What if the wicked villains did conquer the elves? And what if a young elf-maiden was forced to carry the offspring of one of the invaders? That’s the new novel The Rending Cauldron, just brewed by fantasy author and Realm Makers co-founder Rebecca P. Minor. Today, Becky joins us in the studio to explore tough topics, dark drama, and the expanding worlds of Christian-made fantastical fiction.

Episode sponsors

 1. All That Glows by Lauren Smyth [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. Author Update from Author Media [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/thomas-umstattd/]
 4. Descendant Publishing [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/bryan-timothy-mitchell/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: new review of Darkend [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/darkend/]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Backstory: Rebecca P. Minor

Rebecca P. Minor writes sword-and-sorcery fantasy across The Windrider Saga and The Risen Age Archive series. As president of Realm Makers, she also joins her husband Scott helping other fantasy and science fiction writers create God-honoring stories. The Minors have three geeky sons. Now in their empty nest season, they’re seeking ways to further the Realm Makers mission while also tending to their roles as the servants to a couple of spoiled cats.

 * Instagram: @‌rebeccapminor [https://www.instagram.com/rebeccapminor]
 * Facebook: @‌rebeccapminor [https://www.facebook.com/rebeccapminor]

1. From faith to Realm Makers to snarky elves

 * Rebecca’s testimony, even early work at the pre-Lorehaven blog.
 * Some quick notes on the founding and growth of Realm Makers.
 * More about The Windrider Saga and The Risen Age Archive series.

2. From snarky elves to complex fantasy

 * Images and ideas that led to The Rending Cauldron’s premise.
 * Why this new novel is more appropriate for grown-up readers.
 * Early responses from readers and a guide to complex stories.

3. Forging a deeper Christian-made fantasy

 * Stories can avoid politics, but wrestle with pre-political moralities.
 * They can go beyond jargon and apply crises to realistic people.
 * And not every story is for everyone. Readers can help each other.

Com station

Top question for listeners

 * Who is your favorite fictional elf?
 * What is your favorite thematically complex story?

Next on Fantastical Truth

Some fans love the new He-Man movie. Others may not care so much, especially if they didn’t grow up in the 1980s. But no matter your age, f

316. What if An Elf Lost Her Dream-Come-True? | The Rending Cauldron with Rebecca P. Minor

So much sci-fi likes to imagine that humans survive for centuries with some knowledge of classic literature, music, and cultural memory—everything except our religious beliefs. But today we explore a new sci-fi subgenre that dares to suggest the opposite. Faithful priests and other religious heroes of the future may not be wicked villains. In fact, they may be kind of awesome—and potentially fight in powerful mech armor. What is this subgenre some creators call incensepunk?[1. Photo by Rod Long [https://unsplash.com/@rodlong?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/blue-and-gold-cathedral-with-glass-windows-y98wLEvLBJw?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText].]

Episode sponsors

 1. All that Glows by Lauren Smyth [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. Author Update from Author Media [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/thomas-umstattd/]
 4. Descendant Publishing

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: Stephen is on break for the annual Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference; welcome to any new listeners he met while teaching about fantastical stories there
 * Now we’re getting ready for Realm Makers. More on that soon.
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Concession stand

 * Stephen and Zack are Protestants, and yet often enjoy fellowship with Catholic friends.
 * Many creators of fantastical fiction, such as J.R.R. Tolkien, come from these other traditions.
 * So we wanted to speak with today’s Catholic creators of fantastical stories.
 * We’ll be joined today by the staff of Incensepunk Magazine
 * They promise “High tech, high church… science fiction that envisions a future where faith is a living part of culture.”

Backstories: Incensepunk staff

Jon James, editor-in-chief

Jon’s work has been published in the Listen: the Sound of Fear anthology, the Killer Queen comics anthology, Recompose Journal, Theme of Absence, and Rehumanize International. His hobbies are as multifarious as the genres he writes in.

Follow him: Twitter [https://x.com/spaceyjdjames], bsky [https://bsky.app/profile/incensepunk.com], Substack [https://substack.com/@spaceyjdjames], Website [https://www.jonjameswrites.com/]

Yuval Kordov, developmental editor

315. How Do Incensepunk Stories Imagine the Church’s Future?

Summer has returned. That often brings seasonal vacations that give you downtime in a car or airplane, maybe on a nice beach somewhere. You already know that’s a great opportunity to catch up on reading. So what are some tips and tricks to refocus on reading, finding the best fantastical novels and gaining the most from these worlds?

Episode sponsors

 1. All that Glows by Lauren Smyth [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. Author Update from Author Media [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/thomas-umstattd/]
 4. The Talismiths: The Secret Saboteur by M. L. Hodder [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/m-l-hodder/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: reviews have entered a pre-summer hiatus
 * Use the super Library search to find your family’s next favorite [https://lorehaven.com/library]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

1. Value quality books over quantity of books.

 * Alas, I can’t make this year’s FPEA with Realm Makers Bookstore.
 * But if I had, I’d have heard this line repeated: “My kid reads fast!”
 * This is of course a great problem to have in homeschool families.
 * Many want books “without agenda,” that is, obvious bad ideas.
 * Yet fewer parents ask for books “without ugly,” that is, excellent.
 * In some cases, this may feel like a luxury belief. Kids may not care.
 * Many kids, for example, will read at scale—good books and bad.
 * When I was a late teenager, I began learning some books are ugly.
 * My first truly bad novel was [Title Redacted] by [Author Redacted].
 * But in my family, I had to learn a “language” for describing this.
 * I was helped by reading newspaper reviews of books and films.
 * Then later, early 90s internet taught me better (and bad) reviews.
 * The Pop Culture Parent shares some guides for evaluating beauty.
 * Yet one clear sign—the book asks questions leading you to Jesus.
 * That’s why we host the Lorehaven Library and review some titles.

2. Still, focus on reading many quality books!

 * Stephen has a unique struggle: holding onto pleasure reading.
 * As publisher of Lorehaven, it’s hard to read without some “goal”!
 * But read we must, “for its own sake,” that is, for our Author’s sake.
 * Still, as we age, perhaps every book gains more “practical” value.
 * Stephen often hyper-schedules every working and resting day.
 * This seems a great way to set goals. “The calendar made me do it.”
 * And then, five or fifteen minutes in, momentum alone takes over.
 * You may also need to turn off your phone or use “airplane mode.”
 * Stephen keeps it on, but keeps all social-media notifications muted.
 * Distracted by chatter? Try a free white-noise generator (or an app).
 * Kindles and other devices also help with distraction-free reading.
 * Don’t forget classic printed books. There’s nothing like real pages!

3. Join other readers to share great novels.

 * Obviously your family and friends can be your first fellow readers.
 * Ask your kids what they’re reading, and share what you read too!
 * Take natural interest in their stories, the ideas, and what they love.
 * Stephen’s siblings and him often joined in reading and even writing.
 * Now, he and his wife Lacy frequently read, often aloud, with voices.
 * If possible, join (or start?) physical book clubs at

314. How Can Your Family Read Better Fantastical Novels This Summer?

On May 14, we’ve had one Ascension Day, yes.[1. Photo by Chase Kennedy [https://unsplash.com/@chase1211?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/a-black-and-white-photo-of-a-man-in-a-suit-reading-a-book-ueXAnDZgnr4?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText].] What about second Ascension Day (May 21)? In either case, Ascension Day marks the lesser-known sequel to Easter Sunday, honoring the time when Jesus Christ returned to Heaven. His disciples recorded His famous last words, including His command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” How does this Great Commission affect our fantastical stories?

First page

 * STEPHEN: Intro
 * ZACK: Intro and title
 * Opening chat: did we witness to anyone this week?

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: newly upgraded Library book search [https://lorehaven.com/library]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

1. Let’s define the Great Commission.

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

—Matthew 28:16–20, ESV

 * This command is first for Christ’s disciples and then all Christians.
 * It’s not just about getting people saved but a lifelong faith practice.
 * This starts at home but expands, including baptism and teaching.
 * It doesn’t overrule orders to live simply, work hard, raise families.
 * It doesn’t overrule God’s first “commission,” the Creation Mandate.
 * In fact, this helps restore people to Jesus so we can do that calling.

2. How do some stories try to act this out?

 * In the past, evangelical Christian fiction focuses on nonbelievers.
 * They want to tell good stories, yes, but also get the reader saved.
 * Sometimes the hero is a nonbeliever forced to confront faith issues.
 * In fantasy, we met Jesus-allegories or find prayer is a weapon.
 * In sci-fi, we learned aliens are real (demons) and Jesus is better.
 * Other stories have featured “backslidden” people who need faith.
 * And then other stories push back with more subtle approaches.
 * The rise of YA brings simpler themes, often identity and courage.
 * Romantasy may reduce “gospel” content, favoring virtues and love.
 * Before: overt gospel about God. After: subtle morals about us.
 * In either case, the original “evangelical” impulse may remain.
 * Authors understandably want to do more than entertain readers.

3. Great stories reflect all God’s commands.

 * It’s important to note differences between these two commands.
 * So far as we know, the Creation Mandate is forever, an eternal call.
 * The Great Commission is temporary . It won’t be around forever.
 * This doesn’t make the Mandate more important. It does balance.
 * That’s why the apostles spoke often about families and hard work.
 * We have seen older novels that valued “message” over excellence.
 * If we feel guilty over not witnessing, we may want to compensate.
 * A novel ma

313. Should Christian-Made Stories Evangelize Nonbelievers?

This week marks Ascension Day, May 14![1. Photo by Timo Volz [https://unsplash.com/@magict1911?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/ocean-under-sunlight-K2jUGU6ttO0?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText].] So let’s rise to that occasion and survey at least seven notions about that place to which Jesus ascended—Heaven. Is it true that Heaven is only “spiritual”? Or that we can’t know about Heaven is like, so it’s best we not think much about that unchanging, un-earthly or very-earthly dimension where “time shall be no more” and where basically good people go? We’ll do our best to bypass modern myth and search the only certain Source.

Episode sponsors

 1. All that Glows by Lauren Smyth [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. Author Update from Novel Marketing [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/thomas-umstattd/]
 4. The Talismiths: The Secret Saboteur by M. L. Hodder [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/m-l-hodder/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: weekly reviews, recent website upgrades
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Concession stand

 * Concession: Randy Alcorn just released a similar article last week [https://www.epm.org/resources/2026/May/6/eight-myths-about-heaven/].
 * By intention, I didn’t read the article, or my own previous material.
 * There’s a chance some of my myths (in no special order) overlap.
 * I do credit Alcorn’s Heaven (2004) as a formative influence.
 * Yet here I’ll attempt to base my reasons straight on Scripture.
 * In the past I’ve rankled some folks with strange afterlife ideas.
 * Yet in the last 20 years more people have “discovered” New Earth.

1. Heaven is only a “spiritual” place.

 * This usually comes not from teaching, but memes and impressions.
 * Some of us also recall the phrase “spiritual body” (1 Cor. 15:44).
 * Since God is Spirit (John 4:24), isn’t this the same kind of spirit?
 * Won’t this mean we’ll have no body, becoming intangible, ghostly?
 * It’s true that God the Father is spirit, without a body. Yet not Jesus.
 * All resurrection ideas are based on His physical/spiritual nature.
 * Yes, Heaven today is for souls separated from bodies (2 Cor. 5).
 * It won’t stay that way after the final resurrection Jesus promises.
 * Paul in 1 Cor. 15 defines “spiritual body” as Spirit-powered body.
 * And in 2 Cor. 5 he promises we will be “further clothed,” not naked.

2. It’s best not to think about Heaven.

 * This too is not taught in Scripture, except from misquoted verses.
 * 1 Cor. 2:9, “what no eye has seen…” doesn’t truly command this.
 * Even if this were about Heaven, it never discourages imagination.
 * But it isn’t anyway. It’s about “things God has revealed” (verse 10).
 * Scripture’s images encourage, not suppress truthful imagination.
 * I’m not sure why else God would inspire such fantastical imagery.
 * With biblical foundation, it’s impossible to think “too much” on this.
 * See also: nonsense about “being so heavenly minded…” Bad logic.
 * Being biblically “heavenly minded” helps us love “earthly good.”
 * We avoid that gnostic impulse the slogan was meant to counter.

3. “Time shall be no more” in Heaven.

 * People really do assu

312. Why Do Christians Believe These Top Seven Myths About Heaven?

Pragmata released to gaming consoles April 17. The new Capcom title promptly sold 1 million copies by its first weekend and provoked much discourse from fans and some haters. Why the hate? Because players everywhere, especially men, loved the key concept of an outer space soldier teaming up with a little android girl to fight robo-monsters. Gamers declared they would do anything to protect Diana. How do these stories help humans remember to restore our “factory settings”?

