Home

Explore the best Christian fantasy.

articles | news | library | reviews | podcast
Advertise Seek Review Questions?

‘One Piece’ Manga Reaches Chapter 1000: How Did This Pirate Become King?
Articles | L. Jagi Lamplighter, Jan 20, 2021

To Shape a Story is to Shape a Soul
Articles | L.G. McCary, Jan 18, 2021

Author Ted Turnau Finds The Hidden Grace of Pixar’s ‘Soul’
News | E. Stephen Burnett, Jan 15, 2021

Introducing Thriller Novelist and New Lorehaven Writer L. G. McCary
News | Lorehaven, Jan 15, 2021

Join Our Jan. 21 Livestream: How Can We ‘Terraform’ the Church to Enjoy Fantastic Fiction?
News | Lorehaven, Jan 14, 2021

How Political Punditry Has Taken Over Christian Popular Subcultures
Articles | E. Stephen Burnett, Jan 14, 2021

TheOneRing.net Reveals Synopsis for Amazon’s Middle-Earth Streaming Series
News | E. Stephen Burnett, Jan 13, 2021

One Month Left Until the Realm Makers Virtual Retreat, Feb. 11–13
News | E. Stephen Burnett, Jan 11, 2021

Thomas Kinkade Studios Now Making ‘The Mandalorian’ Products
News | E. Stephen Burnett, Jan 8, 2021

Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ Collides with Itself
Articles | Josh Hugo, Jan 8, 2021

Library

Find fantastical Christian novels

fantasy | sci-fi | supernatural and beyond
All novels Search Add a novel
Explore all: Middle-grade books | Young-adult books | Adult books
Seed: Judgment, Joshua David
The Rooster and the Raven King, John Paul Tucker
Brimstone 1, Jasom William Karpf
The Horse Queen, Lavay Byrd
King of Aethon, Lavay Byrd
Tales of Elhaanai, Nicole Thomas
Still Small Voice, Allen Brokken
The Guardian, Lavay Byrd
Salvare's Mountain, D. P. Rowell
Fear No Evil, Allen Brokken
Love Costs, E. B. Roshan
Power Unimaginable, Michael J. Harvey
Kingdom Above the Cloud, Maggie Platt
Nomad, R. J. Anderson
Reviews

Find fantastical Christian reviews

All reviews Request review Share review

Flight of the Raven
“Exciting twists make Morgan L. Busse’s Flight of the Raven, book 2 of the Ravenwood Saga, a very enjoyable read.” —Lorehaven

The Eternal Struggle
“Esther Wallace’s novel The Eternal Struggle forms a dark sequel that brings hero and heroine into close fellowship with loss and brutality.” —Lorehaven

Dark is the Night
“Mirriam Neal’s vampire novel Dark is the Night keeps the punches and the fangs rolling.” —Lorehaven

Blood and Bond
“This book is brilliant and engaging, expanding on the series’ world and characters while building its own plot.” —Lorehaven

Podcast

Get the Fantastical Truth podcast

Apple | Google | All subscribe links
Archives Feedback

48. What Were the Top Seven Issues for Lorehaven Readers in 2020?
Fantastical Truth, Jan 19, 2021

47. Why Do Some People Long for Escape to a Galactic Community?
Fantastical Truth, Jan 12, 2021

46. Ten Years Later, Why Did ‘Dawn Treader’ Sink the Narnia Movies? | with Rilian of NarniaWeb
Fantastical Truth, Dec 22, 2020

45. How Can a Wingless Piskey Learn to Fly? | The Flight and Flame Trilogy, with R. J. Anderson
Fantastical Truth, Dec 15, 2020

Webzine

Browse back issues (2018–2020)

Order back issues online!
SpecFaith

The original SpecFaith: est. 2006

site archives | statement of faith
New articles Questions? Pitch to us

What Tolkien Taught About Fighting Evil
Travis Perry, Jan 21

The Messages of Black Horror Films
Parker J. Cole, Jan 20

The Worldview of Biocentrism–You Are One With The Force
Travis Perry, Jan 14

Who Can Put a Price on Daring Love, Loyalty, and Swordsmanship?
Azalea Dabill, Jan 12

