New!
Author resources • Lorehaven Guild
Podcast sponsors • Subscribe for free
Crew manifest Faith statement FAQs
All author resources Lorehaven Guild Subscribe for free

Into the Darkness
Reviews, Feb 3, 2023

The Chosen Succeeds Where ‘Woke’ Stories Fail
Jenneth Dyck in Articles, Feb 2, 2023

Rose Petals and Snowflakes
Book Quests, Feb 1, 2023

Library

Find fantastical Christian novels

fantasy · sci-fi · and beyond
middle grade · young adult · grown-ups
All novels Search Add a novel
Silver Bounty, Victoria McCombs
A Sword for the Immerland King, F. W. Faller
Calor, J. J. Fisher
Once Upon A Ren Faire, A. C. Castillo
The Genesis 6 Project, Michael Ferguson
Exile, Loren G. Warnemuende
Aberration, Cathy McCrumb
The Truth Beyond the Lies, Kathleen Bird
Frost, Winter's Lonely Guardian, E. E. Rawls
Dream of Kings, Sharon Hinck
The Change, Bradley Caffee
Quest of Fire: Desperation, Brett Armstrong
Wishtress, Nadine Brandes
Flight, Kristen Young
Podcast

Get the Fantastical Truth podcast

Podcast sponsors | Subscribe links
Archives Feedback

147. Why Can Christians Celebrate Stories about Merlin and King Arthur? | with Robert Treskillard
Fantastical Truth, Jan 31, 2023

146. How Did Animators Adapt The Wingfeather Saga For Streaming TV? | with Keith Lango
Fantastical Truth, Jan 24, 2023

145. How Did Edmund Spenser’s ‘The Faerie Queene’ Shape Christian Fantasy? | with Rebecca K. Reynolds
Fantastical Truth, Jan 17, 2023

144. Which Top Six Fantasy Franchises Gave Fans Grief in 2022?
Fantastical Truth, Jan 10, 2023

143. Which Top Ten Lorehaven Stories Proved Most Popular in 2022?
Fantastical Truth, Jan 6, 2023

142. What Christmas Gift ‘Tools, Not Toys’ Helped You Grow As a Person?
Fantastical Truth, Dec 20, 2022

Quests

Join our monthly digital book quests.

Lorehaven Guild Faith statement FAQs

Rose Petals and Snowflakes
Book Quests, February 2023

Prince Caspian
Book Quests, January 2023

Dream of Kings
Book Quests, December 2022

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
Book Quests, November 2022

Reviews

Find fantastical Christian reviews

All reviews Request review

Into the Darkness
“Charles Hack’s Into the Darkness summons a close-range science fiction story, focusing on the personal challenges of space warfare among alien cultures with a steady pace and serious tone.”
—Lorehaven on Feb 3, 2023

A Crown of Chains
“A Crown of Chains creatively retells a biblical tale to explore themes of providence, racism, faith, and fidelity.”
—Lorehaven on Jan 27, 2023

Lander’s Legacy
“Lander’s Legacy stacks modern thrills and complex characters on a foundation of biblical what-ifs.”
—Lorehaven on Jan 20, 2023

Prince Caspian
“Pacing starts slow but creature lore grows in C. S. Lewis’s sequel, introducing practical tyrants and talking-beast politics into a Narnian resistance.”
—Lorehaven on Jan 13, 2023

Gifts

Find new gifts for Christian fans

Archives

The original SpecFaith: est. 2006

Speculative Faith | archives

Lorehaven issues (2018–2020)

Order back issues online!
New
Library
Podcast
Quests
Reviews
Gifts
Archives
Lorehaven helps Christian fans explore fantastical stories for Christ’s glory: fantasy, science fiction, and beyond. Articles, the library, reviews, podcasts, gifts, and the Lorehaven Guild community help fans discern and enjoy the best Christian-made fantastical stories, applying their meanings to the real world Jesus Christ calls us to serve. Subscribe free to get any updates you choose and to access the Lorehaven Guild.
Subscribe free to Lorehaven
/ Podcast
    Podcast sponsors • Previous sponsors • Subscribe links • Sponsor the show

    1. Sky Turtle Press

    2. The Katrosi Revolution series by Jamie Foley

    3. The Pop Culture Parent

28. How Should Christians Discern ‘The Chosen’ and Other Biblical Fiction?

Christians must think differently not only about popular streaming series “The Chosen” but about biblical fiction as a genre.
Fantastical Truth on Aug 11, 2020 · No comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:30 — 65.9MB) | Embed

Where did Jesus’s apostles come from? What was Peter doing, or Matthew, before the Savior arrived on Earth and called them to leave their jobs and follow him? Moreover, how much can Christians ask these kinds of questions—or even create movies, or a whole streaming drama series, to explore this?

