The Legend Of Intaglio, Part 6
Fred Warren, Jun 26, 2012
It all made sense now. He had betrayed the Fairy’s trust, and this was his punishment.
Reading, Ratings, And Parental Guidance
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 25, 2012
Rating systems deliver the job of discernment into the hands of someone removed from the consumer. Movie ratings are often used as an example of what works when it comes to a quick and easy assessment of stories. However, I doubt seriously if any person Hollywood charges to rate a movie does so based on a Christian worldview.
Mixed Messages and Thin Themes
Kat Heckenbach, Jun 22, 2012
Christians shouldn’t be afraid of stories that hint at other ways of thinking. If the main message has merit and is presented properly, it will be clear among other ideas.
Speculative Faith Reading Group 4: Reality and Narnia
E. Stephen Burnett, Jun 21, 2012
Why did C.S. Lewis write about four children coming into the magical land of Narnia? Why not two, or three, or even one, in order to write a simpler story with a more-focused cast of characters?
It’s The End Of The World As We Know It
John Otte, Jun 20, 2012
What do Christians believe about the end times? How do those beliefs affect our views of speculative stories, especially science fiction?
The Legend Of Intaglio, Part 5
Fred Warren, Jun 19, 2012
His joints protested as he struggled to his feet; every movement was squeaky and stiff. He took some small consolation in the fact his trousers were dry.
The Point And Purpose Of Reading Fiction
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 18, 2012
We frequently discuss whether or not we should expose ourselves to “gritty” stories about the garbage dump of life. Must we wallow in the mud, or can we choose instead to read stories that evoke truth and beauty? A tangential issue that might help with that question is this: are truthful stories beautiful (artistic) simply because of their truth?
Reasons Christians Don’t Read Horror (And Why They Should)
Mike Duran, Jun 15, 2012
We are called to think pure thoughts and meditate on that which is good. However, that does not mean we should live in denial about the darkness all around us.
Speculative Faith Reading Group 3: Enter The Witch
E. Stephen Burnett, Jun 14, 2012
For the real-life Speculative Faith Reading Group for LWW, this week we’ll pick up the pace. It helps that chapters 3 and 4 are short and follow one vital story development — Edmund meeting the White Witch.
Sex In The Story 7: Patri-Archetypes
E. Stephen Burnett, Jun 13, 2012
Why do you believe speculative stories, in particular, are so apt to explore issues of fathers and children? Which father-oriented stories have you enjoyed and why? Which ones haven’t done so well?
‘A Wrinkle In …’ Truth?
E. Stephen Burnett, Jun 12, 2012
Despite its classic status, Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time” is kind of boring me. But are the author’s apparently universalist beliefs even more concerning?
Content To Be A Niche
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 11, 2012
Do we as readers value Christian speculative fiction to the point of seeing it as a treasure? What if there were no more Christian speculative fiction tomorrow? No self-published e-books, no more POD Marcher Lord Press paperbacks, not any from Splashdown Books either, and none on the shelves of Christian or general market stores.
Teaching Story Transitions 1: Mediating Extremes
Jared Moore, Jun 8, 2012
“Children, be sheltered.” “Parents, shelter your children.” But Biblically, what comes in between? Introducing Pastor Jared Moore’s new summer series.
Speculative Antichrist
Kaci Hill, Jun 8, 2012
There’s a website called “The Top 100 Things I’d Do If I Ever Became an Evil Overlord.” In that spirit do I compose my list of things the Antichrist should avoid or implement.
Speculative Faith Reading Group 2: Meeting Mr. Tumnus
E. Stephen Burnett, Jun 7, 2012
Week 2 of the “Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” reading group. Goat-men, tree spirits, naked Greek gods, a drunk on a donkey, and an evil White Witch — how are these things in a classic story Christians love?
The Future’s So Bright?
John Otte, Jun 6, 2012
So how much does a person’s beliefs about humanity affect their vision of the future?
The Legend Of Intaglio, Part 4
Fred Warren, Jun 5, 2012
Intaglio had never worked a day in his admittedly short life, which was something of a liability in a town where everything was do-it-yourself.
Picking Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Jun 4, 2012
More and more, readers are faced with Choice. But how do we filter through the thousands of books to find the ones we actually want to read? Spec Faith does not sell books, so this isn’t one stop shopping. It is, however, the place for readers of Christian speculative fiction. But we need your help.
Speculative Faith Reading Group 1: Entering The ‘Wardrobe’
E. Stephen Burnett, May 31, 2012
This week I’m starting a reading group at my church for “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” You’re invited to join. How does this story honor God, and how can we learn from C.S. Lewis’s success at redeeming pagan myth for His glory?
Define ‘Christian Speculative Story’
E. Stephen Burnett, May 30, 2012
What is this thing called Christian speculative fiction? Readers and writers are still debating that question. How do you define it? Care to defend your definition?
The Legend Of Intaglio, Part 3
Fred Warren, May 29, 2012
The sun was rising as the ferry boat reached the island, a jagged little cone of rock crowned with a diadem of colorful buildings alive with pennons and bunting that fluttered in the ocean breeze.
Which Ones Are Required Reading?
Rebecca LuElla Miller, May 28, 2012
Besides Tolkien and Lewis, who else has had an impact on Christian speculative fiction? Specifically, what titles would you consider “required reading” for someone trying to understand the shape and history of present-day Christian speculative fiction?
Stepping Stones & One Angry Lady
Shannon Dittemore, May 25, 2012
We can—and oftentimes should—examine speculative fiction ourselves. We should consider the good and the bad they offer. We should consider the lessons they teach and the journeys they take the reader on. And whatever our prayerful conclusions, we must acknowledge that the printed word is always a perfect springboard for discussion.
The Ultimate Action / Disaster / Superhero / Suspense Film
E. Stephen Burnett, May 24, 2012
What dreams do you have about your favorite fantastic novels and films? Do you wake up, as I did last Saturday, at first thinking “that was incredible!” and taking excessive personal credit for the plot?
Do Robots Dream Of Souls?
John Otte, May 23, 2012
Do robots have souls? Could they? What is the criteria for true “life,” and how has science fiction historically explored the question?
The Legend Of Intaglio, Part 2
Fred Warren, May 22, 2012
Last week, we left our hero chained to a table in a literary sweatshop, where he was forced to write really lousy stories. He’s still there.
The Characters We Love
Rebecca LuElla Miller, May 21, 2012
Some stories are notable because of the action and their fast pace, others because of their epic nature, and still others because of their vivid world. But when it comes to characters, which stand out in your mind?
For Writers: Embracing Multimedia In Writing
Keven Newsome, May 18, 2012
Author Keven Newsome to speculative writers: Everything’s going multimedia…except books. But as the digital book age progresses, the technology will also progress. It is time for us writers to embrace multimedia.
Beauty and Truth 4: The Chief End Of Story
E. Stephen Burnett, May 17, 2012
I love story, yet recognize that Christians may give poor justifications for fiction. They may be good, but they’re second to the chief end of story: “Story’s chief end is to glorify God and help us enjoy Him forever.”
Film Failures, Countering Cultures, and Story’s Power
E. Stephen Burnett, May 16, 2012
Reflections on The Gospel Coalition’s recent series about Christian movies. Do we draw arbitrary, legalistic boundaries against story “preachiness”? Do we fear the evil “Christian” label just as others have feared the evil culture?
