New!
Author resources • Lorehaven Guild
Podcast sponsors • Subscribe for free
Crew manifest Faith statement FAQs
All author resources Lorehaven Guild Subscribe for free

The Chase
Book Quests, Apr 1, 2023

Once Upon a Ren Faire
Reviews, Mar 31, 2023

How to Disciple Your Kids With Dangerous Books
Ticia Messing in Articles, Mar 30, 2023

Library

Find fantastical Christian novels

fantasy · sci-fi · and beyond
middle grade · teens + YA · adults
All novels Search Add a novel
Enhanced, Candace Kade
Bear Knight, James R. Hannibal
The Wayward, Tabitha Caplinger
Fortified, V. Romas Burton
Canaan Sleeps, Daniel Camomile
Silver Bounty, Victoria McCombs
A Sword for the Immerland King, F. W. Faller
Calor, J. J. Fisher
Once Upon A Ren Faire, A. C. Castillo
The Genesis 6 Project, Michael Ferguson
Exile, Loren G. Warnemuende
Aberration, Cathy McCrumb
The Truth Beyond the Lies, Kathleen Bird
Frost, Winter's Lonely Guardian, E. E. Rawls
Podcast

Get the Fantastical Truth podcast

Podcast sponsors | Subscribe links
Archives Feedback

155. How Might Sentimentalism Threaten Christian Fiction?
Fantastical Truth, Mar 28, 2023

154. What If You Had to Fake Being Genetically Modified? | Enhanced with Candace Kade
Fantastical Truth, Mar 21, 2023

153. When Can Deconstructionism Threaten Christian Fiction? | with Michael Young aka ‘Wokal Distance’
Fantastical Truth, Mar 14, 2023

152. How Can Christian Fantasy Fans Heal from Church Trauma? | with Marian Jacobs and L. G. McCary
Fantastical Truth, Mar 7, 2023

151. How Can Fantastical Satire Sharpen Our Theology? | The Pilgrim’s Progress Reloaded with David Umstattd
Fantastical Truth, Feb 28, 2023

150. Is the U.S. Government Covering Up Spy Balloons or Alien Spaceships? | with James R. Hannibal
Fantastical Truth, Feb 21, 2023

Quests

Join our monthly digital book quests.

Lorehaven Guild Faith statement FAQs
Reviews

Find fantastical Christian reviews

All reviews Request review
Gifts

Find new gifts for Christian fans

Archives

The original SpecFaith: est. 2006

Speculative Faith | archives

Lorehaven issues (2018–2020)

Order back issues online!
New
Library
Podcast
Quests
Reviews
Gifts
Archives
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.
Subscribe free to Lorehaven
/ SpecFaith /

Tales Of Love and Sacrifice

We all know how much Clara means to the Doctor. He loves her in a protective, fatherly way.
Zac Totah on Jul 19, 2016
2 comments

“I’m the Doctor and I save people.”

This has been a favorite line of Peter Capaldi’s 12th regeneration Doctor.

By Whovian standards, I haven’t watched a ton of Doctor Who (I beg forgiveness, as I’m slowly getting there), but from what I’ve seen so far, the Doctor is a unique character.

You might be thinking, “Duh! He’s the Doctor,” but one aspect of his character is particularly intriguing. His inclination toward peacefulness. Sure, he’s not above battling his enemies in spectacular displays, or offering threats to anyone who endangers his friends.

But he’s not a warrior. As a wise Gallifreyan said, “Words are his weapons.”

Words, a screwdriver (or sunglasses), and enough love for his companions to overflow his two hearts.

Capaldi’s Doctor in particular would rather save than destroy, as shown by his mantra. It’s his ultimate goal, one that took a gripping turn in an alien alley hidden from the human world.

I’ve been catching up on Series 9, and wow. Face the Raven, Heaven Sent, and Hell Bent make for an incredible trio. Eye-popping, heart-wrenching sort of incredible.

*SPOILERS AHEAD FOR AFOREMENTIONED EPISODES*

We all know how much Clara means to the Doctor. They’re an inseparable, whimsical duo. Their different personalities blend in a perfect combination of jovial interaction. The Doctor loves Clara in a protective, fatherly way. Face the Raven brings this love to the forefront as the Doctor faces the reality of losing Clara. He loathes the thought of letting her go, of having her disappear from his life for good.

Her death deeply wounds him, as evidenced by his ensuing anger toward Ashildr. Anger from the one who saves people.

A Story of Love (Not a Love Story)

Image from tardis.wikia.com

Image from tardis.wikia.com

The next two episodes reveal the full picture in a haunting display. At the head of the class is the Doctor’s unbending desire to save Clara, even if it’s impossible. Through Heaven Sent, the curtain slowly pulls back. The result? A tale of love so deep it can’t help but send chills through you.

Enduring billions of years, living the same futile sequence over and over, for the chance to save one person? Dedication on a mind-numbing scale.

All those years, enfolded in an endless cycle of agony. No wonder Clara’s reaction is so potent when she learns what the Doctor endured to reach a point where he could rescue her.

Who couldn’t help but be moved to tears at the thought?

A Story of Greater Love

In another tale told, one that strikes much closer to home, another sacrifice was made. In a land under Roman rule. By a simple carpenter who willingly suffered unknowable agony. Out of love for his chosen, his “companions.”

Even more startling is the fact that those same people were once enemies. In Whovian terms, we were to God what Ashildr was to the Doctor. Despicable. Unworthy. Deserving punishment (though of course God acts in perfect justice, while the Doctor was motivated by a wrongful need for vengeance.)

It makes you want to shake your head in wonder and ask, “How is this possible?”

That’s the point. The reason why it’s called amazing grace.

The Doctor and Clara were close friends, and we know, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 ESV)

Though the Doctor didn’t die in the ultimate sense, he died many times. The story of his sacrifice points, intentionally or not, to the story of the greatest sacrifice in all time and space.

Those three episodes left me in an emotional wreck, in a good way. Such is the beauty and power of stories, that through their telling, they can shine light on life’s profound truths.

What stories have presented glimmers of Truth in a way that caught your attention?

Zac Totah
Ads manager 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.
Website · Facebook · Twitter
  1. Sparksofember says:
    July 19, 2016 at 9:55 am

    I haven’t gotten around to watching Dr Who yet but this makes me even more interested than I already was.

    Reply
  2. Lisa says:
    July 19, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    Ah, the Doctor! There are have been so many good “sacrifice” stories over the years in the show, but I agree, Through Heaven Sent was probably one of the most poignant and heart-wrenching. Although it echoes Rory’s devotion to Amy over the centuries, too. I have been a Doctor Who fan from the early 80s when I first saw it….and now my kids love it too.

    Reply

What do you think? Cancel reply

  • Doctor WhoWhy Does 'Doctor Who' Need A Gay Companion?
  • Fourth ‘Doctor’ Season Brings New Alien Agendas, Part 2Fourth ‘Doctor’ Season Brings New Alien Agendas, Part 2
  • The Doctor's Doctrines: Discussion TimeThe Doctor's Doctrines: Discussion Time
  • The Surprising Delight Of Sudden GeekinessThe Surprising Delight Of Sudden Geekiness
Lorehaven magazine, spring 2020

Wear the wonder:
Get exclusive shirts and beyond

Listen to Lorehaven’s podcast

Authors and publishers:
Reach new fans with Lorehaven

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.
Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter