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Theology and Heroes-Shaping Our Stories By What We Believe

To add to our enjoyment of a good story, we have the excitement of holding it up transparently before the Story of God and finding its parallels and tangents. · Jill Richardson

Fiction Christians From Another Planet! VIII: The Invisible Body

Why do some Christian novels treat local churches like they treat characters going to the bathroom? Why in effect say “ew” to the body of Christ? · E. Stephen Burnett

‘The Hobbit’ Story Group 3: A Short Rest

Do your fantasy-world Elves sing “tra-la-la-lally” from treetops? J.R.R. Tolkien’s do. And he entreats us to meet these unique Middle-earth residents in “The Hobbit,” chapter 3. · E. Stephen Burnett

Reading Is Worship 12: Desiring God As Fantasy Fans

As we come to the end(?) of this series, I’m curious: How is your God-glorifying, worshipful, speculative-story “singing” voice? What fantastic fiction have you read, seen, or heard that moved you to worship the Author? · E. Stephen Burnett

Speculative Politics 4: Rebuttal By Marc Schooley

In this series conclusion, Marc Schooley says Christians should be political “Hobbits,” and defends his views with Scripture and support from fiction. · Marc Schooley

‘Hobbit’ Film Hopes: An Unexpected Journey

Much has changed since my last “The Hobbit” update after the teaser released in December. Now with the new trailer’s release, what are your thoughts, hopes, and predictions for “The Hobbit” film series? · E. Stephen Burnett

Lord Of The Fantasies: Beyond The Swordfights

In “The Lord of the Rings” films, elf-maiden Arwen almost joined the fight at Helm’s Deep, and King Aragorn almost dueled the dark lord Sauron. But the movie-makers chose otherwise. How come, and how does this show truly rare heroism? · E. Stephen Burnett

Lord Of The Fantasies: The Nature Of Men

Changes made from book-Faramir to film-Faramir, from “The Lord of the Rings,” reflect two approaches of showing human nature. Stories should reflect both: our bent toward sin and corruption, and our capacity to do good and act with nobility. · E. Stephen Burnett

Lord Of The Fantasies: Beholding Middle-earth

Because I first read “The Fellowship of the Ring” only days before seeing the film version, I did not have time to form interpretations of characters, or expectations. Thus, the film blew me away, no disappointments. But how might I have been disadvantaged? · E. Stephen Burnett

Jesus Christ: Return Of The Warrior-King

Our stories may rightly emphasize Jesus the humble sacrifice for sin. But less often do our creations also explore Christ the conquering warrior. · A. T. Ross

Writing and World-building Bit By Bit

A finished novel, especially if it’s published, lends credibility and worth to the entire plodding process. But in the middle of the process, especially if the novel isn’t guaranteed fame or publication — isn’t it difficult to see the point? · E. Stephen Burnett

Salvaging Scripture For Our Own Story Parts

If human authors’ intentions and genre guidelines are worth respect from readers, then surely God as Author, His intentions and reading Scripture rightly, are all worth even more. Yet some novels’ flagrant misuse of Scripture and Biblical concepts, using only scraps of it to fit sporadically into another story, is dubious. · E. Stephen Burnett

How Do We Love A Fiction Legalist? Part 3

Three ways to love a fiction “legalist” — that is, a Christian who opposes fantasy or fiction, or more often simply considers them pointless, useless and unnecessary to Godward growth. · E. Stephen Burnett
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