That’s what we explore today, especially about the fantastical biblical drama series The Chosen.

Daniel and the Serpent's Abyss, Nathan LumbatisEpisode sponsor: Nathan Lumbatis with Daniel and the Serpent’s Abyss

  • Nathan Lumbatis wrote Daniel and the Serpent’s Abyss.
  • It’s book 3 in his Sons and Daughters fantasy series.
  • Learn more from Dove Christian Publishers, or shop the book at Amazon.
  • Nathan Lumbatis and his series were recently featured on the SpecFaith blog.

Six months after returning from their adventures in Daniel and the Triune Quest, Daniel, Ben, and Seren eagerly await their mission to save Raylin and acquire the last Weapon of Power: the Abyssal Staff. Daniel can’t believe his luck when Gabriela shows up and declares she will guide them to the British Isles, where Raylin has been haunting ancient ruins in her frenetic search for more spiritual power.

When the group is transported to Ireland, however, everything goes wrong.

Raylin, driven mad by the possessing power of the Voidblade, is as powerful as several demons put together and impervious to their attacks. Seren, desperate to save her sister, impulsively starts an explosive battle to bind her—a decision that turns the entire quest on its head and drives Daniel to a point of desperation he never anticipated. Through it all, the Three are noticeably absent and quiet, not answering prayers or sending aid.

What’s worse, Gabriela seems distant and preoccupied. So much for Daniel’s hopes for improving their relationship. . . .

Daniel and the Serpent’s Abyss is a young adult, Christian fantasy novel exploring forgiveness, faith, and the empowering role of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. It is the third in the Sons and Daughters series, which includes Daniel and the Sun Sword and Daniel and the Triune Quest.

1. What is The Chosen and how can you watch the series?

  • The Chosen is a biblical fiction drama, with one season out so far.
  • It follows the mission of Jesus through the eyes of his followers.
  • The series is funded by supporters who “pay forward” so new fans can watch.
  • Creators plan to film season 2 this fall and debut it around Easter 2021.
  • You can find it at thechosen.tv, on VidAngel, and sometimes on YouTube.
  • The Chosen has gained quite a fan following, with FAQs, fan art, and even fanfiction.

2. What is biblical fiction and how is this unique?

Let’s start by accepting what biblical fiction is not meant to be.

  • It’s not a replacement for Scripture.
  • It’s not a sermon or textbook about Scripture.
  • It’s not an exact, verse-by-verse re-enactment of Scripture.
  • It’s not only focused on historical figures like Jesus, Mary, or Paul.

Instead, let’s understand and accept what biblical fiction is meant to be.

  • It is set in ancient times as described by the Bible.
  • It often involves historical people that Scripture describes.
  • It often explores plotlines and specific events we read in Scripture.
  • It usually adds situations, people, or events we don’t read in Scripture.
  • It sometimes retells biblical stories in varying orders or with details changed.

Examples from The Chosen:

  • Mary Magdalene’s expanded origin story
  • Peter’s money issues and personality expansion.
  • Matthew being a person on the autism spectrum.
  • Jesus meeting and teaching little children early in his ministry.

Lorehaven, summer 2020Quote from Cap Stewart in the summer 2020 Lorehaven issue:

Make no mistake, The Chosen is historical fiction, imagining what may have happened alongside the gospel narratives. As a work of historical fiction, the show is similar to other cinematic Bible stories embraced by the Christian community over the years, including The Passion of the Christ (2004), The Ten Commandments (1956), Risen (2016), The Prince of Egypt (1998), and The Young Messiah (2016). All of these films embellished their biblical source material for dramatic efficacy.