Episode sponsors

 1. All that Glows by Lauren Smyth [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. Author Update from Novel Marketing [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/thomas-umstattd/]
 4. The Talismiths: The Secret Saboteur by M. L. Hodder [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/m-l-hodder/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: weekly reviews, some website upgrades
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]
 * New book quest for Mortal Queens by Victoria McCombs [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/mortal-queens/]

1. The tale of a mecha-man and robo-girl

 * Capcom announced Pragmata nearly six years ago (June 2020 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoxCboik0Is]).
 * The game was later delayed, with sporadic, apologetic teasers.
 * The pitch? Space marine finds orphaned android girl in moonbase.
 * They team up to fight rogue robots in hopes of returning to Earth.
 * Before it even released, Reddit banned one channel (TheGamer [https://www.thegamer.com/reddit-removed-pragmata-subreddit-sexualizing-diana/]).
 * They said some people were sexualizing the little robot girl, Diana.
 * Which is unfortunately expected, and horrifying. More on this later.
 * Last month, the final trailer arrived [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oncaa_fMsyw], and the game itself (April 17).
 * After release, some men said they felt their “dad senses” awaken.

You all HATE escort missions

But make that NPC a cute kid, and suddenly you’ll burn the whole world down for them

Japan’s population is crashing. Capcom realized people wouldn’t listen to government mandates to reproduce, so they started making “Parent Simulators”

Pragmata feels like a psyop to make you want to have kids, a propaganda disguised as a game to boost the birth rates. And honestly it’s awesome.

The timeline is full of people saying Diana makes them want to start a real family. I love that we really fell for it.

—@‌TheRooster on X.com, April 20 [https://x.com/TheRooster/status/2046366654037172380]

 * Female players were also positively affected by Diana’s cuteness.
 * In response, critics blasted this positive response as closeted sin.
 * They saw nothing but evil motives in the male players’ enjoyment.
 * Single men, actual dads, and uncles alike said they’d die for Diana.
 * And the game’s fans began referring to human “factory settings.”

2. What we mean by saying ‘factory settings’

 * Stephen hasn’t yet played Pragmata but wants to. Great reviews.
 * It turns out the idea of “factory settings” has great foundations.
 * This is just a pop-culture-y, meme-y way to say “human purpose.”
 * It’s a rebuttal to false purposes, e.g. “get rich” or “be an activist.”
 * In other words, the “chief end of man.” Let’s define this carefully.
 * In th

311. How Do Great Stories Help Us Return to Factory Settings?

You’ve likely met some Christians who emphasize safety for children rather than preparing them for spiritual conflict. That’s why some more genteel-churchy responses to pop culture have said “it’s useless” or else “stay away” from stories like Harry Potter, Doom, or Dungeons and Dragons. So is it any wonder that a top-selling subgenre among young male readers is LitRPG, often with totally epic and jacked soldier good guys (maybe with mech suits) who slay evil aliens and demons?

Episode sponsors

 1. Perplexity by Chawna Schroeder [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. Land of Giants by Laurie Christine [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/laurie-christine/]
 4. Wisdom and Wonder Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: new review of Wavemaker by F. C. Shultz [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/wavemaker/]
 * Coming in early May: major site upgrades, especially with search
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

Backstory: Jonathan Shuerger

Jonathan Shuerger is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who brings authenticity, faith, and a love of story to every page. His writing is marked by military precision, theological depth, and cinematic imagination. He’s the author of Devil Dog: A Marine vs. Hell [https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/156889/devil-dog-a-marine-vs-hell-litrpg], available on Royal Road. Find all his works at JonathanShuerger.com [https://jonathanshuerger.com/].

1. Warrior culture v. safety culture

 * Why we should train people for battle.
 * The martial art of Jiu Jitsu appeals to people.
 * Warrior culture seems to be dying.
 * Safetyism seems to be taking over.

2. How Christian culture responds to war stories

 * Some critics claim violent stories cause us to be violent.
 * What kinds of battles do we expect ourselves (or our kids) to face?

3. How young men long to level up

 * Exploring the quests young men want to take.
 * Jonathan’s new LitRPT book Devil Dog:
 * “A Marine wakes up in Hell. He’s confused by two things: he’s part of a Game where demons level themselves up, and he’s infused with holy energy in defiance of every infernal law. Time to regroup.”

Com station

Top question for listeners

 * What’s your favorite military story, whether from LitRPG or another genre?

Next on Fantastical Truth

Pragmata released to gaming consoles April 17. The new Capcom title promptly sold 1 million copies by its first weekend and provoked much discourse from fans and some haters. Why the gate? Because players everywhere, especially men, loved the key concept of an outer space soldier teaming up with a little android girl to fight robo-monsters. Gamers declared they would do anything to protect Diana. How does these stories help humans remember to restore our “factory settings”?

310. Why Do Young Men Crave LitRPG Action Adventures? | with Jonathan Shuerger

“We are now approaching lunar sunrise, and for all the people back on Earth, the crew of Apollo 8 has a message that we would like to send to you. “‘In the beginning, God created the Heaven and the Earth. And the Earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, and God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good, and God divided the light from the darkness.’”

Episode sponsors

 1. The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/oasis-family-media]
 2. Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/realm-makers/]
 3. Land of Giants by Laurie Christine [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/laurie-christine/]
 4. Wisdom and Wonder Conference & Expo [https://lorehaven.com/sponsors/above-the-circle-of-earth/]

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: new reviews [https://lorehaven.com/reviews], upcoming super search
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]
 * Plus the Lorehaven Authorship to help terraform Christian fantasy
 * Stephen heads to Houston to hype space missions April 25 at Houston Christian University’s Wisdom & Wonder Conference [https://hc.edu/school-of-christian-thought/events-in-the-college/hcu-apologetics-day/]

The crew of Apollo 8 in 1968 (NASA)

1. Past astronauts paid tribute to Christianity

 * Dec. 24, 1968: Apollo 8’s crew was the very first to orbit the Moon.
 * These astronauts were Bill Anders, Jim Lovell, and Frank Borman.
 * And they read from Gen. 1:1-10 (in the King James Version).
 * But the Judeo-Christian roots of NASA go even deeper.
 * General ideas: this is a generation still shaped by World War II.
 * Some call this “positive world,” when churches/faith were in vogue.
 * So was the actual gospel, co-mingled with “cultural Christianity.”
 * Rocket engineer Wernher von Braun was one confessing Christian [https://answersingenesis.org/creation-scientists/profiles/wernher-von-braun-1912-1977/].
 * These men did not just affirm Jesus as Savior but God as Creator.

“And God said, ‘Let the waters under the Heavens be gathered together into one place. And let the dry land appear.’ And it was so. And God called the dry land Earth. And the gathering together of the waters called he seas. And God saw that it was good.” And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas and God bless all of you—all of you on the good Earth.

309. Why Do Many Astronauts Fly Their Faith Out of This World?

In spring 2026, social media platform X field-tested a new feature. Thanks to AI advances, with little fanfare, we now have universal translators. And suddenly the “curse of Babel” was temporarily lifted. Americans, Japanese, and Koreans began sharing their love of foods, patriotism, and the stories we love. But for decades already, people around the world have found the wonder of creativity from overseas—manga, anime, games, and music. Why do we love these stories?[1. Photo by Branden Skeli [https://unsplash.com/@branden_skeli?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/a-person-holding-a-bunch-of-cards-kQ0_flbwBI4?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText].]

First page

 * STEPHEN: Intro
 * ZACK: Intro and episode title
 * Opening chat: recent sparks for this idea: real universal translators.

Mission update

 * New at Lorehaven: new reviews of Perplexity [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/perplexity/] and Sanctified [https://lorehaven.com/reviews/sanctified]
 * Subscribe free [https://lorehaven.com/subscribe] to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild [https://lorehaven.com/lorehaven-guild/]

1. Today every story can become localized

 * To recap: God made people originally to act as one human family.
 * Sin broke those relationships (Gen. 3), leading to global corruption.
 * God’s global Flood rebooted the world (Gen. 6-9). Generations later one humanity shared in evil. So He confused languages (Gen. 11).
 * People now live with distinct cultures, all human yet divided.
 * Pentecost showed a glorious reversal of this division (Acts 1-2).
 * Radio and internet also shortened com distances between nations.
 * Side effect: this makes us feel all crises are equally important to us.
 * But, great benefit: this allows us to share in one another’s stories.
 * Auto-translate is not new, but recently on X it became default.
 * These “universal translators” with AI are erasing language barriers.
 * Japanese and Americans bonded over shared food, music, culture.
 * And now Koreans and others are joining the conversations.
 * So far it’s wholesome and humanist (in the best possible way).
 * People love their cultures most, and like others who do the same.
 * Yet many fans have liked Japanese and Korean media for decades.

