Christians and Fantasy Fiction (David Grubbs)

[@barbecuekat]

A good word. I am writing a fantasy series right now about Seraphim and I came to the same conclusion about Tolkien - which gave me a lot of encouragement! Blessings, Michael

[@glacia15]

I'm a fantasy writer and a Christian and i have to be careful with what I write about because kids will pick up stuff that isn't always good. But I always tell people you can find God in most fiction and fantasy you just have to be looking and teach your kids how to look. I use Harry Potter for this where I do condemn the use of witchcraft and such there is also good things to it, friendships, loyalty, love, sacrifice, courage. But it all based on you, if you feel a book is not right for you then don't read it. I have things I don't read. Parents teach your kids discernment before introducing them to fantasy or really anything and kids listen to your parents they may not know everything but they know more than you.

[@bailujen8052]

It is better off to make an original story with those good messages based off Harry Potter

[@alexandrubighiu7637]

@glacia15 I want to be sure I understand what you say. For example when I stopped cursing and played the recent God of war game, where is cursing, when they cursed I felt something weird, an unpleasant feeling. That's what you mean with magic?

[@glacia15]

@@alexandrubighiu7637 yes that's exactly what I mean!

[@warriorofthelord4142]

@@alexandrubighiu7637Sometimes you must suck it up. The reason why you feel like that is because you hate evil and and you should feel it because it will always remind you to not think it is good however you suck it up for good that is in game except if game is more Darkness than Light

[@chrisflight5101]

What was said makes a lot of sense. Thank you for your perspective.

[@michaelbowie3269]

As Christian writer, I like to science fiction.

[@bailujen8052]

As long as it glorifies God, it’s fine

[@omnijonn277]

Write your heart desire but go to god about it

[@kenacnud]

Thanks for sharing these ideas! I feel that fantasy can be ennobling in a way that realistic fiction isn't, especially when a lot of realistic fiction is atheist and tends to be negative instead of uplifting. God has a miraculous, amazing plan for us, not something mundane.

[@hotaruishere2133]

Just like anything else, you have to take it in moderation. You have to "enjoy it" responsibly. I want to be the next C.S. Lewis/J.R.R. Tolkien someday, especially in the aspect of Christian based fantasy fiction. There is definitely a way to do it, especially when you want to make it in ORDER to glorify God. I feel like fantasy stories are a really good way to get people to potentially hear The Message because fantasy in general as a genre can be a safe space where the reader is familiar with the subject and feels safe and secure. There is more to be learned about the notion though, that's for sure.

[@suzettehopkins5734]

I have also read that people are more open to messages in fantasy and sci fi then if you came right out and pointed out to them. Look at some of the issues the original Star trek brought up. I am also writing a fantasy book but our good characters have abilities they are born with instead of dabbling in magic which the evil side does.

[@bailujen8052]

They don’t have to be born with abilities, they would have been miraculously given by the pantheon’s most high I havent explained this in my stories, there are 12 children throughout a small portion of the world, they are given markings and powers. Their purpose on why they have markings is to defend the world from sorcerers and living idols

[@JebberGamingJaws]

Awesome video, thank you. I grew up in a very conservative environment where fantasy was definitely not OK. As a 30 year old now, I have been able to catch up quite a bit, thank God! 😂

[@bailujen8052]

If you still care about the faith in Christ the most, write it like a fantasy parable which has Godly messages. Pinnochio is one of those besides Narnia and Lord of the rings

[@mariabullock8858]

My mother shamed me because I'm working on a fantasy novella where a demon contemplates salvation, leaves hell and falls in love with an angel. I like what you said. No one likes to feel like their owe salvation is in jeapordy.

[@DemiRurge]

@Elie Mulamba why should this give glory to God? Has God deserved to earn this glory?

[@beibei2321]

@@DemiRurge if you are Christian, Yes

[@DemiRurge]

@@beibei2321 but I am not. So no, he doesn't deserve it

[@beibei2321]

@@DemiRurge so this video isn't for you damn ass it's about Christians.

[@DemiRurge]

@@beibei2321 Well if christians can write stupid comments under scientific videos, then atheists can write stupid comments too under christian/religions videos too

[@Elvengem]

Tolkien wizards that are good have natural supernatural powers and so they are wizard angels,whereas sorcerers and nongodly wizards are those who study magic arts and went against the teaching of God ,as they were idolizing their own power or some other beings and seeking their powers or help.

[@justinspearlord]

What if the fantasy/sci-fi book says that there is no GOD, or tries to imitate and twist his nature? Isn’t that then speaking agains GOD? And what about magic or the good wizard in fantasy stories? Isn’t that against GOD because he speaks against the practice of magic, and now the fantasy stories are saying the the magic users are the good guys!?

