Fantastical Truth
Episodes
93. How Can We Behold Fantastical Fiction Glories in YA Fantasy and Beyond?
05 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Fantastical Truth from Lorehaven has begun season 3, featuring another recorded livestream joined by James R. Hannibal and Marian Jacobs.
92. Twenty Years Later, How Did We Enjoy ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’? | with Rilian of NarniaWeb
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Twenty years after The Fellowship of the Ring released in theaters, NarniaWeb's good prince Rilian helps us recall how Christians love exploring Peter...
91. What If You Fought Astride Elemental Horses to Unify Your Kingdom? | Of Fire and Ash with Gillian Bronte Adams
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Gillian Bronte Adams rides to meet Fantastical Truth, exploring her Fireborn Epic's fantasy world with its elemental horses and fantastic themes.
90. Does the Harry Potter Series Cast or Condemn Real-World Dark Magic? | with G. Shane Morris
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Twenty years after the first Harry Potter film premiered in theaters, Christians might bypass brick walls and find positive magical education at Hogwa...
89. What Are the Most Dangerous Dragons Infesting YA Fantasy? | with James R. Hannibal and Marian Jacobs
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Three storytellers wield faith over fear to battle YA fantasy fiends, in this special encore feature of a Realm Makers livestream event.
88. Can We Positively Engage Culture in a Negative World? | with Bethel McGrew, aka Esther O’Reilly
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The world has changed. We feel it in the earth. We smell it in the air. It's no longer positive or neutral, but negative toward Christianity.
87. How Can We Best Enjoy Newfound Fandoms Like the Book and Movie ‘Dune’?
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
New fandoms can bring us into exciting desert frontiers, yet also bristle with dangers slithering below the sands.
86. How Can Christians Fight Halloween’s Deathly Flippancy and Dark Magic?
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Halloween can promote good gifts like fall and fandom, yet its decor can also make light of serious death, suffering, or dark magic.
85. What If You Joined a Quest to Defeat Goblins, Trolls, and Ancient Invaders? | Wolf Soldier with James R. Hannibal
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
James R. Hannibal rests from military spycraft and dragon-slaying to explore fantastic worlds, Scripture memory, and Christlike figures in fiction.
84. How Did Bestselling Christian Novels Build Evangelical Culture? | Reading Evangelicals with Daniel Silliman
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Christianity Today news editor Daniel Silliman explores why fans loved top Christian fiction, including This Present Darkness, Left Behind, and The Sh...
83. How Can Fans Heal from Stories That ‘Wreck’ Us? | with Marian Jacobs
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Some authors brag they want to "wreck you, the reader," yet Christ promises a happy end that redeems all our harms.
82. What If Your Nightmares Came to Life and Haunted Your Day? | That Pale Host with L. G. McCary
05 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
That Pale Host ushers us into familiar haunted spaces: personal conflict, trauma versus responsibility, and mental health for Christ's people.
81. Should Christians Use ‘Clean Fiction’ to Fight a Dirty World?
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Safe and family-friendly stories may leave out nasty elements about sex and self-worship, but they do pose other risks for Christians
80. What if Satan is Planning Alien Conspiracies for the End Times? | The Jake Muller Adventures with Darby Kern
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our world's final end-times trials could include a literal tribulation, Antichrist, even a rapture—and possibly also UFO deceptions.
79. How Do We Use Fantastic Fiction to Process Wars and Rumors of Wars?
14 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When terrorists attacked and towers fell, how did Christians engage with nonfiction books and fantastical tales?
78. What If You Discovered Fairy Dust and Peter Pan Were Real? | The Heirs of Neverland series with Kara Swanson
07 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dust and Shadow author Kara Swanson shares the happy thoughts and nobledark struggles behind her Peter Pan retelling.
77. Creator, Evangelist, or Worshiper—What’s Our One Job When We Enjoy Stories? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 4
31 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Before we speak of our writing, discerning, cleaning, or using fiction, we must know our assignment: to glorify God and enjoy him forever.
