Is Christian Fantasy an Oxymoron?




For many of us interested in the fantasy genre this is a question we have all asked ourselves. The world of fantasy has captivated the imagination of children and adults alike since The Epic Journey of Gilgamesh. However in today’s Harry Potter happy society lots of people are now asking the question, is fantasy appropriate?

What is the difference between Christian Fantasy and Secular Fantasy? I pose that the real underlying difference between these two writing forms is, in essence, basic worldview. A common misconception that I think we run into is believing that all Christian works must be specifically “Christian” (I.e. they speak the name of Christ in a form other than profanity or present the gospel message).

While it's possible to read C.S. Lewis and not pick up on the Christian analogies, Tolkien’s works are a bit more toned down in nature and easier for the non-believer to overlook. Few who read Lewis’s work doubts the allegory he has expertly woven into his tale, but many across the board fail to recognize the worldview deeply rooted in Tolkien’s work. Does this classify Tolkien as a Secular Fantasy Writer? Of course not! The basic worldview of Tolkien’s masterpiece is inherently Christian.

During the 16th century fantastical tales were told to children to teach them biblical truths. During this time England proclaimed an official state church. Any other religious teachings were strictly forbidden. So for the next three centuries those who refused to join the state church developed creative ways to teach their beliefs to their children. A perfect example of this is the song The Twelve Days of Christmas.

While the song seems very harmless and, dare we say, fantastical, it actually has a hidden Christian message. So just what do french hens, golden rings, and milking maids have to do with Christian faith? In the song, My True Love is a reference to God. The children could openly sing about their Savior in the streets without fear of punishment. Each day goes through the Christmas story, telling the tale of Christ. The world has taken songs like The Twelve Days of Christmas and completely secularized it so that you can no longer recognize its Christian origins. Because the song does not specifically name the name of Christ does this make it any less of a tool that teaches the concepts of Christ?

This leads us to bring up an interesting question. If Christ is not specifically named in a work of fiction then can we classify it as Christian Fiction? Look at works like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Sherlock Homes, literary classics that present truths to our children and young adults that are vital to their development. However they are not packaged as Christian works. This does not make them any less of a valuable resource or a good read, does it?

Fantasy has been a tool used throughout the ages to teach morals and heroism to our young people. For countless generations croaky voiced, grey haired grandparents have taken their grandchildren on their knees and spun wondrous tales that filled their minds and sent their imaginations soaring. These tales were told to spur them to emulate the character portrayed, a character almost always put against insurmountable odds and overcoming them through it all. They were characters who challenged us to a higher standard, to push ourselves beyond what we think is possible. Unfortunately the youth of today’s culture don’t have very many good role models to imitate.

The desire of Christian fantasy writers should be to present a Christ centered worldview in their writing, even if the Deity of Christ is not named or alluded to. I believe there is one main opponent that draws the line between Christian and Secular Fantasy. Christian Fantasy battles the corrupted idea that the universe revolves around self. This form of me centered narcissism is a theme prevalent in secular works of fantasy. Works of this nature revolve around themes that imply the universe revolves around you, the individual. This idea is rampant throughout our culture, not only in works of fiction, but across the board. Greed, envy, malice, and violence all stem from the belief that your momentary desire is the only thing that truly matters. Therefore, it should be the desire of Christian Fantasy writers to debunk this thought process and challenge their readers to selfless acts of heroism and sacrifice. I think this is what differentiates Christian Fantasy from Secular Fantasy. Fantasy should reveal the world or life view of the author.

I propose that instead of abandoning the fantasy genre, something long held as a Christian tool, we should reclaim it. Don’t abandon this wonderful God given gift just because the world has skewed it, rescue the wonderful art of storytelling and use it once again to enhance young minds to do great things. Christ created music as a wonderful outsource of our praise and worship. Satan took that beautiful creation and twisted it into something evil. Does that mean we reject music as a whole? If you answer no to this question then why do we change our standards when it comes to Christian Fantasy?

The threat of sorrow and failure is a very real feeling for readers. What Fantasy does is take that feeling and give you a fleeting glimpse of joy and discovery as an underlying reality or truth. Fantasy fiction does not deny or diminish the existence of sorrow and pain, as so many people seem to think. Instead it gives us the possibility of failure so that we can feel the piercing sense of joy when victory is with difficulty won. You cannot experience exalting victory without first tasting the bitter reality of hardship. You see, fantasy casts a shadow at the same time it illuminates. Fantasy offers the hope that a happy ending is possible. Children need to believe this. Fantasy denies ultimate despair. It holds out the hope for a better world.

I believe Fantasy is vital to a child’s ultimate development and growth. If you take Fantasy from them it causes creative atrophy. If we only expose kids to what actually exists, we have for all intents and purposes limited them. How can you dream big if you have no imagination? Tales of fantasy show us what the fantastical and impossible might look like? If you’ve never seen a hero conquer seemingly insurmountable odds and achieve them, where will you find the courage to try? If you’ve never read about someone reaching for the impossible and attaining it you might not have the bravery to try. Our imaginations are vital to our existence. How can we empathize with someone, if we can’t imagine what they must feel like?

Fantasy literature has the capability to move a reader powerfully. Kids hunger for a sense of wonder, especially in today’s world of Wiis and iPhones (not that I have anything against either). The previously unexplainable and unbelievable is now a reality. Today’s kids are even hungrier for that sense of magic, of exciting and surprising mysteries that we don’t understand.

