Jesus told many parables, some even fantastical. Yet some Christians presume these parables are simple allegories. Is this really the point of parables? Or do they reflect biblical truths in more meaningful ways? We’re inviting Cru ministry creatives who’ve made a new audio drama, inspired by the parable of the prodigal son, called The Road to Kaeluma [https://www.jesusfilm.org/kaeluma/]. We’ll explore questions like: What are fantastical parables? And how do they prepare us for conversations about family relationships, the gospel, and the love of our heavenly Father?

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Flight of Fate by Tricia and Nathan Goyer [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. Realm Makers Expo 2025 [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers]
 3. Inheritance by J. A. Webb [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-a-webb/]
 4. The Company: Kingdom Writers, World Changers [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-company/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: Where Darkness Dwells [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/where-darkness-dwells/] and The Midnight Prince [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/the-midnight-prince/] reviews
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Backstory: Perry Wilson

Along with producing and co-writing The Road to Kaeluma, Perry voices Master Armstrong and Old Man Herman! In his role at Jesus Film Project®, he creates content for podcasts, short films, YouTube and other media platforms that can be heard and viewed globally. He feels called to innovate and create new avenues to reach the world digitally with the gospel.

“Having been transformed in college by Christ, through Cru® (the parent ministry of Jesus Film Project), I feel the immense gift of giving that opportunity to others through the ministry of digital media.”

Perry and his wife Brooke live with their dog Willow in Greenville, South Carolina. Brooke also works at Cru, serving as a writer and editor for FamilyLife.

 * “The Road to Kaeluma” [https://www.jesusfilm.org/kaeluma/] from Cru’s Jesus Film Project

Backstory: Landon Hawley

Landon Hawley co-wrote and directed The Road to Kaeluma and voiced the characters of Jehu and Elrin, alongside a talented cast and crew. At Jesus Film Project, Landon crafts scripts for short films, mini-series and other types of media that can be used as ministry tools around the world.

“Creative writing has been a hobb

268. What are Fantastical Parables? | The Road to Kaeluma

Aircraft pilots see a lot of amazing sights, above the Earth in planes and even spaceships. But men who do this challenging work often confront the nastier sides of these hard jobs, struggling to stay good in a gritty world. For pilot and new sci-fi novelist Dan Daetz, these realities rocket into a cosmic setting when one man, with the ugliest job in the universe, must break free from his past. This week: what if a bad father, with a worse job, fought to become a hero?

Episode sponsors

 1. “1232” epic audio drama podcast [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. Realm Makers Expo 2025 [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers]
 3. Inheritance by J. A. Webb [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-a-webb/]
 4. The Company: Kingdom Writers, World Changers [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-company/]

Mission update

 * Read reviews of Where Darkness Dwells and The Midnight Prince
 * Jenneth Leed: ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ is Classical Literature in Game-Form [https://lorehaven.com/clair-obscur-expedition-33-is-classical-literature-in-game-form/]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Backstory: Dan Daetz

Dan Daetz is a former combat fighter pilot and test pilot. He’s pulled over nine Gs, flown faster than Mach 2, and eaten dozens of gummi bears in a single sitting. When he’s not writing, Dan coaches leaders, enjoys the outdoors, and spoils his Australian Shepherds. He and his family live in Colorado, where they’ve stored enough junk food to outlast the zombie apocalypse.

 * SciFiPilot.com [http://SciFiPilot.com]
 * Instagram: @‌scifipilotauthor [https://www.instagram.com/scifipilotauthor/]

1. Fly over the fierce and friendly skies

2. Discover the best fantastical fathers

3. Find family redemption in the stars

Com station

Top question for listeners

 * Who is your favorite fantastical father?