76. Why Did Secular Readers Try to Cancel A Christian Historical Romance Novel? | with Parker J. Cole
24 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Christians must address romance fiction's tragic backstories when we respond to cancel campaigns with gospel grace and conviction.
75. What If Only Human Blood and Sacrifice Could Save Your Empire? | The Seventh Sun with Lani Forbes
17 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We deconstruct faith and suffering in Lani Forbes's Mesoamerican fantasy novel The Seventh Sun, winner of three Realm Awards.
74. What If Christians Created Backstory for Noah’s Ark and Also Built the Actual Boat? | with Tim Chaffey
10 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We're joined by Tim Chaffey of Answers in Genesis, one of the creative architects who helped build the Ark Encounter.
73. Does the Pentagon’s UFO Report Expose Unidentified Aerial Phenomena? | with Colin Samul
03 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Colin Samul joins us to explore the Pentagon's June report, which could not explain over 140 aerial encounters with strange objects.
72. When Our World Groans Under Sin, Should Christians Support Space Flight?
27 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
God calls his people to comfort the afflicted, but also gave us his ancient command to explore the Earth and beyond.
71. Why Do Christian Fans and Authors Assemble at Realm Makers? | at Realm Makers 2021
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At Realm Makers, we shared story joys with executive director Scott Minor, The Seventh Sun author Lani Forbes, and other fantastic creators.
70. Why Did A 1980s Televangelist Try to Cancel the RPG DragonRaid? | with James R. Hannibal
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Suspense and fantasy novelist James R. Hannibal joins us to explore this true story of dice-rolling, discipleship, death, and rebirth.
69. How Can Faithful Stories Best Show Backslidden Heroes?
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Realistic backsliders recover faith not by shallow isolated sentiment, but by serious biblical restoration to Christ's people.
68. Why Do Time Travelers Like to Romanticize the Past? | Come Back to Me with Jody Hedlund
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Stories can help readers explore the past in new ways, often showing how history points to ultimate happy endings.
67. How Do Fantastic Stories Avoid Preachiness While Still Discipling Readers in Christ? | with L. G. McCary
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Christian-made stories should not preach from on high at readers beyond the "fourth wall," but should help disciple our imaginations in Christ.
66. What If You Escaped Your Floating Island, But Returned to Face Rebellion? | Windward Shore with Sharon Hinck
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Author Sharon Hinck joins us to explore grace versus legalism in her recently concluded fantasy trilogy, The Dancing Realms series.
65. Why Do Homeschool Families Love Christian-Made Fantastical Fiction?
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At the traveling Realm Makers Bookstore, homeschool families love to find Christian-made fantastical fiction. What can they teach us?
64. Should Christians ‘Mask Up’ or ‘Get Vaccines’ to Prevent Fiction Infections?
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Viruses, masks, and vaccines act out a parable for sin, the law, and grace, so let's not confuse secular symbols for religious realities.
63. Did God Create Aliens and Would Jesus Need to Save Them?
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If God created life on other planets, would Scripture support these creatures being sentient, good, evil, or in need of redemption?
62. How Can Christian Fans Share Great Stories Without Becoming ‘Support Zombies’?
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How can Christian fans avoid shuffling along with subculture herds, even while we share the Christian-made stories we enjoy?
61. How Does Edgier Science Fiction Challenge Christian Readers? | with Kerry Nietz
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Christian-made sci-fi tends toward the softer side, leaving an opening for more complex futuristic tales that engage with controversial themes.
60. Why Don’t Real Researchers Heed Sci-Fi Warnings Against Mad Science?
27 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Why do our scientists get so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they don't stop to hear secular fiction's dire forecasts?
59. How Can Christian Fans Respond to Preachy Secular Fiction?
20 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When stories lose the plot and just want to give you a religious lecture, should Christians get mad or else gently scoff in amusement?
58. How Did We Enjoy the Heroic Majesty of ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’?
13 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sci-fi novelist Kerry Nietz and Lorehaven review chief Austin Gunderson join our heroic team to explore the long-awaited super-film Zack Snyder's Jus...
