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What's the Difference?
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Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ September 30th, 2010, 9:59 pm ]
Post subject:  What's the Difference?
Okay, so I have a question for you all. In your opinion, what is the difference between reading fantasy that is not “Christian”, and writing fantasy that is not “Christian”? What constitutes Christian fantasy in your mind?
Author:  Evening L. Aspen [ October 1st, 2010, 12:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
Note, this is all in my opinion.

I believe that Christian fantasy is fantasy written by a Christian and from a Christian worldview and in accordance with Biblical principles. However, I do NOT believe that fantasy must portray the gospel, contain Biblical allegory or have a Christ-figure to be Christian.

In my opinion, both and Myst reader and Wayne Thomas Batson's Door Within trilogy are both Christian fantasy. The Myst reader contains evidence of a Christian worldview (praising "the Creator", acknowledging Him as the maker of all, etc.) almost as an inside joke, if you will. You kind of have to know what to look for, and if you look closely, you'll see it. Also, the characters in the Myst reader portray Christian values and there are Biblical principles interwoven in the narrative. That's not to say that the characters never sin or make mistakes, but the morals shown to the reader as true and valid are in line with Scripture.

The Door Within, however, is so blatantly Christian that I would be extremely surprised if a reader didn't notice it. The allegory is apparent, there is a God/Christ figure, and there is a sort of allegory for the Christian faith. The Christianity is obvious.

I personally don't have a problem reading non-Christian fantasy. If I limit my fantasy reading to only Christian stuff, then I'm missing out on a lot. Non-Christian fantasy can have Biblical truth in it. All truth is God's truth, right? Of course, you also have to think about the content of the book... for instance I hate just-romance novels, Christian or not. (But that's just me.) But I don't mind what most other people would consider too much gore. *high-fives Arias Myles*

But I don't think I'd ever be able to write non-Christian fantasy, seeing as I'm a Christian and my worldview ends up in my writing automatically. :D
That's my long-winded two cents... maybe it was more like three cents...
Author:  Arias Mimetes [ October 1st, 2010, 10:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
Evening L. Aspen wrote:
But I don't mind what most other people would consider too much gore. *high-fives Arias Myles*


:D

I think Christian fantasy is simply fantasy written by Christians (with a Biblical worldview, of course). How that is done is up to the author. Maybe it's obvious, maybe it isn't. I personally do not think it has to be obvious to be useful. If nothing else, at least it's clean, and God can use anything.

I would say it's personal preference what a Christian reads. Maybe they aren't affected by some things that others are. Just because something isn't Christian doesn't mean it's off-limits. There are actually some good secular fantasy books out there, I'm sure. It would depend on your personal limits.

It seems that most books written by Christians will be seen as Christian, somehow. It's the way we think and see things, and it'll probably come through in our writing, intentionally or not. I wouldn't write anything that isn't Christian somehow, for various reasons, but it again would depend on what the person feels led to write.

One verse I think we should always remember when writing is one that has come up lately, where Paul says that we shouldn't do anything to harm another believers conscience.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ October 3rd, 2010, 5:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
I completely agree! Glad to know we are on the same page. I know lots of people who think that everything we write should fully present the gospel message, that’s why I brought it up.
Author:  Evening L. Aspen [ October 3rd, 2010, 6:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
Personally, I really don't like fantasy books that try to present the gospel message. I mean, if you're going to write a theology book, don't bother trying to mask it as fantasy. The only exception that I've seen so far would be the Door Within trilogy, which I really liked even though it got really close to presenting the gospel (or an allegorical equivalent).
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ October 3rd, 2010, 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
I think that is a very interesting point Evening.
Author:  Aragorn [ October 3rd, 2010, 6:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
It would probably be hard to use fantasy to present the entire Christian worldview, since it is taking place in another universe. However, fantasy is perfect for exploring various aspects of the Christian worldview, much like parables. Finding a single Biblical theme and weaving it through a series in a meaningful way could be effective.
Author:  6stringedsignseeker [ October 3rd, 2010, 6:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
You know... I've been thinking about this a lot the last few days, and I'm not certain I really like the term christian fantasy. Perhaps, christian inspired fantasy would be a better term. And I guess that's what my view of christian fantasy would be... fantasy inspired by christian stories, beliefs, or the christian faith.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ October 3rd, 2010, 6:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
I think that is a really good way to look at it. My mom was just saying yesterday that she didn't like the term "christian" fantasy for that very reason. I'll have to tell her you said that.