[@walterrf]

Exactly. Sadly, people just blindly keep defending these things. The problem with fantasy is that it calls evil good (magic and sorcery is evil, but it is called good in fantasy). God says woe unto them that do that in Isaiah 5:20. Also, this thing about man being made in the image of God and hence can create worlds by their words. I get what he's saying, but there is potential to take that too far, and if we do, it becomes blasphemous and results in word of faith doctrine at best and equating ourselves to God at worst. Finally, all this about learning so much from fantasy, etc. There is enough in the scriptures to learn for a lifetime. Why do we need fantasy to learn from, when God specifically says we are to meditate upon his word day and night? The scriptures warn against being spoilt through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. These are the main problems with fantasy (and with much of fiction, to be honest, because other forms of fiction portray the "good guy" as a fornicator, adulterer or murderer, which are just as bad as witchcraft according to Galatians 5. It is best to avoid any kind of fiction unless they are parables like what Christ taught.

[@bailujen8052]

In my animated series The good guys have super powers The villain has magic which makes him evil Powers vs magic

[@andyroobrick-a-brack9355]

@@walterrf Magic in the Bible and magic in a fiction novel or DnD are different. In fiction or RP games, it's lazer blasts and fireballs. In real life, it's sacrificing men, summoning demons, and calling upon Satan. We need creative outlets for our beliefs. Tolkien and CS Lewis did just that with The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia, respectively. The force in Star Wars is another example, as it contains numerous Christian concepts like the light and dark and the Chosen one. Fantasy can glorify or demonize God. If it promotes God in any way, it's permitted. If it causes you to sin, remove it like a gangrene-infested limb.

[@pewdiepiefan1362]

You can't just create a fantasy world, and slap in the real GOD to it. That would be blasphemy on its own. That's why most writers resort by creating their own Pantheon.

[@bailujen8052]

@@pewdiepiefan1362 i just identify the entity of mynstory as "the maker"

[@BennettSanderson]

I've always wondered how "Phantastes" is pronounced. Nice thoughts. Thank you.

[@SpicePrincess1890]

Thats a great name for a subgenre of High Fantasy but with a lot of supernatural or paranormal elements lol

[@deborahadeniji808]

Hey, I have a question about romance fiction. It’s obvious to note that there are good romance stories out there that teach lessons of true love, faithfulness and commitment, particularly in marriage; while there are others that promote the very opposite, most of which contain sexually explicit content in them. That fact is totally understandable. But say I come across a book or novel, fiction or nonfiction, that do, according to the label, contain sexually explicit content, but at the end of the day, the author’s intent was not to promote sexually immoral behavior, but warn readers of the dangers of such, using stories of the characters who fell into that lifestyle? My interest in the life of John & Charles Wesley eventually had me to develop a passion for learning more about the world in which they lived, namely the British Empire. Well, the crazy thing I discovered is that this was the time that’s known to most historians as the Georgian, or Regency Era, where much of British life and culture began to change. No wonder a lot of the British historical fiction novels deal so much with the Regency period these days. The next most covered topic in British history would probably be the Tudor era, or the World Wars with Churchill in power. But back to the Georgian-Victorian era, or Regency: if an author tells a story for the purpose of exposing culture, warning readers, etc., but we see that the book he/she wrote do have multiple explicit content in it (even though the intent of the book is to expose and condemn the immoral behavior, not condone it), how should we as believers deal with this dilemma? I’ll be happy to hear your thoughts.

[@deborahadeniji808]

MomOf4 What are some good British literature that you recommend for Christian women, without the sexually explicit content?Besides Charlotte Bronte, of course.

[@deborahadeniji808]

MomOf4 What about Lori Wick’s English Garden series?I just read the first three books, and to be honest, it was more than good. Sure, there was some level of romance in it; like I said, I’m not much of a romance fan. But one thing I love that is very unique about this series, unlike other Christian romances set in this era, is that they deal with ordinary men and women going thru the everyday challenges of that era-- orphanhood, poverty, the stress of the Industrial Revolution, etc. This is why I prefer best to read books/ stories about ordinary men and women dealing with everyday challenges in the British Empire: these books are less likely to contain scenes of sexual immorality,as opposed to books that deal with aristocratic life and politics. I wonder why that is the case: Regency novels/ books whose characters, namely the aristocratic families who were supposed to set a good, if not godly example for the rest of the country, eventually end up becoming worse off than the common citizens? I’m sure you may understand what I mean: “Lord John and Lady Georgiana went to a ball one summer..... Lord John saw some other woman more beautiful than Lady Georgiana, eventually got into a relationship with her, had to divorce Georgiana, same cycle continues, scandals, scandals and more scandals.......” and so on and so forth. If it is best, then, to avoid books on British aristocratic life and politics and focus instead on learning from ordinary citizens, why aren’t many Regency authors writing much about it? That’s what I find frustrating about researching for good literature sometimes.

[@deborahadeniji808]

We need more British Christian authors that will write more example-setting stories and novels that will not only peak our imagination, but also contain Biblical truths and life lessons that will help us thru our journey: What was life like for George Muller’s orphan children in Bristol, and how were they able to receive education despite their condition? How would an average devout Christian family in Britain have responded to the new claims and ideas that were rising up, such as Darwin’s evolution theory? How were devout British Christian women able to stand their ground, even when they were challenged with ideas of feminism? Did the church ever respond to any of the major crimes taking place in London and across Britain, such as the famous Jack the Ripper crime? And so on and so forth.