The Chosen’s use of artistic license always exalts, not dishonors, the Biblical narrative. Its fictional details are healthy speculation and not subversion.

3. Is The Chosen “inspired”?

  • Many The Chosen fans are often overcome by the show’s creative power.
  • The show is genuinely emotionally powerful, and regards Scripture highly.
  • It’s brought together many types of Christians, including Protestants and Catholics.
  • However, those powerful feelings feel way more spiritual to some fans.
  • Some fans have only one kind of “spiritual” language to describe their response.
  • But let’s be careful how we use spiritual-sounding words like “inspired.”
  • When we say we “feel inspired,” this is not like the Bible’s inspiration.
  • With the Bible, people were directly influenced by God to arrange words.
  • When people enjoy God’s gift of imagination, this is normal, not miraculous.
  • God gives us himself and his gifts, like creativity, to help make us happy.
  • God’s blessings move us to happiness according to his written word.
  • Beware our own runaway imaginations! Only Jesus can fulfill these longings.
  • Let’s praise God for these talented creators’ gifts, and pray for them!

Fantastic fans

Send your feedback by emailing us (at the address in the episode), or with the form below.

David writes:

Hi Stephen and Zack,

Just caught up on episode 13/14 about the new heavens and new earth and it’s cool to speculate that there will be challenges – not sin, not laborious toil, but real challenges to overcome. Is there a series which imagines these “Adventures of the New Earth”? Like that famous utopian painter you like to make fun of sometimes, but stories. I think they’d be great at helping us hope in God’s promises more, and soldier on and fight the good fight positively.

Thanks for all you do and the Christian camaraderie you inspire!

Brian writes:

Hi guys,

Just listened to your episodes on Narnia. I really appreciated your point of view.

I especially appreciated how you tackled the whole idea of Narnia as allegory. I remember thinking that it was allegorical in Junior high and having arguments with adults to that effect. After all, how could they not see the allegory!?!? But, as I grew up, one of the phrases you quoted in the first episode came to the forefront. “All truth is God’s truth”. The reason Narnia seems allegorical is because what is true in our world is true in other worlds because of God’s presence in those worlds. Why does Aslan seem allegorical to Jesus? Because the truth is no matter what realm he is in, Jesus is the High King to whom all bow a knee, who was there at the creation of the world, and is willing to die to bring salvation. Why are Lucy and Susan like Mary and Martha? Because the truth is people are like Mary and Martha too. It took me years to discover this truth. Thanks for helping your listeners find it a little faster.

Next on Fantastical Truth

What if you didn’t know you had killed your own father? Or what if you had escaped from a mysterious mountain but had to leave your brother behind? Novelist Shawn Smucker, author of this summer’s new novel These Nameless Things, joins us to explore the edge of over there and of magical realism.

Fantastical Truth
Fantastical Truth
Lorehaven

Explore the best Christian-made fantasy, sci-fi, and beyond, and apply these stories' meanings in the real world Jesus calls us to serve.

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyAndroidPandoraiHeartRadioStitcherBlubrryby EmailTuneInRSS

Share your thoughts with Fantastical Truth!

    Okay to quote from your comment in a future episode?

    YesNo

    Fantastical Truth
    In the Fantastical Truth podcast from Lorehaven, hosts E. Stephen Burnett and Zackary Russell explore fantastical stories for God's glory and apply their wonders to the real world Jesus calls us to serve.
    Website · Facebook · Twitter

    Share your fantastical feedback. Cancel reply

    Lorehaven magazine, spring 2020

    Wear the wonder:
    Get exclusive shirts and beyond

    Listen to Lorehaven’s podcast

    Authors and publishers:
    Reach new fans with Lorehaven

    Lorehaven helps Christian fans explore fantastical stories for Christ’s glory: fantasy, science fiction, and beyond. Articles, the library, reviews, podcasts, gifts, and the Lorehaven Guild community help fans discern and enjoy the best Christian-made fantastical stories, applying their meanings to the real world Jesus Christ calls us to serve. Subscribe free to get any updates you choose and to access the Lorehaven Guild.
    Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter