Well, we recently talked about the first Chronicle of Narnia … the book [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/289-75-years-ago-c-s-lewis-fairy-stories-change-fantasy-forever-lion-witch-wardrobe]! Yet many fans found or rediscovered this series thanks to the Disney-distributed, Walden Media–made film from director Andrew Adamson. Want to feel old? That was two decades ago! So now we shall look back at Narnia’s journey to the box office with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which released twenty years ago on Dec. 9, 2005.

Episode sponsors

 1. Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. A Faie Tale by Vince Mancuso [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/vince-mancuso/]
 3. MYTH: Reign of the Immortals by J. F. Nickens [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-f-nickens/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: Netflix’s New ‘Frankenstein’ Reveals Why a Time-Shifted ‘Magician’s Nephew’ Film May Work [https://lorehaven.com/netflixs-new-frankenstein-reveals-why-time-shifted-magicians-nephew-film-may-work/] , Daniel Whyte IV
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]
 * Coming in January: our book quest through Stephen Lawhead’s fantasy novel Taliesin [https://lorehaven.com/library/taliesin/]

Backstory: Mark Joseph

Mark Joseph is a music and film producer, author, columnist and founder of MJM Entertainment Group, a multi-faceted entertainment company with interests in film, publishing, music, TV production and film consulting.

Joseph got his start in television as an anchor for NHK and CNN’s The Entertainment Report in the 1990’s and his company MJM produced documentaries and supervised the international release of over a hundred albums by various pop and rock artists.

In addition to producing his own films, he oversees a marketing team that has marketed 75 films since 2001. From 2000-2005 he worked in development and marketing for Walden Media and Crusader Entertainment and oversaw a grassroots marketing team.

He has served as a producer on 15 films, including Max Rose starring Jerry Lewis, The Vessel starring Martin Sheen, America, Japan: Searching For The Dream, Frank vs. God and others.

Joseph is the author of four books including The Lion, The Professor & The Movies: Narnia’s Journey To The Big Screen [https://amzn.to/4axmjYH] and has been a regular contributor to publications like Forbes, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, USA Today, The Huffington Post and FoxNews.com.

He is currently a senior columnist for Newsweek and hosts the podcast The Mark Joseph Show.

Most recently, he produced the film Reagan, starrin

291. Twenty Years Ago, How Did the First Narnia Theatrical Film Get Made? | with Mark Joseph

Long ago, before the great lion Aslan bounded onto bookshelves [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/289-75-years-ago-c-s-lewis-fairy-stories-change-fantasy-forever-lion-witch-wardrobe], C. S. Lewis wrote a science fiction novel set on mythological Mars. From there, the sequel carried Dr. Elwin Ransom by angels to the sister planet Venus. And from there … the Ransom/Cosmic/Space Trilogy descended to the dull world of corrupt college boards, inner-ring politics, and a secret technocracy bent on world domination with the aid of mad science and demons and everything. Eighty years after That Hideous Strength [https://lorehaven.com/library/that-hideous-strength/], we explore why C. S. Lewis created this earthbound and weird and wonderful pre-political supernatural thriller.

Episode sponsors

 1. Sons of Day and Night by Mariposa Aristeo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. A Faie Tale by Vince Mancuso [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/vince-mancuso/]
 3. Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: Josiah DeGraaf’s Sun Eater series article [https://lorehaven.com/the-sun-eater-series-is-the-modern-sci-fi-epic-christians-have-been-awaiting/]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

That hideously obscure front cover image.

1. The temptations to wield inner rings

 * The Ransom Trilogy really includes all three fantastical genres.
 * It starts with sci-fi, continues to fantasy, ends in supernatural.
 * Stephen would have appreciated knowing this before this book!
 * Because that fact, plus the cover, will affect your expectations.
 * More than the other two, Hideous Strength feels a weird hybrid.
 * For instance, it begins on Earth and feels “grown-up,” even dull.
 * Who is Mark Studdock and Jane? Why do we care about them?
 * And where is Dr. Ransom and the creatures of books 1 and 2?
 * But here Lewis is addressing some deep and personal enemies.
 * One of them is the “inner ring” villain he writes about elsewhere.
 * Call this “the room where it happens,” that seat of power.
 * Right now some conspiracists claim to “expose” secret inner rings.
 * Yet more often they’re trying to make new “rings” themselves.
 * This “normal,” subtle threat marks the first real evil of the story.
 * Mark, a social-climbing sociologist, craves to reach this influence.
 * Then he gets there … and discovers it’s run by the greater threat.

2. A not-so-N.I.C.E. secular technocracy

 * Enter the National Institute for Co-ordinated Experiments.
 * It’s a social movement, an actual autocratic state bent on power.
 * They’re all about science, social engineering, efficiency, machines.
 * These theorists take the worst of evil ideologies and mix them up.
 * And for Lewis, this represents the worst corruptions of academia.</

290. Why Did C. S. Lewis Create a Pre-Political Supernatural Thriller?

“Suddenly Aslan came bounding into it.” That is how C. S. Lewis described the plot twist in his creative process for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. “I don’t know where the Lion came from or why He came. But once He was there, He pulled the whole story together.” And in turn, this story has pulled together the imaginations of millions across the world. Now, 75 years after the first Chronicles of Narnia book was published, let’s explore how this changed fantasy forever.

Episode sponsors

 1. Sons of Day and Night by Mariposa Aristeo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. A Faie Taleby Vince Mancuso [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/vince-mancuso/]
 3. The Pop Culture Parent [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-pop-culture-parent/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: our retro review of Kathy Tyers’ Firebird [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/firebird/]
 * The Sun Eater Series is the Modern Sci-Fi Epic Christians Have Been Awaiting [https://lorehaven.com/?p=66469], article by Josiah DeGraaf
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Quotes and notes: exploring Narnia

 * The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe/] review at Lorehaven
 * The Chronicles of Narnia series review [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/the-chronicles-of-narnia/] at Lorehaven, March 2020
 * Fantastical Truth episode 24. How Do We Defeat the Top Seven Myths about The Chronicles of Narnia? Part 1 [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/24-how-do-we-defeat-the-top-seven-myths-about-the-chronicles-of-narnia-part-1/]
 * Episode 26. How Do We Defeat the Top Seven Myths about The Chronicles of Narnia? Part 2 [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/26-how-do-we-defeat-the-top-seven-myths-about-the-chronicles-of-narnia-part-2/]
 * Episode 35. Did C. S. Lewis Say It’s ‘Pure Moonshine’ to Create Stories that Teach Christian Truth? [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/35-did-c-s-lewis-say-its-pure-moonshine-to-create-stories-that-teach-christian-truth/]
 * Episode 261. Why Do We Love The Magician’s Nephew? [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/261-why-do-we-love-the-magicians-nephew/]

Quotes and notes: the creation of Narnia

Some people seem to think that I began by asking myself how I could say something about Christianity to children; then fixed on the fairy tale as an instrument; then collected information about child-psychology and decided what age-group I’d write for; drew up a list of basic Christian truths and hammered out ‘allegories’ to embody them. This is all pure mo

289. Seventy-Five Years Ago, How Did C. S. Lewis’s Fairy-Stories Change Fantasy Forever?

We still believe in cultural engagement. That’s the Christian mission to share our faith in the real world, seeking to win souls to Jesus. These souls naturally seek biblical influences in stories, songs, and beyond. So why do some believers claim that they want “cultural engagement” but then, when angry or manipulative anti-Christian critics engage us right back, throw up their hands and call for pietistic separation?

Episode sponsors

 1. Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney by Daniel Schwabauer [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. A Faie Tale by Vince Mancuso [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/vince-mancuso/]
 3. The Pop Culture Parent [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-pop-culture-parent/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: new book quest for A Study of Shattered Spells
 * Also new: reviews for Lord of Winter [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/lord-of-winter/] and Picked Up Pieces [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/picked-up-pieces]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

1. How ‘cultural engagement’ started

 * Christians inherited a legacy of sheltering, e.g. “fundamentalism.”
 * That term also gets associated with “separation from the world.”
 * From there other Christians moved to broader “evangelicalism.”
 * That newer term is more about living in (but not of) the world.
 * Yet this “evangelicalism” had a particular missionary emphasis.
 * We wanted to adapt what’s good about the world for ourselves.
 * And we sought to make comfortable places for unbelievers.
 * This also get associated with “Christian versions” of stories/songs.
 * Now new generations want to reject the first, modify the second.
 * First, they rightly see sin and harm in cultural fundamentalism.
 * Second, they see greatness in many secular stories and songs.
 * Third, they want to make great stories/songs that aren’t terrible.
 * Results? Much content about genuinely bad church dysfunctions.
 * Many reviews and articles praising secular stories and songs.
 * And now, finally, Christian-made stories/songs that are great!

2. How ‘cultural engagement’ is going

 * Now that we’ve identified the graces, let’s talk about the idols.
 * (In this we follow two of the five engagement steps in TPCP.)
 * You see, some “engagement” folks forget that third creative stage.
 * Many got stuck in ranting (supposed) cultural fundamentalism.
 * Yes, our old pal Church Back Home Syndrome reappears here.
 * Others got stuck finding greatness in secular stories/songs.
 * They forgot the part about finding idols in those “cultural artifacts.”
 * They grew so positive that they failed to perceive the real world.
 * For instance, some ignore real hatreds of Christians in the world.
 * We’ve heard from big-name creators who encountered this.
 * They were as “winsome” as could be, but got soft-persecuted.
 * “Engagers” especially neglect finding ways to create new stuff.
 * Perhaps they miss the purpose of “glorifying/enjoying God.”
 * Without spilling tea, Stephen has seen this among some writers.
 * They wanted to “engage” “for nonbelievers” their favorite stuff.
 * So you got articles about Scorsese movies and art-house films.
 * English majors had a particular like for engaging non-pop culture.
 * But regarding actual pop culture, memes, politics, etc.? Ugh, no.
 * A few “engagers” ended up bitter, confused, even deconstructed.
 * Their view of culture is bad; their view of social issues is worse.

288. Did Christians Expect Cultural Engagement to Be Easy?

To fight real monsters, we don’t need toxic empathy or the notion that exorcisms can resolve all demonic problems. Instead we start with the gospel of Jesus Christ that alone brings holiness. Yet how do we also train our imaginations with better stories to help us battle the beasts? Geoffrey Reiter returns to the studio to explore how great literature reflects God’s grace that helps us defeat the darkness.

Episode sponsors

 1. Maxine Justice: Galactic Attorney by Daniel Schwabauer [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. A Faie Tale by Vince Mancuso [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/vince-mancuso/]
 3. Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: reviews for Lord of Winter [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/lord-of-winter/] and Picked Up Pieces [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/picked-up-pieces]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Backstory: Geoffrey Reiter

Geoffrey Reiter is Associate Chair of Arts and Sciences and Coordinator of Humanities at Lancaster Bible College. He is also an Associate Editor at the website Christ and Pop Culture, where he frequently writes about weird horror and dark fantasy. As a scholar of weird fiction, Reiter has published academic articles on such authors as H. P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen, Bram Stoker, and Clark Ashton Smith. His poetry and fiction have previously appeared in Spectral Realms, Star*Line, Psenumbra, ParABnormal, The Mythic Circle, 34 Orchard, and Black Wings VII. His book The Lime Kiln and Other Enchanted Spaces was published by Hippocampus Press earlier this year.

 * Geoffrey Reiter at Christ and Pop Culture [https://christandpopculture.com/author/greiter/]
 * The Lime Kiln and Other Enchanted Spaces from Amazon [https://amzn.to/437SvgU]
 * The Lime Kiln and Other Enchanted Spaces from Hippocampus Press [https://www.hippocampuspress.com/other-authors/fiction/the-lime-kiln-and-other-enchanted-spaces-by-geoffrey-reiter]

1. Behold the monsters we may see in reality.

 * Last week critics were discussing when to “deplatform” monsters.
 * Today’s popular memes and franchise stories portray evil demons.
 * Others talk about human “monsters” who abuse and manipulate.
 * Some victims or bad counselors advise empathizing with real evil.
 * Others leap straight for exorcisms or aggressive countermeasures.
 * But secular folks may have limited success with combating evil.
 * As one Spider-Man 3 poster said, “The greatest battle lies within.”
 * First we must address the problem of our own monstrous hearts.
 * O

287. How Do Great Stories Help Us Defeat Monsters? | with Geoffrey Reiter

Demons do bad things in the Bible and in the modern world. But how does a fallen spirit get around its limitations as an immaterial being? Meanwhile, how do creators of movies about demons get around the obvious budget limitations and need for showing not telling? Answer in both cases: demons “possess” people. Even in sci-fi the bad “entities” do this. But is this really the best word to use for how these Satanic agents can really influence, provoke, or oppress human beings?

Episode sponsors

 1. Audio-Epic.com: “1232” podcast [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/audio-drama-podcast-1232/]
 2. The Seekers series by J. A. Webb [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-a-webb/]
 3. Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: review for Sara Ella’s Glass Across the Sea [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/glass-across-the-sea/]
 * Coming next: reviews for Lord of Winter and Picked Up Pieces
 * Also new Onscreen: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Cuts a Careful Line Between Evil and Redemption [https://lorehaven.com/demon-slayer-infinity-castle-cuts-careful-line-between-evil-redemption/] by A. D. Sheehan
 * Finally, @‌jenbooth.author [https://www.instagram.com/jenbooth.author/] won the Cultural Engagement Giveaway!
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

1. People love scary stories about demons.

 * Jesus and the apostles often cast demons out of their victims.
 * Acts has further accounts of what we call “demon possession.”
 * Rumors of demons in society or the wild forests persist in history.
 * Such supernatural narratives have long captured our imaginations.
 * In all history, the present, and in fiction, we often blame demons.
 * And we have many accounts and legends about possession.
 * Christians make whole ministries about “spiritual warfare.”
 * Frank E. Peretti memorably dramatized such encounters.
 * Even pop culture loves the image of priests and exorcisms.
 * Many movies, like Fallen with Denzel Washington, explore demons.
 * A more Christian example is Nefarious, with its possessed killer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txwrLGAL7Sg].
 * Even sci-fi gets in on the spooky, with tales of incorporeal entities
 * Many a Star Trek story hosted these critters from a creepy storm planet, alternate dimension, and/or mystery nebula of the week.
 * These inform our imaginations when we see horribly evil actions.
 * People will say, “that’s demonic” or even “that is demons’ work.”
 * Yet this habit goes way back in the Church—for good or ill.

2. ‘Demon possession is an unfortunate term’

The term demon possession is an unfortunate term that has found its way into some English translations of the Bible but is not really reflected in the Greek text. The Greek New Testament can speak of people who “have a demon” (Matt. 11:18; Luke 7:33; 8:27; John 7:20; 8:48, 49, 52; 10:20), but it never uses language that suggests that a demon actually “possesses” someone.

The problem with the terms demon possession and demonized is that they give the nuance of such strong demonic influence that they seem to imply that the person who is under demonic attack has no choice but to succumb to it. They suggest that the person is unable any longer to exercise his or her will and is completely under the domination of the evil spirit. While this may have been true in extreme cases such as that of the Gerasene demoniac (see. Mark 5:1–20; note

286. Can Demons Really ‘Possess’ Humans?

Many fans love the idea of demon hunters, whether they are Dr. Abraham Van Helsing’s warrior band, hyper-disciplined young shonen slayers, immortal elves, or K-pop stars. But in response to these righteous crusades, some fans find themselves defending the monsters. Are they really that bad? Shouldn’t we find ways to empathize with them? Today we explore the thorny problem of fans who won’t just defend but actually liken themselves to demons.

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Glass Across the Sea by Sara Ella [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. The Seekers series by J. A. Webb [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-a-webb/]
 3. Cultural Engagement Giveaway: The Pop Culture Parent, On Magic and Miracles, and Above the Circle of Earth [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/lorehaven-giveaway/]

Mission update

 * Lorehaven reviews: Hideous Beauty [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/hideous-beauty/], next: Glass Across the Sea [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/glass-across-the-sea]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Concession stand (demon hunters edition)

 * If you’re new, we approach this topic from a biblical worldview.
 * “Demon” definitions get fuzzy when speaking in fantasy worlds.
 * Eastern portrayals get closer to neutral “spirits” or even like fae.
 * But that’s very different in Frieren’s East-looks-West fantasy tale.
 * For more biblical explorations of demons, wait until next week’s ep.

