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Fantastical Truth

Fantastical Truth

Written by: Lorehaven
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 Explore the best Christian-made fantasy, sci-fi, and beyond, and apply these stories’ meanings in the real world Jesus calls us to serve.Copyright © Lorehaven, 2023. All rights reserved. Art Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
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  • 298. Should Christian Authors Post About Politics? Part 1

    298. Should Christian Authors Post About Politics? Part 1
    Feb 3 2026
    Happy Groundhog Day.[1. Photo by Marino Linic on Unsplash.] Maybe in these last weeks you’ve seen this same story repeat: Your favorite Christian author usually posts about whimsical life updates, pet photos, or upcoming release dates. But now she or he is suddenly and very fervently posting about politics. Words get heated. Light dims. And unwise statements share disastrous brushfires instead of book delights. What a reader to do? Call for a ban on all such topics? Block the blighter? Or maybe seek deeper wisdom? Episode sponsors The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. FranklinRealm Makers 2026 Conference & ExpoThe Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli ColeAbove the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: authors, debate this in the Authorship!New review: The Lost Chick by Andrew K. JohnstonSubscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Chapter 1: A personal concession stand The best time might have been during a cooler period (if existent).But the next best time is now. Many fans are already considering it.This topic is broader, focusing on Christian authors in all genres.And too big a topic for one episode. We’re splitting this into two.Sure, some authors may listen and take note, or maybe get upset.But I’m speaking as a fan, and I know many fans who agree.We grieve this inflammatory rhetoric among Christian fantasy fans.And we don’t want to see relationships broken by nasty slanders.Background: I’ve kept up with politics since before I could vote.I’ve retconned my first election as Nov. 2000 (before I was 18).Campus newspaper columns, a little overt activism here and there.Anti-fans made a “Stephen would probably hate me” FB group.Today I stay atop news, and more importantly the deeper issues.And I do post about politics, so don’t hear me saying “don’t do it.”But here at Lorehaven we are not first about politics. Morality first. A positive note: Stephen’s developing post rules Personally, I post about certain topics that are, I hope, limited.My rules: biblical conviction, topically focused, open engagement.Example: my Jan. 30 post on activist Don Lemon being arrested.To me this one’s easy. The man joined a mob to invade a church.I like the church. I don’t like bullies. And this topic relates to ACE.Besides, I don’t like when professing Christians abuse the Bible.That includes people who impulsively see other believers as bad guys and impulsively see anyone “protesting” them as good guys.This is an absolute non-starter. You’re slandering your own people.Unfortunately this is a nasty effect of some “missional” Christians.They care so much about “the world” that they step on family.Even then, however, I may step wrong or distract from my focus.In the next episode, we’ll talk about the positive side of posting.We need common ground! That is why this topic calls for care.Otherwise, here are my personal consequences. Others may vary.If authors post badly about politics once, I’ll “snooze” their feeds.If they keep it up, I assume they are radicalizing and mute them. Chapter 2: Five cringe and corrosive ways Christian authors post about politics 1. They’ve never before posted about these topics. The post breaks a pattern of trust between an author and readers.Such a comment on hot controversies looks oddly out of place.It’s often motivated by something other than longstanding interest. 2. The post has nothing to do with the author’s work. What does a fantasy writer have to do with immigration debates?This can also break trust. Fans didn’t follow him for political takes.Authors who now only post politics signal they’re “switching jobs.” 3. They claim the post ‘isn’t political’ but it jolly well is. On the surface, the post may seem to advocate simple morality.With any human debate over ethics and law, politics are a factor.“This isn’t political” misunderstands what politics actually are. 4. Authors may not even appreciate what politics are. Some who claim to “hate politics” just don’t like defending ideas.They’d rather hit a “win button” and thereby become always right.“Politics matter because policy matters because people matter!” 5. Some foolishly try bringing ‘just love’ to law fights. God bless them, but these sensitive souls lead first with feelings.They mean well, but forget the very real realities of laws and policy.Christians do grace stuff and law stuff. Government is law stuff. Chapter 3: Five slanderous and sinful ways Christian authors post about politics 6. The author exposes ignorance about the issues. Ignorance is no sin, but willful ignorance of facts is no excuse.If you don’t like politics, this effectively seeks unearned authority.If you don’t care for real laws, you’re just meddling (Prov. 26:17). 7. Some follow influencers who take bribes (Ex. 32:8). For clarity, paid influencers can take actual cash for their posts.Others trade in ...
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • 297. Should Christian Fantasy Stories Force Religious Allegories?

    297. Should Christian Fantasy Stories Force Religious Allegories?
    Jan 27 2026
    Allegories. Christians love allegories! That’s a story element of having a person, place, or thing meant a a direct picture of something else, like Jesus or moral virtues. Some people think Jesus did this in parables, or C.S. Lewis did this with Narnia. Others point to Pilgrim’s Progress as a prime example. Even if they’re right about that, might some readers and authors focus so much on possible “allegories” that we miss great stories’ deeper meanings? Episode sponsors The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. FranklinThe Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli ColeAbove the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: the Authorship has launched!Listen to last week’s episode, or read the companion article.Also, join the Guild by Saturday, Jan. 31 for Stephen’s livestream: How to Sell a Sci-Fi Novel in Just Twenty-Five Easy YearsSubscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes Allegory is a form of literature in which material figures represent immaterial virtues or vices. So in Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, the character Timorous represents fear and Mr. Worldly Wiseman represents worldly wisdom. In our day, distinction of genres has been muddled a bit, so we tend to regard any story with symbolic elements in it as allegorical, but it was not always this way. C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, for instance, are not allegories, even as often as they are referred to as such, and Lewis himself said as much. The parables of Jesus could be said to contain allegorical elements, some more than others, but they are not strictly speaking themselves allegories. Jesus definitely deals in the world of virtues and vices, but he is most immediately interested in the world of human beings, their hearts, their words, and their deeds. “How Not to Read the Parables,” Jared C. Wilson The reason for the long history of the misinterpretation of the parables can be traced back to something Jesus himself said, as recorded in Mark 4:10–12. When asked about the purpose of parables, he seems to have suggested that they contained mysteries for those on the inside, while they hardened those on the outside. Because he then proceeded to “interpret” the parable of the sower in a semi-allegorical way, this was seen to give license to the hardening theory and endless allegorical interpretations. The parables were considered to be simple stories for those on the outside to whom the “real meanings,” the “mysteries,” were hidden; these belonged only to the church and could be uncovered by means of allegory. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart 1. Jesus’s parables aren’t just allegories Sometimes the Lord interpreted His tales this way. For example, He says the seed is like His word and different soils are like different hearers (see Mark 4:13–20; Matthew 13:18–23; Luke 8:11–15).But we may miss His main point if seek out the Secret Allegories.No less top church fathers seem to have started this trend.Famously he read many allegories into the Good Samaritan tale.But the central point is to answer, “Who is my neighbor?”At other times He simply said, “The kingdom of heaven is like…”Meaning the whole parable says something about His kingdom.What follows might be a prophecy of doom in the end times.Or it might be an illustration of human behavior fit for His reign.His parable may be about groups, individuals, morals, or salvation!In either case, “he who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 2. Pilgrim’s Progress is allegory; Narnia is not Many readers fondly remember John Bunyan’s classic quest tale.The allegories start simple but accessible, especially for Puritans.“Christian” is a Christian. “Evangelist” is. Apollyon is just a demon!Then as we’ve previously explored, the allegories get complicated.God, angels, the Bible, and Heaven are literal. So are good and evil.At one point Moses himself cameos as a Law-enforcing antihero!Altogether, Bunyan is both less and more creative than we thought.However, we needn’t impose our view of ProgressFor instance, many Christians learned to like Narnia by accepting the common belief that Lewis put “allegories” into his fantasy tale.Stephen recalls one article around the movie release in 2005.The writer meant well, but made up all kinds of silly “allegories.”He believed the Pevensies are apostles and weapons are prayer.Lewis himself specifically says outright that he did not do this.Aslan isn’t an “allegory” for Jesus. He is Jesus, working his good will in many worlds across a fantastical barely glimpsed multiverse.One’s view of “allegory” shouldn’t overturn clearly stated words.Otherwise we’d all end up reading our own ideas into the Bible too! 3. Forced allegories may ruin some stories Frankly, forcing allegories into stories risks rejecting their real truth.With limited allegories, Jesus made sure His parables carry ...
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 296. How Will the Lorehaven Authorship Help You Grow Your Creative Gifts for Christ’s Glory?

