The Poison Pill Of Culture
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jul 22, 2019
The way culture works is opposed to the way God works, the way Jesus works, and might fairly be considered a poison pill.
Licking the Chocolate Off Poison Pills: A Comment on Cultural Engagement
Travis Perry, Jul 18, 2019
Is there any potential risk in enjoying arts and popular culture? Is anything out there poison to us? How should we react to things we enjoy but know are harmful to us?
The Arc and the Epilogue
Shannon McDermott, Jul 17, 2019
In the beginning, Pixar made Toy Story, and it was good.
Should We Be Against Christians Who Are Against Popular Culture?
E. Stephen Burnett, Jul 16, 2019
E. Stephen Burnett and Cap Stewart explore the truth and challenges of Brad East’s recent Mere Orthodoxy article “Against Pop Culture.”
Favorite Authors
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jul 15, 2019
Authors can captivate a reader, maybe more than a genre does, but to keep their loyalty, an author needs to keep delivering.
Fiction Friday: Paranormia By Paul Regnier
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jul 12, 2019
A great balance of comedy, action adventure, and the supernatural, Paranormia is a quirky, heartfelt adventure that is both enjoyable and uniquely engaging. — Jill Williamson
Beatitudes and Woes: A Groundbreaking Anthology
Travis Perry, Jul 11, 2019
The Beatitudes and Woes anthology uses speculative stories to illustrate well-known statements Jesus made. Perhaps this method will prove to be groundbreaking–used by other anthologies in the future.
Children Don’t Need Magic: A Response to Joshua Gibbs
Mark Carver, Jul 10, 2019
Magic is fun in fiction, but children don’t actually need magic to experience the awe of the Creator.
For Fans, Your Family, and the Church: Get the New Issue of Lorehaven Magazine
E. Stephen Burnett, Jul 9, 2019
Shawn Smucker delights in magic at life’s margins, we review great new Christian fantasy, and fanservants seek the Psalms and discern YA’s allure.
Realm Makers Conference Facts—From The Writers’ Tool Chest
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jul 8, 2019
There are two things to keep in mind: 1) look for blog posts and pictures on social media about the Conference; 2) plan now to attend next year’s event.
The Villains We Love Only Want Their ‘Freedom’
Zackary Russell, Jul 5, 2019
“We like these villains because they embody a type of freedom we long for. A freedom to be your own boss. And everyone else’s.”
Appreciate the Independence, USA
Travis Perry, Jul 4, 2019
Realizing that all nations end should help us appreciate the USA we have now.
A Broadened Horizon
Shannon McDermott, Jul 3, 2019
But if my estimation of Marvel’s weaknesses is the same, my estimation of its strengths has changed.
Lorehaven Magazine’s Summer 2019 Issue Arrives Next Week
E. Stephen Burnett, Jul 2, 2019
What’s inside Lorehaven’s summer 2019 issue? Book reviews, great articles, and our interview with Shawn Smucker.
The Quantum Mechanics God of Alternate Realities
Travis Perry, Jun 27, 2019
Are alternate universes fair game for Christian writers of speculative fiction? This post takes a look at why so many science fiction stories feature alternate realities based on quantum mechanics–and suggests ways a Christian worldview can be compatible with this kind of tale.
The Way It Should Be
Mark Carver, Jun 26, 2019
One lazy evening a while back, I was scrolling through the movies on Amazon Prime and came across an indie film called Coherence. A quick search on Google pulled up favorable reviews, so I gave it a shot. I’m glad […]
Mission Report, June 2019, Realm Makers Bookstore in Pennsylvania
Ronie Kendig, Jun 25, 2019
We are still amazed when we encounter someone who says, “I had no idea books like this existed!â€
Summer Reading List
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 24, 2019
Here’s an opportunity for us to make those recommendations to Spec Faith readers for their summer reading list, especially about the books we’ve most recently read.
Alien Intelligence in Our Solar System?
Travis Perry, Jun 20, 2019
If the Solar System has life, including intelligent life, where might we find it? On Mars or under the surface of icy moons? Where we might really find life and what that life could be like should influence science fiction–including sci fi written by Christian authors.
One Conception From Another
Shannon McDermott, Jun 19, 2019
We all have an idea of what a witch is, but the idea is almost unavoidably an amalgam.
Awards Season Around The Corner
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 17, 2019
It’s always good to take a look at books that have won awards or those that others thought were at the top of the list.
Does Family Enhance Female Heroes?
Travis Perry, Jun 13, 2019
Was Mark Carver’s post on Speculative Faith yesterday right about a need to have more families with children in speculative fiction? In particular, would children benefit female heroes?
Those Meddling Kids
Mark Carver, Jun 12, 2019
It takes just a quick glance at movies, TV shows, and books to realize that our entertainment is packed with attractive and unmarried characters, and a good portion of those that are married look and act like they aren’t married. […]
Get a Glimpse of Lorehaven’s Summer 2019 Issue, Which Arrives Next Month
E. Stephen Burnett, Jun 11, 2019
Coming in Lorehaven’s next issue: novelist Shawn Smucker with “Light from Distant Stars,” plus 12 more book reviews.
Characters And Their Development: From The Writers’ Tool Chest
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 10, 2019
Characters make the story, even in speculative fiction. For all our intriguing Other Places, readers still read because they care about the characters.
Against the Tragic Villain Backstory
Travis Perry, Jun 6, 2019
I’m mostly against the tragic villain backstory as a storytelling device. Let me tell you why.
A Vulnerable Technique
Shannon McDermott, Jun 5, 2019
Flashbacks possess a special nature, generally inclined to be awkward.
Mission Report, May 2019, Realm Makers Bookstore in Orlando and Columbus
E. Stephen Burnett, Jun 4, 2019
This year so far, Realm Makers Bookstore has sold about 2,500 Christian-made fantastical books to eager readers across America.
What Science Fiction Fact Will Be Next?
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 3, 2019
Although speculative fiction has taken the duel turn toward horror—vampires and monsters of various kinds—and superheroes, are there science fiction writers imagining and producing the next set of future technologies or societal trends in their stories?
The Wandering Earth: Science Fiction From Outside the USA
Travis Perry, May 30, 2019
Are science fiction movies from China and other counties outside of the United States the future? Watching The Wandering Earth gave me some clues.