Fantastical Truth

Kaizoku ou ni ore wa naru! Today around the world, millions of fans who love Japan’s hit manga/anime series, One Piece, are rejoicing for many reasons, including today’s release of the live-action series season 2 on Netflix. Why do so many fans love these comical, earnest adventures of Captain Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates? Episode sponsors Firebreak by Kathy Tyers Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo The Hole-Man by Dan Daetz The Lorehaven Authorship Mission update New at Lorehaven: our book quest into fantasy Embergold Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes The hit manga just reached 600 million, matching Superman After 1,170+ chapters and nearly 30 years, creator Eiichiro Oda’s pirates-with-powers story is sailing toward its final arcs. The popular anime is ending hiatus to resume in April. And today Netflix is christening the live series Season 2, after 2023’s Season 1 happily broke the “anime to live-action curse.” Oh, and this just in: last week Oda and crew made the meme come true. He really did write down the answer to “what is the One Piece,” the treasure sought by every pirate. He locked this in a chest, buried it deep in the sea, and initiated a great fan-pirate era. But spoiler alert: I think I know the secret of the One Piece. And by the end of this episode, I shall spell out my grand fan theory. Mission update New at Lorehaven: our book quest into fantasy Embergold Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild The Mugiwara (Straw Hat) Pirates of One Piece, with friends from Fishman Island. 1. One Piece plots with deep heroic ambition. Plot summary: Luffy sets his goal of becoming king of the pirates. He recruits a crew with other goals, yet following him as captain. Over many years and arcs, their goals all begin to come together. It’s a celebration of labor, pain, reward, and growing to maturity. So it’s like “follow your dream” but much longer, deeper, complex. After all, dreams/goals lead to disloyalty, idolatry, and overwork. One day I had to stop watching One Piece for good reason. Why? I had been overworked and needed more rest than ambition. Altogether it’s a reminder of the great adventure that’s often hard. In a world of “you’re great as you are,” this is a worthy challenge. 2. One Piece recruits a nakama pirate crew. And yet this story isn’t just about individuals with selfish interests. Everyone in the Straw Hat pirate crew grows in their relationships. It’s much like a “found family” but not without natural family bonds. Some of them have deep childhood trauma and must find healing. Villains also have tragic pasts, but are also evil and must go down. Trauma is serious, death is permanent, and personal loss will sting. Many fans (myself included) find this “wacky realism” refreshing. Oda wisely avoids and mocks the idea of romance among the crew. And also wisely, the live-action series reflects all of these themes. That’s one reason One Piece LA broke the live-action-anime curse. 3. One Piece sails to fantastical new worlds. Fans praise Oda’s worldbuilding that is indeed massively creative. Fantasy meets sci-fi meets horror, in land, sky, and deep oceans. Each island brings new crises and often many evil leaders to fight. Thus, Luffy and the Straw Hats have toppled multiple dictatorships. It’s all part of Luffy’s strong views of loyalty to friends and freedom. And now the Straw Hat Jolly Roger flag appears in real Some fans recoil from Oda’s art style, reflecting well in the anime. Characters often have wacky proportions, heavy on caricature. And alas, manga/anime is fond of “comedic” nudity/sexual imagery. Yet with cautions, you can now enjoy this story in many art forms. BONUS: has Stephen found the One Piece? Some fans believe the One Piece is more of a traditional treasure. Others claim a metaphor, e.g. “the friends we made along the way.” But I think the series has given us plenty of clues to identify it. For the treasure chest, Oda wrote, “As for the One Piece, it is …” If fans found the buried paper, they’d read: (continued in episode!) Com station Top question for listeners What’s your favorite crazy story with wild action and heroic heart? Next on Fantastical Truth Adaptations. Sometimes we act like we don’t like them. But sometimes we do. And sometimes each new version of a story—book to film or TV show—changes the original but adds something new and amazing. So next week, we’ll explore the pros and cons of adaptation, whether it’s One Piece, or The Pendragon Cycle, or the latest superhero retelling.

