This month’s Project Hail Mary film is being praised as a fresh, thrilling sci-fi take that is wholesome and sincere. As expected, we’re seeing more fantastical fans cry out for stories that celebrate the human spirit. Why do we love these stories? And how do different fan trends, even across whole generations, keep swerving between positive portrayals and other stories that may be called “cynical”?

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 3. The Hole-Man by Dan Daetz [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-hole-man]
 4. Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]

Mission update

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1. Optimistic stories celebrate common grace

 * Stephen read the book back soon after its May 4, 2021, release.
 * Don’t miss the audiobook read by narrator Ray “Darkseid” Porter.
 * Right from the title, Project Hail Mary honors human will and spirit.
 * Weir publicly eschewed inserting “the message” (leftist politics).
 * It’s a deeply humanist story (and not necessarily in a bad way).
 * Brett McCracken from TGC wrote that the film honors biblical virtues and “celebrates friendship, sacrifice, and self-giving love.” [https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/project-hail-mary-christian-movie-review/]
 * Some vote blue. Some red. But everyone loves Grace and Rocky.

2. Cynical stories show sin—and to a fault

 * In response, many fans are freshly condemning cynical stories.
 * These make a show of hopelessness, grimdark, nihilism, despair.
 * But there are fewer of these obvious cynical stories in pop culture.
 * Their problem isn’t “show sin at all.” Their problem is lack of virtue.
 * Do note that some popular “optimistic” stories are just posers.
 * They’re just as cynical about virtue, yet may offer false “syncerity.”
 * One can almost see the memos. They’re trying to have/eat cake.

3. Many great stories rightly reflect both

 * “Realistic” stories aren’t always cynical, and “colorful” stories aren’t always optimistic; this is defined more by ideas than appearance.
 * Earnest and optimistic stories can be noblebright and nobledark.
 * In fact, Project Hail Mary (book and film) mixes both of these.
 * Even God gets a friendly shoutout—a hint at the morality’s origin.
 * Spoiler: Ryland is no hero. He’s effectively assaulted. That’s dark.
 * But desperate times call for Grace. He becomes a hero. That’s light.
 * These stories defeat both forced “syncerity” and cynical tales.

Com station

Top question for listeners

 * What do you love about Project Hail Mary and optimistic stories?

Next on Fantastical Truth

Uh-oh. That big new trailer from that big studio just hit for that big fantasy franchise remake/reboot/sequel. It’s too big to fail! And then fail it does. They got the cast way wrong. They hired a bad writer. And they’re going to ruin everything we loved about the original. What’s worse? These big studios don’t seem to care. Do they? Or do some big studios have big secret reasons for “improving” fantasy franchises?

306. Why Do Fiction Fans Fight Over ‘Optimism’ vs. ‘Realism’?

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” That’s what the Lord Jesus promised His disciples. How does His word, with support from fantastical fiction, help us prepare for armed conflicts across our real world?

Episode sponsors

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 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. The Hole-Man by Dan Daetz [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-hole-man]
 4. Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]

Mission update

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Quotes and notes

The main relevant fact admitted by all parties is that war is very disagreeable. The main contention urged as fact by Pacifists would be that wars always do more harm than good. How is one to find out whether this is true? It belongs to a class of historical generalisations which involve a comparison between the actual consequences of some actual event and a consequence which might have followed if that event had not occurred.

“Wars do no good” involves the proposition that if the Greeks had yielded to Xerxes and the Romans to Hannibal, the course of history ever since would have been perhaps better, but certainly no worse than it actually has been; that a Mediterranean world in which Carthaginian power succeeded Persian would have been at least as good and happy and as fruitful for all posterity as the actual Mediterranean world in which Roman power succeeded Greek.

My point is not that such an opinion seems to me overwhelmingly improbable. My point is that both opinions are merely speculative; there is no conceivable way of convincing a man of either.

C. S. Lewis, “Why Am I Not A Pacifist”

1. Great stories show us that war is hell.

 * Answer to Stephen’s earlier question: all great stories need conflict.
 * Without any conflict, no fights, battles, war, sin, we’d have no story.
 * (Side thought: without the Fall, fiction as we know it couldn’t exist.)
 * Yes, we do love stories that are so focused on war that the word is right in the title: Star Wars, World of Warcraft, Warhammer 40,000.
 * But it’s vital for stories to show conflict/war as somewhat realistic.
 * People die and do not return. Wounds hurt. War-“glory” is fleeting.
 * And of course, folks start or fight in wars for very corrupt reasons.