I think you have a valid point also Jonathan.
Author:  6stringedsignseeker [ October 3rd, 2010, 8:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
Well, I'm looking at it like this. In a fantasy story, although we may be including some christian morals, or perhaps even basing characters on biblical characters or beings, we're not spreading the gospel, but rather telling a completely fictitious story about an entirely different world. Unless you're writing a historical fiction ala King Arthur or Robin Hood, and making the gospel of Christ play an important role in the story somehow. In "To The Valley Of Dragons," I'm basing some of my characters and beings, Jandrous being the Son of The One God, Xandrous the Betrayer of the One God, drayan and drayan'os being angels or fallen angels, Gaulin and Maragan are based off of Michael and Gabrielle, and so on so forth. So there are obvious christian inspirations, but they are definitely not the real thing. I won't pray to Jandrous in place of Jesus Christ tonight for instance lol. :shock: That would be very bad. Besides Christian Fantasy is really kind of an oxymoron to those of us who know the christian gospel as being truth and not fantasy. So Christian "Inspired" fantasy I think should be the correct term.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ October 3rd, 2010, 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
Okay, funny thing. I just recently wrote an article for the HW blog called "Christian Fantasy an Oxymoron?" In it I say that Christian Fantasy isn't an oxymoron. Just a funny side note. :D
Author:  6stringedsignseeker [ October 3rd, 2010, 9:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
:D haha I'll have to take a look at that.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ October 3rd, 2010, 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
Let me know what you think.
Author:  6stringedsignseeker [ October 4th, 2010, 4:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
I looked for it but didn't see it :? of course it's 4:30 am and way past my bedtime too lol.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ October 4th, 2010, 8:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
You can go to the blog and find it. Sir Emeth has a new article up, so mine's the one under his. Or you could go to the blog submissions here on the site and read it there.
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ October 4th, 2010, 2:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
Evening L. Aspen wrote:
I believe that Christian fantasy is fantasy written by a Christian and from a Christian worldview and in accordance with Biblical principles. However, I do NOT believe that fantasy must portray the gospel, contain Biblical allegory or have a Christ-figure to be Christian.


I agree with this, as well as with 6stringed's phrasing of "Christian inspired fantasy." I don't think "Christian" is determined by whether or not Christ is mentioned - both types of tales have their place - but by whether or not good and evil are determined by Biblical standards. Therefore, it's possible for a Christian to write something that I wouldn't consider "Christian" fiction; it's also possible for a non-Christian to write something I'd find acceptable. Everyone has different opinions on what they can handle, as well as some difference in beliefs, so it's subjective to a degree.
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ October 4th, 2010, 2:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
That's a good point. Fiction is subjective, to a point.
Author:  Bethany Faith [ July 1st, 2011, 10:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
This thread has been moved to General Discussion. :)
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ July 1st, 2011, 10:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
This is an old thread! My goodness, this was early on in my HW travels.
Author:  Lady Elanor [ October 5th, 2013, 4:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
This is a really old thread, but I just found and read it and thought it was really helpful, especially as I've been thinking a lot about this recently. I'm writing a fantasy novel, and I always think 'well it isn't specifically Christian fantasy'. But it has biblical principles in it, it's just not allegorical and it doesn't portray the gospel.

Evening L. Aspen wrote:
I believe that Christian fantasy is fantasy written by a Christian and from a Christian worldview and in accordance with Biblical principles. However, I do NOT believe that fantasy must portray the gospel, contain Biblical allegory or have a Christ-figure to be Christian.


I love this quote; some people seem to think that because I am writing a fantasy novel and I am a Christian, it's going to be blatantly Christian. Whereupon I start questioning whether I am writing a Christian novel at all; I never have thought that a novel has to clearly portray the gospel, or Christ to be Christian though. Some writing can be clean, wholesome, Christian novels without specifically spelling out Christianity.
Author:  JTO [ October 28th, 2013, 12:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
I understand other people's opinions that 'Christian writing' must only be written by a Christian to be considered Christian, but I differ there, and this is one of those touchy subjects for me I guess. I think that because something is written, sung, or done by a Christian doesn't make it Christian. Also just because something is 'nice' or family friendly doesn't make it Christian. I think that to be considered Christian it should be Christ like, following Christs words, and or actually portray the things the Bible teaches... example: loving your neighbor... that being said, that opens it up pretty broadly to what a person can do and still have it be a 'Christian' novel. I've seen a lot of Christians write pretty unholy things and just because they're Christian doesn't make it a Christian piece of writing. I think that if a non-believer listens to a song and can't tell if it's Christian based on what's being said in the song, then it's probably not, and I think the same goes for writing. Just my opinion and I know many disagree, which is ok. Just wanted to give another perspective.
Author:  Lady Elanor [ November 19th, 2013, 12:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
It's an interesting perspective though, JTO; thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I definitely agree that just because a Christian writes a book doesn't automatically make that book a Christian book. But then I also think, each person can have very different view points, one might view something as 'unholy' whereas another Christian might be writing that in their book to get a message across. One Christian wouldn't read the book because of the content and another may be ok with it.

I think if you are a Christian then that's going to come across somehow in you novel - I personally don't think an unbeliever should have to see a book as 'Christian' for it to be Christian - I think it's great to get a book out there with good values and morals in that isn't blatantly Christian, but is more subtle. But that's just my opinion, I guess. :D
Author:  Varon [ December 7th, 2013, 1:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
Christian fantasy novels are novels that have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior and repented from their sinful ways. ;)

I don't think there really is such a thing, because Christian means Christ-follower, one who has repented and accepted Christ as their Savior. Books can't do that. Their authors can, and as mentioned, that'll be visible through writing. Christian inspired is probably the better term, since a lot of times, Christian is used to mean G or PG rated than anything actually theological or spiritual.
Author:  Riniel Jasmina [ December 13th, 2013, 2:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What's the Difference?
A Christian novel is one that has been written by an author for the purpose of joyously presenting it his Savior and Lord as a gift his heart wanted to give.
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