57. How Do Stories Help Us Imagine Suffering and the Hope of Resurrection?
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We explore how the Gospel and similar reflections in fantastic stories help us prepare for times of suffering, death, and resurrection.
56. Which Biblical Qualities Empower Strong Female Characters? | with Elisabeth Wheatley
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Physical combat is often the defining feature of strength, but female characters needn’t be boxed into stereotypes to be considered strong.
55. Should Christians Embrace Cultural and Digital Enclaves? | with Austin Gunderson
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Christians fleeing cancel culture should consider becoming “Amish cyberpunks” and build cutting-edge digital enclaves.
54. How Can Christian Fans React When Fantasy Creators Get Cancelled? part 2
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How can Christians react to possibly necessary "cancellations" of badly behaving fantasy creators?
53. How Can Christian Fans React When Fantasy Creators Get Cancelled? part 1
02 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Can you avoid "cancel culture" by apologizing? How can Christian fans respond to "cancellations" and enjoy stories from fallen creators?
52. Do Christians Really Need Science Fiction? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 3
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Christians need science fiction to fulfill the Cultural Mandate, build bridges with our neighbors, and anticipate a future world of sci-fi wonders.
51. Do Christians Really Need Fantasy? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 2
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Christians need fantastical imagination to believe in God and the gospel, train to be like Jesus, and engage our world and neighbors.
50. Do Christians Really Need Fiction? | Fiction’s Chief End, part 1
02 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Fiction isn't just optional for Christian readers, but a God-given gift we actually need to grow as redeemed people.
49. How Can We ‘Terraform’ the Church to Enjoy Fantastic Fiction?
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We can't expect "chosen one" authors to save Christian-made fiction overnight, so instead, let's slowly transform our "deserts" into habitable kingdom...
48. What Were the Top Seven Issues for Lorehaven Readers in 2020?
19 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From little space babies eating tadpoles, to that Jesus TV show, to not-quite-forgotten trends, we're exploring 2020's top issues at Lorehaven.com.
47. Why Do Some People Long for Escape to a Galactic Community?
12 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What rumors of UFOs spread throughout 2020, and why can't people look away from these alien accounts?
46. Ten Years Later, Why Did ‘Dawn Treader’ Sink the Narnia Movies? | with Rilian of NarniaWeb
22 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This month brings release anniversaries for two Narnia movies. The first roared, but the last sank hard. How did this fantasy franchise fizzle?
45. How Can a Wingless Piskey Learn to Fly? | The Flight and Flame Trilogy, with R. J. Anderson
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Explore the creation and truths of R. J. Anderson’s Flight and Flame fantasy trilogy, in which a tiny heroine finds big adventure.
44. How Might Santa Claus Serve in Your Christmas Celebration?
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many well-meaning Christians see Santa as a pretender to Christ's throne rather than a worshiper before Him.
43. How Did a 1980s Evangelical Book Warn about ‘Turmoil in the Toy Box’?
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just in time for the Christmas season, we explore a 1980s evangelical book that warned about fantasy franchises such as "He-Man" and Cabbage Patch Kid...
42. What if Invaders Kidnapped Your Brother in a Frozen Land? | Seventh City, with Emily Hayse
17 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Fantastical Truth explores the 2020 Realm Award–winning Arctic fantasy novel Seventh City with author Emily Hayse.
41. Should Christians Boycott Popular Culture Like Halloween or Netflix? | with Cap Stewart
10 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What could Christian boycotts of streaming services or holidays change in our culture or in ourselves?
40. How May Fantastic Stories Help Us See Politics in Biblical Perspective?
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our political beliefs and fears are not always based on facts. Experiences and hidden pictures shape how we debate and vote.
39. How Might Bram Stoker’s Novel ‘Dracula’ Cast Light Against Modern Vampires? | with Geoffrey Reiter
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our house. Enter freely, and explore the biblical virtues of using common and sacred weapons to fight vampires.
38. Should Christians Enjoy Fantasy with Fictional Magic? Part 2
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Idolatrous occult magic isn't usually the same as fictional magic, but how can Christian fans love people who think they're the same?
37. Should Christians Enjoy Fantasy with Fictional Magic? Part 1
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Christian fans must carefully compare fictional magic with the Bible's warnings against occult idolatry.
36. How Do Paranormal Tales Edify the Christian Reader? | The Reagan Moon series, with Mike Duran
06 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Paranormal images like ghosts and other creatures have risks, but also help awaken our imaginations to the spiritual worlds around us.
35. Did C. S. Lewis Say It’s ‘Pure Moonshine’ to Create Stories that Teach Christian Truth?
29 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Did C. S. Lewis set the example of enjoying only images to create stories, without wanting to "say something about Christianity to children"?
34. How Has Lorehaven Been Questing Through the Great 2020 Pandemic?
22 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're fighting to continue book enjoyments during the pandemic, and we share how Lorehaven has fared In These Uncertain Times™.
33. How Does Portraying Fantastical Characters Develop Christian Character? | with Julie Novak
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Christian Youth Theater's Julie Novak joins us to share what's it like to bring fantastical figures to life onstage.
32. What Five Questions Help Us Engage Popular Culture for God’s Glory? | The Pop Culture Parent, part 2
08 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
These five questions from The Pop Culture Parent can help us engage our messy popular culture, and teach our kids to do the same.
31. What If Popular Culture Was Actually God’s Idea All Along? | The Pop Culture Parent, part 1
01 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Christians debate whether popular culture is mostly good or bad. But what is the point of popular culture in God's universe anyway?
30. How Can The Babylon Bee’s Satire Reflect Our Crazy Reality? | with Frank J. Fleming
25 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Babylon Bee senior writer Frank J. Fleming joins today's episode to explore satire, politics, and his own comedic sci-fi.
29. What If You Escaped from Captivity but Left Your Brother Behind? | These Nameless Things, with Shawn Smucker
18 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Novelist Shawn Smucker joins us to explore memories and mystic challenges at life's margins.
28. How Should Christians Discern ‘The Chosen’ and Other Biblical Fiction?
11 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Christians must think differently not only about popular streaming series "The Chosen" but about biblical fiction as a genre.
27. What Wackiness Awaits in the Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle? | with Bill Myers
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Myers shares his incredible worlds of Wally McDoogle, McGee and Me, and many other stories for kids and adults.
26. How Do We Defeat the Top Seven Myths about The Chronicles of Narnia? Part 2
28 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Did C. S. Lewis doom Susan, bring Emeth to heaven, fill Narnia with allegories, or make it a "safe" series? We explore these four myths.
25. Which Christian Fantastical Books Won Big at the 2020 Realm Awards?
21 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We just returned from the Realm Makers conference with new award-winners and breaking news about next year's event.
24. How Do We Defeat the Top Seven Myths about The Chronicles of Narnia? Part 1
14 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Do the Chronicles of Narnia show random myths? Are they just children's stories? Should we only sort them by chronological order?
23. What If You Could Turn Stories into Sculptures? | The Weaver Trilogy, with Lindsay A. Franklin
07 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen and Zack invite The Weaver Trilogy author Lindsay A. Franklin to explore her fantasy series about Tanwen, the girl who literally weaves storie...
22. How Do Christians Discern UFO Accounts in Light of Scripture?
30 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Zack and Stephen explore UFO sightings, alien beliefs, and how Christians can respond to the notions of sentient life beyond our planet.
21. In a Blind World, What If Only One Boy Could See? | For Whom the Sun Sings, with W. A. Fulkerson
23 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen and Zack are joined by W. A. Fulkerson, whose novel For Whom the Sun Sings just released this spring.
20. What if a Space Plague Turned the Amish into Zombies? | clip from Amish Zombies from Space
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Preview chapter 8 of Amish Zombies from Space, the audiobook, written by Kerry Nietz and read by Randy Streu.
19. How Do Christian Authors Stay Sensitive About ‘Grittier Than PG-13’ Content?
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this special panel courtesy of Realm Makers, you can listen to fantasy novelists wrestle with challenging content in fiction.