Next on Fantastical Truth

Jesus told many parables, some even fantastical. Yet some Christians presume these parables are simple allegories. Is this really the point of parables? Or do they reflect biblical truths in more meaningful ways? We’re inviting Cru ministry creatives who’ve made a new audio drama, inspired by the parable of the prodigal son, called The Road to Kaeluma [https://www.familylife.com/podcast/familylife-today/the-road-to-kaeluma-landon-hawley-perry-wilson/]. We’ll explore questions like: What are fantastical parables? And how do they prepare us for conversations about family relationships, the gospel, and the love of our heavenly Father?

267. What If a Bad Father Fought to Be a Hero? | The Hole-Man with Dan Daetz

Realm Makers [https://realmmakers.com/] started in 2013 with a Christian-led speculative fiction writers’ conference. Now it’s a 24/7 organization to train aspiring authors, a traveling bookstore, and cousin to a stationary bookstore. This summer the conference levels up with the Realm Makers Expo [https://expo.realmmakers.com], a crossover fan-centered event with many other Christian groups and fantastical creators. Join us for this inside look into the past, present and future of the Realm, featuring Scott Minor.

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Flight of Fate by Tricia and Nathan Goyer [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. Inheritance by J. A. Webb [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-a-webb/]
 3. The Company: Kingdom Writers, World Changers [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-company/]

Mission update

 * Lorehaven action item: recent reviews of Fortified [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/fortified] and Justified [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/justified]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Backstory: Scott Minor

Scott Minor is the CEO of Realm Makers [https://realmmakers.com/], a premier conference and community dedicated to supporting authors of faith who write fantasy and science fiction. With a passion for fostering creativity, he and his wife Becky work together to grow Realm Makers into a vital resource for Christian speculative fiction writers. Scott oversees operations, event planning, and the Realm Makers Bookstore, which promotes faith-based fantastical novels. A dynamic leader with a background in operations, project management, and acting, Scott also directs youth theater and has a deep love for the performing arts. Residing near Philadelphia, Penn., he continues to inspire and equip authors to share stories that explore truth and sacrifice.

 * RealmMakers.com [https://www.realmmakers.com/]: Bookish store [https://www.bookishkop.com/], Expo [https://expo.realmmakers.com], RealmSphere [https://realm-makers.mn.co/], writers conference [http://conference.realmmakers.com/]
 * Realm Makers on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RealmMakers]
 * @RealmMakers on IG [https://www.instagram.com/realmmakers]
 * @RealmMakers on X [https://x.com/RealmMakers]

Quotes and notes

On August 2-3, 2013, a core group of self-professed nerds are going to try something a just a little bit terrifying — we’re going to hold a conference just for people of faith who love science-fiction, fantasy, and all their odd offshoots.

The event is called Realm Makers, and it will take place on the campus of The University of Missouri, St. Louis, in their JC Penney conference center. …

A little over a year ago, a group of speculative fiction enthusiasts were talking online about science fiction and fantasy conventions, and how many of us would like to attend one, but how the pervasive presence of scantily-clad “bo

266. How Do You Assemble a New Expo for Christian Fandoms? | with Scott Minor

In just 1.5 months, the inaugural Realm Makers Expo [https://realmmakersexpo.com] will arrive in Grand Rapids. Like the continuing Realm Makers writers conference [https://realmmakers.com], this event marks a fantastic chance for Christian fans and creatives to meet with like-minded believers in Jesus. But any big Christian-led conference also attracts people who like biblical virtues and ideas as well as Christians ourselves, yet are not truly believers. How then can we best shine the gospel at Realm Makers?

Episode sponsors

 1. Realm Makers Expo 2025 [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers], sponsored by Oasis Family Media [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. Inheritance by J. A. Webb [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-a-webb/]
 3. The Company: Kingdom Writers, World Changers [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/the-company/]

Mission update

 * Lorehaven: recent review of Fortified [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/fortified/]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Click here to register for the annual Realm Makers writers’ conference and/or the inaugural Expo!

