like angels and failing authors like devils, when we need to see them as Christ sees them: flawed human beings.

95. How Can We Fight the Shadow When It Breaks the Wheel of Time and Other Fandoms? | with G. Shane Morris Jan 18, 2022

Zack and returning guest Shane Morris explore how Christians best respond when secular showrunners corrupt a story's canon and break fans’ hearts.

94. What Top Ten Lorehaven Stories Did Fans Favor in 2021? Jan 11, 2022

Stephen and Zack explore which Lorehaven stories made the biggest impact on you, and catch up with several story updates.

93. How Can We Behold Fantastical Fiction Glories in YA Fantasy and Beyond? Jan 05, 2022

Fantastical Truth from Lorehaven has begun season 3, featuring another recorded livestream joined by James R. Hannibal and Marian Jacobs.

92. Twenty Years Later, How Did We Enjoy ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’? | with Rilian of NarniaWeb Dec 21, 2021

Twenty years after The Fellowship of the Ring released in theaters, NarniaWeb's good prince Rilian helps us recall how Christians love exploring Peter Jackson’s one film trilogy to rule them all.

91. What If You Fought Astride Elemental Horses to Unify Your Kingdom? | Of Fire and Ash with Gillian Bronte Adams Dec 14, 2021

Gillian Bronte Adams rides to meet Fantastical Truth, exploring her Fireborn Epic's fantasy world with its elemental horses and fantastic themes.

90. Does the Harry Potter Series Cast or Condemn Real-World Dark Magic? | with G. Shane Morris Dec 07, 2021

Twenty years after the first Harry Potter film premiered in theaters, Christians might bypass brick walls and find positive magical education at Hogwarts School.

89. What Are the Most Dangerous Dragons Infesting YA Fantasy? | with James R. Hannibal and Marian Jacobs Nov 30, 2021

Three storytellers wield faith over fear to battle YA fantasy fiends, in this special encore feature of a Realm Makers livestream event.

88. Can We Positively Engage Culture in a Negative World? | with Bethel McGrew, aka Esther O’Reilly Nov 16, 2021

The world has changed. We feel it in the earth. We smell it in the air. It's no longer positive or neutral, but negative toward Christianity.

87. How Can We Best Enjoy Newfound Fandoms Like the Book and Movie ‘Dune’? Nov 09, 2021

New fandoms can bring us into exciting desert frontiers, yet also bristle with dangers slithering below the sands.

86. How Can Christians Fight Halloween’s Deathly Flippancy and Dark Magic? Nov 02, 2021

Halloween can promote good gifts like fall and fandom, yet its decor can also make light of serious death, suffering, or dark magic.

85. What If You Joined a Quest to Defeat Goblins, Trolls, and Ancient Invaders? | Wolf Soldier with James R. Hannibal Oct 26, 2021

James R. Hannibal rests from military spycraft and dragon-slaying to explore fantastic worlds, Scripture memory, and Christlike figures in fiction.

84. How Did Bestselling Christian Novels Build Evangelical Culture? | Reading Evangelicals with Daniel Silliman Oct 19, 2021

Christianity Today news editor Daniel Silliman explores why fans loved top Christian fiction, including This Present Darkness, Left Behind, and The Shack.

83. How Can Fans Heal from Stories That ‘Wreck’ Us? | with Marian Jacobs Oct 12, 2021

Some authors brag they want to "wreck you, the reader," yet Christ promises a happy end that redeems all our harms.

82. What If Your Nightmares Came to Life and Haunted Your Day? | That Pale Host with L. G. McCary Oct 05, 2021

That Pale Host ushers us into familiar haunted spaces: personal conflict, trauma versus responsibility, and mental health for Christ's people.

81. Should Christians Use ‘Clean Fiction’ to Fight a Dirty World? Sep 28, 2021

Safe and family-friendly stories may leave out nasty elements about sex and self-worship, but they do pose other risks for Christians

80. What if Satan is Planning Alien Conspiracies for the End Times? | The Jake Muller Adventures with Darby Kern Sep 21, 2021

Our world's final end-times trials could include a literal tribulation, Antichrist, even a rapture—and possibly also UFO deceptions.

