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When The English Fall
Reviews, May 20, 2022

Realm Makers Bookstore Returns to Orlando for FPEA Conference, May 26–28
News, May 19, 2022

112. How Does Fiction Help Us Love Our Enemies Even If We Must Defeat Them?
Fantastical Truth Podcast, May 17, 2022

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Vivid, Ashley Bustamante
My Soul to Take, Bryan Davis
Into Shadow's Fire, Mark Castleberry
Deceived, Madisyn Carlin
Arena (2022 edition), Karen Hancock
Kurt Nickle-Dickle of Whiskers, N. J. McLagan
"In a city where debts are paid in blood, one young man will learn that everyone needs help sometimes if they want to survive." New in the Lorehaven library: A Matter of Blood, Lauren H Salisbury
Son of the Shield, Mary Schlegel
Maxine Justice, Galactic Attorney, Daniel Schwabauer
Mordizan, Alyssa Roat
Prentice Ash, Matt Barron
Etania's Calling, M. H. Elrich
The Choice, Bradley Caffee
The Obsidian Butterfly, Lani Forbes
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When The English Fall
“When The English Fall tells a bittersweet tale of community and commitment that plunges fearlessly into hard questions about the end of the world.”
—Lorehaven on May 20, 2022

Clawing Free
“Clawing Free is an absorbing tale that seamlessly joins modernity and myth.”
—Lorehaven on May 13, 2022

Vivid
“Ashley Bustamante’s Vivid paints a world built on secrets and carefully controlled color palettes.”
—Lorehaven on May 6, 2022

Prophet
“If great fiction dares explore culture wars, it must show more than perfect people smiling before a flat backdrop. Frank E. Peretti’s 1992 novel Prophet reflects this reality.”
—Lorehaven on May 4, 2022

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Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney
Book Quests, May 2022

The Green Ember
Book Quests, April 2022

The Seventh Sun
Book Quests, March 2022

Power On
Book Quests, February 2022

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112. How Does Fiction Help Us Love Our Enemies Even If We Must Defeat Them?
Fantastical Truth, May 17, 2022

111. Why Do Your Kids Need Fantastical Stories for God’s Glory?
Fantastical Truth, May 10, 2022

110. Could We Enter a ‘Golden Age’ of Christian-Made Fantastical Fiction?
Fantastical Truth, May 3, 2022

109. How Should Local Churches Support Christian-Made Fantasy?
Fantastical Truth, Apr 26, 2022

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The original SpecFaith: est. 2006

site archives | statement of faith
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Yes, Speculative Faith Is Closed, At Least For Now
E. Stephen Burnett, Dec 30

Last Stands, Custer, General Gordon, and Being a Christian Warrior
Travis Perry, Jul 2

How Christian Must Christian Fiction Be?
Rebecca LuElla Miller, May 24

Gender In Fiction: The Implication Of Failure
Rebecca LuElla Miller, May 10

Making a Story Visual UPDATE: Behind the Scenes of the Animal Eye Comic
Travis Perry, May 9

What Does “Woke” Culture Have To Do With Christian Fiction?
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Apr 26

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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.
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30. How Can The Babylon Bee’s Satire Reflect Our Crazy Reality? | with Frank J. Fleming

Babylon Bee senior writer Frank J. Fleming joins today’s episode to explore satire, politics, and his own comedic sci-fi.
Fantastical Truth on Aug 25, 2020 · No comments

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Why use jokes to make a point? What does satire reveal about human imagination? Babylon Bee senior writer and comedic sci-fi creator Frank J. Fleming joins today’s episode. (It’s nicely timed, too, after our cohost Zackary Russell wrote the headline of this viral Babylon Bee story.)

A King's Return, J. J. Johnson

Episode sponsor

This episode is sponsored by author J. J. Johnson, who just released his fantasy novel A King’s Return.