Our imaginations were meant to soar through the skies on the backs of Dragons. They were meant to engage in hand to hand combat and rescue the damsel in distress. If we take away Fantasy from children then we have robbed them of a very wonderful gift the Lord has given. The Lord gave man dominion over all things. Fantasy is just another aspect of our dominion. God gave this wonderful creation as a gift. We should take it and use it for the glory of God.

So you be the judge, is Christian Fantasy really an oxymoron, or have we just let the world dictate to us that it is?

Submitted by Airianna Valenshia/Kaitlyn E

Wow. That was really well thought out. I'm thinking that should go on the blog, but I'm not in charge.

Thanks Shawn, Jay's already given the go ahead, however he wanted everyone to review my work and see if any spelling, grammar, or sentence structure work needed to be done.

Ditto to Shawn. You did an amazing job!

Thanks to both of you. Did either of you find incorrect spelling or grammatical errors that I should address?

Here are a few things I saw:
In the third paragraph, you said "none believer". Did you mean non-believer?
And at the end of paragraph 9, you said "than" when it should be then. Also, I wasn't sure if "answer" should be "answered" instead.
The last one I wasn't sure about either... In paragraph 8, should "me centered" have a dash in it?

That was it! Hopefully it was helpful!

I believe that it should be iPhones, but other than it sounds good.

Hence why Evening is an Editor, and I am not.

Yes, feedback! Okay guys, thanks to all who have participated thus far in my document’s reconstruction. It is always good to have other eyes looking at your work, especially since we have a hard time seeing the mistakes in our own things. Even the best editors in the world still have someone who edits their own work.



I can’t believe I didn’t catch the non-believer mistake! Yikes, that one comes with its own fog horn and confetti!

Changed than to then, nice save.

Um, it may just be me, but I think answer is correct. Perhaps someone else should review it since we are both indecisive.

Okay, I looked the last one up because I wasn’t positive that it would be an appropriate usage of an en dash in this instance. However, once I looked into it I found that it very well could apply. You guys take a look and tell me what you think.


I'm voting yes.

Thanks PrincessoftheKing for your insightful input.


I’m glad somebody knew how to spell that darn thing! As always Shawn, it was a pleasure collaborating with you.

Evening, I’ve just heard through the grape vine that you have a blue name because you are an editor. Thank you for taking time to look over my piece.


Good thing, cause I’d hate for it to go out on the blog looking like a five year old gave me spelling and structure lessons.


Shawn brought that one up; I must be the only person who doesn’t know how to spell iPhone.


Nope, the Wii isn’t being possessive of anything, there shouldn’t be an apostrophe.



Eh, it’s not a key component of my piece. I suppose it can go for the sake of not ruffling any feathers. Although you may learn that I do that quite a lot, although never argumentatively.


Actually, surprise of surprises, when HP first came out there were a lot of average Joe Pagan mothers who were concerned about the books. In fact, I knew some people who had the concern and were not religious in any way. I would say it was a question being asked by mostly, but not limited to, Christians.



I was referring to fantasy, music, etc. However Fantasy was my main point. Is it something that you think I should try to rework, or did you just need clarification?


Completely agree. The writer is who I’m referring to, not fantasy itself. Good call.

Thanks again guys. I’ve made the changes. Let me know if you see anything else.

8th word in the J.R.R. Tolkien quote.

Thanks for the added input Sir Emeth.

True, but it does mean that you have the ability to notice mistakes. There are lots of people who don’t have that gift.


No, I hadn’t picked up on that is some of your threads.


Yep, I was rather shocked myself, but then, I was really into the whole Harry Potter phenomena because of the impact it had. All you Feather Rufflers would understand the need to be in the center of the debate and know what is being said on all sides of the argument.


Done. If it is confusing to one person it will be confusing to many. Reread the corrections I’ve made to it and tell me if my thoughts are more clearly conveyed.


Poke away, that’s what helps us become better writers.


Changed.

Once again, thanks to all my critics.

Oops, I corrected a typo with a typo!

So, is this ready for the blog?

I'm not sure how this whole process works. No one else has posted that there were any corrections still needing to be made. I think Jay wanted to look over it once more after everyone else had. But I'm not sure if I'm supposed to send it to him or what. Maybe you have ideas PotK.

I'm not much help there... I don't know what you're supposed to do.

Okay, I'll ask around. Thanks for your help PotK.

Looks like it is ready to go live! Thanks everyone for your brilliant work here. I am very proud of my community at the moment.

So now I need you, Airianna, to register for the blog if you haven't already, and I will make you an author so that you can post it.

I am now registered.

And you are promoted.

I also set up the category for your posts. When you post this, please put it in your personal category as well as another category that fits its topic best (you pick). Please also remember to 'tag' it appropriately. If you need help with either of those let me know.

Welcome aboard!

What am I promoted to?

Okay, I was formatting my Post for the blog and found that I'm not able to underline the titles of books. Do you just want me to leave the titles without underlines and bold their text?

Oh, okay, thanks Evening. I'll italicize them and then publish the post. Appreciate the help!

Yes... you can. Why weren't you able?

When I put in the underlining code ( [u] [back slash u] ) instead of the text being underlined and the code hidden, the code shows up on either side of the title and no underline is visible.

Haha, I see. You use it like a text editor, not a forum post. To find the underline button, hit the button on the far right with little colored dots on it, and the controls will expand.

Ah ha! Now I’ve got it. Okay, all titles will be underlined.