79. How Do We Use Fantastic Fiction to Process Wars and Rumors of Wars? Sep 14, 2021

When terrorists attacked and towers fell, how did Christians engage with nonfiction books and fantastical tales?

78. What If You Discovered Fairy Dust and Peter Pan Were Real? | The Heirs of Neverland series with Kara Swanson Sep 07, 2021

Dust and Shadow author Kara Swanson shares the happy thoughts and nobledark struggles behind her Peter Pan retelling.

77. Creator, Evangelist, or Worshiper—What’s Our One Job When We Enjoy Stories? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 4 Aug 31, 2021

Before we speak of our writing, discerning, cleaning, or using fiction, we must know our assignment: to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

76. Why Did Secular Readers Try to Cancel A Christian Historical Romance Novel? | with Parker J. Cole Aug 24, 2021

Christians must address romance fiction's tragic backstories when we respond to cancel campaigns with gospel grace and conviction.

75. What If Only Human Blood and Sacrifice Could Save Your Empire? | The Seventh Sun with Lani Forbes Aug 17, 2021

We deconstruct faith and suffering in Lani Forbes's Mesoamerican fantasy novel The Seventh Sun, winner of three Realm Awards.

74. What If Christians Created Backstory for Noah’s Ark and Also Built the Actual Boat? | with Tim Chaffey Aug 10, 2021

We're joined by Tim Chaffey of Answers in Genesis, one of the creative architects who helped build the Ark Encounter.

73. Does the Pentagon’s UFO Report Expose Unidentified Aerial Phenomena? | with Colin Samul Aug 03, 2021

Colin Samul joins us to explore the Pentagon's June report, which could not explain over 140 aerial encounters with strange objects.

72. When Our World Groans Under Sin, Should Christians Support Space Flight? Jul 27, 2021

God calls his people to comfort the afflicted, but also gave us his ancient command to explore the Earth and beyond.

71. Why Do Christian Fans and Authors Assemble at Realm Makers? | at Realm Makers 2021 Jul 22, 2021

At Realm Makers, we shared story joys with executive director Scott Minor, The Seventh Sun author Lani Forbes, and other fantastic creators.

70. Why Did A 1980s Televangelist Try to Cancel the RPG DragonRaid? | with James R. Hannibal Jul 13, 2021

Suspense and fantasy novelist James R. Hannibal joins us to explore this true story of dice-rolling, discipleship, death, and rebirth.

69. How Can Faithful Stories Best Show Backslidden Heroes? Jul 06, 2021

Realistic backsliders recover faith not by shallow isolated sentiment, but by serious biblical restoration to Christ's people.

68. Why Do Time Travelers Like to Romanticize the Past? | Come Back to Me with Jody Hedlund Jun 29, 2021

Stories can help readers explore the past in new ways, often showing how history points to ultimate happy endings.

67. How Do Fantastic Stories Avoid Preachiness While Still Discipling Readers in Christ? | with L. G. McCary Jun 22, 2021

Christian-made stories should not preach from on high at readers beyond the "fourth wall," but should help disciple our imaginations in Christ.

66. What If You Escaped Your Floating Island, But Returned to Face Rebellion? | Windward Shore with Sharon Hinck Jun 15, 2021

Author Sharon Hinck joins us to explore grace versus legalism in her recently concluded fantasy trilogy, The Dancing Realms series.

65. Why Do Homeschool Families Love Christian-Made Fantastical Fiction? Jun 08, 2021

At the traveling Realm Makers Bookstore, homeschool families love to find Christian-made fantastical fiction. What can they teach us?

64. Should Christians ‘Mask Up’ or ‘Get Vaccines’ to Prevent Fiction Infections? May 25, 2021

Viruses, masks, and vaccines act out a parable for sin, the law, and grace, so let's not confuse secular symbols for religious realities.

63. Did God Create Aliens and Would Jesus Need to Save Them? May 18, 2021

If God created life on other planets, would Scripture support these creatures being sentient, good, evil, or in need of redemption?

