242. Should Christians Read Lewis and Tolkien But No Newer Fantasy?

What’s the most annoying slogan from Christian critics of fantasy? That may be, “We’re not meant to enjoy stories; instead we must Preach the Gospel.” But what may be the second most annoying slogan about Christian fantasy? One surely is, “We don’t need newer stories if we have Lewis and Tolkien.” How then can we as fans respond with grace to Lewis-and-Tolkien-Onlyism?

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1. Why are Lewis and Tolkien absolutely fantastic?

• If anyone else has grounds for confidence in these fandoms, we have more.
• Here’s our podcast series with guest “Rilian”: Looking Back on ‘Lord of the Rings’
• 189. What Are the Best Books by C. S. Lewis?
• 191. How Did Lewis and Tolkien Celebrate and Critique Christmas? | with David Bates
• 225. Why Do Modern Fans Love Middle-Earth Mixing? | with Evan Cooney
• 228. Why Don’t Christian-Made Arts Top Secular Charts?

2. Where do we see Lewis-and-Tolkien-Onlyism?

• Casual conversations, often with certain Christian/conservative dads.
• “Theobros” have told Stephen, “Why even bother with the new stuff?”
• “We have Lewis and Tolkien, so we don’t need any modern stories.”
• Many parents also consider these authors “safe” for all readers.

3. How do we rebut Lewis-and-Tolkien-Onlyism?

• Similar to translation debates, this “freezes” a particular era as the “best.”
• Ecclesiastes 7:10 cautions the wise against such impulsive nostalgia.
• Fans likely wouldn’t apply the same standards to translations or music.
• If they did, then they’re not doing their job as Christians or parents.
• Would they really restrict their sons or daughters from any other stories?
• What about stories loved by teenage girls, such as YA romant