1. Shine gospel light to conference organizers

 * Speaking personally, Scott and Becky Minor and many work hard on this.
 * This year it’s even more challenging: local events, writers’ event, plus Expo.
 * Pray for them, love them, respect the enormity of this organizing labor!
 * If you’re a conference vet, volunteer. If you’re new, thank organizers a lot.
 * Something Stephen liked about Blue Ridge [https://www.blueridgeconference.com/]: real thank-you notes. Try these?

2. Shine gospel light to your spiritual family

 * All types of Christian brothers and sisters attend Realm Makers every year.
 * Many come from denominations and traditions very unlike our own.
 * Special concern this year: political rancor. This calls for wise interactions.
 * Conversations may turn quickly “spiritual.” Share your opinions peacefully.
 * We’re here to tell stories, not install signs yelling at folks to stay off lawns.

3. Shine gospel light to neighboring nonbelievers

 * Finally, Realm Makers already has nonbelievers attending to learn craft.
 * Realm Makers is not a church or spiritual ministry. It’s an organization.
 * The conference is led by strong Christians, yet seeks wisdom from anyone.
 * You will likely find heretics and Mormons (big fantasy fans) at the Expo.
 * Adapt principles from chapter 2, yet maintain winsome biblical boundaries.
 * For example, if I met a Mormon, I’d stress common interests in fandoms.
 * But depending on atmosphere, I’d also reference our very di

265. How Can We Shine the Gospel at the Realm Makers Expo?

Books will last after Jesus’s return. That’s clear from Revelation 20:12, which refers to human life record books used for judging the dead. What then about other kinds of books, especially fantastical novels? Will amazing stories made by Christians, including those we explore at Lorehaven, last forever? Can we enjoy new stories? And what about great stories created by nonbelievers?

Episode sponsors

 1. “1232” epic audio drama podcast [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/audio-drama-podcast-1232/]
 2. Realm Makers Expo 2025 [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers]
 3. Omega Plan by Jonathon Karagiannis [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/jonathon-karagiannis/]
 4. Earthburst by Dan Megill [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/dan-megill/]

Mission update

 * Lorehaven reviews: last week Jake Rogers’ Planet [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/jake-rogers-planet], this week Fortified [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/fortified]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Listen to our whole Epic Resurrection series [https://lorehaven.com/series/epic-resurrection/].

Quotes and notes

 * Zack’s article: I Can’t Wait to Borrow Books from New Earth’s Library [https://lorehaven.com/i-cant-wait-to-borrow-books-from-new-earths-library]
 * Heaven by Randy Alcorn [https://amzn.to/4j6dE06]
 * Our own podcast series Epic Resurrection [https://lorehaven.com/series/epic-resurrection/]
   * 12. What if Jesus Promised to Redeem Not Just Our Souls but Our Bodies [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/12-what-if-jesus-promised-to-redeem-not-just-our-souls-but-our-bodies/]
   * 13. What if Jesus Promised to Redeem Not Just His People But His Creation? [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/13-what-if-jesus-promised-to-redeem-not-just-his-people-but-his-creation/]
   * 14. What if Jesus Promised to Redeem Not Just People and Creation, But Also Fantastic Stories? [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/14-what-if-jesus-promised-to-redeem-not-just-people-and-creation-but-also-fantastic-stories/]
   * 108: How Does Christ’s Resurrection Change Our Old Lives Forever? | with Tim Chaffey [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/108-how-does-christs-resurrection-change-our-old-lives-forever-with-tim-chaffey/]
   * 157. Will We Get Superpowers Aft [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/157-will-we-get-superpowers-after-the-resurrection/]

264. Which Stories Will Last Forever in New Earth?

Kathryn needs no magical stone, slingshots around the sun, or fantastic phone box. She can time travel quite naturally, falling asleep in Victorian London only to wake up in the World War II era. Now she’s caught up in a quest to save her sister from Jack the Ripper and choose only one timeline by her 25th birthday. Every Hour Until Then author Gabrielle Meyer joins us to explore: What is time travel romance, and why do readers love it?