2. Stories also show wars can be necessary.

 * God Himself, as Author of the Story, allowed/planned for conflict.
 * The very existence of fiction reminds us conflict serves a purpose.
 * Folks uncomfortable with war often find ways to like these stories.
 * This might indicate that even they know conflict has some purpose.
 * Few critics would reasonably dispute (by faithful in-universe terms) the justifiable causes of the Federation, Fremen, or Men of Gondor.
 * Deep Christian traditions of “just war theory” often supports them.
 * Villains have many motives, but often can be stopped only by force.

3. Best of all, stories help us long for peace.

 * Having shown war as hell,

305. How Do Great Stories Help Us Prepare for War-Time?

Adaptations. Sometimes we act like we don’t like them. But sometimes we do. And sometimes each new version of a story—book to film or TV show—changes the original but adds something new and amazing. Today we explore the pros and cons of adaptations.

Episode sponsors

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 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. The Hole-Man by Dan Daetz [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-hole-man]
 4. The Lorehaven Authorship [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-authorship/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: review of The Star-Blessed [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/the-star-blessed/]
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1. When the film was better than the book(?)

 * Zack believes The Lord of the Rings films are better than the books.
 * He also finds The Hunger Games films better than the books.
 * Both Dune films are more accessible than the novels, at least so far.

2. When film versions make changes yet win

 * One Piece condenses/adapts a lot from the original, yet is beloved.
 * The Three Body Problem series wonderfully adapts the book.
 * Next week’s Project Hail Mary is being hailed as a faithful version.

3. When remade versions beat earlier versions

 * Avatar: The Last Airbender has flaws yet beats the 2010 film.
 * 12 Monkeys the show is far better than 12 Monkeys the movie.
 * Many of the DC and Marvel new versions beat earlier adaptations.

Com station

Top question for listeners

 * Which of your favorite film versions beat or match original books?

Next on Fantastical Truth

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” That’s what the Lord Jesus promised His disciples. How does His word, with support from fantastical fiction, help us prepare for armed conflicts across our real world?

304. When Was the Film Better Than the Book?

Kaizoku ou ni ore wa naru! Today around the world, millions of fans who love Japan’s hit manga/anime series, One Piece, are rejoicing for many reasons, including today’s release of the live-action series season 2 on Netflix. Why do so many fans love these comical, earnest adventures of Captain Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates?

Episode sponsors

 1. Firebreak by Kathy Tyers [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. The Hole-Man by Dan Daetz [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-hole-man]
 4. The Lorehaven Authorship [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-authorship/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: our book quest into fantasy Embergold [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/embergold/]
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Quotes and notes

 * The hit manga just reached 600 million [https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2026/3/3/one-piece-manga-surpasses-600-million-copies-in-print], matching Superman
 * After 1,170+ chapters and nearly 30 years, creator Eiichiro Oda’s pirates-with-powers story is sailing toward its final arcs [https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Saga].
 * The popular anime is ending hiatus to resume in April.
 * And today Netflix is christening the live series Season 2 [https://www.netflix.com/title/80217863], after 2023’s Season 1 happily broke the “anime to live-action curse.”
 * Oh, and this just in: last week Oda and crew made the meme come true [https://youtu.be/O9M1UMj-vwE?si=fE4HRACufakzgqLj].
 * He really did write down the answer to “what is the One Piece,” the treasure sought by every pirate.
 * He locked this in a chest, buried it deep in the sea, and initiated a great fan-pirate era.
 * But spoiler alert: I think I know the secret of the One Piece. And by the end of this episode, I shall spell out my grand fan theory.

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: our book quest into fantasy Embergold
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

The Mugiwara (Str

303. Why Do Many Fans Crown ‘One Piece’ King of the Anime?

Space is a dangerous place. Even recently we learned that the entire Artemis program has been rebooted, adding more rockets and risks! In other worlds and other galaxies, “space” is full of human life, music, adventure, romance, and fantastical new worlds. Just in time for Firebreak, book 1 of the Firebird Interlude Trilogy, we’re joined by longtime science fiction novelist Kathy Tyers to explore how the best space operas sing through this teeming expanse.

Episode sponsors

 * Firebreak by Kathy Tyers [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 * Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 * The Hole-Man by Dan Dietz [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-hole-man]
 * The Lorehaven Authorship [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-authorship/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: Andromache review [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/andromache/], weekly reviews
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 * You’ll get notified of monthly events, like last week’s livestream [https://estephenburnett.lorehaven.com/events/livestream-why-christians-need-sci-fi/].

Backstory: Kathy (Tyers) Gillin

Kathy Tyers sold her first novel, Firebird, to Bantam Spectra in 1986. Since its initial 1987 publication, it has been rereleased by Bethany House Publishers, Marcher Lord Press, and Enclave Publishing, and was followed by further Firebird-universe novels Fusion Fire and Crown of Fire. Kathy finished the Firebird series in 2011 and 2012 with Wind and Shadow and the messiah tale Daystar. Enclave Publishing has also re-released her early novels One Mind’s Eye, Shivering World (Christy Award winner, 2019), and Crystal Witness. Now she’s returning to the Firebird whorl for a new series of novels. The Firebird Interlude trilogy begins March 10 with the release of Firebreak. Kathy is also known for her Star Wars Expanded Universe novels—The Truce at Bakura and New Jedi Order: Balance Point. She lives in Montana with her husband William T. Gillin.

 * KathyTyers.com [http://kathytyers.com]
 * on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/kathytyers]

1. What are the origin stories of space opera?

 * 1818: Mary Shelley’s first sci-fi-ish/horror novel Frankenstein
 * 1830: British author Percy Greg’s poetical Across the Zodiac
 * Late 19th century: the prolific Jules Verne, across Earth and space
 * Late

302. How Does Space Opera Sing of New Worlds? | Firebreak with Kathy Tyers

People want transparency! Or do we? If nothing else, public calls for revealing government secrets raise a lot of ruckus, especially when the secrets in question seem to be covering up aliens. Zack is our UAP/UFO expert. Stephen is intrigued yet skeptical. We’re both all over last week’s headlines. One former president claimed he knows aliens are real. Then the current U.S. president said he would declassify files. Whatever happens next, why do people want disclosure so badly?

Episode sponsors

 1. Firebreak by Kathy Tyers [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. Interregnum by J. A. Webb [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-a-webb/]
 4. Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]

Mission update

 * New reviews: For The Good of All [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/for-the-good-of-all/] and Andromache
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]
 * Writing that next great alien-invasion novel? Join the Authorship [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-authorship/].

Quotes and notes

 * Armies of the Aliens series on Fantastical Truth [https://lorehaven.com/series/armies-of-the-aliens/]

1. Disclosure may expose human loneliness.

 * This news could upend members of the alien fandom.
 * We could all discover there were no aliens after all.
 * Instead we might hear about human technology.
 * And we might suspect we’re alone in the universe.

2. Disclosures can upset our metaphysics

 * Disclosure of extraterrestrial life could upend religion.
 * Or we could discover the “aliens” are interdimensional.
 * Some writers believe consciousness rewrites our understanding of the universe.
 * Maybe the twist on the Fermi Paradox means humans actually arrived first.
 * Zack posted this response on X [https://x.com/ztrussell/status/2024905790692168036]:

“I definitely believe that sinister interdimensional beings directed many religious texts. And that the Bible was given by an interdimensional being. Just one that is supreme to all the others, and good.”

3. Worst, disclosures may promote demons.

 * This too could upend society’s “respectable” materialism.
 * That notion explains elite seances and messages from “aliens.”
 * This would be biblical, but seeing this exposed could be shocking.
 * It might even mean some of powerful leaders are controlled by demons

Com station

Top question for listeners

 * If we get “disclosure” at all, what secrets do you expect to learn?

Autumn Grayson wrote a whole essay about ep. 298 [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/298-should-christian-authors-post-about-politics-part-1/#comment-78818]:

… In general, when it comes to people’s political posts, there are some things I dislike, and some things that would be good to stay away from. It’s certainly best if people say things that have more substance than just expressing outrage or disapproval, because well thought out engagement on a topic is better. But I do respect people’s freedom and autonomy to say what they want to. I’ll agree with it or disagree with it as I see fit. I’ll get something out of it and learn from it either way, but what I may learn is that the content creator is someone I would not want to communicate or collaborate with. Or, the content creator ends up bei

301. Why Do Alien Disclosure Stories Captivate Our Culture?

For most of their lives, Stephen and Zack have kept their eyes to the stars and wondering if NASA or anybody else will ever again get serious about launching ships up there.[1. Image credit: SpaceX on X.com [https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1178131253184192513].] Now it seems that moment is upon us. Lord willing, next month’s launch of Artemis II will drive new great leaps back to the Moon, not only to orbit or put down boots, but to put down roots. Meanwhile, private firms build reusable rockets and plan satellite networks while setting their sights on Mars. So what other science fictions will come true in reality? Join us to discern and celebrate the God-exalting glories of human spaceflight to faraway lands for this landmark 300th episode of Lorehaven’s Fantastical Truth.

Episode sponsors

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 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. Interregnum by J. A. Webb [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-a-webb/]
 4. Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: reviews on break this very busy week.
 * Last week brought a bot swarm and other technical nonsense.
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/].
 * Authors, want to talk real sci-fi and beyond? Join the Authorship.

Quotes and notes

 * 72. When Our World Groans Under Sin, Should Christians Support Space Flight? [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/72-when-our-world-groans-under-sin-should-christians-support-space-flight/]

300. Could We See Lunar Bases and Mars Landings in Our Lifetimes?

Last week your solo host, Stephen, shared a hot take: that some authors’ sudden hot takes on political topics add more heat than light. These cringe political posts distract from the author’s job and confuse fans, and some go further into sinful slanders. Now that Zack is back, let’s re-engage this topic as fans and explore hope for biblical unity. Without telling anyone to “stop with politics!” or missing real concerns, how can authors post better about those topics, if they post at all?

Episode sponsors

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 3. Interregnum by J. A. Webb [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-a-webb/]
 4. Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: The Restitching of Camille DuLaine review [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/the-restitching-of-camille-dulaine/].
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]
 * Authors: sign up for the Authorship as a Creator or Pro Novelist [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-authorship/]

1. Top recent celebrity political wins and fails

 * Last week, Stephen should have predicted Grammy Awards cringe.
 * He feels sympathy for Billy Eilish and others who just say stuff.
 * Some celebrities can get away with this because they’re Big.
 * Example 1: J.K. Rowling, who lives in a castle and everything.
 * Example 2: George Clooney, legacy, leftist, but moderate in tone.
 * Example 3: Conservative actors who find other (often niche) work.
 * Authors who feel tempted to this openness: are you Big like them?
 * It’s like going out to buy a $10,000 suit before you can afford this.
 * If not, the cringe political post isn’t an upgrade, but a downgrade.
 * Personally, Stephen doesn’t mind politically outspoken celebrities.
 * Those who do this out of seeming grace/surplus tend to win.
 * Those who do this out of seeming vengeance/poverty tend to lose.
 * Big tip here for aspiring authors: you must give more than you take.
 * Otherwise they look kinda desperate for attention, or else insincere.

2. Engaging your responses to episode 298 [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/298-should-christian-authors-post-about-politics-part-1]

Our own Guildmaster, Ticia Messing, wants a refuge:

I have several indie authors I read or recently subscribed to their newsletters who all took part in a join political statement over the weekend with the same general idea. It was clearly to win political points for their side, and it was clearly a “If you do not agree with me, you are wrong,” and reading it I felt dirty and used. Even the author who tried to be more circumspect in how she talked about it because it was still clear what she was talking about.

My problem is I come to their newsletters not to read about politics; it is my refuge from politics. I read them to find out about how their writing is going, a quick glimpse into their life, some book recommendations, and maybe a snippet of their upcoming book.

Instead, all of these newsletters had paragraphs about Political Issue.

Jason Huff seeks to challenge cringepost motives:

What is difficult about social media in general is that most posts about politics aren’t about determining a side or discussing a moral issue but virt

299. Should Christian Authors Post About Politics? Part 2

Happy Groundhog Day.[1. Photo by Marino Linic [https://unsplash.com/@marinolinic?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/a-close-up-of-a-fire-92Tvpmx2rOc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText].] Maybe in these last weeks you’ve seen this same story repeat: Your favorite Christian author usually posts about whimsical life updates, pet photos, or upcoming release dates. But now she or he is suddenly and very fervently posting about politics. Words get heated. Light dims. And unwise statements share disastrous brushfires instead of book delights. What a reader to do? Call for a ban on all such topics? Block the blighter? Or maybe seek deeper wisdom?