62. How Can Christian Fans Share Great Stories Without Becoming ‘Support Zombies’? May 11, 2021

How can Christian fans avoid shuffling along with subculture herds, even while we share the Christian-made stories we enjoy?

61. How Does Edgier Science Fiction Challenge Christian Readers? | with Kerry Nietz May 04, 2021

Christian-made sci-fi tends toward the softer side, leaving an opening for more complex futuristic tales that engage with controversial themes.

60. Why Don’t Real Researchers Heed Sci-Fi Warnings Against Mad Science? Apr 27, 2021

Why do our scientists get so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they don't stop to hear secular fiction's dire forecasts?

59. How Can Christian Fans Respond to Preachy Secular Fiction? Apr 20, 2021

When stories lose the plot and just want to give you a religious lecture, should Christians get mad or else gently scoff in amusement?

58. How Did We Enjoy the Heroic Majesty of ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’? Apr 13, 2021

Sci-fi novelist Kerry Nietz and Lorehaven review chief Austin Gunderson join our heroic team to explore the long-awaited super-film Zack Snyder's Justice League.

57. How Do Stories Help Us Imagine Suffering and the Hope of Resurrection? Apr 06, 2021

We explore how the Gospel and similar reflections in fantastic stories help us prepare for times of suffering, death, and resurrection.

56. Which Biblical Qualities Empower Strong Female Characters? | with Elisabeth Wheatley Mar 30, 2021

Physical combat is often the defining feature of strength, but female characters needn’t be boxed into stereotypes to be considered strong.

55. Should Christians Embrace Cultural and Digital Enclaves? | with Austin Gunderson Mar 16, 2021

Christians fleeing cancel culture should consider becoming “Amish cyberpunks” and build cutting-edge digital enclaves.

54. How Can Christian Fans React When Fantasy Creators Get Cancelled? part 2 Mar 09, 2021

How can Christians react to possibly necessary "cancellations" of badly behaving fantasy creators?

53. How Can Christian Fans React When Fantasy Creators Get Cancelled? part 1 Mar 02, 2021

Can you avoid "cancel culture" by apologizing? How can Christian fans respond to "cancellations" and enjoy stories from fallen creators?

52. Do Christians Really Need Science Fiction? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 3 Feb 23, 2021

Christians need science fiction to fulfill the Cultural Mandate, build bridges with our neighbors, and anticipate a future world of sci-fi wonders.

51. Do Christians Really Need Fantasy? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 2 Feb 09, 2021

Christians need fantastical imagination to believe in God and the gospel, train to be like Jesus, and engage our world and neighbors.

50. Do Christians Really Need Fiction? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 1 Feb 02, 2021

Fiction isn't just optional for Christian readers, but a God-given gift we actually need to grow as redeemed people.

49. How Can We ‘Terraform’ the Church to Enjoy Fantastic Fiction? Jan 26, 2021

We can't expect "chosen one" authors to save Christian-made fiction overnight, so instead, let's slowly transform our "deserts" into habitable kingdoms.

48. What Were the Top Seven Issues for Lorehaven Readers in 2020? Jan 19, 2021

From little space babies eating tadpoles, to that Jesus TV show, to not-quite-forgotten trends, we're exploring 2020's top issues at Lorehaven.com.

47. Why Do Some People Long for Escape to a Galactic Community? Jan 12, 2021

What rumors of UFOs spread throughout 2020, and why can't people look away from these alien accounts?

46. Ten Years Later, Why Did ‘Dawn Treader’ Sink the Narnia Movies? | with Rilian of NarniaWeb Dec 22, 2020

This month brings release anniversaries for two Narnia movies. The first roared, but the last sank hard. How did this fantasy franchise fizzle?

45. How Can a Wingless Piskey Learn to Fly? | The Flight and Flame Trilogy, with R. J. Anderson Dec 15, 2020

Explore the creation and truths of R. J. Anderson’s Flight and Flame fantasy trilogy, in which a tiny heroine finds big adventure.

44. How Might Santa Claus Serve in Your Christmas Celebration? Dec 08, 2020

Many well-meaning Christians see Santa as a pretender to Christ's throne rather than a worshiper before Him.

