Fantastical Truth

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

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

“We do not celebrate Christmas that way.” “We do not read those kinds of books.” “We ‘do not handle, do not taste, do not touch.'” We know our world is full of rebellion against God's law. But many people overreact to moral license with a strict imposing of out-of-context or made-up laws. Faithful saints call this legalism, and Christian fantasy fans know plenty about this. When that influencer or relative rebukes your fantastical interest, how you can respond with grace and truth? Mission update New at Lorehaven: reviews of Ruthless and Shadowcast Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes What Is Fiction Legalism?, E. Stephen Burnett Even If We Like Fantasy and Sci-Fi, We Can Still Practice Accidental Legalism, Marian A. Jacobs 50. Do Christians Really Need Fiction? | Fiction's Chief End, part 1, Fantastical Truth podcast 1. Legalism denies the word of God itself. We've heard and experienced many stories of judgy legalists. Some are worse than others. Some comments are snide asides. I heard one author's work dismissed as “not in the real world.” And yes, I've had people challenge Lewis, Tolkien, other stories. Others rail more on social media against metal music or pageants. But don't confuse these false teachers with people they deceive. Your family members may be confused and repeating memes. In either case, work to overcome defensiveness or bad feelings. Your firm foundation: legalism is anti-gospel; the Bible rejects it. So study the word of God. Don't let legalists ruin that for you! Get into the gospel with the epistles, Romans, and other epistles. Focus on texts like Romans 14, 1 Cor. 8-10, and all of Galatians. 2. Legalism denies the good of God's gifts. Moving to legalistic teachers, they often escape to fantasy worlds. They like alternative realities where people don't like/need stories. You can (kindly) hit ’em with that little rejoinder, see how it works. In either case, be sure you study up on God's creative purpose. Start in Genesis and take this text seriously: it's history in poetry! Pay special heed to the “cultural mandate” in Gen. 1:27-28. Any ignorance of this call also overthrow God's call to family. So no one gets to do preaching or “ministry” minimization here! From this text, learned theologians discern that God is and loves three virtues in no particular order: beauty, goodness, and truth. God also loves to give good gifts to evil men and His children. We get this truth directly from texts like Matt. 7:11 and James 1:17. Sin ruin gifts? Not for studying, praying believers (1 Tim. 4:1-5). 3. And legalism denies God's real world. It is not Christianity, but gnosticism, to despise God's creation. Get your eschatology right, after all the charts and controversies. It's simply flawed to suggest we're bound for a bodiless world. Scripture constantly hints, then promises, a renewed planet Earth. Heaven will come down here, rather than replacing all of our world. Let's get the end of Revelation right about New Heavens and New Earth, Christ's eternal and holy kingdom that restores paradise! For Stephen, this doctrine was key to debunking fiction legalism. It helps me avoid the responses of depression or deconstruction. On good days I feel sympathy and love for sincere fiction legalists. With this solid foundation we can “swashbuckle” them with smiles. We can affirm the need for truth and holiness, but show how it is in fact made-up laws, not God's actual word, that forbid good gifts. And we can show how these stories help us grow to be like Jesus. Com station Top question for listeners When did you confront a fiction legalist? How did you respond? tallgrant liked ep. 290 on YouTube: Happy to see this covered, and even happier to get the other half in the Abolition of Man at least touched on! The position Lewis takes about a very small ruling class who make decisions about all of morality for everyone who comes after very much aligns with the ultimate revealed mission of the N.I.C.E. Not to mention the issues being raised about where a potential soul can come from. I find his look at the outworking and consequences of post-modern thought and reasoning really intriguing, considering that this was all put to paper before the conclusion of the second world war and the mass dissemination of those ideas outside the academic world. Next on Fantastical Truth “In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the world disappear.” Jesus returned thirty years ago. Or rather, He sort of pre-returned, the warm-up act, if you will. Many faithful Christians believe in this kind of “rapture.” And in December 1995, two authors teamed up and used this idea to create the most successful biblical end-times thriller we've yet seen. Last summer, we looked back on the Left Behind series legacy. Yet now we'll ask how that first Left Behind novel has aged, thirty years after its release.

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

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

“I don't know where the Lion came from or why He came. But once He was there, He pulled the whole story together.”

Some evangelicals may assume winsome talk about stories and songs can promote peaceful conversations with our neighbors—only to face rage, slander, and worse.

As we wage the greatest battle against sin within, we also wield the weapons of weird fiction to combat evil in the real world.

Scripture and history indicate these wicked spirits do their worst work in response to human sin, weakness, and invitation.

“Demons are simply monsters who have learned human speech. … For them, words are just a way of deceiving humans.”

Extraterrestrial devils could pull a classic and drop down from the sky, or rise up from our world's unexplored depths, or else creep into our very thought patterns.

