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One type of fiction that presents unique challenges and opportunities for Christians is fantasy fiction. Especially starting in the 1960s, fantasy fiction came under fire as conservatives backlashed against the rising tide of eastern religion and secular liberalism in the United States. But has the church “thrown the baby out with the bathwater?”
Why Should Christians Devote Their Time to Non-Existent Things?
The problem of all fiction begs the question: why should Christians devote their time and interest to non-existent things? This question is especially more significant concerning fantasy stories.
Fantasy Fiction Mirrors God’s Creation of the World
J.R.R. Tolkien (author of The Lord of the Rings) knew what he intended to do when he began writing. He anchored his view of fantasy within the image of God and said humans are “sub-creators” who have their own mode of creation which mirrors God’s creative acts. God uses words to create in Genesis 1.
In fantasy, the human creator imagines or re-imagines a world in which the rules are potentially different. Tolkien said this was the height of what Christians value, that fantasy fiction mirrors the ultimate creative power and sovereignty of God.
Fantasy Can Baptize Our Imaginations
C.S. Lewis spoke about fantasy’s role in his own life, saying that it “baptized his imagination.” He had a narrow view of what reality was, particularly in relation to goodness, holiness, and of the role of humanity in the universe. Fantasy reoriented Lewis’s imagination to the possibility of positive good that was more than a list of do’s and don’ts.
Handled from a Christian perspective, fantasy fiction can be a tool for framing the good news of Jesus. This is how J.R.R. Tolkien, one of the fathers of fantasy literature, saw things. If we anchor the arts within the image of God, we are using the arts for their intended purpose: telling deep truths about the world, about God, and about ourselves. Fantasy fiction is one way to accomplish this. But like anything, it can be used for sinful purposes as well.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Do you enjoy fantasy or science fiction stories (movies, TV, books, etc.)? Explain why or why not.
- Should children be allowed to watch/read fantasy stories? Explain.
- J.R.R. Tolkien said, “Humans make because they are made in the image and likeness of a maker.” What do you think he means by this?
- Why is it significant that God speaks creation into existence in Genesis 1? Explain.
- C.S. Lewis had his perspective widened by reading fantasy. Have you ever been challenged or spurred into a new way of thinking by a story, even if it wasn’t fantasy? Explain.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