Space is a dangerous place. Even recently we learned that the entire Artemis program has been rebooted, adding more rockets and risks! In other worlds and other galaxies, “space” is full of human life, music, adventure, romance, and fantastical new worlds. Just in time for Firebreak, book 1 of the Firebird Interlude Trilogy, we’re joined by longtime science fiction novelist Kathy Tyers to explore how the best space operas sing through this teeming expanse. Episode sponsors Firebreak by Kathy Tyers Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo The Hole-Man by Dan Daetz The Lorehaven Authorship Mission update New at Lorehaven: Andromache review, weekly reviews Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild You’ll get notified of monthly events, like last week’s livestream. Backstory: Kathy (Tyers) Gillin Kathy Tyers sold her first novel, Firebird, to Bantam Spectra in 1986. Since its initial 1987 publication, it has been rereleased by Bethany House Publishers, Marcher Lord Press, and Enclave Publishing, and was followed by further Firebird-universe novels Fusion Fire and Crown of Fire. Kathy finished the Firebird series in 2011 and 2012 with Wind and Shadow and the messiah tale Daystar. Enclave Publishing has also re-released her early novels One Mind’s Eye, Shivering World (Christy Award winner, 2019), and Crystal Witness. Now she’s returning to the Firebird whorl for a new series of novels. The Firebird Interlude trilogy begins March 10 with the release of Firebreak. Kathy is also known for her Star Wars Expanded Universe novels—The Truce at Bakura and New Jedi Order: Balance Point. She lives in Montana with her husband William T. Gillin. KathyTyers.com on Facebook 1. What are the origin stories of space opera? 1818: Mary Shelley’s first sci-fi-ish/horror novel Frankenstein 1830: British author Percy Greg’s poetical Across the Zodiac Late 19th century: the prolific Jules Verne, across Earth and space Late 19th/early 20th century: H. G. Wells brings the humanism Early 20th century: Edgar Rice Burroughs shares pulp adventure Other written tales and film serials helped create early space opera This tradition focused not just on big ideas, but big human stories Without these tales, we might not have stories like Star Wars And that’s one way that today’s guest learned she liked sci-fi 2. Why do today’s fans love space opera? Kathy Tyers has written harder science fiction, like Shivering World. Spaceships are cool, but many fans like human drama even more. For example, the Firebird Series is set in a far future galactic Whorl. Readers resonate with Lady Firebird and her husband Brennan. This, by the way, marks a rare example of married-couple heroes. Similarly, Star Wars has spaceships, but focuses on human heroes. Christians also see cool ideas and tech as means to human ends. Without our humanity, we become “minds of metal and wheels.” Even the best Star Trek episodes well understood this reality. 3. What might be the future of space opera? More about the Firebird Interlude series—titles, dates, speculation. Coming this June, Kathy Tyers gives a keynote at Realm Makers. Meanwhile, we may expect to March onward into big space opera. Project Hail Mary, based on Andy Weir’s novel, gets early plaudits. Next up, actor Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy’s Starfighter movie (set in the Star Wars universe) is receiving a new hope from fans. People do want futuristic, human-centric science-accented drama. And yet Christians see this not as simply “hope in the human spirit” but hope of redemption, for grace-filled humans and a future age. Com station Top question for listeners What space opera stories help you sing in joyful gratitude? Next on Fantastical Truth Kaizoku ou ni ore wa naru! Today around the world, millions of fans who love Japan’s hit manga/anime series, One Piece, are rejoicing. First, because after 1,170+ chapters and nearly 30 years since 1997, creator Eiichiro Oda’s pirates-with-powers story is sailing toward its final arcs. Second, because the popular anime is following soon after, breaking hiatus to resume in April. And third, because on March 10, Netflix is christening the One Piece live-action series Season 2, after 2023’s Season 1 flagrantly and happily broke the “anime to live-action curse.” Why do fans (like Stephen himself) love these comical, earnest adventures of Captain Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates?

People want transparency! Or do we? If nothing else, public calls for revealing government secrets raise a lot of ruckus, especially when the secrets in question seem to be covering up aliens. Zack is our UAP/UFO expert. Stephen is intrigued yet skeptical. We’re both all over last week’s headlines. One former president claimed he knows aliens are real. Then the current U.S. president said he would declassify files. Whatever happens next, why do people want disclosure so badly? Episode sponsors Firebreak by Kathy Tyers Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Interregnum by J. A. Webb Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New reviews: For The Good of All and Andromache Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Writing that next great alien-invasion novel? Join the Authorship. Quotes and notes Armies of the Aliens series on Fantastical Truth 1. Disclosure may expose human loneliness. This news could upend members of the alien fandom. We could all discover there were no aliens after all. Instead we might hear about human technology. And we might suspect we’re alone in the universe. 