Fantastical Truth

193. Are You ‘Allergic’ To Some Fantastical Fiction?

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Achoo! Stephen, Zack, and ten previous podcast guests explore how some stories contain genre substances we just can’t handle.

192. Twenty Years Ago, How Did ‘Return of the King’ Rule the Movies? | with Rilian of NarniaWeb

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From the city of Minas Tirith to Sam versus Shelob to the Rohirrim’s charge, we recall our epic experience with The Lord of the Rings films.

191. How Did Lewis and Tolkien Celebrate and Critique Christmas? | with David Bates

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

C. S. Lewis mocked secular “trumpery” and J. R. R. Tolkien wrote Santa fanfiction for his children, yet both men celebrated the Incarnation.

190. Why Should We Enjoy Spicy and Sugary Stories in Moderation?

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether we prefer our stories hot and savory, or cool and sweet, Scripture commands us to practice reasonable limits.

189. What Are the Best Books by C. S. Lewis?

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Just in time for C. S. Lewis's Nov. 29 birthday, we explore our favorites of the famous author's nonfiction and fantastical stories.

188. Can Political Pundits Create Fantastical Stories?

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Podcasts and polemics about hot topics might become profitable tools that Christian creators need to make culture for generations.

187. How Can Families Fight Through A Story’s Dark Forest? | The Wingfeather Saga with Andrew Peterson

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Explore the mysterious lands of Aerwiar in this growing fantasy world of creatures to be fought, tamed, or trusted.

186. Does the Devil Deceive People into Real Witchcraft? | with Marian Jacobs

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Satan is still prowling the Earth and tricking people into the darkness of the real occult.

185. What Are the Scariest Ghost Stories in Scripture?

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From a king who inquired of the dead, to a party-crashing disembodied hand, to a "ghost" walking on the waves, all of Scripture's spooky accounts poin...

184. How Can Nobledark Horror Explore the Problem of Evil? | with Marc Schooley

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

God’s word helps us confront wickedness in ourselves and the world, while great stories also help train our hearts for these spiritual battles.

183. Are Some Books So Scary That They Must Be ‘Banned’?

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While some people want to restrict books and critics condemn “bans,” the most feared Book of all tells us to discern all things for Christ’s sak...

182. How Does ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Teach Wisdom, Love, and Courage?

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we get lost in a wonderful land, let's resist darkness and follow the narrow brick road toward the promised City for eternal saints.

181. What If You Fell Into Classic Paintings? | Beneath the Swirling Sky with Carolyn Leiloglou

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this new series, framed artworks become magical portals to other worlds, thanks to one homeschool mom and middle-grade author.

180. How Can Creative Stories Reflect Curious Realities? | The Looking-Glass Illusion with Sara Ella

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sara Ella explores her duology inspired by Alice in Wonderland, where whimsy leads to joy and "nonsense" beckons to foundational truth.

179. How Can Great Stories Show ‘Real’ Men vs. Good Men?

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by Nancy R. Pearcey's new book The Toxic War on Masculinity, we compare the "Real" Man with the good men in fantastical stories.

178. Should We Weaponize Fantastical Stories To ‘Own the Libs’?

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christians may debate the place of "culture wars," but novels should be diplomatic artworks, not tools of destruction.

177. How Does J. K. Rowling’s World Expose Legalism, Fandom, and Sexual Activism? | with Marian Jacobs

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Harry Potter's author proves more complex than many of her characters, seeking to show human nature better than her critics.

176. How Can Christians Plant An ‘Oasis of Imagination’? | with Ted Turnau

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ted Turnau (Popologetics, The Pop Culture Parent) subverts cultural idols and challenges us to engage our world through better creativity.

175. Are the Aliens Liars, Lunatics, or Lords?

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christians have long believed aliens are demons, while unbelievers may see these mythical creatures as brutish beasts or enlightened beings.

174. How Can Fantastical Stories Train Christian Fans in Philosophy? | with Phil Lollar

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“Adventures in Odyssey” founding father Phil Lollar rejoins us to share how great stories go beyond feelings to help renew our minds in Christ.

173. Why Are So Many Summer ‘Blockbusters’ Getting Busted?

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While storytellers strike against studios, and fans reject many franchise movies, Christians can discern the goodness and evils of Hollywood.

172. Why Should Christian Fans Honor and Support Story Creators?

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Despite thorns, thistles, and other idols that corrupt God’s callings, let’s show our respect for authors who work hard to make great stories.

171. How Did Christian Creators Seek Wonder at Realm Makers 2023?

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We asked conference newcomers and authors alike how wonderful stories have led them to rediscover truth and worship Jesus Christ.

170. Will Artificial Intelligence Destroy Human Creativity?

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we try using artificial intelligence to make upgraded books and images, we may find humanity itself getting downgraded.

169. Should Christian Stories Feel Free to Show Cussin’ and Fightin’?

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With great freedom comes great responsibility, not using fiction sins to gratify the flesh but to worship Jesus and serve one another.

168. Fifteen Years Ago, How Did ‘The Shack’ Deconstruct Bible Doctrine?

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Since summer 2008, The Shack has helped many readers feel they could relate to God, but also challenged many gospel realities.

167. How Can Christian Parents Train Their Kids to Become Fantastic Creators? | with Naomi A. Russell

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If Christians truly want to share fantastic stories, they must raise their children to value these works and the hard choices of creativity.

166. Should Christians Hire Nonbelievers to Help Make Fantastical Stories?

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

People criticize Christian creators for working with nonbelievers, but the Bible assumes we’ll face these challenges in a mixed-up world.

165. How Does Science Fiction Help Us Escape Real-World Gravity? | with B. L. Dean

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sci-fi’s final frontiers and evil empires train us to live with purpose and engage challenges back home on Earth.

164. How Can We Find Great Stories for Our Children’s Good?

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

E. Stephen Burnett explores discernment in light of the gospel, offering practical resources for parents to share the best books with their kids.

163. How Are Homeschool Families Seeking Christian Fantastical Fiction?

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Homeschool families are facing new challenges in today's culture and hoping to find edifying novels for kids of all ages.

162. How Can Christians Engage Wisely With Conspiracy Theories? | with Mike Duran

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While nations rage and peoples plot in vain, Mike Duran helps us find the links between biblical perspectives and secular speculations.

161. How Can We Celebrate the Restoration of Failed Franchises?

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As many fantastic worlds fall into ruin by religious agendas and shallow storytelling, let’s explore the few franchises that honor their legacy.

160. How Does ‘Cultural Christianity’ Harm and Help Stories?

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Public moral tropes and faith expressions can lead to false conversions in our churches but also true gospel influence in our culture.

159. What If Your Genius Math Skills Got You in Trouble with the Mob? | Calculated with Nova McBee

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nova McBee pilots into our studio to share inspirations for Calculated plus its sequels and a movie in development.

158. Can a Man-Made Lifeform Reflect God’s Glory? | Synapse with Steven James

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While real programmers pursue artificial intelligence, one sci-fi creator explores what happens if robotic lifeforms find religious belief.

157. Will We Get Superpowers After the Resurrection?

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the New Earth, resurrected saints will be perfectly human. But do we get to fly? Or “apparate” from place to place? Or dive underwater for hour...

156. Why Does Sexualityism Threaten Christian Fiction? | with Bethel McGrew

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's fast-growing false religion of Sexualityism worships human sexual identities, and could begin to creep into Christian-made fantasy.

155. How Might Sentimentalism Threaten Christian Fiction?

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sentimentalism weakens old and new stories by insisting that humans are basically good, the Fall wasn't that bad, and Jesus Christ is merely optional.

154. What If You Had to Fake Being Genetically Modified? | Enhanced with Candace Kade

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Candace Kade rides into the studio to share her own social credit points plus Enhanced, her debut novel set in a cyberpunk dystopian world.

153. When Can Deconstructionism Threaten Christian Fiction? | with Michael Young aka ‘Wokal Distance’

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every Christian may struggle with doubt, but demolition activists want you to imagine postmodern fantasies beyond the biblical gospel.