Quotes and notes

 * “Killing Demons is Awesome, Actually,” Master Samwise on YouTube, Oct. 17, 2025 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7hQwNfEric]
 * When Can Deconstructionism Threaten Christian Fiction? | with Michael Young aka ‘Wokal Distance’, Lorehaven podcast, March 14, 2023 [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/153-when-can-deconstructionism-threaten-christian-fiction-with-michael-young-aka-wokal-distance/]

1. In some tales, ‘demons’ are neutral/broken.

 * For this, we must concede fictional redefinitions of “demons.”
 * That goes double for stories with moral, yet not Christian, beliefs.
 * Howl’s Moving Castle (book and film) describes a “fire demon.”
 * But in other tales, demons are more like corrupted human beings.
 * They only have a particular bent toward physical acting-out of evil.
 * Demon Slayer is one franchise that presents demons this way.
 * So does that smash hit of last summer, K-Pop Demon Hunters.
 * Even the Count Dracula gets some sympathy at the very end.
 * Basically they’re more like fantasy monsters, e.g. metahumans.
 * These by design help us reflect on our own monstrous natures.
 * But … that self-directed empathy must lead to desire for change.
 * And in many hero stories, demons must change or else be slain.

2. And in Frieren, demons are evil deceivers.

 * Setup for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End manga/anime season 1.
 * This world is directly inspired by DnD/RPG tropes, the classic kind.
 * It’s a thoughtful/action sequel to the monomyth fantasy narrative.
 * What happens after mortals die and the noble elf-mage lives on?
 * Frieren trains a protege and recruits friends to take smaller quests.
 * Along the way, they encounter a main series villain: demons.
 * These demons look like humans but have supernatural powers.
 * Moreover, they’re anti-empathetic. No tragic backstory. No hope.
 * Unlike sinful humans or other villains,

285. Do Some Fantasy Fans Seriously Identify with Demons?

Thanks to all the human drama of this year, you may have missed the news about even more professional military men been sharing testimonies about their witnessing unknown aerial phenomena blasting through the laws of physics. These sightings are not going away, forcing us to reckon with some truly potential scenarios. If aliens really invaded Earth, where from and how would they do it? And how do we discern these invasions and fight back?

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Glass Across the Sea by Sara Ella [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. The Seekers series by J. A. Webb [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-a-webb/]
 3. Cultural Engagement Giveaway: The Pop Culture Parent, On Magic and Miracles, and Above the Circle of Earth [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/lorehaven-giveaway/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: weekly(ish!) reviews of the best Christian fantasy
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Listen to last year’s previous episode entry [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/235-what-are-the-scariest-stories-about-aliens-among-us/] in our Armies of the Aliens series [https://lorehaven.com/series/armies-of-the-aliens/].

Quotes and notes: Armies of the Aliens [https://lorehaven.com/series/armies-of-the-aliens/] series

 * 22. How Do Christians Discern UFO Accounts in Light of Scripture? [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/22-how-do-christians-discern-ufo-accounts-in-light-of-scripture/]
 * 47. Why Do Some People Long for Escape to a Galactic Community? [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/47-why-do-some-people-long-for-escape-to-a-galactic-community/]
 * 63. Did God Create Aliens and Would Jesus Need to Save Them? [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/63-did-god-create-aliens-and-would-jesus-need-to-save-them/]
 * 73. Does the Pentagon’s UFO Report Expose Unidentified Aerial Phenomena? | with Colin Samul [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/73-does-the-pentagons-ufo-report-expose-unidentified-aerial-phenomena-with-colin-samul/]

284. How Would Any Real Aliens Actually Invade Earth?

How often does this happen to you? You’re a plain, ordinary, gorgeous heroine, who’s suddenly abducted by aliens and taken to Planet Gladiator Violence VI. There you encounter a bull-headed man with piercings in all his massive muscles, and various events ensue, and if we kept up this description the grown-ups would not let you listen to this podcast episode. And that’s probably the tamest version of what’s now called “romantasy.” These kinds of monster stories are winning legions of female fans. What manner of perversity is this?