2. Disclosures can upset our metaphysics Disclosure of extraterrestrial life could upend religion. Or we could discover the “aliens” are interdimensional. Some writers believe consciousness rewrites our understanding of the universe. Maybe the twist on the Fermi Paradox means humans actually arrived first. Zack posted this response on X: “I definitely believe that sinister interdimensional beings directed many religious texts. And that the Bible was given by an interdimensional being. Just one that is supreme to all the others, and good.” 3. Worst, disclosures may promote demons. This too could upend society’s “respectable” materialism. That notion explains elite seances and messages from “aliens.” This would be biblical, but seeing this exposed could be shocking. It might even mean some of powerful leaders are controlled by demons Com station Top question for listeners If we get “disclosure” at all, what secrets do you expect to learn? Autumn Grayson wrote a whole essay about ep. 298: … In general, when it comes to people’s political posts, there are some things I dislike, and some things that would be good to stay away from. It’s certainly best if people say things that have more substance than just expressing outrage or disapproval, because well thought out engagement on a topic is better. But I do respect people’s freedom and autonomy to say what they want to. I’ll agree with it or disagree with it as I see fit. I’ll get something out of it and learn from it either way, but what I may learn is that the content creator is someone I would not want to communicate or collaborate with. Or, the content creator ends up being an example of what NOT to do. Whatever people do, they should remember that they’re showing something of themselves to the audience, and people have to ask themselves if that is truly how they want to come across and communicate to others. It may feel good to voice outrage in the moment or gain social clout for being on what some people call ‘the right side of history’, but is it really accomplishing anything constructive? Is this really the kind of person the author wants to be? Next on Fantastical Truth Space is a dangerous place. Even recently we learned that Artemis II rocket has suffered another fuel system-related setback! But that’s real life. In other worlds and other galaxies, “space” is full of life, risk, adventure, romance, and fantastical new worlds. Just in time for Firebreak, book 1 of the Firebird Interlude Trilogy, we’re joined by longtime science fiction novelist Kathy Tyers to explore how the best Christian-made space operas sing through this teeming expanse.

For most of their lives, Stephen and Zack have kept their eyes to the stars and wondering if NASA or anybody else will ever again get serious about launching ships up there.[1. Image credit: SpaceX on X.com.] Now it seems that moment is upon us. Lord willing, next month’s launch of Artemis II will drive new great leaps back to the Moon, not only to orbit or put down boots, but to put down roots. Meanwhile, private firms build reusable rockets and plan satellite networks while setting their sights on Mars. So what other science fictions will come true in reality? Join us to discern and celebrate the God-exalting glories of human spaceflight to faraway lands for this landmark 300th episode of Lorehaven’s Fantastical Truth. Episode sponsors The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Interregnum by J. A. Webb Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: reviews on break this very busy week. Last week brought a bot swarm and other technical nonsense. Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild. Authors, want to talk real sci-fi and beyond? Join the Authorship. Quotes and notes 72. When Our World Groans Under Sin, Should Christians Support Space Flight? 121. Will Humans Colonize the Cosmos Before Jesus Returns? 157. Will We Get Superpowers After the Resurrection? 252. What if Space Missionaries Fought the Secular State? | Above the Circle of Earth with E. Stephen Burnett 253. How Do Classic Sci-Fi Novels Explore the Planet Mars? 255. What Are Space Westerns? | After Moses with Michael F. Kane 256. When Have Newer Christian Authors Explored Mars? 1. Today, every space mission starts on Earth A brief summary of spaceflight: Sputnik 1 satellite (Oct. 1957), Yuri Gagarin (April 1961 aboard Vostok 1), Alan Shephard first American (May 1961), John Glenn first to orbit (Feb. 1962 aboard Friendship 1), 1960s moon race, moon landing (July 1969), six moon landings 1980s to early 2000s: Space Shuttle program, ISS, many others Alas, disasters: 1986 Challenger explosion, 2003 Columbia disaster Late 2000s to present: private companies brings new energy Elon Musk: classic humanist, entrepreneur, controversial, mess But a genius billionaire, anyway, and pioneer in new rocketry Same with Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, whatever else you think of him These and more are winning goals to make ships less expensive SpaceX rockets can now reverse themselves to land on platforms 2024: Space X “mechazilla” arms caught a returning rocket This month, NASA postponed the Artemis II launch until March. Last week, SpaceX routinely launched a new crew to the ISS. And finally, Elon Musk revealed he’s prioritizing lunar missions: For those unaware, SpaceX has already shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon, as we can potentially achieve that in less than 10 years, whereas Mars would take 20+ years. The mission of SpaceX remains the same: extend consciousness and life as we know it to the stars. It is only possible to travel to Mars when the planets align every 26 months (six month trip time), whereas we can launch to the Moon every 10 days (2 day trip time). This means we can iterate much faster to complete a Moon city than a Mars city. That said, SpaceX will also strive to build a Mars city and begin doing so in about 5 to 7 years, but the overriding priority is securing the future of civilization and the Moon is faster. 