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Warsafe by Lauren Smyth [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. Realm Makers Expo 2025 [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers]
 3. Omega Plan by Jonathon Karagiannis [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/jonathon-karagiannis/]
 4. Earthburst by Dan Megill [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/dan-megill/]

Mission update

 * Lorehaven reviews: last week Every Hour Until Then [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/every-hour-until-then], this week Jake Rogers’ Planet [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/jake-rogers-planet]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Introducing guest Gabrielle Meyer

Gabrielle Meyer, author of the Timeless time-travel romance series, lives on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing historical and contemporary novels inspired by real people, places, and events. The river is a constant source of inspiration for Gabrielle, and if you look closely, you will find a river in each of her stories. When Gabrielle is not writing, you might find her homeschooling her children, cheering them on at sporting and theatrical events, or hosting a gathering at her home with family and friends.

 * GabrielleMeyer.com [https://gabriellemeyer.com/]
 * on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/177564015666017]
 * on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/gabrielle_meyer]
 * on X [https://www.x.com/MeyerGabrielle]

1. Flashback to favorite time-hopping heroes

 * Stephen: My first ones were kids time-traveling back to Bible days.
 * Superbook (the original) had a supernatural book that just did that.
 * Later on, Adventures in Odyssey’s Imagination Station did similar.
 * Yet that was more like virtual reality, or TNG’s holodeck technology.
 * Famously, the Doctor of British television travelled in space and time.
 * But another line of stories, shows women journeying into history.
 * These stories emphasize fish-out-of-water and romances in the past.
   * Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, jumping from 1945 to 1743
   * The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, 1970s to 1990s
   * Somewhere in Time by Richard Matheson, 1975 to 1896

2.

263. What is Time-Travel Romance? | Every Hour Until Then with Gabrielle Meyer

‘Tis the season for graduations. Right now some students are happy to leave their textbooks behind. But what sorts of books should faithful readers want to take with them, not just in their childhood and teenage years, but into their lives as Christ-following grown-ups? Today’s guest has given many a graduation speech, and he’s also the author of middle-grade fantasy: Houston Christian University president Dr. Robert Sloan.

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Warsafe by Lauren Smyth [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. Realm Makers Expo 2025 [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers]
 3. Omega Plan by Jonathon Karagiannis [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/jonathon-karagiannis/]
 4. Earthburst by Dan Megill [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/dan-megill/]

Mission update

 * Lorehaven reviews: Echo Nova [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/echo-nova] last week, Every Hour Until Then [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/every-hour-until-then] this week
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Backstory: Dr. Robert Sloan

Robert B. Sloan is the author of the young adult fantasy series Hamelin Stoop. Having grown up in West Texas, Robert says the setting of the Hamelin Stoop series is near to his heart. He is married to his college sweetheart, Sue. With seven married children and over twenty grandchildren, they enjoy large family gatherings with good food and lively conversation around the table. Favorite family activities include playing games, writing and reading stories, and, of course, storytelling. Robert is also a scholar and president of Houston Christian University [https://hc.edu/about-hcu/university-leadership/university-president/].

 * RobertBSloan.com [https://robertbsloan.com/]
 * Facebook: @DrRobertBSloan [https://www.facebook.com/DrRobertBSloan/]
 * X: @DrRobertBSloan [https://x.com/DrRobertBSloan]
 * Instagram: @robertbsloan [https://www.instagram.com/robertbsloan/]
 * YouTube: @RobertBSloan-eg8xv [https://www.youtube.com/@RobertBSloan-eg8xv]
 * In the Lorehaven Library: the Hamelin Stoop middle-grade fantasy series [https://lorehaven.com/booktags/hamelin-stoop-series/]
 * The Hamelin Stoop books are available from Amazon [https://amzn.to/4jKM3mk] or from the 12 Gates Publishing website [https://www.12gatespublishing.com/].

