243. What Were Your Favorite 2024 Lorehaven Articles and Podcast Episodes?

Fantastical Truth

Merry Twelve Days of Christmas Season! After last week’s break, we return with our first New Year’s Eve special. Which top ten Fantastical Truth episodes and http://Lorehaven.com articles did readers love most in the last year? We’ll survey all of these, and give fun updates, to close our 2024 season.

Mission update

• Christian-Made Stories Got Even Better in 2024, Jenneth Dyck
• Later this week: new Onscreen articles from Parker J. Cole
• Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild

Episode sponsors

1. Enclave Publishing: Memoria by J. J. Fischer
2. E. Stephen Burnett: Above the Circle of Earth
3. Lorehaven: share the Fantastical Truth podcast with a friend!

10. The Christian Roots of Fantasy, R. J. Anderson

On one Saturday evening at the women’s Bible conference, I’d just sold my last book. I was heading to the auditorium for my keynote talk when a nervous-looking young woman plucked my sleeve.

“Excuse me,” she stammered. “Could I ask you why you write books”—her voice dropped to a whisper—“like that?”

“You mean fantasy?” I asked, smiling at her.

She nodded, eyes wide with anxiety and fear.

I didn’t have much time to spare, but my heart went out to her. It wasn’t hard to guess what she believed: that fantasy stories glorify witchcraft, paganism, and the occult, and no serious Christian should have anything to do with them. Especially not one of the main speakers at a Bible conference!

Yet I didn’t feel defensive, because I didn’t need to. Instead, I was happy to tell the young woman why I love fantasy, because this genre offers an opportunity to illustrate biblical truths in a fresh way, and speak to people who might never have listened otherwise.

9. What Can First-Time Guests Expect at a Christian Writers’ Conference? | with J. J. Johnson, podcast

We’re partners with Realm Makers, the leading fantastical conference for Christian creatives. Recently organizers shared that over 40 percent of registrations for this July’s event are first-time guests. This brings back memories! So we thought we’d share them with you. What’s it like at a writers’ conference? And what should first-time guests expect at Realm Makers and beyond?

• Listeners love behind-the-scenes episodes about how books are made.
• That’s how we do them, when we do them; we’re not a writers’ podcast.
• Still, many fantastical story fans also love to create their own stories.

8. Duke Leto of ‘Dune’ Shows How Christians Can Live with Nobility in a Hostile World, Josiah DeGraaf

When we’re living in a hostile world, we’re often tempted to adopt our enemies’ methods and do whatever it takes to win. After all, if they’re using vicious tactics that bring victory, don’t we need to adopt similar strategies to survive?

Leto shows the example of a better path.

To some extent, I’m unable to explain with words how we should emulate Leto. Situations vary. Stories shouldn’t be reduced to specific theses. The best way we can enjoy Dune: Part One and grow as people is to reflect on Leto’s character, hold his example in our mind, and use this as inspiration to act likewise.

• This was a 2021 article, but still very timely because of Dune and culture.
• Josiah did a two-part series; the second part is: Duke Leto Also Shows How Christians Can Practice Shrewd Wisdom in a Hostile World.
• Next year, Josiah releases his fantasy novel A Study of Shattered Spells.

7. Should We Get Mad When Christians Scorn Fantastical Fiction?, podcast

If you’re a Christian fantastical fan, you’re gonna have a bad time. That’s because some critics accuse you of special sin by liking that “entertainment” stuff. So when that popular religious leader, or that random comment, or even your own trusted family member or pastor, warns you against popular culture and fantastical stories, how should you respond in wisdom?

• No guest, not even a current topic at the time
• Just a theme that many listeners really resonated with

6. ‘The Chosen’ Creator Dallas Jenkins Responds to On-Set Pride Flag Criticism, E. Stephen Burnett

The Chosen is not a church or ministry. Yes, the show has ministerial goals. Some are calling the production a “Christian production,” but what does this mean? They don’t have group prayers or a faith statement. They’re a business that makes Christian content. Believers can disagree about this approach. But they must remember The Chosen is a for-profit company. Just like Solomon built the Temple using help from “pagans” or nonbelievers. Even people who print Bibles may not be Christians.

• This news article was from back in June 2023.
• It may prove that people felt a shortage of current-year controversies
• Inarguably, The Chosen fetches headlines and Christians who love/hate it

5. How Should Christians Fight to Love a Declining Disney? | with Josh Shepherd, podcast

‘Tis the season for love and enchanted princesses and handsome princes and such-like. But lately, former fans of these ideas just aren’t feeling it, especially from the Disney side of our magical fandoms. When the Big Mouse keeps getting into big trouble, how’s a Christian fan to respond? Josh Shepherd brings a balanced biblical perspective into the studio.

• Since this article, Inside Out 2 restored some fans’ faith in Pixar.
• Then of course Deadpool and Wolverine slashed through skepticism.
• But now fans are still roasting Snow White and the “live action” Mufasa.

4. The Chosen Succeeds Where ‘Woke’ Stories Fail, Jenneth Dyck

… “Woke” projects fail and The Chosen succeeds for a more nuanced reason. Wokeism is not simply the inclusion of diverse or underprivileged characters. In fact, stories that show many ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles, and situations demonstrate a realistic reflection of God’s creation. I think Hollywood often fails, however, when they take these realities and force them to be something else.

3. What if a False Christ Started a Cult in Your Town? | The Visitation, podcast

What if the spirit of antichrist came to your town? Burned-out pastor Travis Jordan is on break from ministry after the death of his wife. But then his small city of Antioch faces great signs and wonders from a new prophet who claims to be a better christ than the true Jesus Christ. Just in time for our next summer book quest, challenge your faith and seek the true Savior for the 25-year anniversary of Frank Peretti’s supernatural thriller The Visitation!

2. Shasta’s Meeting with Aslan in The Horse and His Boy Helped Me Embrace God’s Sovereignty, Elijah David

I can remember the first time I read this scene, and felt confusion about the truth that Aslan harmed someone. But I also felt certain he had been right to do so. And I knew the beauty and terror of how intimately Aslan had been involved in Shasta’s life—yes, as protector and comforter, but also as one source of pain and trouble.

How could I reconcile these varied thoughts and emotions?

• Aslan’s talk with Shasta is one of the most beautiful Narnian moment.
• This was actually a 2022 article that has really appealed to many readers.
• It’s part of Eli’s seven-part series: I’ll Never Grow Too Old for Narnia.

1. Should Stories Minimize Morality to Advance Personal Liberation? | with Thomas Umstattd Jr., podcast

Once upon a time, more literary heroes pursued virtue, or at least knew that they should. But in more modern stories, main characters aren’t motivated by being good, but by being right. They exchange the truth and Law of God for the lie of “personal liberation.” In a world of abuse and tyrants, this can feel appealing. Yet how does this exchange ultimately make stories worse?

• This may be the top notable “nerd news” of 2024: fans are rejecting this.
• More makers of such film, streaming shows, and video games are failing.
• Fans prefer “classical morality” stories over “personal liberation” stories.

Com station

Top question for listeners

• What was your favorite Lorehaven podcast episode, article, or review?

Next on Fantastical Truth

Happy New Year! Lord willing, we’ll return next week for a look back at a website with a legacy that predates Lorehaven. Way back in 2006, several Christian fantasy creators started a team “blog” called Speculative Faith. Let’s look back on project that led to thousands of great articles from dozens of creators, and then later grew into the Lorehaven mission and this podcast.