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Lorehaven helps Christian fans explore fantastical stories for Christ’s glory: fantasy, science fiction, and beyond. Articles, the library, reviews, podcasts, gifts, and the Lorehaven Guild community help fans discern and enjoy the best Christian-made fantastical stories, applying their meanings to the real world Jesus Christ calls us to serve. Subscribe free to get any updates you choose and to access the Lorehaven Guild.
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A Pilgrim’s Progress Through Entertainment

A journey through the land of entertainment.
Zac Totah on Mar 7, 2017
4 comments

As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a Den, and I laid me down in that place to sleep: and, as I slept, I dreamed a dream.

And in that dream, I happened upon a broad land, glittering with buildings, where money grew on trees and the streets were paved with rainbow-colored stones. And the name of that land was Entertainment.

Curious, I turned aside to see what things it contained.

Image from thehungergames.wikia.com

Not far on my way, I passed a building in the shape of an enormous saucer, with the words U.S.S. Enterprise branded across its front. I went in and beheld a giant screen. Upon the screen played scenes featuring Captain James Kirk and the presence of attractive women who were always conveniently underdressed.

Leaving that place, I went on. Soon, a market opened on my left, full of color and noise and excitement. A crowd cheered. I jostled my way to the front and beheld a teenage girl—the Mockingjay they called her. And on either side, two handsome fellows each vying for her attention. Each of them garnered kisses to the delight of the crowd.

Perturbed, I continued my journey. Before long a white-haired man in a flowing cloak accosted me, waving a wand and mumbling some spell. Yet it had no effect, and I left him behind.

The road took a sudden turn between two high buildings. Just beyond, a dazzling display caught my eye. A giant cardboard cutout in the likeness of a man in a business suit and sunglasses. Bolded letters declared him as “Genius billionaire playboy philanthropist.”

As I stared, a tramp of feet shook the ground. I jumped aside as a procession filed past. Cloaked and hooded, they held aloft swords that seemed to gleam life fiery rods of varying colors. A chant came from their lips: “Trust the Force. Trust the Force.”

Further on, my path veered down a dark alley. Groans reached me from the shadows, and for a fleeting moment I beheld, perched on a ledge high above, a silent guardian, a dark knight. One who struck fear into hearts and whose shadow cast destruction. Wondering at this, I hastened on.

I passed booths packed with every fare imaginable: a man who delved too deep into dreams, a wicked witch who reigned in frosty whiteness, a team appointed to save the world. The clamor and gaudy displays crowded upon me. I quickened my step.

Image from disney.wikia.com

And all the vanities and offerings flowed like a stream demanding my attention. Such was the glut of the enticements in the land I traversed.

Lastly, I came upon a magnificent theater with flashy lights and a cheery tune emitting from within. I entered and saw a movie. One man stood out, wearing a rainbow crown upon his head. And his name proclaimed him as the fool.

At last I departed from that strange place, and as I did, a thousand voices crashed upon my hearing. Sighing, shouting, complaining, worrying, and a hundred others.

Startled, I awoke with a cry.

As I sat, I perceived a meaning to my dream. A warning to be alert, to look all around me and discern what the land offered, whether hidden in the shadows or celebrated in the light. And yet also a reassurance that I need not live in utter fear or rejection of those things, for what ultimate sway did they hold upon me?

Furthermore, I realized the advantage of my time spent in that land. For now I was equipped with knowledge of the things therein and could distinguish the immoral from the upright.

Thus ended my journey.

How do you think Christians should respond to “questionable” content or themes?

Zac Totah
Zachary Totah writes speculative fiction stories. This allows him to roam through his imagination, where he has illegal amounts of fun creating worlds and characters to populate them. When not working on stories or wading through schoolwork, he enjoys playing sports, hanging out with his family and friends, watching movies, and reading. He lives in Colorado and doesn't drink coffee. He loves connecting with other readers and writers. Find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Plus, Goodreads, and at his website.
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  1. Karisa Noble says:
    March 7, 2017 at 12:24 pm

    Wow. Such a timely reminder to be alert, yet not fearful. Such a creative and enthralling medium using the Pilgrim’s progress style. A post well done.

    Reply
    • Zac Totah says:
      March 13, 2017 at 10:00 pm

      Thank you, Karisa. I’m glad you appreciated it.

      Reply
  2. Audie says:
    March 8, 2017 at 12:48 am

    Intriguing take on entertainment.

    How should we respond to “questionable” content?

    I suppose a lot of it will depend on the individual. There are things I might have no problem watching or reading, but others would have problems with them, and vice versa. On the other hand, there does seem to be some kind of line, when some forms of entertainment simply become wrong in themselves. For example, I’m don’t get queasy much at violence in movies, such as what is in Logan, but I have no desire to see things like the Saw movies, where the violence and gore seem to be there more for a kind of titillation than any real storytelling purpose.

    Reply
    • Zac Totah says:
      March 13, 2017 at 10:04 pm

      Yep, agreed, Audie. It’s a complicated topic that most often needs to account for individual tastes, preferences, etc. Everyone’s going to draw the line in a different place, so except for certain cases (porn equivalent stuff for example), it’s best not to bash each other over the head with the “my way is right” mentality.

      Reply

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Lorehaven helps Christian fans explore fantastical stories for Christ’s glory: fantasy, science fiction, and beyond. Articles, the library, reviews, podcasts, gifts, and the Lorehaven Guild community help fans discern and enjoy the best Christian-made fantastical stories, applying their meanings to the real world Jesus Christ calls us to serve. Subscribe free to get any updates you choose and to access the Lorehaven Guild.
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