I have finally returned from the craziness of my
college schedule to resume my regular postings on this blog. I have to say, I
apologize for leaving you all hanging for so long! Time slipped by me so
quickly, I hadn’t realized how long it’s been since I wrote anything. Because
of that embarrassingly true fact, I wrote a heavier article today that’s longer
then my usual poem posts, despite the fact that I do have many new ones to
share. Today, I will be talking about the reasons I believe it’s important to
write fantasy, and how this genre can bring glory to Christ. First, we’ll start
with a basic definition of fantasy.
Fantasy as a general term applies to what is
fictitious, and more often than not, completely disconnected from reality.
Fantasy is a very popular genre in books, movies, and plays, and often
cultivates a passionate following. It often has a very strong pull on a lot of
people’s identity. Numerous book series have become incredibly popular over the
ages, seeping into the film and play industries, and beyond. Series like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The
Grisha Trilogy, Game of Thrones, and more have become so influential that
fans view those stories as a part of their identity.
Simply put, I believe that fantasy stories can be
vehicles to lead people to Christ. Firstly, as a reader, and secondly a writer,
I have experienced the impact fantasy can leave on one’s heart. One of my
favorite authors, Wayne Thomas Batson, wrote a Christian fantasy trilogy called
The Door Within Trilogy that so
significantly impacted me, it drew me closer to Christ. Even though it was just
a story, Batson had woven scripture so deeply in the threads of those novels
that there was no denying it was spiritually impactful. Those books encouraged
me in my faith and brought me through some very dark times, and for that
reason, I am a firm believer that fantasy can and has been an evangelical
strategy. The Bible itself contains narratives that are common in fantasy stories.
Battles, betrayals, sacrifice, love, good vs. evil…the list goes on and on. The
reality is, a lot of fantasy authors have drawn inspiration from the Bible for
their content. Great authors such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien are
excellent examples of this. They both drew inspiration for their works from
many classics, including the Bible. Fantasy may be an untrue, fictional story, but
it can employ the power of a story’s influence to take what is fiction and
point to the very real truth found in Jesus Christ.
As any reader of fantasy could probably
tell you, fantasy stories have a special ability to transport the reader from
their often-perceived mundane lives to a place of excitement and adventure. It
serves a present need for the reader, who desires a change of pace from the
trials and strains of our everyday lives. It forges a fandom’s identity and
increases the allegiances in that people group, bringing them closer together
with a strong sense of community. This is displayed in many visible ways, from
book clubs to cosplay conventions, depending on each person’s personality and
level of dedication to the series. I believe that every story has its own
unique narrative (unless the author is playing copycat) and is told in the
author’s unique voice.
Fantasy also elicits powerful responses
from fans, bringing them together in a unified appreciation of the story. It
also creates a strong desire to invest in and defend that story. Authentic
narratives are something that fantasy readers and writers alike often vehemently
defend are real and true. However, these narratives critically hinge on the
reader’s interpretation. I’ve seen readers discuss the same book and draw
completely different conclusions from the narrative. Fantasy books do not
correlate with real historical events, rather, they exist as a past-time that
can consume readers to such a degree that it becomes a pivotal part of their
lives.
Now, this isn’t to say that fantasy is
purely a waste of time. It is a vehicle that can be used to bring people closer
to Christ, despite being a nothing but a story. Stories can profoundly impact
us, for good or for bad, and it is critical that we as writers and communicators
do not underestimate that power. It is important to write fantasy because it
reaches people in a way that a straight-up discussion might not. Instead of
tackling current issues head-on, by wrapping those issues in a story, living it
through characters, it presents an easier platform for people to discuss those
things. As a writer myself, I believe that I can reach my readers through my
fantasy novels and show them the love of Christ through my characters, albeit
through an indirect fashion. Not to say that writing should be preachy, on the
contrary, Christian writers should avoid that. Instead of telling the reader
what the message of the story is, we must show them God’s love and power
through characters and stories that truly matter. Fantasy points to a very real
story in which we all play a part, and that is a truth that rings through our
words, echoes in our pen, and thrives on our pages.
(Graphics (C)Elizabeth Hornberger 2018)