152. How Can Christian Fantasy Fans Heal from Church Trauma? | with Marian Jacobs and L. G. McCary

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fantastical foes may smuggle false religions into some novels, but these may look like heroes to readers who suffer real harm in God’s house.

151. How Can Fantastical Satire Sharpen Our Theology? | The Pilgrim’s Progress Reloaded with David Umstattd

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This new version of Bunyan’s classic shares comic relief for serious purpose, complete with robots, space marines, and talking platypuses.

150. Is the U.S. Government Covering Up Spy Balloons or Alien Spaceships? | with James R. Hannibal

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Even when investigators seem to solve aerial mysteries, we can't help suspecting more secrets about enemy ships or alien secrets.

149. Why Do Christian Fiction Fans Love So Much Romance?

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our hosts enjoy sweet concessions and ask why many Christian-made novels, including fantasy, celebrate Valentine’s Day every day.

148. Why Do Some Christians Revile ‘The Chosen’? | with Josiah DeGraaf and Jenneth Dyck

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Critics of biblical fiction forget our need for Christian imagination, not only to preach sermons but also to worship Jesus with public creativity.

147. Why Can Christians Celebrate Stories about Merlin and King Arthur? | with Robert Treskillard

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Robert Treskillard joins our studio roundtable to share his medieval fantasy Merlin's Spiral series.

146. How Did Animators Adapt The Wingfeather Saga For Streaming TV? | with Keith Lango

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

CG artist Keith Lango takes us behind the studio scenes to explore how artists and animators brought Andrew Peterson’s fantasy to life.

145. How Did Edmund Spenser’s ‘The Faerie Queene’ Shape Christian Fantasy? | with Rebecca K. Reynolds

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One British poet's 1590s allegorical fantasy adventure is getting a new text-faithful prose adaptation.

144. Which Top Six Fantasy Franchises Gave Fans Grief in 2022?

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Amazon, Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros. seem to be dividing several fiction franchises, for several reasons Christians fans should discern.

143. Which Top Ten Lorehaven Stories Proved Most Popular in 2022?

06 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We start our new season of Fantastical Truth by reviewing our top ten articles, news, and pages at Lorehaven.com last year.

142. What Christmas Gift ‘Tools, Not Toys’ Helped You Grow As a Person?

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen and Zack reminisce about their favorite Christmas gifts of “tools, not toys” that helped them seek their fantastical missions.

141. Ten Years After ‘An Unexpected Journey,’ Must We Really Hate The Hobbit Films? | with Rilian of NarniaWeb

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“Rilian” of NarniaWeb returns to share frustration and appreciation for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit series, whose first film debuted ten years ag...

140. When Should You Start Playing Christmas Music—the Best and Worst?

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sing along with us and debate when to enjoy your Christmas music, including your favorite seasonal songs and the worst tunes you've ever heard.

139. What If You Could Win a Race and Change World Law? | The Chase Runner series with Bradley Caffee

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bradley Caffee, author of The Chase, The Change, and The Choice, dashes into our studio to lead the young-adult resistance.

138. What If the Government Made You Act Like An Android? | Aberration with Cathy McCrumb

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the Children of the Consortium series, one woman's broken nanotech implant helps her rediscover human connection.

137. Which Dystopian Doom Sounds Worse, Orwell’s ‘1984’ or Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’?

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We live in a society shaped by two dystopian fictions—Aldous Huxley's hedonistic fake-utopia versus George Orwell's authoritarian Big Brother.

136. How Did Politics Become King of Evangelical Popular Culture?

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christians invest a lot into political persuasion, possibly neglecting stories' power to change human hearts.

135. Why Are Some Christians So Curious About Nephilim?

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this giant controversy about these "monsters," who make such a quick cameo in Genesis 6 but get a starring role in many Christian speculat...

134. Why Do Mad Scientists Keep Trying to Make Monsters?

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

That twist ending is true—mad scientists are the real monsters, abusing their power, creations, and human lives because they want to become like God...