Episode sponsors

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 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. The Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli Cole [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-case-of-the-heart-stone]
 4. Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: authors, debate this in the Authorship [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-authorship/]!
 * New review: The Lost Chick [https://lorehaven.com/library/the-lost-chick/] by Andrew K. Johnston
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Chapter 1: A personal concession stand

 * The best time might have been during a cooler period (if existent).
 * But the next best time is now. Many fans are already considering it.
 * This topic is broader, focusing on Christian authors in all genres.
 * And too big a topic for one episode. We’re splitting this into two.
 * Sure, some authors may listen and take note, or maybe get upset.
 * But I’m speaking as a fan, and I know many fans who agree.
 * We grieve this inflammatory rhetoric among Christian fantasy fans.
 * And we don’t want to see relationships broken by nasty slanders.
 * Background: I’ve kept up with politics since before I could vote.
 * I’ve retconned my first election as Nov. 2000 (before I was 18).
 * Campus newspaper columns, a little overt activism here and there.
 * Anti-fans made a “Stephen would probably hate me” FB group.
 * Today I stay atop news, and more importantly the deeper issues.
 * And I do post about politics, so don’t hear me saying “don’t do it.”
 * But here at Lorehaven we are not first about politics. Morality first.

A positive note: Stephen’s developing post rules

 * Personally, I post about certain topics that are, I hope, limited.
 * My rules: biblical conviction, topically focused, open engagement.
 * Example: my Jan. 30 post on activist Don Lemon being arrested [https://www.facebook.com/e.stephen.burnett/posts/pfbid02FSutwwuaMGCsbCa7ErRiVT7Kj1QBA8hpzKJEwX4iLMVfzTFsVz8ySaUbnYAnWVApl?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZZpPinXGcxRaaWTIroHVaYFEFidUmBk-jT88QQ3PP9ZRCBz4hK-hWr17ld41VsohIRwfj9GEVbLU4_lViptNB8pBeUQdSRQCbNxQTYxXe146P1MPnoKZ2h49ocsHcXgFpQtT-dREmpgqxkXNSLXtXgE9DKQg7HKIRAlbOb9gjs6-clZisg5y3xEflTMFc-J1Ok&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R].
 * To me this one’s easy. The man joined a mob to invade a church.
 * I like the church. I don’t like bullies. And this topic relates to ACE.
 * Besides, I don’t like when professing Christians abuse the Bible.
 * That includes people who impulsively see other believers a

298. Should Christian Authors Post About Politics? Part 1

Allegories. Christians love allegories! That’s a story element of having a person, place, or thing meant a a direct picture of something else, like Jesus or moral virtues. Some people think Jesus did this in parables, or C.S. Lewis did this with Narnia. Others point to Pilgrim’s Progress as a prime example. Even if they’re right, might some readers focus so much on the deeper meanings of fantastical human storytelling?

Episode sponsors

 1. The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. The Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli Cole [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-case-of-the-heart-stone]
 3. Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: the Authorship [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-authorship] has launched!
 * Listen to last week’s episode [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/296-how-will-the-lorehaven-authorship-help-you-grow-your-creative-gifts-for-christs-glory/], or read the companion article [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-authorship/].
 * Also, join the Guild by Saturday, Jan. 31 for Stephen’s livestream: How to Sell a Sci-Fi Novel in Just Twenty-Five Easy Years [https://estephenburnett.lorehaven.com/events/livestream-how-sell-sci-fi-novel-25-easy-years/]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Quotes and notes

Allegory is a form of literature in which material figures represent immaterial virtues or vices. So in Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, the character Timorous represents fear and Mr. Worldly Wiseman represents worldly wisdom. In our day, distinction of genres has been muddled a bit, so we tend to regard any story with symbolic elements in it as allegorical, but it was not always this way. C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, for instance, are not allegories, even as often as they are referred to as such, and Lewis himself said as much.

The parables of Jesus could be said to contain allegorical elements, some more than others, but they are not strictly speaking themselves allegories. Jesus definitely deals in the world of virtues and vices, but he is most immediately interested in the world of human beings, their hearts, their words, and their deeds.

“How Not to Read the Parables,” Jared C. Wilson [https://ftc.co/resource-library/blog-entries/how-not-to-read-the-parables/]

The reason for the long history of the misinterpretation of the parables can be traced back to something Jesus himself said, as recorded in Mark 4:10–12. When asked about the purpose of parables, he seems to have suggested that they contained mysteries for those on the inside, while they hardened those on the outside. Because he then proceeded to “interpret” the parable of the sower in a semi-allegorical way, this was seen to give license to the hardening theory and endless allegorical interpretations. The parables were considered to be simple stories for those on the outside to whom the “real meanings,” the “mysteries,” were hidden; these belonged only to the church and could be uncovered by means of allegory.

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth [https://amzn.to/4sYTlru] by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart

1. Jesus’s parables aren’t just allegories

 * Sometimes the Lord interpreted His tales this way. For example, He says the seed is like His word and different soils are like different hearers (see

297. Should Christian Fantasy Stories Force Religious Allegories?

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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