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Happy Groundhog Day.¹ Maybe in these last weeks you’ve seen this same story repeat: Your favorite Christian author usually posts about whimsical life updates, pet photos, or upcoming release dates. But now she or he is suddenly and very fervently posting about politics. Words get heated. Light dims. And unwise statements share disastrous brushfires instead of book delights. What a reader to do? Call for a ban on all such topics? Block the blighter? Or maybe seek deeper wisdom?

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Mission update

• New at Lorehaven: authors, debate this in the Authorship!
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Chapter 1: A personal concession stand

• The best time might have been during a cooler period (if existent).
• But the next best time is now. Many fans are already considering it.
• This topic is broader, focusing on Christian authors in all genres.
• And too big a topic for one episode. We’re splitting this into two.
• Sure, some authors may listen and take note, or maybe get upset.
• But I’m speaking as a fan, and I know many fans who agree.
• We grieve this inflammatory rhetoric among Christian fantasy fans.
• And we don’t want to see relationships broken by nasty slanders.
• Background: I’ve kept up with politics since before I could vote.
• I’ve retconned my first election as Nov. 2000 (before I was 18).
• Campus newspaper columns, a little overt activism here and there.
• Anti-fans made a “Stephen would probably hate me” FB group.
• Today I stay atop news, and more importantly the deeper issues.
• And I do post about politics, so don’t hear me saying “don’t do it.”
• But here at Lorehaven we are not first about politics. Morality first.

A positive note: Stephen’s developing post rules

• Personally, I post about certain topics that are, I hope, limited.
• My rules: biblical conviction, topically focused, open engagement.
• Example: my Jan. 30 post on activist Don Lemon being arrested.
• To me this one’s easy. The man joined a mob to invade a church.
• I like the church. I don’t like bullies. And this topic relates to ACE.
• Besides, I don’t like when professing Christians abuse the Bible.
• That includes people who impulsively see other believers as bad guys and impulsively see anyone “protesting” them as good guys.
• This is an absolute non-starter. You’re slandering your own people.
• Unfortunately this is a nasty effect of some “missional” Christians.
• They care so much about “the world” that they step on family.
• Even then, however, I may step wrong or distract from my focus.
• In the next episode, we’ll talk about the positive side of posting.
• We need common ground! That is why this topic calls for care.
• Otherwise, here are my personal consequences. Others may vary.
• If authors post badly about politics once, I’ll “snooze” their feeds.
• If they keep it up, I assume they are radicalizing and mute them.

Chapter 2: Five cringe and corrosive ways Christian authors post about politics

1. They’ve never before posted about these topics.

• The post breaks a pattern of trust between an author and readers.
• Such a comment on hot controversies looks oddly out of place.
• It’s often motivated by something other than longstanding interest.

2. The post has nothing to do with the author’s work.

• What does a fantasy writer have to do with immigration debates?
• This can also break trust. Fans didn’t follow him for political takes.
• Authors who now only post politics signal they’re “switching jobs.”

3. They claim the post ‘isn’t political’ but it jolly well is.

• On the surface, the post may seem to advocate simple morality.
• With any human debate over ethics and law, politics are a factor.
• “This isn’t political” misunderstands what politics actually are.

4. Authors may not even appreciate what politics are.

• Some who claim to “hate politics” just don’t like defending ideas.
• They’d rather hit a “win button” and thereby become always right.
• “Politics matter because policy matters because people matter!”

5. Some foolishly try bringing ‘just love’ to law fights.

• God bless them, but these sensitive souls lead first with feelings.
• They mean well, but forget the very real realities of laws and policy.
• Christians do grace stuff and law stuff. Government is law stuff.

Chapter 3: Five slanderous and sinful ways Christian authors post about politics

6. The author exposes ignorance about the issues.

• Ignorance is no sin, but willful ignorance of facts is no excuse.
• If you don’t like politics, this effectively seeks unearned authority.
• If you don’t care for real laws, you’re just meddling (Prov. 26:17).

7. Some follow influencers who take bribes (Ex. 32:8).

• For clarity, paid influencers can take actual cash for their posts.
• Others trade in alternative currencies: EmoCoin and TrendBucks.
• In either case, they’re being steered, and they may also steer you.

8. Some try to foreclose discussion and just be ‘right.’

• This is another “win button” attempt, but this time more foolishly.
• You can’t put on a jersey and enter the field without consequence.
• It’s absurd, even laughable, to get upset at opposing team players.

9. Even worse, authors slander their spiritual family.

• I have personally seen Christian authors falsely accuse others.
• Big studios do this in macro against critical fans, and they fail hard!
• This is sinful behavior, not to mention personally self-destructive.

10. Worst of all, some pronounce threats of Hell itself.

• This is the greatest sin so far. It bears special direct condemnation.
• You will not threaten “God’s judgment” on believers who disagree on secondary issues, like how the civil magistrate enforces law.
• Such threats often reveal this is about personal hatred, not truth.

Com station

Top question for listeners

• When your favorite authors suddenly post hot takes about the latest controversial headlines or violent acts, how do you feel?

Next on Fantastical Truth

This is a heated topic, necessarily so. Now as we move toward spring, let’s attempt a thaw. Lord willing, Zackary Russell will return here for an interactive discussion about how we as fans can hope better from our favorite authors. Do we expect them to “shut up and write”? Or can we hope for more thoughtful, gracious engagement that will not divide the body of Christ but will bring us better together even if we do disagree?