133. How Are New Fans Discovering the Horror and Holiness of ‘Dracula’?

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This year, over 200,000 Dracula Daily readers have rediscovered Bram Stoker’s original classic novel, cheering its earnestly good heroes who fight p...

132. Do Christians Really Need Horror? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 5

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Horror can host ungodly creatures and themes that glorify darkness, not God, but the best horror helps us flee to the light and power of Christ.

131. What If An Airborne Mist Turned Humans Into Zombies? | The Skyworld Series with Morgan L. Busse

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In Morgan L. Busse's new Skyworld duology, the Mist is rising and threatening to turn humans into steampunk zombies.

130. Will Audiobooks Form the Future of Christian Fantasy? | Oasis Family Media with Steve Smith

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to classic and new fantastical audio adventures while watching for a Sky Turtle with Oasis Family Media president Steve Smith, our next guest i...

129. Why Does Fantastical Fiction Express God’s Creativity? | Enclave Publishing with Steve Laube

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join agent/publisher Steve Laube to explore how and why Enclave Publishing shares award-winning Christian fantastical fiction.

128. How Can Christian Fans Engage Their Local Libraries? | with Steve Rzasa

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Rzasa leads a public library, creates dozens of fantastical novels, and now arrives as our first guest in the Steve Saga.

127. Can a ‘Code of Honor’ Help Christian Unity in Creative Groups?

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When Christian fans aim to fight about fandom and imagination, let's look to Jesus and to mutual cautions about respect, morality, and celebrating our...

126. How Can We Respond With Grace and Truth to Christian Cringe? | with Kevin McCreary

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Say Goodnight Kevin's snarky reviewer helps us stay honest about cringey Christian culture while also being gracious to Christ's people.

125. Why Do ‘False Prophets’ Predict Doom for Movie Theaters and Other Cultural Experiences?

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christians often sound negative about popular culture, but some secular critics seemed to forget that God made humans to gather in public and celebrat...

124. How Should Christian Novels Help Secular Readers?

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christian-made novels best serve non-Christian readers by showing realistic worlds instead of sentimental heroes or morality.

123. Which Fantastical Novels Won Big at the 2022 Realm Awards?

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen just returned from the Realm Makers conference, and shares with Zack all about the event, Lorehaven's booth, and Realm Award winners.

122. Why Are More Fans Turning Against Their Favorite Franchises?

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christians may have a different take on fans who must grieve corrupted stories and learn to love again.

121. Will Humans Colonize the Cosmos Before Jesus Returns?

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Scripture says everyone on Earth will see Jesus Christ's glorious appearing, which could make a confusing future for people not living on Earth.

120. How Can Christians Enjoy Biblical Freedom in Fiction and Imagination?

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christian fans are called to freedom, but we should use this gift to serve others, not as opportunity to sin.

119. Will Congress Disclose the UFOs Our Favorite Alien Stories Ask Us to Believe In? | with Colin Samul

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While government leaders debate laws about human life, some U.S. leaders and military pilots wonder if they've seen extraterrestrial ships.

118. Which Fantastical Stories Help Us Celebrate Human Life?

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Big news dropped June 24, inspiring us to rejoice in stories about the wonders of human life, pre-born and beyond.

117. Why Should You Build a Fantastical Lending Library? | with L.G. McCary

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Create your personal library to glorify Jesus, preserve great books, showcase God's creative gifts, and grant a legacy to your friends today and child...

116. Why Do Homeschooled Students Love Fantastical Fiction? | with Ethan Nunn

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Speaker, teacher, and homeschool graduate Ethan Nunn helps us explore why families flock to Christian fantastical authors at homeschool events.

115. How Do Lorehaven Creators Strive to Follow Biblical Statements of Faith?

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For centuries Christians have confessed their faith as individuals, churches, and other groups, so here's what we believe at Lorehaven.

114. What If The Abolition of Man Became A Political Thriller? | The Testimony of Calvin Lewis with Daniel Friend

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Friend joins us to explore how experimental memory technology might abolish man.

113. What If You Learned Bible Lessons from Singing Veggies and Dead Sea Squirrels? | with Mike Nawrocki

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From absent hairbrushes, to kitchen-based boy bands, to Merle and Pearl Squirrel freshly thawed from the first century, Mike Nawrocki shares his stori...