262. How Do Great Stories Train Students to Follow Jesus as Adults? | with Dr. Robert Sloan

“This is a story about something that happened long ago when your grandfather was a child. It is a very important story because it shows how all the comings and goings between our own world and the land of Narnia first began.” Seventy years after its publication on May 2, 1955, why do we still love Lewis’s sixth Chronicles of Narnia book, The Magician’s Nephew [https://lorehaven.com/library/the-magicians-nephew]?

Mission update

 * Lorehaven reviews: Arrows and Gems [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/arrows-and-gems] last week, Echo Nova [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/echo-nova] this week
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Quotes and notes

Notice how the Jadis casting was leaked and then confirmed within a few days, yet we have nothing but a rumor of being “in talks” and radio silence re: Aslan? If Greta locked in Streep, a Hollywood legend, wouldn’t they have celebrated it with a very clear confirmation ?

I predict this rumor is an anchor—a way to prepare fans for the worst—while the actual casting change is much less drastic or controversial. . . .

—@NarniaYouTube thread on X, April 28, 2025 [https://x.com/NarniaYouTube/status/1916833532107784321]

 * Emma Mackey to Star as Jadis the White Witch in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia [https://www.narniaweb.com/2025/04/emma-mackey-to-star-as-jadis-the-white-witch-in-greta-gerwigs-narnia/], NarniaWeb.com, April 25, 2025

Prologue

 * Stephen recently re-enjoyed the tale thanks to Sir Kenneth Branagh [https://amzn.to/3GBDBHd].
 * Each Narnian tale is unique; this one is because it feels so modern-ish.
 * Two child heroes meet a magician and end up travelling a multiverse.
 * Unlike other Narnian stories, in this one, the children “control” magic.
 * There are rules for its origin and use, feeling a bit more grown-up.
 * We do argue this is book 6, but as a child, Stephen read this one early!

1. We love Digory’s fall and redemption

 * Of all Lewis’s child heroes, Digory comes closest to being a self-insert.
 * He’s lost and alone in a big city, finding comfort in his imagination.
 * His mother is ailing and near death, further threatening his real world.
 * But he’s also a stubborn boy, even a little of what we call “misogynist.”
 * He and Polly Plummer squabble like siblings, but care for one another.
 * Digory makes one fateful choice that brings an evil in other worlds.
 * Only by going into a certain other world can he find truth and healing.

2. We love seeing the Genesis of Narnia

 * Of all The Magician’s Nephew, this scene could make or break a movie.
 * The great lion Aslan sings the world of Narnia into being as its creator.
 * This is epic and mythical, musical, like a montage but also in real time.
 * Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre adapts this scene so reverently.
 * Even at their origin, the Narnian animals are so distinctive and comical.
 * Sir Kenneth Branagh, by the way, gives each creature a fantastic voice.
 * And of course, readers learn the origins of some ideas in later books.

3. We love more time with the great Aslan

 * The great Lion is of course unquestionably the heart of this story.
 * The children, Frank, Strawberry, and Helen, instinctively honor him.
 * But the adults, Jadis and Uncle Andrew, hate him in their special ways.
 * In fact, much of Aslan’s goodness is “seen” in si

261. Why Do We Love The Magician’s Nephew?

This week, we’re still in Resurrection Sunday mood.[1. Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm [https://unsplash.com/@tingeyinjurylawfirm?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-holding-sword-statue-during-daytime-DZpc4UY8ZtY?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash].] So let’s consider a big biblical idea. It’s so important that all stories reflect this—the big idea that the Law of God should lead us to the grace of God. But how many stories get these concepts out of balance? When do they swerve too far toward “law,” and into legalism, or too far toward “grace,” and into cheap grace?

