Episode Details

God reveals his truth to us through stories, especially the true stories and fictional parables in his word—and some of the stories he tells are scary. Horror is God’s idea, and he often uses this to prepare us for real-world monsters and dangers. Yet we’ve all seen or heard horror stories that are too disturbing. As a result, Christians often shun this genre. But how do darker stories help us flee toward the light of Christ?

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1. Oasis Audio, The Rabbit Room Press Audio books: Henry and the Chalk Dragon, The Door on Half Bald Hill
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Concession stand

• This rare episode continues both our Fiction’s Chief End and Monster Month series.
• Christians might not hold as “doctrine” a belief that horror is bad.
• More likely, we find this belief lurking in the shadows of our minds.
• But some Christian leaders have gone on record opposing horror.

“Horror is an example of a genre which was conceived in rebellion. It is based on a fascination with ungodly fear. It should not be imitated, propagated, or encouraged. It cannot be redeemed because it is presuppositionally at war with God.”

—one homeschooling leader (since fallen into his own shadow)

• Some horror is not redemptive, only terrifying people for terror’s own sake.
• Some horror is ridden with other idols. Some is torture porn. Some is truly demonic.
• That’s why some Christian novels are labeled supernatural, paranormal, or dark fairy tale.
• In the Lorehaven library, we group horror titles under the label supernatural and beyond.
• Christians will have different convictions and instincts about horror. Your conscience may vary.
• But horror is not an unredeemable genre (like porn.) Horror is part of our cultural landscape.
• We’re aware of the “fire and brimstone” preaching excesses and other church fear tactics.
• Yet, we believe not all scary stories or fear-based appeals are wrong. Some may be necessary.
• This is more true in a culture that has diluted themes about God’s wrath against sin.
• Like our other episodes in the Fiction’s Chief End series, we’re trying to approach this proactively.
• That is, we do not assume that horror/darkness is a Fix for a Problem.
• Some people, including Christians, can use these as ways to rile others.
• They act like stories are a tool to “get at” people, rather than glorify God.
• So we do ignore all those notions, asking how horror stories exalt Jesus.

1. Horror stories are God’s idea

• “Only terror will cause you to understand