/ New resources
/ SpecFaith / Topics: Controversies

The Strange Case Of Nicheolas Bartleby

He loves speculative stories. But deep down he doesn’t much care for actually sharing the joy in the best ways possible. · E. Stephen Burnett

Speculative Faith Reading Group 4: Reality and Narnia

Why did C.S. Lewis write about four children coming into the magical land of Narnia? Why not two, or three, or even one, in order to write a simpler story with a more-focused cast of characters? · E. Stephen Burnett

The Point And Purpose Of Reading Fiction

We frequently discuss whether or not we should expose ourselves to “gritty” stories about the garbage dump of life. Must we wallow in the mud, or can we choose instead to read stories that evoke truth and beauty? A tangential issue that might help with that question is this: are truthful stories beautiful (artistic) simply because of their truth? · Rebecca LuElla Miller

‘A Wrinkle In …’ Truth?

Despite its classic status, Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time” is kind of boring me. But are the author’s apparently universalist beliefs even more concerning? · E. Stephen Burnett

Teaching Story Transitions 1: Mediating Extremes

“Children, be sheltered.” “Parents, shelter your children.” But Biblically, what comes in between? Introducing Pastor Jared Moore’s new summer series. · Jared Moore

Speculative Faith Reading Group 2: Meeting Mr. Tumnus

Week 2 of the “Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” reading group. Goat-men, tree spirits, naked Greek gods, a drunk on a donkey, and an evil White Witch — how are these things in a classic story Christians love? · E. Stephen Burnett

Speculative Faith Reading Group 1: Entering The ‘Wardrobe’

This week I’m starting a reading group at my church for “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” You’re invited to join. How does this story honor God, and how can we learn from C.S. Lewis’s success at redeeming pagan myth for His glory? · E. Stephen Burnett

Define ‘Christian Speculative Story’

What is this thing called Christian speculative fiction? Readers and writers are still debating that question. How do you define it? Care to defend your definition? · E. Stephen Burnett

Stepping Stones & One Angry Lady

We can—and oftentimes should—examine speculative fiction ourselves. We should consider the good and the bad they offer. We should consider the lessons they teach and the journeys they take the reader on. And whatever our prayerful conclusions, we must acknowledge that the printed word is always a perfect springboard for discussion. · Shannon Dittemore

Beauty and Truth 4: The Chief End Of Story

I love story, yet recognize that Christians may give poor justifications for fiction. They may be good, but they’re second to the chief end of story: “Story’s chief end is to glorify God and help us enjoy Him forever.” · E. Stephen Burnett

Film Failures, Countering Cultures, and Story’s Power

Reflections on The Gospel Coalition’s recent series about Christian movies. Do we draw arbitrary, legalistic boundaries against story “preachiness”? Do we fear the evil “Christian” label just as others have feared the evil culture? · E. Stephen Burnett

Beauty and Truth 3: The Chief End Of Man

Story critics charge that Christians should do “more important things” than enjoy fiction. But a famous Biblical truth reflected in the Westminster Shorter Catechism begins to challenge that notion. · E. Stephen Burnett

Done To Death: Getting It Right

Last time, I wrote about the reason why I don’t think it’s a good idea to write “milk” in Christian fiction. And I also promised to talk about some books that I think “got it right,” so to speak. So here we go. · John Otte

In Case You Were Wondering

Piggybacking on Becky’s poll, here’s a summary of the current top 10 Christian fiction bestsellers compiled by the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) and Amazon.com as of about 2 pm CDT today. · Fred Warren

No Such Thing As Miracles

Author Athol Dickson: “Magical realism presents the supernatural as a matter of fact, almost as an everyday event, much as science fiction does. But like pure fantasy, magical realism refuses to explain itself.” · Athol Dickson

Beauty and Truth 2: The Criticism Of Story

We can say nothing is wrong with stories. But what if someone asks what’s right about them? Don’t Christians have a more important mission than enjoying or defending fiction? · E. Stephen Burnett

Imagine There’s No Christian SF Writing Blogs

Either my perception is limited or magnified, or Christian-speculative-fiction blogs really are overly focused on writers. Shouldn’t the ratios of writers’ and readers’ material be reversed? · E. Stephen Burnett

Rearranging Icons 6: Images Of Man

Just as Christ wants us, His “icons,” to exalt the Father and be one with Him as He and the Father are One, so we may want to “exalt” iconic characters who reflect us. Which iconic characters are your favorites, and why? · E. Stephen Burnett

Rearranging Icons 5: In The Eye Of The Beholder

I’m more interested in the idea that readers can have a richer reading experience and writers can tell richer, deeper stories if they understand how this works. · Fred Warren

Rearranging Icons 4: Characters Becoming Icons

For every Christian, icons are inevitable. But they must show a process of redemption. Christ the “Icon” of the Father underwent suffering. So should we, as we image Him, and so should art and story characters, which image us. · E. Stephen Burnett
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 31
  6. 32
  7. 33
  8. 34
  9. 35
  10. 36
  11. 37
  12. ...
  13. 44