Fantasy and a Christian Worldview, Part 11

Yes, I do know it is Memorial Day weekend and that most readers are off having picnics and such, but I figure at some point, people will want to see what’s happening in the blogsphere.

Housekeeping first. (Like I really do that at home! 😉 ) I finally have in my possession a book with my name ON THE COVER! Ah-hem—as part of the title not as the author.

Still, I am very excited about The Secret Life of Becky Miller, Sharon Hinck’s debut novel. I read the first chapter this morning and … well, I think you’ll want to be sure to check back here June 1st when Sharon will be the guest blogger.

I may post a little excerpt, too. That first chapter is a great one, especially for the moms who make up the target audience.

Also, next Monday through Wednesday I’ll be participating in a blog tour for Kathryn Mackel’s latest release, The Hidden. I think I can still work in some discussion of fantasy—at least that’s the plan for some of the time. 😉

Speaking of which, another fantasy movie came out this week. X-Men 3: The Last Stand. Dr. Marc T. Newman of MovieMinistry.com had some interesting things to say about our culture and the movie’s message over at Agape Press. Here’s a sample:

The ambivalence felt by the audience during the film stems from this major premise: in a world that rejects any kind of transcendent morality as binding on its decision making, how do we determine right from wrong?

Just another bit of evidence that we need fantasy written from a Christian worldview. I mean how twisted—a genre that thrives on conflict between good and evil is questioning how we determine good and evil.

Which brings up a point that needs to be addressed. Obviously I am advocating Christian fantasy, but at the same time I am not saying, Stay away from all secular fantasy. How can I hold both views?

There are three factors. One is that much secular fantasy does not view good and evil in a warped way. The writer, and consequently the characters, see that parents should love their children and rulers should be just and generous. That the downtrodden need help, that the strong should protect the weak, and so forth. These are “understood” because God’s natural law is in us (Romans 1:18-20). So a reader can read a secular fantasy and see good striving against evil and as far as it goes, it is true. It is just not complete.

Then there is fantasy that is off base, like The Lion King or the Nietzsche-fied X-Men, where the story is filled with wrong philosophy dressed up as right. Insidious stuff, but I see such stories as an opportunity for us to engage the culture by exposing what these stories are about. We need to use our critical thinking, identify what’s right and what’s wrong and refrain from categorical judgment.

I said there were three factors, but I forgot the other one. Hopefully I’ll remember it by Monday! 🙂