2. Fans love Japanese manga, anime, music

 * Zack spent much of his childhood spent inside Japanese-created fantasy worlds.
 * Stephen grew up enjoying cartoons that turned out to be anime:
 * The original 1980s Superbook biblical fiction series 1 and 2
 * The lesser-known New Testament-focused The Flying House
 * All voiced by the English dub cast of Kimba the White Lion
 * Must credit televangelist Pat Roberton’s original CBN station
 * They worked with Tatsunoko Production before anime was cool
 * Stephen has also grown to love Miyazaki films and newer anime.
 * Manga makes half of graphic novel sales. Western comics rarely crack top ten.
 * Lots more manga get produced into anime, so it’s a dual format appeal.
 * American comics tend to focus on superhero reboots from DC or Marvel.
 * Meanwhile, manga spans nearly every genre of fiction.
 * Manga focuses on adventure and achievement, rather than vanity.
 * Manga focused on craftsmanship and audience, not sociopolitical agendas.
 * Japan has much less influence Christian, yet creators address biblical themes.
 * Many of them are at least familiar with the Bible as literature.
 * So you’ll get a Chrisitan missionary-focused plot arc in Rurouni Kenshin

308. Why Do Worldwide Fans Love Japanese and Korean Stories?

Doctor Who is dead and not regenerating any time soon.[1. Photo by Krists Luhaers [https://unsplash.com/@kristsll?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/person-watching-movie-AtPWnYNDJnM?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText].] Star Wars is suspended in the bacta tank. Star Trek is redirecting all power to life support. Meanwhile, Netflix struggles to sing life into Narnia, bad philosophers stone Harry Potter, and goblins threaten to overrun all that was good in Middle-earth. But there were some who resisted. When studios keep killing great stories, could fans bring resurrection?

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1. Star Trek and Star Wars are on life support

 * Star Wars—everyone blames Disney, Kathleen Kennedy, streaming.
 * And of course The Acolyte all but ended fan interest in that galaxy.
 * Much ink has been spilled about that, so we needn’t do a remake.
 * Star Trek—everyone blames Paramount, Alex Kurtzman, streaming.
 * Recently even Project Hail Mary author Andy Weir called Trek bad.
 * Weir later semi-apologized, but only for a seeming personal slight.
 * And this just in: J.J. Abrams’ company is downsizing and moving.

2. Fantasy lands get slain by corporate orcs

 * Rings of Power stumbles on, seeming to promise a “good orc” plot.
 * Andy Serkis directs The Hunt for Gollum, a dubious “side quest.”
 * Then came the big news that Stephen Colbert is writing another.
 * This second side-quest movie hints at revisiting Fellowship events.
 * As for Colbert, he’s arguably an agitator and has no fantasy credits.
 * Meanwhile, no news is bad news re. Netflix’s “rock ‘n’ roll” Narnia.
 * Some fans are more optimistic. We wish we could be, but cannot.

3. Solution: fight joyously for stories you love

 * “If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.” Fair. But it’s okay to criticize.
 * Avoid the traps of “blackpilled” cynicism we mentioned last week.
 * Great stories go on, launching from big studios or small creators.
 * Even that trailer from Amazon/MGM’s He-Man looks refreshing!
 * But don’t lose hope for big franchises either. They may yet return.
 * Next for Ryan Gosling? Star Wars: Starfighter from Shawn Levy.
 * New owners could restore Star Trek and DC. Let’s pray for them!

Com station

Top question for listeners

 * Which dead or dying franchise would you love to see return to life?

Next on Fantastical Truth

In March 2026, social media platform X field-tested a new feature. Thanks to AI advances, with little fanfare, we now have universal translators. And suddenly the “curse of Babel” was temporarily lifted. Americans and Japanese conversed with joy about ta

307. Can True Fans Bring Dead Franchises Back to Life?

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