Changing Attitudes about Fantasy Part 2: What to do about The Weaker Brother
This entry was posted on Thursday, May 10. 2007 and is filed under Posts by Wayne,Exhortation,Fantasy,Apologetics.
“I regret to inform you that we are withdrawing our invitation for a Fantasy Fiction Tour event on July 16th, 2007. Upon further review of product mix, we have decided that this event would not correspond well with our core customer base.”
This decisive comment came from the owner of a large Christian bookstore on the US East Coast, and it shut the door on four Fantasy authors who were very eager to help sell a lot of books in her store. Bryan, Sharon, Christopher, and I are okay with that now. God has big plans for the Fantasy Fiction Tour,** and we believe He has other destinations in mind.
Had this been an isolated incident, I wouldn’t draw many conclusions from it. After all, the area surrounding that particular Christian bookstore might be populated entirely by octogenarians who care very little for tween fantasy. Alas, the rejection was anything but isolated to one store. In fact, based on the responses from dozens of bookstores sought for the Fantasy Tour, secular booksellers have been almost universally more welcoming to Christian Fantasy than Christian bookstores. Ironic…sad…but true. Thankfully, since my last posting, we have been able to add a few Christian bookstores to our Tour Event List. But it shouldn’t be this difficult on our home turf, should it?
Two weeks ago, I began a discussion investigating the reasons why Christian Fantasy is still not welcome in many Christian bookstores. I discussed the myth that Fantasy doesn’t sell in Christian bookstores. A look at bestseller lists debunks that in a hurry. But the sales myth is not the only reason why we don’t see Christian Fantasy titles in some stores. Based on comments like the one quoted above, I suspect there are still a number of well-intentioned bookstore owners and managers who simply do not believe that Christians ought to be reading fantasy—that fantasy, as a genre, is somehow inherently evil. How do we answer that? Doesn’t the Bible have teachings about “the weaker brother?” Do we abandon fantasy simply because we might offend?
I’ll address this sensitive issue today and, as always, I appreciate your feedback and wisdom.
II. Fantasy Books Promote Sin and Do Not Belong in Christian Bookstores.
I realize that, in discussing this issue on Speculative Faith, I’m preaching to the choir. Some readers here might be tempted to ask, “Who in the world could believe that? I mean look at all the good The Chronicles of Narnia has done!” But I think there is a portion of the Christian family who would argue that fantasy, because of its inclusion of magic, is antithetical to Christianity. There are dragons and knights and, yes, wizards, so some folks immediately lump Christian fantasy literature in with D&D, Harry Potter, and rock music as taboo. Anytime such stereotyping occurs, I think Christians ought to be wary.
Fantasy itself is just one genre of literature—a way of telling a story. Jesus himself told many imaginative stories. They were vessels of truth, really, but within those stories were heroes and villains, plotlines, and settings—the same ingredients of any fantasy story. And the Bible teaches that we are made in the image and likeness of God, that we bear many qualities of our maker. One of those qualities is: Creativity. God created the world, people, lifetimes—from nothing. This is exactly what fantasy authors do when we create worlds, beings, even creatures. Just because these people and places don't exist doesn't make it sin, else all fictional stories would be sin, and we'd have to call Jesus a sinner for telling stories.
What of magic or sorcery? I wrote about this in a previous post, and since then have absorbed some keen insights from marvelous believers. I’ve learned that, compared to subjects like adultery, sacrifices, and promise breaking, there are not very many verses in the Bible on sorcery. But we can’t say well, since there aren’t many verses on the topic, it’s okay to break the rules. The verses that are there definitely tell us that God is against the use of sorcery. This has led to some Christians (again, well-meaning) to roundly reject all stories that involve magic.
Trouble is that the kind of sorcery that is denounced in the Bible is completely different from the kind of magic in the books that Tolkien, Lewis, and others like them have written. Biblical sorcery has priests or magicians appealing to other "gods" for their magic to work. This is forbidden by the one true God of the Bible. But note that God's followers often call on Him to do such things as: part seas, heal, raise the dead, rain down fire from the sky, and so on. God doesn't denounce the supernatural. Actually, He wants people to recognize that there is a supernatural realm, one that impacts all of us. Why else would we be told that our battle is not with flesh and blood, but with spirits and powers? Why would God warn us about Satan’s schemes? So writing stories about the supernatural cannot be universally decried as evil. But God will not suffer to have us forget Him and attempt to call on other gods or spirits for our own ends.
The magic in most fantasy stories is usually just a construct of the world that the author creates. In Tolkien's case (as in my stories) magic is something characters are born with—much like a gifted athlete or painter's skills. Gandalf, for instance, is of a race of wizards born with some magic ability. He does not appeal to a deity for his power. Magic becomes an organic part of an imaginary world.
So, my conclusion is that there is nothing inherently sinful about fantasy fiction. It is merely a tool or a vehicle—like the Internet which can be used either for good or for evil. I am convinced that I have the freedom in Christ to read or write incredibly imaginative—and yes, magical—stories. But what about the argument that Fantasy may lead the weaker brother or the nonChristian into the occult?
*1 Corinthians 8:9-13 (New International Version)
9Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.
I have to admit, this bothered me. After all, I don’t want to lead anyone into sin. But having researched this verse a little more, as well as, seeking advice on the topic, I came to some interesting conclusions. To begin, we need to define weaker brother. We need to define how our actions lead a weaker brother to sin. The weaker brother here seems to view eating this ceremonial meat as a sin. He seems impressionable—a new believer likely to emulate whatever he sees a more seasoned brother doing. The message seems to be that a stronger believer might freely be able to eat the meat, but the weaker brother seeing this would betray his own better judgment and eat anyway. He would be guilty of a form of idolatry while the stronger would be guilty of leading the weaker into that sin.
So is the dynamic the same with regard to Christian Fantasy? Is it that stronger believers can read or write fantasy, but we shouldn’t because someone somewhere might be led by it into sin? Is there someone out there who is very interested in the occult and who would read my books or Bryan Davis’ books and start calling on demons to hook them up with magic powers? For that matter have you ever met or even heard of someone who was led into the occult because he read a Christian Fantasy book?
No? I haven’t either. But you might say, Wayne, that doesn’t mean there’s not such a one out there. True. But is the message of 1Corinthians 8, “don’t do anything that might tempt anyone anywhere?” If that is the message, what happens if I eat a piece of pizza in public, and I am spotted by a hungry, young believer who struggles with gluttony? Or if I throw a Super Bowl party and invite the church, what if a racy commercial happens to come on, and there’s a young believer there who struggles with adulterous thoughts? Have I done something evil? I don’t think so. If this rationale held true, then Christians might as well stay inside and never do anything in public. I think the wisdom in this passage is that if a believer is aware of another brother’s struggle and knowingly does something that tempts this weaker brother, then, he has sinned. When in doubt, always examine scripture in light of other scripture. Romans expands the meaning of this weaker brother conundrum:
*Romans 14:13-18 (New International Version)
13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. 14As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food[a] is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Note that Paul says, make up your mind not to put a stumbling block in your brother’s way. You’ve first got to know if the brother has a stumbling block. Then, even if you feel the freedom in Christ to do this activity, you don’t do it in the presence of the weaker brother. But at the same time, Paul says do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. Now this is very interesting. This makes me think that we have a responsibility to defend our actions. And I think as readers and writers of fantasy we ought to be able to defend why we think it’s not just okay, but good to read.
I’ve given some rationale, but let’s not forget the valid notion that Christian Fantasy promotes so much good in the world. How many have had their faith strengthened as they read about Aslan in Lewis’ Narnia series? And I can only speak for myself, (though I suspect other Christian authors have had similar experiences while writing), but I know I’ve grown closer to God as I’ve written. There have been scenes where I’ve had rich fellowship with Him, as well as scenes in which God has taught me something directly.
I received this email a few months back:
“I just needed to tell you my son finished the Door Within series last night. And at our night prayer he looked over to us and said these books have changed him. He had tears in his eyes. I asked him how and he couldn't quite find the right words but he said that the path between Jesus and he has become closer. What more could a parent want from a story. And we were worried he wouldn't find anything after reading Harry Potter!! My son is named Gabriel meaning strength of God. And I know these books have played an important part of his spiritual journey. Gabe is a 9 year old boy ready for the King's army. Thank you for opening a door for Gabe to some of heaven's mysteries that his father and I could never in a million words explain.”
I cherish news like this more than all the sales numbers and royalties put together. I don’t need any more reason than this to read or write fantasy. What about you? How will you justify your interest in Speculative Fiction?
*All Bible Quotations: Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
[NIV at IBS] [International Bible Society] [NIV at Zondervan] [Zondervan]
**For more information about The Fantasy Four Fiction Tour, visit:
http://www.fantasyfictiontour.com/
http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/search/label/Fantasy%20Tour
Comments
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Thursday, May 10. 2007
susanne lakin wrote:
This is one of the many reasons why I encourage all you Christian fantasy writers to go and query ABA publishers. The more of us who get published in the mainstream and get out Christian message out to the world at large, and hopefully, with God's blessing--successfully!--we will send a message to both the CBA and Christian readers. After having been so dissed acrosss the board by CBA editors who refuse to consider fantasy, I am taking almost all my efforts to ABA, in prayer and hope that God will use me among many to reach the world with a message of hope and faith (without them even knowing it!) Susanne
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Friday, May 11. 2007
Matt Guthrie wrote:
As a pastor, I can only say that what you are experiencing is what anyone on the cutting edge experiences - resistance from the establishment. Historically, the established Church has always lagged behind the world in recognizing how God is already moving. It may have been manifested in the spirit of the law vs. legalism, Scriptures in the language of the people vs. Latin only, contemporary music vs. 18th Century organ music, or the truth of the Gospel in a story about unicorns vs. whatever we currently have. As a pastor who desparately wants to see the world impacted with the Gospel as much as possible, it is frustrating and heartbreaking. For someone who might be an aspiring or even a published author, I can only imagine the frustration of feeling like the Church is the biggest obstacle to fulfilling who God created you to be in the use of your gifts.
I know that if many of the people in my church ever got a glimpse of some of the aspiring novels in my mind they would faint and gasp. But I hope to one day get 'em out anyway.
Not that any of you are necessarily looking for advice or counsel on this issue, here's some anyway. Continue to do what you are doing. Try to get the Church to come along with what God is doing. If they won't, you will have to work outside of it. I love the Church and I had to work through how I was going to respond to its resistance. I was called to work within it for some things. And for some, I go outside its walls if that's what it takes to get God's work done. Perhaps speaking prophetically and maybe even predictively, I think once Christian spec fiction authors make a huge amount of loot outside the Church, they'll come running to you for their piece of the pie.
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Friday, May 11. 2007
Pixy wrote:
That's so weird. God gave me those exact verses a few months ago about this very subject. I kind of feel like we're walking this tight rope and the closer we, as individuals, stay to the Word and seek God, the more balanced we are on that rope.
My husband encouraged me recently when I was complaining to him about how God seems to always give me all these off-the-wall ideas that Christians shrink from. He said: "Just write what God's telling you to write. and be excited that He's giving you an edge. Let Him do the rest."
My mom is VERY conservative. I struggle a lot when she frowns at my work or makes that noise in the back of her throat that may as well be a mallet on my spirit--I mean, she's my mom, I want her to love everything I do. I'm always walking a thin line of defending my imagination and letting things go.
So, I live with this struggle daily. I wrestle with God about what is my flesh and what is Him in my work.
I think He's leading me into the ABA with my newest project. I'm excited and terrified all at the same time. But also I'm kind of disappointed. I love the people in CBA. They're family. I want them to love me and approve of what I do. But I guess God has a different plan.
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Friday, May 11. 2007
Rebecca LuElla Miller wrote:
As you all know, I haven't given up on the CBA yet. If its history reveals anything, it is that eventually what's going on in the culture at large influences the church.
This is a shame in some respects, because I think as light to the world, we should be shining the way, not tagging along toward the back.
Be that as it may, I think CBA is about to explode with fantasy. They will see what the secular publishers have known for the last several years--fantasy isn't going away.
Why else would Writer's Digest do that article on fantasy as literature?
Why would Publisher's Weekly be doing the article on the emergence of Christian Fantasy?
A year ago, I pitched that very idea to Aspiring Retail (the CBA trade mag). Wouldn't it have been great if they had beat Publishers' Weekly to the punch?
I don't know why they didn't. But I wouldn't be surprised if they had such an article sometime in the next year.
Of course, I could be all wrong ... Only God knows.
Becky
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Friday, May 11. 2007
wayne thomas batson wrote:
Becky, as a matter of fact, Aspiring Retail will be doing an article on fantasy--with some neat focal-time on the Fantasy 4 Fiction Tour. I think it'll be in the ICRS edition of their magazine this summer.
And, Susanne, that's great that you are planning to invade the ABA market. It's kind of like being a Christian teacher and deciding to teach in a public school--you're needed there. And maybe that's God's beach-head for you.
Matt, thanks for the historical perspective--amazing how this kind of phenomenon repeats in the church over time. I think the church, being made up of humanity, experiences a stretching of sorts any time something new is introduced or something old is questioned. I think that's a very good thing…forces everyone to reevaluate what they believe and why they believe it.
Pixy, having read some of your stuff, I agree it is on the edge. But edge gets attention. Edge goes places others cannot. Jesus is the ultimate edge, no?
Of course, I'm not at all encouraging animosity between authors and CBA--far from it. Rather, I'd like to see more dialogue where publishers and bookstore owners discuss their reservations about our genre and we get a chance to reason with them from the scripture.
I'm with Becky. I think the CBA market is about to experience a Fantasy Explosion of Epic proportions. There are some awfully good titles coming out this summer: The Lion Vrie (Christopher Hopper), Oracles of Fire (Bryan Davis), DragonFire (Donita K. Paul), and The Restorer (Sharon Hinck)--just to name a few.
But again, God is in charge of whatever happens, but I think we all need to be looking to see where we can jump aboard on His plan.
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Friday, May 11. 2007
Martin LaBar wrote:
Thanks for doing this!
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Friday, May 11. 2007
Galactic Overlord wrote:
Between my two novels-in-progress, I have one that I hope to pitch to CBA, which I've named "Novel A" on my blog, and another to ABA, which I've dubbed "Novel B." I'm writing on my progress on both novels on my blog.
- Jason
http://galacticoverlordinchief.blogspot.com
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Friday, May 11. 2007
Mir wrote:
And if to add insult to injury, the Christy Award nominees just announced DID NOT INCLUDE a Visionary or SF category.
Kick us in the head while we're down, CBA, why don't ya?
With such cool SF stuff released last year--TRACKERS, Donita's book, Wayne's work, etc--I can't believe they could just drop the category. I wonder what's going on?
Mir
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Saturday, May 12. 2007
Merrie Destefano wrote:
To me, all of this is a fascinating conundrum that I think we will all look back on in about 2-3 years. I believe that some doors are closing, but other doors are opening, and God is leading the way. I don't want to sound weird, but honestly, how cool is it that ABA bookstores are more eager to get Christian fantasy than CBA bookstores? Think about it for two minutes. Yes, we want our Christian brothers and sisters to enjoy our writing. But if the world is hungry for it, isn't that really the perfect place for it? I think this is one of those situations where some of us will go through the portal marked CBA and some through ABA, but ultimately I think all of our speculative fiction books are going to end up in the same place. In ABA bookstores. I rarely shop in Christian bookstores anymore for my fiction. I either buy it from a secular bookstore, or I purchase it online. As far as I can see, Christian bookstores are slowly being taken out of the sci-fi/fantasy equation. I'm sorry to see it happen, but it's like the handwriting is on the wall. I still think that speculative fiction could be part of the last days equation, that all of the things you (and I) are writing could be used in ways we can't even imagine. And I am definitely not discouraged about any of this. I am excited.
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Monday, May 14. 2007
Nick wrote:
I agree with Becky. I think there is a strong future within CBA for fantasy. In years past, I think part of the problem has been the quality of the fantasy (or speculative) fiction being written. The result has been that most Christians who are fantasy fans, search for their reading material among the secular publishers. But I think that's changing. The quality is much better now. So if we can pull fantasy book buyers back into the CBA arena, we'll see that explosion.
And, of course, part of the problem, too, is that of all the genres out there, I personally think fantasy is the hardest genre to write well. It's very, very hard, in fact.
Humor is another category that's very hard to write well. But when it IS well-written, it finds its audience.
Keep writing, praying, and BUYING good CBA speculative fiction.
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