18. Who Are the First Real Superheroes Hiding in the Bible? | with Chase Replogle
02 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Chase Replogle joins us to explore how Scripture rarely presents its heroic figures as true role models.
17. What Can Christian Fans Learn From #ReleaseTheSnyderCut’s Success?
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We explore the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement's big victory, challenge super-film expectations, and engage the controversies.
16. How Do We Discern Stories That Claim ‘Humans Are A Virus’ on the Earth?
19 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"The earth is healing; we are the virus." Under this slogan lies this suspicion that something is wrong with us and we don't belong here.
BONUS: How Might Biblical Fiction Best Explore Jesus’s Early Life? | with R. S. Ingermanson
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our conversation continues with author R. S. Ingermanson, whose new series time-travels to the world of first-century Israel.
15. What if NASA Finally Launched for Mars, But One Astronaut Was a Saboteur? | Oxygen with Randy Ingermanson
05 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Randy Ingermanson joins us to explore his foray into sci-fi with his 2001 novel Oxygen.
14. What if Jesus Promised to Redeem Not Just People and Creation, But Also Fantastic Stories?
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Will the idea of stories and books last into the eternity ruled by King Jesus—and what about the stories we love now?
13. What if Jesus Promised to Redeem Not Just His People But His Creation?
21 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We continue our Epic Resurrection series, anticipating Jesus's renewal of planet Earth and all of his material creation.
12. What if Jesus Promised to Redeem Not Just Our Souls but Our Bodies?
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After the resurrection that Jesus promised his people, we will become more fully human, and nothing less.
11. What If Your Suicidal Space Battle Failed, Then You Defected to the Enemy? | Firebird with Kathy Tyers
07 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Come aboard the good ship Fantastical Truth for our first interview with space opera novelist Kathy Tyers.
10. How Can Excellent Christian Fiction Strengthen Our Faith in Jesus?
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How have stories shaped the desires and beliefs of "ex-Christians," and how can better stories help build our faith?
9. What If the Armies of Hell Tried to Invade Your Hometown? | This Present Darkness
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lorehaven review chief Austin Gunderson joins us to explore Frank E. Peretti's 1986 spiritual warfare thriller "This Present Darkness."
8. How Does Pandemic Fiction Help Us Seek God’s Strength in Scary Times? | The Line Between
17 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Pandemic stories, such as Tosca Lee's 2019 novel The Line Between, can help Christians prepare our imaginations for these trials.
7. How Does Jesus Define and Redeem His Gift of Imagination? | with Brian Godawa
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Novelist and nonfiction author Brian Godawa joins our team to explore the epic theme of imagination in light of Scripture.
6. How Did You First Discover Fantastical Stories?
03 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This time it's personal: Fantastical Truth shares some of your stories about how you first discovered amazing fiction.
BONUS: Share Your Story About How You Discovered Fantastical Fiction
25 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Remember the first fantastical story you read? We'd love to consider featuring your memory on our next podcast episode.
5. What Harm Are ‘The Witcher’ and Other Shows Doing to Their People? | with Jason Morehead
18 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
OpusZine writer Jason Morehead helps us engage a sensitive topic: the challenges and exploitation of "mature" streaming fantasy dramas.
4. What Are the Top Recent Debates Among Christian Fantasy Fans?
11 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We survey seven debates Christian fans followed in 2019, from female heroes, to fictional magic, to "cancel culture" versus young-adult novels.
3. What If Dancing Could Control the World? | Hidden Current
04 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sharon Hinck's novel Hidden Current glides into a fantastic island world, where powerful people have twisted God's creative gifts.
2. What Do We Mean By Saying ‘It’s A Christian Story’?
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's explore a big debate: Should we look for the "Christian label” on Christian-made novels, movies, music and other creations?
1. What If the Three Wise Men Actually Wanted to Crown a King? | The End of the Magi
21 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We explore Patrick W. Carr's novel The End of the Magi, which follows the guiding star of Scripture while speculating on the Bible's mysteries.
0. Fantastical Truth | Trailer
12 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From the creators of Lorehaven magazine comes this podcast for Christian readers of fantasy, science fiction, and beyond.