Islandia had been without a High King for a generation. Eloy, the last High King, embarked upon a journey shrouded in mystery after a cryptic warning found from a long lost prophet promised a return of ancient dark forces. Eloy had placed the rule of Islandia and the five kingdoms in the hands of his closest friend, King Richard. After thirty years most have long since stopped looking for Eloy’s return or the darkness foretold. Many under Richard’s rule have grown discontent and jealous of his appointment. All hope for peace is lost and chaos reigns after the icy hand of an assassin takes the life of King Richard and plucks him from the throne. What now? Will Prince Titus, Richard’s son, have the strength to hold Islandia together, or will it descend into war over the High King’s throne! The kingdom is divided by the sword as each must decide where their loyalties lie.

  • Order from Amazon A King’s Return in hardback, paperback, or digital.
  • Explore more of J. J. Johnson’s world at KingdomsofIslandia.com!

Today’s guest: Frank J. Fleming

Frank J. Fleming is the author of science fiction, fantasy, and satire. As Senior Writer for The Babylon Bee, he’s known for hard-hitting stories like, “Really Interesting Theological Discussion Ruined By Someone Pulling Out A Bible Verse,” and “Engineer Frustrated At Inability To Tell Responsible Citizens From Train Robbers,” as well as “”Report: The Squirrels Are Up To Something.” And if you follow the Babylon Bee podcast, you know that Frank is the voice of most of the Trump jokes.

Superego, Frank J. FlemingFrank started out blogging political commentary on imao.us, which stands for In My Arrogant Opinion (brilliant title). His political satire was featured on The New York Post. He says he wrote satire because it didn’t require any research; he could just make stuff up. In 2016, he got sick of politics like the rest of us, and now he’s focused on writing speculative fiction. And the best part about sci-fi and fantasy is that he can once again just make stuff up and not have to do any research.

Frank wrote the comedic sci-fi novel Superego. This story of an intergalactic hitman with no morality asks: “Can a genetically engineered psychopath grow a conscience, get the girl, and save the galaxy? Two out of three ain’t bad.” It’s followed by Superego: Fathom.

Frank and his wife Sarah are raising four children in Austin, Texas. Find all of Frank’s books on his website and follow him on Twitter.

We explore questions like:

  • How did you first discover Christian truth and fantastical fiction?
  • What are your favorite Babylon Bee articles?
  • Why has the site grown so popular, even more than ChristianityToday.com and CNN.com?
  • What makes satire work and why is it valuable?
  • Why not just tell the truth directly? Why tell it “slant” as Emily Dickinson famously said?
  • Is satire too mean? We live in a hyper-sensitive time, after all. How do you take that into consideration when writing jokes?
  • What led you to write the comedic sci-fi novels Superego and Superego: Fathom?
  • Before you wrote Christian satire or sci-fi, you wrote political satire novels, like Punch Your Inner Hippie. For this, does having an inner psychopath hitman comes in handy?
  • You’ve said elsewhere that you wanted to leave full-time political commentary when you perceived more important things in life, like family. Can you share more?

Babylon Bee stories we cite include:

  • Church Tech Guy Completes Historic Perfect Service
  • Calvinist Tech Guy Assures Church His Mistakes Were Ordained Before The Foundation Of The World
  • Mother Returns Home From Women’s Retreat To Giant Smoking Crater
  • Man Complains About Plot Holes In Movie About Space Wizards Fighting With Colored Laser Sticks
  • Thanks To New Laws, VeggieTales Finally Introduces New Cannabis Character
  • Brilliant Trump Puts Himself On All Postage Stamps, Forcing Democrats To Push For Abolishing USPS

The Pop Culture Culture Parent, Ted Turnau, E. Stephen Burnett, Jared MooreNext on Fantastical Truth

Christians like to debate whether popular culture is mostly bad, mostly good, or else just “neutral.” But we’ve often missed the big question about what popular culture’s purpose is in the first place. What if popular culture was actually God’s idea all along? Inspired by Stephen’s new book The Pop Culture Parent (with Ted Turnau and Jared Moore), we’ll take this quick tour of God’s original plan for all our stories, songs, and beyond.

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    In the Fantastical Truth podcast from Lorehaven, hosts E. Stephen Burnett and Zackary Russell find the best Christian fantasy, and apply the wonders of these imaginary worlds to the real world our Creator has called us to serve. Join the best Christian fantastical authors and other creative friends on this joyful journey, to find the happiness and holiness of Jesus through his gift of truthful imagination.
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    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.