[@floricel_112]

What I don't get is why it's always catholic?

[@bailujen8052]

What do you mean catholic I perfer the word than catholic but i am still curious

[@floricel_112]

@@bailujen8052 most media odepicts christianity as only the catholic church

[@andyroobrick-a-brack9355]

@@floricel_112 Ignorance. It's also the largest denomination.

[@solovief]

Definitely check out anything by R.A. Lafferty.

[@aceofdimondsXD]

You reference C.S. Lewis and Tolkien as Christian writers, but there is a some highly problematic stuff with their works. Tolkein featuring a wizard as one of the heroes of the story is influencing his work with sinfulness of witchcraft and Magic. Lewis fans will always point back to him being Christian as if it is a saving grace from the sinfulness of the story that involves magic and demonism (mythical creatures such as satyrs) that are again clearly an abomination in the eyes of God. It would be one thing if these evil forces remained the enemy in these stories, but I want to know how you would address this issue with fantasy from the Christian perspective. I have not been swayed by either angle of this issue. I have had a deep history with fiction and have not viewed it as an issue for a long time as long as one can distinguish between the truth and the fake. But I also remember as a kid writing down the words that the Harry Potter movies used to play pretend with them, and I look back now and see how problematic it actually was. I know the truth is somewhere in the middle, but I no longer think I can write fiction off as harmless, this is the 5th video I have seen today and neither side offers any actual biblical cited support besides the abominations of magic and witchcraft. I would like someone to explain this take and why they side with it please.

[@TheShepherdKnownAsDavid]

Thank you for actually pointing this out. Some of this fantasy fictions feature magic in them and they're often associated with nature worship or dependency on their power, not on God. As Christian's we should be responsible of what we read or believe in. And some Ffntasy books might mislead believers into believing that they can continue on reading or watching works of fiction that contains the subject of magic where it's used as a good thing when in reality it's something the LORD is clearly against as it makes people seek power from such things instead of being dependent on Him alone.

[@bailujen8052]

​@@TheShepherdKnownAsDavid Actually if you just simply insert God into a fantasy story, it would be blasphemy to do so, it's better to have a fictional high deity who's a God stand In like the presence from DC or The one above all from Marvel (Even though DC and Marvel we're made by unbelievers) When it comes to the whole wizard issue, even though I made a story where it has a wizard... Except he's the villain while most of the heroes have powers given by it's God stand in with great power comes great responsibility

[@TheShepherdKnownAsDavid]

@@bailujen8052 You're right. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@thadtheman3751]

Can't say much about Lewis, but you are just being stupid about Tolkien. The wizards in Tolkien's works are called m aiar and they are literally angels sent by "The Council of Angels" to Middle Earth/

[@TheShepherdKnownAsDavid]

@@thadtheman3751 But doesn't LOTR have magical creatures in them? Like the elves and dwarves??

[@LucianFromEarth]

How is Tolkien's point of view supposed to be a defense of writing fantasy fiction, from a Christian perspective? We want to create because we were made in God's image and He is a creator, so we should be allowed to aspire to be creators too? Uhm... Hello?! Remember who else aspired to be like God? Lucifer. That was one of the main motives of his fall. He wanted to imitate God and become like Him. Shouldn't we know our place and be humble instead of aspiring to create worlds like God did?

[@BrEaKiNg_Brad]

Well let me break it down this way. Being a fisherman, carpenter, doctor, lawyer all take a skill and craft which had to taught, learned ,created, such as tools to assist. So no matter what trade you do in life you are still creating. And if you are giving your time to the community or the ill, homeless, and unfortunate that's creating a positive energy that will progress through a generation or generations. Maybe it's rather where we choose to build our worlds, because while we all still all walk the same plane. The world is all a matter of perspective to the individual soul. Its all on how you look at it my friend.

[@andyroobrick-a-brack9355]

The difference is is that we are writing fiction, often times in the name of God, at least in the allegorical sense. Satan actually rebelled and cursed the Earth. Our worlds are on paper and pen, where as Satan wants this world to himself.

[@DuelingNetsJadenyuki]

Your argument is saying all fiction is bad... imagining ideas would be sinful if we could not create.

[@DuelingNetsJadenyuki]

Jothams fable the trees spoke... this js a politic narrative to say that the one who wants power the most is not always the one who should have it... many parables and fiction are in the bible to illustrate points. Trees can't talk, this was a fantastical thing used to describe politics.

[@foxkingazod6767]

Let us make man in our own image and likeness. You're already like God, it's how you were made.

[@ryuprimeus3719]

Y do you use the WORD CHRISTIAN when they are NOT the only Ones who LOVE Jesus God???

[@andyroobrick-a-brack9355]

A Christian means "Christ-like."

[@bailujen8052]

@@andyroobrick-a-brack9355 Modernists bastardised Christianity making many counterfeits claim Christianity is demonic and unbiblical. I suggest go retro Christian by that matter