    296. How Will the Lorehaven Authorship Help You Grow Your Creative Gifts for Christ’s Glory?
    Jan 20 2026
    This podcast and other resources from Lorehaven focus on readers. That’s why, when aspiring writers post questions like, Where can I find an agent? or Will you look at my unpublished manuscript?, we don’t have much to share in that department. Until now. We’re journeying into new lands. This month we’re launching the Lorehaven Authorship within the Lorehaven Guild on Discord. Let’s explore how these new digital channels with pro livestreams and a fan-focused Book Festival will help writers cultivate their God-given imaginations. Episode sponsors Audio-Epic.com: “1232” podcastThe Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli ColeAbove the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update Discern the Top Three Negative Evangelical Myths about Popular Culture by E. Stephen BurnettGabriel’s Song, new review by Sierra SimopoulosSubscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild How to join the Lorehaven Authorship Hosted in the Lorehaven Guild, the Authorship offers three member levels: Creative ($3.99/month). Fight for your calling. Enjoy livestreams with the pros. Discover why God created us to make stories for His glory and our joy.Pro Novelist ($9.99/month). All benefits for Creative members, plus your own “booth” to seek new readers in our virtual fan-centered Book Festival!Terraformer ($29.99/month). Get all above benefits plus more perks. Help invest in the future of fantastical fiction and expand the Lorehaven mission. How to join? Subscribe free to Lorehaven. (Or in January 2026, just click here.) We’ll send you the Guild invitation. Once you’ve entered the Guild, look for the LOREHAVEN AUTHORSHIP channels. Then click one to see your options. Pro tip: To avoid added fees, avoid signing up for the Authorship on Apple devices. Instead, use the desktop app or browser version. 1. Why our Author gives us imaginations How can writers sometimes fall into ‘writicism’ traps? For a while, many Christian fantasy writers seemed hyperfocused.Blogs and conferences focused mainly on the craft of writing.And some complained about publishers not being interested.Some did try these books. Only a few succeeded. How come?My take for 20-ish years: not enough writer focus on ourOnly in the last decade-ish have we gotten better at fan outreach.We’ve also seen more writers get serious about their faith in Jesus.They’ve earned trust with more readers and therefore succeed. Do fantasy fans like writing more than other fans? Still, we’ve found that unlike other genres like biography, mystery, and historical romance, fantastical fans enjoy the craft of writing.Some write fanfiction or other stories just for fun.Others share their stories with friends or family.Still others have aspirations for indie or traditional publication.But writers must not hope publishers or fans will make them happy.The best authors are already happy, or joyous, for other reasons.Maybe they’re simply really ambitious or gifted, as non-Christians.Or maybe they’re Christians and find their joy/happiness in Christ. How does fantastical creation give us joy in Jesus? In any case, if you’re a Christian, create stories for Christ’s glory!God has called you to worship Him. Only in this can we be happy.Worship includes biblical practice of His gift of imagination.That’s why we make things for His glory and for our happiness.This joy can begins today, yet is also practice for eternal joy.And this pursuit is our “chief end”—before all the challenges of plotting vs. pantsing, or whether to seek agents vs. indie-publish. How will the Lorehaven Authorship help you find joy? In the Authorship, published pros will train creatives in the craft of writing. However, we’ll also help you discover your purpose for your imagination. Why did God create you? And why do we feel this drive to create other stuff? If you sense the need to know this greater godly mission, welcome aboard! 2. How we grow His gifts into writing skills How has this biblical joy kept us going over decades? To repeat: God gives us creative imagination to glorify Him.So His divine purpose empowers us for creative challenges.Personally, Stephen can testify that I’ve been renewed by this biblical mission for over 25 writing years of minor wins and major losses.Even when the day job boss says, “We need to lay you off”?Even when the editor says, “This project isn’t right for us?Often Stephen has asked himself, “If I never got published as a ‘pro novelist,’ could I still write, if only for my joy in Christ?” How will the Authorship help writers grow their craft? I’ll put my 25+ years of creative struggles to work here. So will other pro novelists. This reflects our shared need for training. After all, you can’t go directly from “Let’s write!” to “Let’s change the world with our stories.” Don’t skip that big step in between—the step of Christians helping one another grow our creative gifts. For example, later this ...
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    1 hr
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