Episodes

The year is 1995. A new creative power has arisen, partnering a Christian marriage/prophecy teacher with a “journeyman” author of fiction and sports biographies. Together they forged a Christian thriller juggernaut that later hit The New York Times bestseller list and started global conversations about the world’s ending. How did the Left Behind series become such a blockbuster? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Breath of Bones by Tricia Goyer and Nathan Goyer Realm Makers 2024 writers’ con...

It’s the end! It’s the end! Or rather, this could only be… the beginning. Sure, it’s cliché to doomsay, but Christians have enjoyed doing this for centuries. So, next week, Stephen and Zack want in on this end-times debating action. This will be a knock-down, drag-out, facts-and-feelings fight that will divide denominations and result in a lot of colorful, complex charts—or maybe it’ll just be some slightly heated fun to start our new series: Left Behind Legacy. Episode sponsors Enclave Publis...

In the days of the second World War, the Nazi party is taking over Europe and persecuting the Jewish people. But this time, one respected journalist and the descendent of a famous rabbi join forces to create a new mystical being to guard the innocent: the golem. How does that go? Tricia Goyer and Nathan Goyer know, and they’ll join us in the studio to explore alternate-historical fantasy in their upcoming novel Breath of Bones. Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Lady of Basilikas by Ronie Ke...

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! Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: L...

Why do we see, or rather not go to see, so many weirdly cringe movies with plots and dialogue that seem designed to be “so bad it’s good”? How come goofy sidekicks, obvious political agendas, and other strange stories get their own corporate attention, while newer and more earnest stories get passed by the wayside? There’s one big possible reason hiding in plain sight, and it’s the mind-blowing answer that They don’t want you to know. Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Lady of Basilikas by R...

The gamer community is in uproar.[1. Photo by Jose Gil on Unsplash.] About what? About all the things. Even occasional gamers have heard about triple-A title flops, “Sweet Baby Inc.” consultants, live-service criticism, and the dual controversies over the sexy heroine of Stellar Blade versus the normal heroine of Star Wars: Outlaws. Apart from all the cultural jargon, how can Christians discern these debates? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Chromatic by Ashley Bustamante Realm Makers 2024...

King David was a man after God’s own heart. But he failed. King Arthur was the legendary ruler of Britain. But he also failed. And in newer fiction, Paul Atreides was the prophesied Lisan al Gaib. And, once again, he failed. Why is it so frustrating to watch all these real and fictional heroes keep failing? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Chromatic by Ashley Bustamante Realm Makers 2024 writers’ conference Story Embers summit, May 23–25, 2024 Mission update Lorehaven reviews: The Book o...

We’re partners with Realm Makers is 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? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Lion Warrior by James R. Hannibal Realm Makers 2024 writers’ conference Story ...

What comes to your mind with the label “Christian fiction”? If you grew up evangelical or heard the stereotypes, you likely think negative assumptions. For example, we assume “Christian fiction” has predictable plots, shallow characters, and cheap evangelism. Even when some stories do, how can we avoid our own cliched notions about all those “bad” Christian-made novels? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Lion Warrior by James R. Hannibal Changelings: Insurgence by Liam Corley Story Embers su...

Sixteen years ago next month, there was a Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian movie. But guess what version Narnia steward Douglas Gresham praised as a better adaptation of C. S. Lewis’s book? It is The Academy of Arts Logos Theatre’s Prince Caspian, now performing through April 2024 at The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.! We invite one Logos artisan into our studio to explore puppetry and performance for Christ’s glory. Episode sponsors Oasis Family Media: “1232” dramatic podcast Cha...

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? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: The Chaos Grid Changelings: Insurgence by Liam Corley Story Embers summit, May 23–25, 2024 Mi...

Happy post-Resurrection Sunday! How did that go at your church? Did you see any Easter pageants? Pictures on the bulletin showing nail-scarred hands, or a shadowy figure exiting a tomb surrounded by light? And what about the Jesus-like hero in your favorite fantastical story? Could these images fool some people into sins like worshiping an imposter Jesus? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: The Chaos Grid Changelings: Insurgence by Liam Corley Story Embers summit, May 23–25, 2024 Mission upd...

Sin doesn’t ruin human lives and all the creation by itself.[1. Photo by Ismael Paramo on Unsplash.] Sin brings the consequence of suffering. Hebrews 2:18 promises, “For because [Jesus] himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Today we’re joined by a special guest who explores real suffering, memory, and healing in the worlds of fiction: novelist J. J. Fischer. Episode sponsors Oasis Family Media: “1232” dramatic podcast Changelings: Insurgence by Lia...

When our hero Jesus died to atone for sin and resurrected Himself, He did not defeat only the Devil.[1. Photo by Michael Förtsch on Unsplash.] He did this to “deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery,” says the author of Hebrews. Jesus our hero is “a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” He saves us from our own villainy! Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Hybrid by Candace Kade Changelin...

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, [Jesus] himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil…”[1. Hebrews 2:14 (ESV).] Today we begin a new series, He Saves Us, starting with our Hero’s victory over that dragon! Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Hybrid by Candace Kade Changelings: Insurgence by Liam Corley Realm Makers: 2024 writers conference Mission update Our new Book Quest has be...

Hand-washing. Social distancing. Fired employees. Air transmission. Four long years ago, the 195 nations lived together in disharmony. Then, everything changed when COVID lockdowns attacked. How did lockdowns change culture? How did our reality’s upheaval affect our enjoyment of fictional worlds? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Guardian by Cathy McCrumb Changelings: Insurgence by Liam Corley Realm Makers: 2024 writers conference Mission update Our new Book Quest has begun through North!...

Nobody claims to like “hate.”[1. Image credit: Christ Washing the Disciples’ Feet by Garofalo, c. 1520/1525 (public domain, source: National Gallery of Art).] That’s bad. Everybody claims they want to “love their neighbor.” That’s good. Should the best Christian-made stories repeat these messages so that readers know Christians are good and not bad? Or could stories with this goal end up actually harming our neighbors? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Guardian by Cathy McCrumb Return of th...

Today is Fantastical Truth episode 200! This gives a great occasion for us to consider not just how we find the best Christian-made fantasy, but why we must explore fantastical stories for God’s glory. Episode sponsors Oasis Audio: “1232” epic audio podcast Return of the Lost Ones by David Liberto Realm Makers: 2024 writers conference Mission update Article: What If I Find Sexual Identity Notions in My Child’s New Book? Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and n...

‘Tis the season for love and enchanted princesses and handsome princes and such-like.[1. Photo by mtsjrdl on Unsplash.] 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? Joshua Shepherd brings a balanced biblical perspective into the studio. Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Mortal Queens Return of the Lost Ones by David Liberto Realm Make...

Did you know that this week hosts a major competitive American sporting event?[Photo by Matt Benson on Unsplash.] Instead of XP, they have “scores.” Instead of combo moves and puzzle-solving, they have “plays.” Instead of dying and respawning, they have “losing,” and instead of save points, they have “yard lines.” How can Christians who love fantasy show love and respect to other kinds of fans who enjoy sports? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Mortal Queens Return of the Lost Ones by David...

We explore a lot of Christian-made fantastical books. But what about video game stories? What about Christians making different kinds of playable adventures set in worlds like The Wingfeather Saga and the Redwall series? Chris Skaggs enters the family room and takes us behind the controllers of Soma Games to help us play games for Christ’s glory. Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Mortal Queens The Culling Begins by Anthony DeGroot I. W.R.I.T.E.: How to Write a Novel course Mission update ...

We all love fantastical books. But how do fantastical books get made? Who takes all that raw material, polishes the edges, and turns the story into a shining jewel? We’ll explore this magical process, the making of fantastical novels, with Enclave Publishing creative director Jamie Foley. Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Mortal Queens The Culling Begins by Anthony DeGroot I. W.R.I.T.E.: How to Write a Novel course Mission update Two new Onscreen articles arrived last week: ‘Rebel Moon: ...

Once upon a time, more literary heroes pursued virtue, or at least knew that they should.[1. Photo by visuals on Unsplash.] 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? Episode sponsors Oasis Audio: “1232” epic audio podcast The Culling Begins by Anthony...

Wow. Last year we saw so many films flop that it’s not even funny. Disney, Marvel, DC Comics, Star Wars, Doctor Who, all the usual suspects got paid in “exposure” but not much else. But we did see several breakout movie wins in the year 2023. What did we love? What did we ignore? How can Christians best discern these supposed “get woke go broke” stories? Mission update This week, we started the Voyage of the Dawn Treader book quest. We also shared a Voyage review. Next week we review Once A Q...