Beyond

Find more from Christian creators

Order the book! E. Stephen Burnett

Get exclusive shirts and beyond
in the Lorehaven store

Explore the book The Pop Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ

Does ‘Engaging Popular Culture’ Include Right-Wing Talk Radio?
E. Stephen Burnett, Oct 9

Join My Livestream This Thursday: Seven Ways to Find Truth in Fantastic Stories
E. Stephen Burnett, Oct 6

Home
Library
Reviews
Podcast
Webzine
SpecFaith
Store
Beyond Edit content
Lorehaven serves Christian fans by finding the best of Christian fantasy. Our free webzine, an online library, positive reviews, a thriving blog and community, and weekly podcast episodes help fans explore fantasy, science fiction, and other fantastical genres for the glory of Jesus Christ.
Subscribe free to Lorehaven
/ Articles

Why Read Fantasy? The Power Of World Building

Every believer who reads fantasy has heard objections. Some of them have been ably handled by others on this blog. Yet you know something deep stirs in you when you read about dragons and fairies and other worlds where battles are fought and wrongs are righted. Maybe, though you’re not sure how to explain your reading choices when presented with these statements.
Jill Richardson on Nov 21, 2014 | 3 comments |

Hobbits_You_Spiritual_World_coverWhy read fantasy? Isn’t it escapism? Shouldn’t a Christian be more concerned with this world, rather than spending time reading about things that aren’t even real?

Every believer who reads fantasy has heard these, and other, objections. Some of them have been ably handled by others on this blog. Yet you know something deep stirs in you when you read about dragons and fairies and other worlds where battles are fought and wrongs are righted. Maybe, though you’re not sure how to explain your reading choices when presented with these statements.

Perhaps that “something deep” is a response to fantasy’s ability to tell a story that can be our own—a story that reflects serious theology, beliefs, and values in its pages.

What is the purpose of reading (and writing) fantasy? Here are at least four.

To combat unbelief and cynicism

One hallmark of the Millennial generation is cynicism. (I’m not labeling—they freely admit to this.) Constantly courted by ads and pollsters, this generation is wary of being marketed to, and distrust is their default. This has its good and bad points.

Author Terry Pratchett explains:

For most of the latter part of the 20th century, writers have responded to a sense of alienation and existential angst by focusing on the grim, the grungy and the grotesque. It should come as no surprise then, that heroic fantasy fiction has had a slow, inexorable rise in both popularity and critical recognition.

Fantasy, with its emphasis on heroes and battles for good, enters that cynical atmosphere with a new conversation. Maybe, there is such a thing as a hero who isn’t self-serving. Maybe there is, as Sam argues, good in this world worth fighting for. For a Christian reader, this is an antidote to cynicism as it calls us back to a theology of real right and wrong and sacrificial action. Fantasy can bring Christian beliefs into the secular discussion more effectively than any Christian living book because it’s a common language with those who don’t believe.

Even a lowly Hobbit can change the course of the world by destroying the Ring. That is the appeal of the tolkienesque fantasy. In our modern world where politicians prove corrupt, large corporations rip off consumers and terrorists kill ordinary people going about their daily lives, the traditional quest fantasy provides an antidote to cynicism. (Rowena Cory Daniells)

To bring hope

Fantasy is hardly escapist, when you think about it. Awful stuff happens. Hundreds die on Pelennor Fields. Hermione must choose to lose her parents forever. Thorin and both his heirs die.

But in the end, life goes on. The hero wins. Though what has happened won’t be forgotten, there is a sense that it was not for nothing—good did triumph. Life will be better.

Kate Forsyth tells us,

Fantasy does not deny or diminish the existence of sorrow and pain, as so many people seem to think. The possibility of failure is absolutely necessary for the ‘piercing sense of joy’ one feels when victory is finally and with difficulty won. Fairy-tales all offer the hope that a happy ending is possible—and we need to believe this. Fantasy denies ultimate despair. It holds out the hope for a better world and signposts the way.

The reader who gives up on hope gives up on faith. (“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11.1) The reader of faith understands that the offer of hope in fantasy does indeed signpost the way to a larger discussion of hope and its real-ness. Is there a selfless hero in this world who powerfully proves that, even while awful stuff like Ebola and ISIS and hunger and human trafficking happen, a better world is possible? Yes—the One who defeated death and gave us the keys to drive his kingdom forward in our frightening world.

To give us weapons for our own battles

Life is tough—but then we see the intelligence of Bilbo, the quickness of Pippin (who has ADHD all over him), the courage of tiny Merry, the loyalty of Sam, the calm wisdom of Hermione, the persistence of Harry. With that sight? We realize that those are tools accessible to us. Every day.

It’s easy to say that we don’t fight epic battles, but it is also untrue. We fight the most epic of all—the one against the powers of darkness. When we see the unlikeliest of heroes prevail, we are more apt to trust in the words of Paul (1 Corinthians 1.27) that God “chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” Fantasy heroes, flawed but willing, can help bolster our own willingness and faith for challenge.

To show the world as it was/is meant to be

Tolkien famously defended fantasy by saying that there is nothing wrong with a prisoner who wishes to escape his prison. By that argument, this fallen world is our prison, and looking elsewhere for a portrait of what our world was meant to be is the most normal, sane thing one can do.

I coined the word ‘eucatastrophe’ (good destruction): the sudden happy turn in a story which pierces you with a joy that brings tears. It produces its peculiar effect because it is a sudden glimpse of Truth, your whole (chained) nature feels a sudden relief as if a limb out of joint had suddenly snapped back. It perceives that this is indeed how things really do work in the Great World for which our nature is made. (J.R.R. Tolkien)

Against all odds, good, love, and peace win. The underdog triumphs. Is this escape? Or is it the Kingdom as God created it and as Jesus came to return to us? Good fantasy brings us back to the Garden and invites us to participate in the renewal of what was always meant to be.

– – – – –

Jill_Richardson_author_pic
Jill’s love for hobbits and elves comes from her time as a literature teacher and as a lifelong reader of great stories. She also loves an epic challenge and a chance for grace wherever they exist. Jill is Pastor of Discipleship at Resolution Church in Illinois. She is the author of the young adult devotional Hobbits, You, and the Spiritual World.

Learn more about Jill at her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Jill Richardson
Jill's love for hobbits and elves comes from her time as a literature teacher and as a lifelong reader of great stories. She also loves an epic challenge and a chance for grace wherever they exist. Jill is Pastor of Discipleship at Resolution Church in Illinois. She is the author of the young adult devotional Hobbits, You, and the Spiritual World. Learn more about Jill at her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+
Website |
  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Print
  • Pocket
  • WhatsApp
  1. Pam Halter says:
    November 21, 2014 at 8:18 am

    Jill, your post makes me want to weep with joy! You have totally nailed why I love fantasy so much. Thank you! And really, God is the most creative, fantastical Being of all, right? And we want to be like Him in so many ways. Soli Deo Gloria!

    Reply
    • Jill Richardson says:
      November 21, 2014 at 9:31 pm

      Thank you, Pam. You just made my day with your joy! Yes, God created not only an amazing, beyond belief world, but He “wrote” the greatest love story ever.

      Reply
  2. Becky says:
    November 28, 2014 at 11:27 pm

    I’ve always been a little ashamed to admit to my peers that, in our world of “it has to be dark and depressing to be realistic”, I still prefer stories with happy endings. This post reassured me that there is nothing wrong with that.

    Reply

What do you think? Cancel reply

  • ‘The Hobbit’ Story Group 10: A Warm Welcome‘The Hobbit’ Story Group 10: A Warm Welcome
  • On Tolkien’s ‘Letters From Father Christmas’On Tolkien’s ‘Letters From Father Christmas’
  • ‘The Hobbit’ Story Group 4: Over Hill and Under Hill‘The Hobbit’ Story Group 4: Over Hill and Under Hill
  • Fantasy: Where To Go Next?Fantasy: Where To Go Next?
Lorehaven magazine, winter 2020

Wear the wonder:
Get exclusive shirts and beyond

Listen to Lorehaven’s podcast

Authors: Reach new fans with Lorehaven