43. How Did a 1980s Evangelical Book Warn about ‘Turmoil in the Toy Box’? Dec 01, 2020

Just in time for the Christmas season, we explore a 1980s evangelical book that warned about fantasy franchises such as "He-Man" and Cabbage Patch Kids.

42. What if Invaders Kidnapped Your Brother in a Frozen Land? | Seventh City, with Emily Hayse Nov 17, 2020

Fantastical Truth explores the 2020 Realm Award–winning Arctic fantasy novel Seventh City with author Emily Hayse.

41. Should Christians Boycott Popular Culture Like Halloween or Netflix? | with Cap Stewart Nov 10, 2020

What could Christian boycotts of streaming services or holidays change in our culture or in ourselves?

40. How May Fantastic Stories Help Us See Politics in Biblical Perspective? Nov 03, 2020

Our political beliefs and fears are not always based on facts. Experiences and hidden pictures shape how we debate and vote.

39. How Might Bram Stoker’s Novel ‘Dracula’ Cast Light Against Modern Vampires? | with Geoffrey Reiter Oct 27, 2020

Welcome to our house. Enter freely, and explore the biblical virtues of using common and sacred weapons to fight vampires.

38. Should Christians Enjoy Fantasy with Fictional Magic? Part 2 Oct 20, 2020

Idolatrous occult magic isn't usually the same as fictional magic, but how can Christian fans love people who think they're the same?

37. Should Christians Enjoy Fantasy with Fictional Magic? Part 1 Oct 13, 2020

Christian fans must carefully compare fictional magic with the Bible's warnings against occult idolatry.

36. How Do Paranormal Tales Edify the Christian Reader? | The Reagan Moon series, with Mike Duran Oct 06, 2020

Paranormal images like ghosts and other creatures have risks, but also help awaken our imaginations to the spiritual worlds around us.

35. Did C. S. Lewis Say It’s ‘Pure Moonshine’ to Create Stories that Teach Christian Truth? Sep 29, 2020

Did C. S. Lewis set the example of enjoying only images to create stories, without wanting to "say something about Christianity to children"?

34. How Has Lorehaven Been Questing Through the Great 2020 Pandemic? Sep 22, 2020

We're fighting to continue book enjoyments during the pandemic, and we share how Lorehaven has fared In These Uncertain Times™.

33. How Does Portraying Fantastical Characters Develop Christian Character? | with Julie Novak Sep 15, 2020

Christian Youth Theater's Julie Novak joins us to share what's it like to bring fantastical figures to life onstage.

32. What Five Questions Help Us Engage Popular Culture for God’s Glory? | The Pop Culture Parent, part 2 Sep 08, 2020

These five questions from The Pop Culture Parent can help us engage our messy popular culture, and teach our kids to do the same.

31. What If Popular Culture Was Actually God’s Idea All Along? | The Pop Culture Parent, part 1 Sep 01, 2020

Christians debate whether popular culture is mostly good or bad. But what is the point of popular culture in God's universe anyway?

30. How Can The Babylon Bee’s Satire Reflect Our Crazy Reality? | with Frank J. Fleming Aug 25, 2020

Babylon Bee senior writer Frank J. Fleming joins today's episode to explore satire, politics, and his own comedic sci-fi.

29. What If You Escaped from Captivity but Left Your Brother Behind? | These Nameless Things, with Shawn Smucker Aug 18, 2020

Novelist Shawn Smucker joins us to explore memories and mystic challenges at life's margins.

28. How Should Christians Discern ‘The Chosen’ and Other Biblical Fiction? Aug 11, 2020

Christians must think differently not only about popular streaming series "The Chosen" but about biblical fiction as a genre.

27. What Wackiness Awaits in the Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle? | with Bill Myers Aug 04, 2020

Bill Myers shares his incredible worlds of Wally McDoogle, McGee and Me, and many other stories for kids and adults.

26. How Do We Defeat the Top Seven Myths about The Chronicles of Narnia? Part 2 Jul 28, 2020

Did C. S. Lewis doom Susan, bring Emeth to heaven, fill Narnia with allegories, or make it a "safe" series? We explore these four myths.