Sometimes romantasy is deeply human and wholesome, and sometimes these tales exchange the glory of God for images resembling bulls, orcs, and aliens.

Whenever the Holy Spirit acts, ghouls shriek in the dark. Christians feel renewed. And public conversions get messy yet exciting to witness.

The Restorationists fantasy author returns to help us recall the biblical purpose of artworks and how we help children learn to love them.

When we're attacked by tragedy caused by evil beliefs, heroes must “ride out and meet them, for death and glory ... for your people.”

Without biblical wisdom, we might lock ourselves into imagining that everything is about a particular doctrine, fandom, or political activism.

Although our laments take many forms, we can celebrate how Christ builds His kingdom through “small” and “big” people who serve Him.

Audiobooks and ebooks have many benefits, but can't beat the classic practice of gathering and reading real books in real places.

When we work only to keep poisonous content out of stories, we might miss readers' greater needs for nutritious truth, goodness, and beauty.

This summer's lackbuster movies left some fans liking fun franchises with simpler morals, while others await mythic tales with challenging ideas.

Critics who suppose artificial imaginations will destroy "big Hollywood" ignore inhuman threats against skilled creators and faithful Christians.

For decades the Bancroft brothers have animated classic characters across many realms, including this fall's new movie about our greatest Hero.

We need no automatic loyalty for big-budget movies that fall into made-up moralities, flippant franchises, and scandalized or sillified superheroes.

Faithful gamers are finding fertile soil in digital worlds, leading to this year's crossover between Realm Makers and Christian Game Developers.

Let's heed the Narnia author's wise warnings against pacifism or violence, and his praise for biblical courage and defense of good causes.

Christian fans often hear warnings about fantasy stories' temptations, but Scripture shows differences between real occult and fictional spellcraft.

Inspired by Jesus's parable of the two sons, Perry Wilson and Landon Hawley have created this new audio adventure from the Christian ministry Cru.

Men may defend their families and nations by flying amazing airships, yet struggle with the temptations and tough decisions of earthly callings.

Hear the backstory of Realm Makers, from its 2013 origin as a fantastical writers conference to the new 2025 Realm Makers Expo coming this July to Grand Rapids.

Christian-led conferences attract saints as well as nonbelievers who like wholesome stories, making them fantastic fields for creative missions.

God likes the physical world He created, and that's why He will redeem human subcreations for eternity, including fantastical novels we enjoy for His glory.

Some heroines need no machines or solar slingshots to awaken in a romantic past and discover true love or deeper truths about the Lord.

Just in time for graduation season, the Houston Christian University president tells of stories that really matter to children and students.

Seventy years after C. S. Lewis's sixth Chronicle of Narnia released, we recall the reasons we love this tale of magic rings and other worlds.

Shallow fictions insult the work of Christ by implying we can cheapen the law to make ourselves better, or cheapen grace to save others.

Christian critics toss tomatoes at this newly popular genre. But biblical fiction isn't meant to preach, only to illustrate the Scripture we honor.

After fractured fairy-stales, flippant super-capers, and “Stalled” Wars, here's how we could rebuild the fallen castles of this media Babylon.

The headline sounded like an April Fool's prank. Then others confirmed it and fans raised the uproar. Here's why it matters that Aslan is male.

From a wheelchair-wielding robo-pioneer to the Ares 10 mission and other astronauts, many faithful storytellers settled on our sister planet.

After the first age of rocketry, some cowboy heroes traded their six-shooters for rayguns and rode beyond Earth to settle a new genre frontier.

Fantasy has magical beasts while science fiction has fantastical vehicles, and both have their biblical redemptive qualities. Now, let them fight.

Earth's neighbor is a frozen desert, but it has inspired many fantastical stories—from adventures to big ideas, hard science, and human nature.

Stephen and Zack explore the Christian heroes, challenging ideas, and speculative science of this possible future when oversheltered believers resist a one-world CAUSE.

Storytellers who hope for gospel witness to the world must discern today's rising audience of cultural conservatives who like some biblical ideas.

When readers treat the Bible as a resource for carving out doctrine-blocks or extracting shiny morals, we miss the Hero and true gospel Story of the Scripture.

Though all their friends thought them enemies, fantasy and romance have grown into lovers, and now bear the new ship name of "romantasy."

For centuries readers have loved to re-read, retell, or research the classic stories of magical lands where Christlike good defeats evil.

Since 2018, Lorehaven.com creators have explored fantastical stories for God's glory, and now we've upgraded our Library book search.

Some harder sci-fi treats humans as spectators to science, while softer sci-fi may use "handwavium" to explain tech while focusing on heroes.

Castles with knights and wild lands full of creatures remind us of real-life European history, often with one added fantastical ingredient of magic.

As we launch our 2025 podcast season, we celebrate legacies of the original website that boosted many authors and Lorehaven itself.