112. How Does Fiction Help Us Love Our Enemies Even If We Must Defeat Them?

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader. Spider-Man vs. Venom. Superman vs. General Zod. Each tries to save his people and also his enemy, but with different r...

111. Why Do Your Kids Need Fantastical Stories for God’s Glory?

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Some children or teens have the strange superpower of speed-reading books, which can include many idols but also graces.

110. Could We Enter a ‘Golden Age’ of Christian-Made Fantastical Fiction?

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Zack believes more readers will soon clamor for Christian-made fantastical novels, while Stephen thinks this optimism might be premature.

109. How Should Local Churches Support Christian-Made Fantasy?

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christians learn through stories and music, so if churches already have music pastors, perhaps we could add "story pastors" to help us cultivate, shep...

108: How Does Christ’s Resurrection Change Our Old Lives Forever? | with Tim Chaffey

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

He is risen! Christians celebrate the truth of Christ's victory over death, yet often miss the implications for our own promised resurrection.

107. Why Is The Daily Wire Spending Millions To Create Fantastic Shows for Kids? | with Frank J. Fleming

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Now that Disney producers are promising to add more false religion into their shows, this controversy may be animating new Christian creatives.

106. What If Homeschool Families Can Help Christian Fantasy Grow for Generations?

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We just hosted our Lorehaven booth at the Teach Them Diligently conference in Texas, where kids and their parents love Christian fantastical fiction.

105. What If Planet Earth Was Invaded By Hostile Corporate Aliens? | Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney with Daniel Schwabauer

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Schwabauer joins us to explore this new heroine's legal defense of planet Earth.

104. What If You Fled From God’s Wrath Into Puritan Allegory? | The Pilgrim’s Progress with Zachary Bartels

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles? Rediscover the complex allegories of John Bunyan's classi...

103. When Christians Clash in Public, Can Great Stories Help Us Fight for Peace?

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Great stories might help us best discern Christian debates, training our hearts so we can focus on engaging ideas, not attacking individuals.

102. What Are the Top Ten Most-Played Episodes of Fantastical Truth?

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From UFOs to biblical imagination, to dragons versus televangelists, we’ll explore the big ideas our listeners have loved the most, and catch up wit...

101. Why Have Some Christians Moved from Engaging Entertainment to Franchise Fatigue? | with Megan Basham

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Despite fan frustrations with "woke" stories, Christians can still engage popular culture while discerning our own callings and the world's idols.

100. What If You Traveled to A Place of Wonder, Excitement, and Discovery? | Adventures in Odyssey with Phil Lollar

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This Christian-made audio drama series explores fantastical themes in a small town with big personalities, delighting generations of fans since 1987.

99. How Can Christians Discern Sensual Scenes on the Printed Page? | with Parker J. Cole

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Longing looks and steamy smooches in stories might reflect God's gift of romantic love, yet provoke many readers into serious temptation.

98. Should Christian Creators Abandon Secular Fiction Markets? | with Thomas Umstattd Jr.

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christian creators should simply (insert ideal here) to impress general market gatekeepers, right? Not so fast. Sometimes secular publishers actually ...

97. What If Rabbits With Swords Fought For Hope in a Mended Wood? | The Green Ember with S. D. Smith

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

S. D. Smith brings us into his popular Green Ember fantasy world of tiny creatures who find big adventure.

96. While Celebrity Creators Rise and Fall, How Do We Best Respect Christian Authors?

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We may treat winning authors like angels and failing authors like devils, when we need to see them as Christ sees them: flawed human beings.

95. How Can We Fight the Shadow When It Breaks the Wheel of Time and Other Fandoms? | with G. Shane Morris

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Zack and returning guest Shane Morris explore how Christians best respond when secular showrunners corrupt a story's canon and break fans’ hearts.

94. What Top Ten Lorehaven Stories Did Fans Favor in 2021?

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen and Zack explore which Lorehaven stories made the biggest impact on you, and catch up with several story updates.