25. Which Christian Fantastical Books Won Big at the 2020 Realm Awards? Jul 21, 2020

We just returned from the Realm Makers conference with new award-winners and breaking news about next year's event.

24. How Do We Defeat the Top Seven Myths about The Chronicles of Narnia? Part 1 Jul 14, 2020

Do the Chronicles of Narnia show random myths? Are they just children's stories? Should we only sort them by chronological order?

23. What If You Could Turn Stories into Sculptures? | The Weaver Trilogy, with Lindsay A. Franklin Jul 07, 2020

Stephen and Zack invite The Weaver Trilogy author Lindsay A. Franklin to explore her fantasy series about Tanwen, the girl who literally weaves stories.

22. How Do Christians Discern UFO Accounts in Light of Scripture? Jun 30, 2020

Zack and Stephen explore UFO sightings, alien beliefs, and how Christians can respond to the notions of sentient life beyond our planet.

21. In a Blind World, What If Only One Boy Could See? | For Whom the Sun Sings, with W. A. Fulkerson Jun 23, 2020

Stephen and Zack are joined by W. A. Fulkerson, whose novel For Whom the Sun Sings just released this spring.

20. What if a Space Plague Turned the Amish into Zombies? | clip from Amish Zombies from Space Jun 16, 2020

Preview chapter 8 of Amish Zombies from Space, the audiobook, written by Kerry Nietz and read by Randy Streu.

19. How Do Christian Authors Stay Sensitive About ‘Grittier Than PG-13’ Content? Jun 09, 2020

In this special panel courtesy of Realm Makers, you can listen to fantasy novelists wrestle with challenging content in fiction.

18. Who Are the First Real Superheroes Hiding in the Bible? | with Chase Replogle Jun 02, 2020

Chase Replogle joins us to explore how Scripture rarely presents its heroic figures as true role models.

17. What Can Christian Fans Learn From #ReleaseTheSnyderCut’s Success? May 26, 2020

We explore the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement's big victory, challenge super-film expectations, and engage the controversies.

16. How Do We Discern Stories That Claim ‘Humans Are A Virus’ on the Earth? May 19, 2020

"The earth is healing; we are the virus." Under this slogan lies this suspicion that something is wrong with us and we don't belong here.

BONUS: How Might Biblical Fiction Best Explore Jesus’s Early Life? | with R. S. Ingermanson May 12, 2020

Our conversation continues with author R. S. Ingermanson, whose new series time-travels to the world of first-century Israel.

15. What if NASA Finally Launched for Mars, But One Astronaut Was a Saboteur? | Oxygen with Randy Ingermanson May 05, 2020

Randy Ingermanson joins us to explore his foray into sci-fi with his 2001 novel Oxygen.

14. What if Jesus Promised to Redeem Not Just People and Creation, But Also Fantastic Stories? Apr 28, 2020

Will the idea of stories and books last into the eternity ruled by King Jesus—and what about the stories we love now?

13. What if Jesus Promised to Redeem Not Just His People But His Creation? Apr 21, 2020

We continue our Epic Resurrection series, anticipating Jesus's renewal of planet Earth and all of his material creation.

12. What if Jesus Promised to Redeem Not Just Our Souls but Our Bodies? Apr 14, 2020

After the resurrection that Jesus promised his people, we will become more fully human, and nothing less.

11. What If Your Suicidal Space Battle Failed, Then You Defected to the Enemy? | Firebird with Kathy Tyers Apr 07, 2020

Come aboard the good ship Fantastical Truth for our first interview with space opera novelist Kathy Tyers.

10. How Can Excellent Christian Fiction Strengthen Our Faith in Jesus? Mar 31, 2020

How have stories shaped the desires and beliefs of "ex-Christians," and how can better stories help build our faith?

9. What If the Armies of Hell Tried to Invade Your Hometown? | This Present Darkness Mar 24, 2020

Lorehaven review chief Austin Gunderson joins us to explore Frank E. Peretti's 1986 spiritual warfare thriller "This Present Darkness."

