Why do I read Christian speculative fiction?
I’ve always loved stories. As a kid I would daydream about being the hero and saving the day. I created scenarios with my G.I. Joes and Star Wars figures, making up adventures where the good guys struggled and prevailed. I also grew up on superheroes and comic books. The idea of special abilities appealed to me, a boy who was usually the youngest and smallest in my classes. What if I had a power that no one could see?
Some people think that there’s no place for fantasy or science fiction with a Christian worldview. The idea of magic is conflated with the idea of the prohibition of witchcraft in the Old Testament. Science fiction could be construed as going against God’s plan. Why would we go to the stars if the rapture is coming soon?
I read all sorts of stories as long as they’re well-told, but I do particularly enjoy when I can read a well-written story from a Christian perspective or with that moral foundation to it. I believe that there can be a seamless blend of a Christian worldview along with exciting stories of far-flung lands or distant worlds.
Fantasy can offer a clear view of good and evil—or it can explore the greys and the challenges in staying pure. A story can have a theme of sacrifice or perseverance that enhances those Biblical ideals without getting preachy about it. I believe magic can be used in stories if the consequences are reflected as well. The Chronicles of Narnia use the idea of a Deeper Magic that reflects the underlying power of God in creation, something greater than the White Witch’s power.
Science fiction has long been able to offer a critique of society and its priorities. Classics like Fahrenheit 451 warn of a future where books are forbidden. Why can’t a Christian be able to use such settings to speak prophetic truth to a world in need of change?
I believe that as long as a work of fiction doesn’t glorify what the Bible calls evil, it can be used to reflect his light and truth, whether allegorically, directly, or indirectly. There is room for quality stories that echo Christian principles. I am convinced that there is a place and a need for these stories.
As C.S. Lewis so eloquently said, “I thought I saw how stories of this kind could steal past a certain inhibition which had paralyzed much of my own religion in childhood. Why did one find it so hard to feel as one was told one ought to feel about God or about the sufferings of Christ? I thought the chief reason was that one was told one ought to. An obligation to feel can freeze feelings. And reverence itself did harm. The whole subject was associated with lowered voices; almost as if it were something medical. But supposing that by casting all these things into an imaginary world, stripping them of their stained-glass and Sunday school associations, one could make them for the first time appear in their real potency? Could one not thus steal past those watchful dragons? I thought one could.”
So today I’m joining with other fans of Christian speculative fiction to celebrate the stories. There are some great resources out there to help you find and enjoy these type of tales.
I just will share two today. Enclave Publishing is the premier publisher of Christian speculative fiction, although other houses are producing great books too. Then check out Speculative Faith/Lorehaven for a great resource building community for fans.
I’m passionate about seeing these stories get wider awareness. Look on Twitter for the hashtag #SpecFicFaith to see more people posting about this. I’ll leave you with another classic quote from G.K. Chesterton: