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Faith-based Christian fantasy books are important for the modern world. In a time where community is losing its meaning and faith is dimming in many parts of the world, writing fantasy for welfare and not for evil is extremely important and beneficial to keeping the Word of God and maintaining it until the Second Coming.

Because through writing fiction that can be read by the masses, one contributes to God’s ineffable plan:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

– Jeremiah 29:11

But what exactly is Christian fantasy? Is it just fantasy that’s been slapped with the label “Christian” in hopes of targeting a specific religious demographic? Or is it just fantasy that has more overtly religious themes than the norm? Is it a thinly veiled allegory? Or is it an important new form of preaching the Word of God?

At its most fundamental definition, Christian fantasy is imaginative fiction that is deeply inspired and informed by a Christian worldview.

This means that one does not need to include crucifixes, direct Bible quotes, praying, communion, or anything of the like, for a piece of fantasy to become an example of Christian fantasy.

Nothing that is as unsubtle as that. No.

Indeed, Christian fantasy–the best ones–is more subtle in its ways.

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How Christian Fantasy Speaks to Readers

Unlike explicitly evangelical fiction, Christian fantasy avoids heavy-handed proselytizing. Why use a hammer when a feather is more appropriate and can touch a lot more hearts?

In Christian fantasy, the fantastical elements become vehicles through which deeper themes can be offered–with greater vibrancy and imaginative freedom.

A cornerstone of the Christian fantasy genre would have to be C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. While the world-renowned series is undeniably allegorical in places, its ability to resonate with readers of all backgrounds is because of its compelling characters, thrilling adventures, and exploration of timeless moral and spiritual truths. Not because it is explicitly Christian.

Similarly, J.R.R. Tolkien, a devout Catholic, infused his Middle-earth legendarium with a profound sense of good and evil, the importance of humility and courage, and the subtle workings of providence.

Both these examples are not heavy-handed with their Christian themes and values. Instead, it offers them quietly and without abrasion.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Poor Christian Writing

Poorly executed Christian fantasy can feel preachy, simplistic, and lacking in the artistic depth that makes great fantasy so captivating. That is why it is important to be a writer first before being a preacher. You can be a preacher after you’ve cultivated a decent and dedicated following.

Furthermore, the genre can sometimes struggle with diverse perspectives and complex moral ambiguities. Remember that you are writing for the welfare and not for evil. This means being as nuanced as possible when presenting moral dilemmas. Don’t be too heavy-handed with your moral lessons; you want to write for a wide audience, not just a specifically Christian one.

Therefore, it is crucial for Christian fantasy authors to grapple with these complexities, creating worlds and characters that reflect the nuanced realities of faith and doubt, light and shadow.

Writing for Welfare and Not for Evil

The enduring appeal of Christian fantasy is its ability to tap into the human unconscious–the so-called Gestalt–and resonate with the universal yearning for meaning and purpose.

In a world of obvious cynicism and entrenched materialism, Christian fantasy stories have a vision of a reality where good and evil have tangible consequences. In these stories, hope can triumph over despair, and the seemingly ordinary can be imbued with profound significance.

So, it is wonderful to know that contemporary Christian fantasy authors are already pushing the boundaries of the genre, exploring a wider range of subgenres and tackling complex issues with greater nuance.

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Hope for Christian Fantasy

Christian fantasy is not about creating sanitized or simplistic narratives. It is about exploring the grand tapestry of human experience and the profound questions of existence through a lens informed by Christian faith. When done well, it can offer stories that are both entertaining and deeply meaningful, narratives that resonate with readers on a spiritual and emotional level, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for welfare and not for evil.

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