2. In years, new rockets will reach the Moon Artemis I (Nov. 2022) tested the Space Launch System. Notably, this system is developed separately from reusable rockets. Artemis II (March 2026?) will launch astronauts around the Moon. The mission will last four days and orbit the Moon’s far side. The names of these absolutely real, nonfictional astronauts are: Commander Reid Wiseman Pilot Victor Glover Mission specialist Christina Koch Mission specialist astronaut Jeremy Hansen (CSA) As memes foretold, we hope they come back with superpowers. Artemis III will be a real moon landing, first since Apollo 17 in 1972. That mission may launch as early as 2028. No crew announced yet. Axiom Space developed new super-upgraded spacesuits for this. NASA identified possible nine landing sites, all near the South Pole. That region has stable daylight/temperatures plus crater water ice. All said, the first lunar bases could be south polar settlements. Many speculators suggest future lunar manufacturing in this area. NASA, Department of Energy to Develop Lunar Surface Reactor by 2030 Materials include water ice, lunar regolith, and other metals. Musk wants to make AI satellites there and launch them into space. Elon Musk Wants to Build an A.I. Satellite Factory on the Moon Risks: extra radiation could drive habitats under protective layers. You could shield with thick ceilings or else use lunar lava tubes. Listen to our March 2025 podcast series: Martian Month. 3. In decades, mankind may land on Mars In the recent past, Musk and others thought the Moon was jejune. After all, we’ve already landed there. Where’s the fun in returning? But now the Moon seems more accessible. Walk before you run. Last year for ACE’s launch, we shared a series: Martian Month. Unlike the Moon, Mars has atmosphere and daylight cycles. It’s a little “warmer,” with slightly more radiation protection. Also, Mars has less known surface ice but more carbon dioxide. How to get there? You need to wait about once every two years. Possible transport: nuclear-powered rockets, now in development. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman: nuclear-electric propulsion? 6 Things You Should Know About Nuclear Thermal Propulsion That may reduce travel time by 25 percent (from 6 to 4 months?). Timing: a matter of decades, perhaps the 2030s at the earliest. So yes, you may live to see this happen, yet likely not travel there. Speculators/rocketeers see philosophical, humanitarian motives. For the Christian, our motives for spaceflight are a bit different. After all, God made humans to steward the Earth and maybe more. Alas, sin interferes with our purpose and our very human nature. We’re mortal. Space couldn’t have killed us before. Now it does. Personally, I see humanity’s future with limited spaceflight at best. Yet after Jesus returns and we get New everything, who knows? Either way, with cautious optimism, Christians can rejoice at this. It’s healthy to stop navel-gazing and look upward and onward. And someday, yes, missionaries may come to the Moon and Mars. Com station Top question for listeners What big spaceflight news, past or future, is your favorite? Will you watch the Artemis II launch, currently set for early March? Jeremiah Friedli remarked about episode 298: Excellent podcast episode, Stephen! Thanks for tackling these issues from a sound and biblical perspective. I’m looking forward to part 2! Next on Fantastical Truth Three hundred episodes down. Who knows how many to go? Whether you’ve just found the podcast or have been listening since January 2020, we’re grateful for your support of this journey to escape bad books and find the best Christian-made fantasy for Christ’s glory. Let’s continue to seek and find His fantastical truth!

Last week your solo host, Stephen, shared a hot take: that some authors’ sudden hot takes on political topics add more heat than light. These cringe political posts distract from the author’s job and confuse fans, and some go further into sinful slanders. Now that Zack is back, let’s re-engage this topic as fans and explore hope for biblical unity. Without telling anyone to “stop with politics!” or missing real concerns, how can authors post better about those topics, if they post at all? Episode sponsors The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Interregnum by J. A. Webb Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: The Restitching of Camille DuLaine review. Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Authors: sign up for the Authorship as a Creator or Pro Novelist 1. Top recent celebrity political wins and fails Last week, Stephen should have predicted Grammy Awards cringe. He feels sympathy for Billy Eilish and others who just say stuff. Some celebrities can get away with this because they’re Big. Example 1: J.K. Rowling, who lives in a castle and everything. Example 2: George Clooney, legacy, leftist, but moderate in tone. Example 3: Conservative actors who find other (often niche) work. Authors who feel tempted to this openness: are you Big like them? It’s like going out to buy a $10,000 suit before you can afford this. If not, the cringe political post isn’t an upgrade, but a downgrade. Personally, Stephen doesn’t mind politically outspoken celebrities. Those who do this out of seeming grace/surplus tend to win. Those who do this out of seeming vengeance/poverty tend to lose. Big tip here for aspiring authors: you must give more than you take. Otherwise they look kinda desperate for attention, or else insincere. 