8. How Does Pandemic Fiction Help Us Seek God’s Strength in Scary Times? | The Line Between Mar 17, 2020

Pandemic stories, such as Tosca Lee's 2019 novel The Line Between, can help Christians prepare our imaginations for these trials.

7. How Does Jesus Define and Redeem His Gift of Imagination? | with Brian Godawa Mar 10, 2020

Novelist and nonfiction author Brian Godawa joins our team to explore the epic theme of imagination in light of Scripture.

6. How Did You First Discover Fantastical Stories? Mar 03, 2020

This time it's personal: Fantastical Truth shares some of your stories about how you first discovered amazing fiction.

BONUS: Share Your Story About How You Discovered Fantastical Fiction Feb 25, 2020

Remember the first fantastical story you read? We'd love to consider featuring your memory on our next podcast episode.

5. What Harm Are ‘The Witcher’ and Other Shows Doing to Their People? | with Jason Morehead Feb 18, 2020

OpusZine writer Jason Morehead helps us engage a sensitive topic: the challenges and exploitation of "mature" streaming fantasy dramas.

4. What Are the Top Recent Debates Among Christian Fantasy Fans? Feb 11, 2020

We survey seven debates Christian fans followed in 2019, from female heroes, to fictional magic, to "cancel culture" versus young-adult novels.

3. What If Dancing Could Control the World? | Hidden Current Feb 04, 2020

Sharon Hinck's novel Hidden Current glides into a fantastic island world, where powerful people have twisted God's creative gifts.

2. What Do We Mean By Saying ‘It’s A Christian Story’? Jan 28, 2020

Let's explore a big debate: Should we look for the "Christian label” on Christian-made novels, movies, music and other creations?

1. What If the Three Wise Men Actually Wanted to Crown a King? | The End of the Magi Jan 21, 2020

We explore Patrick W. Carr's novel The End of the Magi, which follows the guiding star of Scripture while speculating on the Bible's mysteries.

0. Fantastical Truth | Trailer Jan 12, 2020

From the creators of Lorehaven magazine comes this podcast for Christian readers of fantasy, science fiction, and beyond.

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1. Why are Lewis and Tolkien absolutely fantastic?

2. Where do we see Lewis-and-Tolkien-Onlyism?

3. How do we rebut Lewis-and-Tolkien-Onlyism?

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Caleb Cooke emailed about episode 241 on Christmas stories:

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1. Which are the best/worst Nativity adaptations?

2. How do we like secular Christmas stories?

3. What about ‘honorary’ Christmas stories?

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Caden Gillon enjoyed last month’s episode 238 about dystopias:

The Adaptation Stationmaster doesn’t agree with Ransom Trilogy hype in episode 240:

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1. How on Mars to adapt Out of the Silent Planet?

2. How on Venus could we adapt Perelandra?

3. How on Earth to adapt That Hideous Strength?

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How would you adapt C. S. Lewis’s Ransom Trilogy for the screen?

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1. What I mean by ‘literary’ fiction vs. ‘genre’ fiction

Literary fiction

Genre fiction

2. Why I get vexed by some ‘literary’ associations

3. Great genre fiction can also show literary flair

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RK McClure (@pearls4swineguy) on X enjoyed episode 236:

Davidls commented on the episode 236 page at Lorehaven.com:

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1. Dystopian fiction helps us face real-life dystopia.

2. Dystopian stories give us a reverse “how to” manual.

3. Dystopian novels force us to face the darkness within.

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Winner of the sharing contest for Mike Duran’s Christian Horror

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Introducing guest Ryan Swanson

1. From early faith to filmmaking experience

2. From filmmaking experience to The Chosen

3. From The Chosen to Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

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@‌ChloeGotLB40 recalls meeting the makers of LB drama (ep. 219):

Jason Bergstrom enjoyed episode 235 about scary alien stories:

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Quotes and notes on Christian-made scary stories

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Introducing guest Mike Duran

1. How do Christians avoid confronting real horror?

2. Why might we wrongly obsess on horror images?

3. What’s a more biblical view of ‘Christian horror’?

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What’s your favorite scary story that helps you see sin for what it is?

Sean Truax in the RealmSphere shared thoughts about ep. 233:

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