Mission update

 * Lorehaven reviews: Curse of Silence [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/curse-of-silence] before, Arrows and Gems [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/arrows-and-gems] next
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Key Scripture text: Romans 3:21–31

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Romans 3:21–31 (ESV)

1. Great stories illustrate God’s Law

 * God’s Law is His righteous standard for perfect love and obedience.
 * His Law is good and justified, being defined by goodness Himself.
 * Last week we talked about biblical fiction that illustrates, not instructs.
 * Other types of fiction do this with the idea that God gives moral law.
 * For instance, maybe you grew up hearing Sunday school moral fables.
 * The story’s appeal wasn’t in plot or character, but in the moral virtue.
 * Even now, parents want to know what moral idea a story is About.
 * Other tales get more complex but still divide simple right from wrong:
   * Fairy tales and modern versions show pretty heroes, ugly villains
   * Hero stories show the goodness in manmade authority structure
   * Many good Star Trek stories (TV only) show leaders at their best
   * Detective stories or police procedurals generally uphold the law
   * Westerns (or space westerns) have good sheriffs and bad outlaws

But bad stories subvert God’s Law into ‘cheap law’

Legalism is the conviction that law-keeping is now, after the fall, the ground of our acceptance with God. I will say that again: legalism is the conviction that law-keeping is the ground of our acceptance with God, the ground of God being for us and not against us.

So if you ask, “How can I get God to be for me and not against me?” the legalist answer is “Keep the law. Perf

260. How Do Great Stories Show Both Law and Grace?

Guess what’s big at the box office and the streaming-service menu, boys? It’s biblical fiction! From the giant-smash hit House of David on Amazon Prime, to The Chosen and its planned Bibleverse, to the new King of Kings animated Jesus movie and even more adaptations from Old and New Testaments, these creations are winning millions of fans but also some evangelical enemies. Few of these seem interested in asking: what is biblical fiction?

Mission update

 * Lorehaven action item: Captive [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/captive] last week, Curse of Silence this week [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/curse-of-silence]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Episode sponsors

 1. Enclave Publishing: Fathoms by Lisa T. Bergren [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media/]
 2. Realm Makers Expo 2025 [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers]
 3. Johanna Frank, author of Here Lyeth [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/johanna-frank]
 4. Inheritance by J. A. Webb [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/j-a-webb]

Quotes and notes

 * Stephen’s series of Lorehaven articles: Discerning Biblical Fiction [https://lorehaven.com/series/discerning-biblical-fiction/]
 * Yes, Dallas Jenkins is Launching the Bible Cinematic Universe [https://lorehaven.com/news/yes-dallas-jenkins-is-launching-the-bible-cinematic-universe/]
 * Christian-Made Stories Got Even Better in 2024 [https://lorehaven.com/christian-made-stories-got-even-better-in-2024/]
 * ‘Gabriel and the Guardians’ Echoes a Golden Era of Saturday Morning Cartoons [https://lorehaven.com/gabriel-and-the-guardians-echoes-a-golden-era-of-saturday-morning-cartoons/]
 * Amazon’s ‘House of David’ Anoints an Intriguing Biblical Epic [https://lorehaven.com/amazons-house-of-david-anoints-an-intriguing-biblical-epic/]
 * Fantastical Truth episode 148. Why Do Some Christians Revile ‘The Chosen’? | with Josiah DeGraaf and Jenneth Dyck [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/148-why-do-some-christians-revile-the-chosen-with-josiah-degraaf-and-jenneth-dyck/]
 * Fantastical Truth episode 237. How Has ‘The Chosen’ Become The World’s Top Christian-Made Fandom? | with Ryan Swanson [https://lorehaven.com/podcast/237-how-has-the-chosen-become-worlds-top-christian-made-fandom-ryan-swanson/]
 * Two Christians Made a Show about Jews. It’s Phenomenal [https://www.thefp.com/p/house-of-david-christians-jews], Batya Ungar-Sargon at The Free Press, March 23, 2025

What do we mean by “biblical fiction”?

259. What is Biblical Fiction?

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