2. Engaging your responses to episode 298 Our own Guildmaster, Ticia Messing, wants a refuge: I have several indie authors I read or recently subscribed to their newsletters who all took part in a join political statement over the weekend with the same general idea. It was clearly to win political points for their side, and it was clearly a “If you do not agree with me, you are wrong,” and reading it I felt dirty and used. Even the author who tried to be more circumspect in how she talked about it because it was still clear what she was talking about. My problem is I come to their newsletters not to read about politics; it is my refuge from politics. I read them to find out about how their writing is going, a quick glimpse into their life, some book recommendations, and maybe a snippet of their upcoming book. Instead, all of these newsletters had paragraphs about Political Issue. Jason Huff seeks to challenge cringepost motives: What is difficult about social media in general is that most posts about politics aren’t about determining a side or discussing a moral issue but virtue signaling. It doesn’t matter if the viewpoint is left, center, right, or even a pox on all the houses. Most of the time, political posts are subtly saying, “I am a good and moral person for speaking out on X issue.” This is not usually the direct and overt intention, but it’s still there on another level. When I say virtue signaling, I’m not saying that they aren’t actually morally correct in their address, but that there usually isn’t a lot at stake in doing so. Most people live, work, and play with people much like them, and they post things their friend pool is going to agree with. And so, when posting anything political, the question has to be, “What is the reason to be posting this?” It’s usually not to inform, because I’d say anyone aware of news right now has heard about Minneapolis. It’s to give a viewpoint. But unless you live in that area, does it affect your daily life right now? Not so much. The stakes are small. So when I see authors and other creatives I follow giving political opinions, I generally tune out. I’m not there for that. I’m more interested in how you’re living out that belief, whether helping a local legal refugee family or befriending your local police force or however that issue plays out in your everyday life. Peter Schott wants to re-hinge certain friends: Personally, I have a couple of acquaintances who I disagree with politically. On some things, we can just discuss and let it go. In others – the posts are just unhinged. I just mute/snooze the guy for 30 days. There was someone else who just went off the deep end – almost everything posted was hateful, cussing, and such. That earned a permanent block. It was sad to see someone go that far off the beaten path. I did have one friend who started calling his own friends Nazis and such because they disagreed with him on politics – maybe 10 years ago. I called him out on that as a Christian brother and he was able to realize that he’d gotten a little too far down the path and took a break (and backed off). Janie Brooks feels betrayed by political cringeposts: “When your favorite authors suddenly post hot takes about the latest controversial headlines or violent acts, how do you feel?” Startled. Annoyed. Betrayed. Hurt. Saddened. Startled because the author doesn’t usually throw their hat into the political fray. Annoyed because there are so many more topics to discuss. Annoyed because Instagram or Facebook is my escape from the constant barrage of never-ending political opinions and current events. Betrayed because I thought I knew who they were. Betrayed because they’ve shown me a side of themselves that goes against how they’ve always acted. Hurt because they’ve broken my trust. Hurt because my loyalty is hard to gain and I’ve been blindsided by their vitriol. Saddened because there are so many other topics in which I agree with them, but now I am anathema because of my politics. 3. Your hosts’ own political-posting rules E. Stephen Burnett’s top ten guidelines: Basically, don’t. Don’t post about politics. But if you do, don’t suppose you’re “above politics.” And discern what that term “politics” actually means. Carefully curate post subjects based on deeper reasons. Be timely, yet beware the PETs, or Political Emotion Traps. Stick with big themes that support your mission and novels. Avoid the great sins of slander and casting false judgments. Always rejoice with the truth and do not spread false reports. For lesser-known topics, do not meddle in quarrels not your own. “Never be cruel, never be cowardly. Remember hate is always foolish, love is always wise. Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind.” (Steven Moffat via the Twelfth Doctor, Doctor Who) Zackary Russell’s social post standards: I don’t want to wait until I “make it big” to say the truth. I don’t talk about or reply to the posts of politicians. Certain cultural, moral, and spiritual topics will inevitably overlap with a certain politician. That’s ok. I won’t avoid those topics. I do not have to comment on everything nor defend everything a politician says or does. That way lies madness. I try to find people to agree with, but comment in a way that adds something new to the conversation. I am much more focused on the world of ideas, because ultimately that’s what we are battling. Not the flesh and blood conveyors of those ideas. There is significant overlap between the battle of ideas and shaping moral imagination through stories. Although the former is reactive whereas the latter is proactive. I don’t believe in cultural pacifism, but I do pick my battles carefully. I also recognize that God calls people to directly take part in the political sphere. Same as he gives other callings. I simply have a different calling as someone working in full-time ministry. But I also reject the practice of some Christians who put their heads in the sand when it comes to certain hot-button topics. Com station Top question for listeners How do authors gain and keep your trust with their social posts? Next on Fantastical Truth For most of our lives, Stephen and Zack have kept their eyes to the stars and wondering if NASA or anybody else will ever again get serious about launching ships up there. Now it seems that moment is upon us. Lord willing, next month’s launch of Artemis II will drive new great leaps back to the Moon, not only to orbit or put down boots, but to put down roots. Meanwhile, private firms build reusable rockets and plan satellite networks while setting their sights on Mars. So what other science fictions will come true in reality? Join us to discern and celebrate the God-exalting glories of human spaceflight to faraway lands for this landmark 300th episode of Lorehaven’s Fantastical Truth.

