‘Antifa-ntasy’ Puts God in a Box
Christopher D. Schmitz, Sep 25, 2018
In 1982, fantasy equaled Satanism. In 2016, Stranger Things received praise from Relevant and Christianity Today. What happened?
Twelve Responses to Abuse Accusations in Christian Conferences, Part 3
E. Stephen Burnett, Sep 25, 2018
Consider going back to “old ways” of ethical conduct. Don’t slander people who know, or defend, the accused abuser. Be shocked when accused men “repent” to everyone except God. Lament that these situations often come with no-win scenarios (for now).
Twelve Responses to Abuse Accusations in Christian Conferences, Part 2
E. Stephen Burnett, Sep 24, 2018
Don’t treat a conference or Christian group like a church. Encourage all Christian leaders to act “above reproach.” Don’t reject all the accused person’s creative work. Don’t totally “shun” the person accused of abuse.
Twelve Responses to Abuse Accusations in Christian Conferences, Part 1
E. Stephen Burnett, Sep 21, 2018
Listen to abuse victims. Don’t respond with these lines. Reconsider whether victims must “forgive” the accused. Don’t make judgments about salvation.
Speculative Fiction Writers’ Guide to War, Part 3: Levels and Types of War
Travis Chapman, Sep 20, 2018
As Star Wars: Rogue 1 showed, warfare normally happens at three levels: tactical, operational, and strategic. And has many different types.
Monsters and the Heroes Who Fight Them
Randall Allen Dunn, Sep 18, 2018
Thriller novelist Randall Allen Dunn: “Heroes who fight monsters will stop at nothing. That’s why I love them.”
Let’s Talk Fiction
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Sep 17, 2018
We have to pass along our recommendations to others. We have to write reviews, we have to talk books up on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or wherever you hang out in cyberspace.
Faith in a Grimdark World
Aidan Russell, Sep 14, 2018
Novelist Aidan Russell: “As Christ’s followers, we are called to fight, and we cannot fail.”
Speculative Fiction Writer’s Guide to War, Part 2: Balance of Power
Travis Perry, Sep 13, 2018
Balance of Power–a key factor in how nations reason through whether or not to go to war with each other, in both fact and fiction.
A Dark Little Tale
Shannon McDermott, Sep 12, 2018
This dark little tale demonstrates – all the more powerfully for its lack of greatness – the power of stories.
Who Wants to Kill Christian Fiction?
E. Stephen Burnett, Sep 11, 2018
Right or wrong, people keep claiming Christian fiction will die. Who’s guilty of wanting to kill it?
Is Speculative Fiction A First World Pastime?
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Sep 10, 2018
Is speculative fiction only for the first world, and are we to accept the idea that no one apart from first world individuals will benefit from science fiction and fantasy?
We Need Fantasy, and Fantasy Needs God
C. S. Wachter, Sep 7, 2018
Novelist C. S. Wachter: “Fantasy stories with Christian themes do not only entertain; they also touch our hearts and leave footprints on our souls.”
Alpha–“Fantasy-esque” Pre-historic Fiction
Travis Perry, Sep 6, 2018
The movie Alpha shows the pre-historic past in a way that reminds me of elements I like from fantasy fiction. I explain why–and broadly recommend this movie.
Who Is In Control?
Mark Carver, Sep 5, 2018
When someone (or something) has control, it doesn’t like to give it back.
The Novella: A Great Idea Whose Time Has Come
Dave Swavely, Sep 4, 2018
Cruciform Press general editor Dave Swavely: “We may be at the dawn of a revolution in fiction publishing—the ‘Day of the Novella.’”
Does Anybody Work In Speculative Fiction?
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Sep 3, 2018
I wonder if our attitude toward work might not improve if we began to see it as honorable and necessary in our fiction.
God and Christian Characters in Space
Steve Rzasa, Aug 31, 2018
Novelist Steve Rzasa: “Speculative fiction needs believing characters who are believable.”
Autotomy–And a Left-Handed Way to Get to My Point
Travis Perry, Aug 30, 2018
Autotomy–or is that Autonomy? Or how self-cutting leads indirectly to a point about Christians writing speculative fiction…
A Girl and Her Father
Shannon McDermott, Aug 29, 2018
The story of Esther is commonly told as a romance, but the relationship that matters most is the one between Esther and Mordecai.
Spiritual Warfare Novels, Fantasy, and the Bible
Brian Godawa, Aug 28, 2018
Novelist Brian Godawa asks: “Spiritual warfare in the book of Revelation—what does it really look like?”
Christians And Writing Speculative Fiction
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Aug 27, 2018
I happen to think that the world desperately needs to hear what Christians have to say. The world needs hope and healing from sin, but the truth is there is only false hope in “looking for the power within,” or the “man is good, you just need to show him empathy” approach to life.
Accidents of Unexpected Creation
Travis Perry, Aug 23, 2018
Sometimes accidents or unexpected patterns help create visual art or produce plot twists in a story. But can this sort of accident apply to the entire universe?
Where Have All the Monsters Gone?
Mark Carver, Aug 22, 2018
Why aren’t dinosaurs roaming the earth today or giant sharks eating fishing boats whole?
Thanos Offered Fake Love in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’
Marian A. Jacobs, Aug 21, 2018
Thanos could not have truly loved Gamora, because love is not just affection—it’s self-sacrifice.
C. S. Lewis Was Right
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Aug 20, 2018
“I searched for ways out not because I was miserable, or lost, but because I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more.” – V. E. Schwab
Freeing Ourselves from Tropes
S. E. M. Ishida, Aug 17, 2018
Novelist S. E. M. Ishida: “Stories have the power to impact our perceptions about people’s gender, ethnicity, and more.”
Speculative Fiction Writer’s Guide to War–part 1, Reasons
Travis Perry, Aug 16, 2018
For what reasons do human beings fight wars? And how can we apply understanding these causes of conflict to speculative stories?
Seriously, Now
Shannon McDermott, Aug 15, 2018
“Serious” is more a description than a judgment, more an attribute than a virtue or a vice.
Why I Believe in Jesus and Love Fantasy Fiction
Daley Downing, Aug 14, 2018
Novelist Daley Downing: The Bible asks us to believe in the miraculous, and that’s why I love imagining the impossible.
