Episode Details

Our world is “a very nasty place. Full of—enemies.” Christians don’t want to be sheltered and sentimentalist, hiding from the reality of our grimdark world. At the same time, our victorious Lord calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. How can fantastical stories, about heroes versus villains, help us train to show love to our enemies even if we must fight them?

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

Concession stand: defeat the final boss edition

• We haven’t snacked from here in some time, but these concessions are hot!
• This episode builds off our fall episode 88 and our spring episode 103.
• And yes, this topic touches on some now-current debates among Christians.
• Yes, that includes the pro-life vs. abortion debate. Also about “winsomeness.”
• Under those discussions may lie the bigger question about loving enemies.
• Often we might assume, “We love our enemies by giving them the gospel.”
• And then we may assume, “We remove obstacles, such as politics or ‘bad tone.'”
• We might, however, retreat and ask, “Is this emphasis on public witness correct?”
• Christians have more jobs than evangelism. We’re also creators and citizens.
• In either case, if we only focus on the Great Commission, we ignore other truths.
• We have a whole Old Testament, plus wisdom literature, about these issues.
• All of Scripture reminds us that we have many hats to wear. It’s complicated.
• Biggest concession: that’s another article or podcast. We emphasize fiction.
• We’ll focus on three heroes who had to love their enemies yet fight them.
• For each, we will ask: how can hero save his people yet also save his enemy?

1. Luke Skywalker versus Darth Vader in the Star Wars trilogy

• For the full quote, see Stephen’s article, “

  Listen Now