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Singularity by Shannon McDermott [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. The Seekers series by J. A. Webb [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-a-webb/]
 3. Cultural Engagement Giveaway: The Pop Culture Parent, On Magic and Miracles, and Above the Circle of Earth [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/lorehaven-giveaway/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: new Embergold review [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/embergold/], Monster Month returns [https://lorehaven.com/series/monster-month]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]
 * Our current book quest is This Present Darkness [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/this-present-darkness/]

Quotes and notes

 * Lorehaven podcast ep. 149. Why Do Christian Fiction Fans Love So Much Romance? [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/149-why-do-christian-fiction-fans-love-so-much-romance/]
 * Lorehaven podcast ep. 249. What is ‘Romantasy’? | with Parker J. Cole [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/249-what-is-romantasy-with-parker-j-cole/]
 * Here Be Dragons: What Christians Need to Know About Romantasy [https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/christians-need-know-romantasy/], Kathryn Butler at The Gospel Coalition, Feb. 28, 2025
 * Ep 1240 | TikTok’s Spicy Novels Are Warping Women’s Minds [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uTzyUHvmXegPe6hg0J3t8], Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey, Sept. 10, 2025

Backstory: Parker J. Cole

Onscreen writer Parker J. Cole is a USA Today Bestselling author of historical romance as well as a speaker, podcast host, and CEO of the podcast network PJC Media. As an author, Parker enjoys exploring history through the vehicle of romance. Her speaking topics focus on inspiration for aspiring authors. For over a decade, she has interviewed authors from all over the world via her podcast network. Consumed with a plethora of interests that keep her life busy, she lives in Detroit, Michigan. Visit her website at ParkerJCole.com [https://parkerjcole.com].

1. Explore romantasy’s love and monsters

 * Review of the original better purpos

283. Why Are Female Fantasy Fans Falling in ‘Love’ With Monsters? | with Parker J. Cole

Distortionists in the real world corrupt the beautiful, good, and true.[1. Photo by Bree Anne [https://unsplash.com/@breebuddy?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/people-raising-their-hands-during-daytime-1vR0TtVM9bo?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash].] Some individuals who fall into such a dark side might make themselves beyond repentance—that is, reprobate. We might call them “ghouls.” … And such were some of you. We wanted to talk about monsters today, and we’ll start next week. First, let’s turn from the darkness and into the light, keeping our eyes open for hazards as we head into an exciting, messy, promising season of … spiritual revival and renewal for the souls of men and women?

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Singularity by Shannon McDermott [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. Cultural Engagement Giveaway: The Pop Culture Parent, On Magic and Miracles, and Above the Circle of Earth
 3. The Tixie Chronicles by Jack Borden [https://lorehaven.com/sponsnors/jack-borden]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: This Present Darkness [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/this-present-darkness/] book quest
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Backstory: Bethel McGrew

Bethel McGrew has a doctorate in math and is a widely published freelance writer. Her work has appeared in First Things, National Review, The Spectator, and many other national and international outlets. Her Substack, Further Up [https://www.furtherup.net/], is one of the top paid newsletters in “Faith & Spirituality” on the platform. She has also contributed to two essay anthologies on Jordan Peterson. When not writing social criticism, she enjoys writing about literature, film, music, and history.

 * FurtherUp.net [https://www.furtherup.net/]
 * Bethel McGrew on X: @‌BMcGrewvy [https://x.com/bmcgrewvy]
 * Life on the Silent Planet: Essays on Christian Living from C.S. Lewis’s Ransom Trilogy [https://davenantinstitute.org/life-on-the-silent-planet]
 * WORLD Magazine (Oct. 2025): “A tragic vision of the world: Three books that shaped my thinking [https://wng.org/articles/a-tragic-vision-of-the-world-1756870231]“
 * WORLD Opinions: “Shocked by evil: the surprising seekers going to church in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder [https://wng.org/opinions/shocked-by-evil-1759027719]“

Quotes and notes

“The salvation of

282. How Can Creative Christians Prepare in Case of Revival? | with Bethel McGrew

Explore the best Christian-made fantasy, sci-fi, and beyond, and apply these stories’ meanings in the real world Jesus calls us to serve.

Zack Russell

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