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 should a reader to do? Call for a ban on all such topics? Block the blighter? Or maybe seek deeper wisdom? Episode sponsors The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Interregnum by J. A. Webb Above 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. Johnston Subscribe 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 alternative currencies: EmoCoin and TrendBucks. In either case, they’re being steered, and they may also steer you. 8. Some try to foreclose discussion and just be ‘right.’ This is another “win button” attempt, but this time more foolishly. You can’t put on a jersey and enter the field without consequence. It’s absurd, even laughable, to get upset at opposing team players. 9. Even worse, authors slander their spiritual family. I have personally seen Christian authors falsely accuse others. Big studios do this in macro against critical fans, and they fail hard! This is sinful behavior, not to mention personally self-destructive. 10. Worst of all, some pronounce threats of Hell itself. This is the greatest sin so far. It bears special direct condemnation. You will not threaten “God’s judgment” on believers who disagree on secondary issues, like how the civil magistrate enforces law. Such threats often reveal this is about personal hatred, not truth. Com station Top question for listeners When your favorite authors suddenly post hot takes about the latest controversial headlines or violent acts, how do you feel? Next on Fantastical Truth This is a heated topic, necessarily so. Now as we move toward spring, let’s attempt a thaw. Lord willing, Zackary Russell will return here for an interactive discussion about how we as fans can hope better from our favorite authors. Do we expect them to “shut up and write”? Or can we hope for more thoughtful, gracious engagement that will not divide the body of Christ but will bring us better together even if we do disagree?

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 Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin The Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli Cole Above 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 Years Subscribe 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 Progress For 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 layers. With mixed/complex allegories, Pilgrim’s Progress has aged well! By avoiding direct allegories, Narnia can be subtle yet also overt. And for new Christian-made fantasy, we can expect the same. Kids and grown-ups can lose themselves in the story, not pulling it apart for useful parts, but being surprised by deeper meanings. History shows this is a far more powerful way to read stories. Instead of making them into Teaching Tools, as if stuff we make up could replace God’s word, stories help us see our own responses. This is a far more human emphasis closer to imagination’s purpose. And for new writers out there, we encourage going deeper. Allegories look like ultimate meaning, but they’re really 101 level. Example: any sword may evoke Ephesians 6. But it’s first a sword. You don’t have to limit this idea to the word of God or even prayer. Swords have more resonance in Scripture than just one text. They’re tools of men and angels alike to defeat or restrain evil. So don’t reduce the concrete object to some spiritual abstract. Really this comes down to how we see the world. Do we expect a bodiless “spiritoid” eternity? Or one where matter itself matters? Scripture promises a union of tangible New Earth and New Heaven. Ultimately our stories must hearken to this reality. So study deep! Com station Top question for listeners How do you look for deeper meanings in the Bible and stories? Next on Fantastical Truth Next week is Groundhog Day, and we’ve already seen this story: Your favorite Christian author, who usually talks about book updates and inspirational life anecdotes, is suddenly posting about controversial political stuff. Should readers impose “no politics! no religion!” rules on story creators who feel strongly about a topic? Or might we expect more from authors posting or not posting hot takes?

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” podcast The Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli Cole Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update Discern the Top Three Negative Evangelical Myths about Popular Culture by E. Stephen Burnett Gabriel’s Song, new review by Sierra Simopoulos Subscribe 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 our Only 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 month I’m hosting a fully public livestream: How to Sell a Sci-Fi Novel in Just Twenty-Five Easy Years Saturday, Jan. 31 6 p.m. Eastern (3 p.m. Pacific) exclusively in the Guild Future livestreams will be available for all Authorship members. Apart from livestreams, we’ll share this training in every room of the Authorship—from C.S. Lewis’s three-stage view of story-making, to creative challenges like the “Christian” label, to the thorny issue of whether fictional characters can curse. How will authors reach fans at the Book Festival? Lorehaven has spent years connecting authors not just with other authors, but with faithful readers. So the Authorship will also feature the Lorehaven Book Festival. Anyone in the free Guild can visit the Book Festival to browse virtual booths. Yet only members at the Pro Novelist level can host their own booth spaces. They can recruit readers, share links, or host Q&As—for any length of time. 3. How ‘terraformers’ can change this world What’s the state of the Christian fantastical world? We’d love to see more Christian-made novels in sci-fi and horror. As reality-observant persons, however, we must admit the truth. Teen/YA women’s fantasy continues to rule these worlds. A day may come when all subgenres live in harmony and success. But it is not this day. Bad publishers? No. Limited/quiet readership. Why do we need not just writers, but “terraformers”? To fulfill this future, we need spaces to help these genres grow. Lorehaven is generational. That’s why we call for terraforming. Maybe the Lord has blessed you with success you’d like to share. Or maybe you’re not a writer, but you want to support writers. You can become an Authorship Terraformer, sponsoring this work. (Only after supporting family, local church, and faithful groups!) How will the Authorship grow fantastical fiction? Our ultimate purpose: offer even more resources from Lorehaven. More library titles. More reviews. Digitally published book quests. Perhaps even more episodes of this very podcast, shared to all. Right now our main limitation is not willingness or skills, but time. Thank the Lord, Lorehaven is a sponsor-supported digital mission! Still, if He brought other supporters our way, we’d be glad to grow. Com station Top question for listeners If you write, which groups and mentors have helped you grow? Comment from @‌johnfollis2357 about episode 219: I am forever grateful to these people for putting this wonderful drama together. I won’t spoil it much here, but there is a part in Glorious Appearing that had me convicted of my sin and my need for a savior several years ago. And as a result, I was converted to Christianity. A follower of Jesus Christ. God saved me. And I did not do anything to earn it. It is all his doing. Next on Fantastical Truth Imagine, if you will, that Christian Author X creates a futuristic tale in which cyborg detectives explore the boundaries of good and evil. That seems cool. But how does that compare with, say, Christian Author Y’s fantasy story in which verses and prayer are like magic, people and place names are anagrams for virtues, and the king represents Jesus Christ? Many fine Christians get confused by Author X’s story but get impressed by Author Y’s story—because, after all, it’s allegory! Is this kind of allegory, however, really a more “Christian” kind of story?

“In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe 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. In summer 2024 we overviewed the series. Yet now we’ll ask how that first Left Behind novel has aged, thirty years after its release. Episode sponsors Of Dawn and Embers by Gillian Bronte Adams The Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli Cole Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update Review: Sons of Day and Night by Mariposa Aristeo Behold Our Top Most Anticipated New Books and Movies for 2026 New article releases this Thursday: Discern the Top Three Negative Evangelical Myths about Popular Culture Next week, Lord willing: we announce the Lorehaven Authorship Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes Fantastical Truth podcast series: Left Behind Legacy 216. Why Do Christians Fight Over End-Times Prophecies? | E. Stephen Burnett vs Zackary Russell 217. How Did Publishers Steward the Blockbuster Left Behind Series? | with Dan Balow 218. How Did The Kids Get Left Behind? | with Chris Fabry 219. How Did GAP Digital Turn Left Behind Into Cinematic Audio Drama? | with Todd Busteed 220. How Did the ‘Left Behind’ Kids Audio Drama Speed-Run the Tribulation? | with Darby Kern 221. How Did The Left Behind Series Enrapture Millions of Fans? | with Jerry B. Jenkins Other Lorehaven resources on the Left Behind series Lorehaven.com search keyphrase: LEFT BEHIND Left Behind (1995) in the Lorehaven Library From the archives, Stephen’s article series: Twelve Reasons the ‘Left Behind’ Series is Actually Awesome How to Make a ‘Left Behind’ Streaming Series That’s Actually Awesome, Daniel Whyte IV Secular endorsements of the Left Behind series “This is the most successful Christian fiction series ever.” ―Publishers Weekly “Combines Tom Clancy–like suspense with touches of romance, high-tech flash, and biblical references.” ―New York Times “Call it what you like, the Left Behind series . . . now has a label its creators could have never predicted: blockbuster success.” ―Entertainment Back cover of Left Behind, book 1, published in late 1995: A novel of the Earth’s last days. In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappear. Vehicles, suddenly unmanned, careen out of control. People are terror stricken as loved ones vanish before their eyes. In the midst of global chaos, airline captain Rayford Steele must search for his family, for answers, for truth. As devastating as the disappearances have been, the darkest days may lie ahead. 1. Left Behind proclaims gospel truth* Let’s start with the true. This book really wants to get you saved. It’s a product of deep Biblical Christian desires to redeem souls. Two authors (largely) make this work: the nonfiction author Tim LaHaye (The Act of Marriage) plus fiction author Jerry B. Jenkins. Both men, however, are evangelicals who want the gospel spread. So the novel shares a goal with others thriller based on possible futures: to tell a plot-driven story yet also provoke reader action. At times the threat of sin does feel lesser than that of Antichrist. All biblical Christians agree to repent and receive Jesus as Savior. Yet not all biblical Christians agree with “pray the sinner’s prayer.” And certainly only some Christians accept this end-times scenario. The late LaHaye, and Jenkins as well, would surely agree with this. Let readers, then, always discern what in the book is gospel truth and what are opinions (however deeply studied) about prophecy. 2. The story has unbelieving ‘good’ heroes Left Behind is underrated for this—its protagonists are good guys. Buck Williams has high ethics in his newsmagazine journalism. Rayford Steele has been (until now) a loving husband and father. Chloe Steele is a young college student free of remarkable sin. And finally, Bruce Barnes is a decent pastor at his local church. And yet … all these men lack Jesus, and they’re drifting into sin. The novel’s opening spells out the lurking evil in one man’s heart: “Rayford Steele’s mind was on a woman he’d never touched.” It seems that Rayford’s family-man decency only lasts so long. For the authors, then, the Rapture is as much a warning trumpet blast to his heart as it is a measure of mercy for existing Christians. Many fans reacted strongly to this theme. How could such good people, even a pastor at a church, be left out of any pre–Second Coming event? Weren’t they by all accounts decent people? Conversely, lest any Christians suppose unbelievers are all wanton sinners, Jenkins answers that no, we can root for these people. Even without the label, Left Behind shows common grace in action. Common grace can make you decent, but only Jesus will save you. 3. Left Behind stays functional and practical This novel is written, by design, to be as widely read as possible. Jerry B. Jenkins has spoken on this as the authors’ express goal. This isn’t literary fiction. Chapters are short. The style is simple. The original Left Behind is a rather thick book at 468 pages, but with large font face, wide margins, and lots of white space. All these invite as many readers as possible; this story is populist. Therefore, critics who fault the book for not meeting the goals they have migrated over from other books are revealing their ignorance or possibly elitism. Left Behind isn’t trying to be a timeless classic. In fact, many of the original moments quickly felt very timebound. Characters use dial-up modems; cell phones show up sporadically. Later revised versions updated the technology. Yet as Jerry B. Jenkins told us in 2024, he’s content to leave the series as it is. However, Left Behind also feels oddly distant from some moments. Rayford’s finding of his vanished family is an emotional high point. Other scenes, like a car bombing, get summarized at a distance. This creates plot accessibility, but not so much character access. With some exceptions, then, Left Behind values truth (and its own strong opinions) and goodness in substance over beauty in style. Again, this was likely by intention on the creators’ part. Sometimes what the prosaic style sacrifices for speed still creates deep emotions because the momentum draws in more readers. Later volumes, like book 6, delved deeper into emotional journeys. You feel (even in passing) the weight of hero deaths and struggles. Ultimately, Left Behind offered a different kind of beauty—brisk and efficient pro writing, repetition, and popular accessibility, all of which set a course for this runaway successful late-1990s series. Com station Top questions for listeners Do you expect the Rapture at any moment? Or some other event? What did you (or your parents?) think about the novel Left Behind? Email us [email protected] or tag as on the social medias. Mandi W. wrote in reply to an unspecified episode: So I am not really a sci-fi/dystopian reader, but follow LH/Enclave for my veracious teen readers. My shocking love was The Chaos Grid and Crier Stone books from Lindsey Llewellyn. Well done!!! I actually read them each in 1 sitting and stayed up WAY too late doing so. ;o) Lydia sent this about last week’s episode 294: Your point about sci-fi/fantastical exploration and dominion-taking being a huge part of our future in the new heavens & new earth reminds me of my favorite quote from Wayne Thomas Batson’s Door Within trilogy: the last chapter of the last book ends with the hero asking the God figure, the King, if there will be adventures in His kingdom. The King smiles and says, “More than you can possibly imagine.” That line changed my perspective on eternity completely. Several educational years later, I’m a postmillenial and eager for stories that can transcend time and inspire generations to take dominion of the world for Christ’s kingdom. Here’s to an increase of that in the years to come! Next on Fantastical Truth This podcast and other resources from Lorehaven focus on readers. That’s why, when aspiring writers send us questions like, Where can I find an agent? or Will you look at my unpublished manuscript?, we haven’t had much to share in that area. Until now. This month we launch the Lorehaven Authorship in the Lorehaven Guild on Discord. Let’s explore how these new digital discipleship channels, pro livestreams, and fan-focused Book Festival will help authors cultivate their God-given creative purpose.

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.