Episode Details

This year we’re seeing a lot of new energy around the idea that Christians and church-curious people (who are not always Christians!) need new stories that are not infected by false religion. Meanwhile, Christian-made fantasy fans, including Lorehaven, are finding new growth of interest in these kinds of stories. Could this lead to a “golden age” of Christian-made fantastical fiction? How would we even recognize such a thing? In this episode, Zack and I will explore these speculations, probably with some different perspectives.

Subscribe to Lorehaven

articles • news • library • reviews • podcast • gifts • guild

Episode sponsors

1. Realm Makers 2022 conference
2. The Lorehaven Guild
3. See all podcast sponsors

1. Zack, the optimist: Could a Christian fantasy ‘golden age’ draw nigh?

• Zack recognizes that supply might exceed demand for Christian-made fantasy.
• Still, more people are clamoring for these unique kinds of novels.
• Overall demand for general-market fantasy seems to have increased.
• But some feel general-market fantasy is being tainted by false religious agendas.
• That’s why many people are looking for Christian or at least “wholesome” alternatives.
• Several of Zack’s pastors are big fantasy fans, and have read some Christian-made titles.
• Many articles on sites like The Gospel Coalition are encouraging biblical thinking about fiction.

2. Stephen, the pessimist: Aren’t we too early to expect a ‘golden age’?

• Many authors and few readers is no reason to get too excited just yet.
• Stephen has been circling this issue since the mid-2000s and seen sure yet slow progress.
• Supply exceeding demand leads to inferior products and falling value.
• Even Frank E. Peretti in his heyday, and the Left Behind series, was no “golden age.”
• Today, some Christians authors are sticking with pretty basic genres/themes.
• Christians haven’t even come to shared agreement of what fiction is for.

3. Shared hopes: What would a Christian-fantastical ‘golden age’ look like?

• Stephen suggests Christians would agree more about the purpose of fiction.
• They would be more like our shared agreement about the purpose of music.
• That is, more of us know music is no mere Evangelism Tool, but worship of Christ.
• We would have more intra-Church success, basically ignoring “the world.”
• That is, we’d think more like niche comic-book shops, not big-box bookstores.
• We would see more popular variety, not just (frankly) female-friendly fantasy.
• Authors would not write as self-healing or evangelism, but out of “surplus.”
• Publishers would tap into cultivated markets beyond eager author-types.
• Zack suggests the animated Wingfeather Saga series will help make some changes.
• Fan reactions to The Rings of Power may also force Christian fans to seek elsewhere.

Com station

Emory Alexander commented on our episode 109 about “story pastors”: