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A Santa Claus Non-Believer Discovers Tolkien’s Father Christmas Letters

I’ve just discovered Tolkien’s Letters From Father Christmas. I found them charming–but they also got me thinking about truth, tradition, and stories. · Travis Perry

History as Fantasy: Netflix’s Barbarians Miniseries

This post reviews Netfix’s Barbarians–what was good and bad? How historical was it? What else is going on with this miniseries? · Travis Perry

Let’s Talk About Race and Racism. White Supremacy Versus “White Supremacy”

Some are using the term “White Supremacy” with a new meaning. This post explains why I don’t think that’s a good thing. · Travis Perry

There and Beowulf Again: Providence and Plot in Tolkien’s Hobbit

Beowulf is known as a pagan myth, but it was penned by a Christian writer. The Hobbit borrows from Beowulf and shows how Tolkien used mythology to show forth Christian truths. · Anthony G. Cirilla

Redeem Your Halloween

Answers in Genesis took a look at Halloween–this article looks over their idea that Halloween may originate in the Flood of Noah’s time. While I disagree, they did make statements about Halloween worthy of “holding fast to.” · Travis Perry

Is Responsibility for Art Limited to Temptations for People You Know Personally?

Does Christian liberty mean we can do whatever we want? Could it be that Christian responsibility goes being concerned about tempting a fellow believer we personally know to sin? · Travis Perry

A Case Study in Fictional Magic: Dawn Before the Dark

In Dawn Before the Dark, magic at first glance would seem to stem from gods other than the one Creator. How will this story world of a gender-based curse turn that apparent focus on magic on its head? How does this book link a strong story with a desire to honor God? · Travis Perry

Children Don’t Need Magic: A Response to Joshua Gibbs

Magic is fun in fiction, but children don’t actually need magic to experience the awe of the Creator. · Mark Carver

What Happened to All the Gods?

What does the Bible say about gods and goddesses, demons and devils, magic and spiritualists? Are the Nephilim important to the conversation? Are the gods still around, still important, even when they are mentioned less? · Travis Perry

Is Black Panther too Pagan for Christian Fans?

Fans can discern Black Panther’s mysticism to find a story that celebrates human heroism, royal beauty, and African culture. · Parker J. Cole

The Forest for the Trees

There is an eagerness in the human imagination to revere the “spirits of the forest.” · Mark Carver

Moana: The Gods Must Be Crazy

This is all fun and games from our enlightened, high-tech perch where we can say, “Aw, that’s cute. The native is praying to his ‘fire god.’ Adorable.” Yet it’s important to remember that these “adorable natives” prayed with as much devotion, if not more so, to their gods, elders, and ancestors as we do to the God of the Bible. · Mark Carver

The Power Of Ink

Tattoos have historically been associated with strength, aggression, power, status, rebellion, and tribal identity. · Mark Carver

Not So Sleepy After All

“Sleepy Hollow” left John W. Otte a little sleepy. And a little angry. Find out why in today’s post. · John Otte

More Thoughts on Science and Fiction

Is the phrase “Christian sci-fi” really an oxymoron? · Yvonne Anderson

More Thoughts About Science and Speculation

Depending on the version you read, the word “science” occurs twice in the Scriptures. In Daniel 1:4, the Babylonians sorted through the Jewish boys they’d taken captive, hoping to find some they could train in their own ways. They looked […] · Yvonne Anderson

Iconoclasm, Part 1

The Bible is full of fantastic imagery; how did the Reformation honor this? · Brian Godawa