Fantastical Truth

This week we wanted to explore 1980s fantasy. But sometimes it’s hard to recover nostalgia when present-day villains keep killing our favorite heroes. Last week, the BBC announced Doctor Who is dead. For now. Rest in peace, Time Lord. Also these days, Stargate fans are rallying to hold Amazon to its original promises of restoring that universe with original creators, and stop the ‘Zon from some “modern audience” reboot. For these and fans of other Star franchises, how do we mourn? Episode sponsors Twist of Time by Tricia Goyer and Nathan Goyer Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Author Update from Author Media Descendant Publishing Mission update New at Lorehaven: new review, Maxine Justice: Public Offender Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes “June 3, 2026: Stargate cancelled, for the fourth and likely final time,” Joseph Mallozzi’s Weblog, June 3, 2026 “June 6, 2026: Do Fans Matter?”, Joseph Mallozzi’s Weblog, June 6, 2026 “Why Amazon canceling the new Stargate series is a mistake – and fans are trying to tell them,” Trent Moore at Static on the TV, June 6, 2026 “Former ‘Dr. Who’ showrunner Russell T. Davies says women and transvestites should be over-represented in creative writing until ‘things are balanced,’ even if it takes 100 years.” See this June 10 X.com post @BreitbartNews with video of original Davies interview. “Save Stargate with Martin Gero,” Change.org petition “Lego’s latest design research: what girls want,” Reena Jana at ZDNet.com, Dec. 19, 2011 1. Doctor Who destroyed by Russell T. Davies BBC, June 10: “BBC cancels Doctor Who Christmas special and Russell T Davies announces exit,” absolutely predictable end. Back in 2005, Davies revived Doctor Who serials on television. The series had “politically correct” moments, yet great writing. Writer Steven Moffat took over. The show got big. Then declined. In the late 2010s, political leftists demanded Doctor Who A lackluster showrunner took over. Fans rejected a gender-swap. Davies returned a political omnicause monster. He killed the Doctor. 2. Amazon rejects a fan-centered Stargate Variety, June 2: “‘Stargate’ TV Series From Martin Gero Not Moving Forward at Amazon (EXCLUSIVE),” and fans were outraged. Original creators were on board, per the Nov. 2025 announcement. Now they join fans opposing this seeming ridiculous double-back. Amazon may want a “modern audience” show, not original fans. This is a universe more impossible than any sci-fi scenario. That’s not how you grow a fanbase ever. True fans will grow it. Stephen finds this similar to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut. He’s drawn in! 3. Star Trek/Wars still struggle to survive We saved this for last because fans everywhere rightly lament. Since our last episode on the topic, we’ve seen major updates. Mandalorian and Grogu bombed. Starfleet Academy was axed. Technically both franchises flounder ahead with illusory intent. Kathleen Kennedy is finally leaving Lucasfilm, owned by Disney. Star Trek showrunner Robert Kurtzman is likely next to go. Corporations aren’t evil. But inhuman corporatism is parasitic. This “mind of metal and wheels” has ruined stories for Christians. But now the Christians are improving. These stories are decaying. We really can’t pretend “popular culture” is just neutral ground. Activists do want to kill these stories and replace them with others. To speak truth, we should acknowledge the justifiable backlash. And then we mourn their deaths. But not as those without hope. After all, the results could be worse. What if the hijacking worked? Even non-Christian fans saw through the trick. And they said no. The “market” did its job, perhaps thanks to God’s common grace. It’s nearly like the Law rightly punishing violators. It is necessary. Let them suffer the results. Maybe repent. But retreat in disgrace. And if possible, may better storytellers rise up to restore worlds. Until then, let great story-worlds like Doctor Who rest in peace. Com station Top question for listeners How do you grieve the loss of fantastical stories you once loved? Next on Fantastical Truth One of the sillier myths in our culture is that “Most men don’t read.” Sometimes this is a real trend. Other times it’s wishful thinking because some creators don’t want to make stories that celebrate boys and men. Still, we can look to fathers and mentors to train younger men, not just to love truth, but to love fantastical stories that honor truth. Just in time for the next stage of the Lightraiders tabletop game system, pilot and author James R. Hannibal returns to the studio to help fight dragons.

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 The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Interregnum by J. A. Webb Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: The Restitching of Camille DuLaine review. Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Authors: sign up for the Authorship as a Creator or Pro Novelist 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 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 virtue signaling. It doesn’t matter if the viewpoint is left, center, right, or even a pox on all the houses. Most of the time, political posts are subtly saying, “I am a good and moral person for speaking out on X issue.” This is not usually the direct and overt intention, but it’s still there on another level. When I say virtue signaling, I’m not saying that they aren’t actually morally correct in their address, but that there usually isn’t a lot at stake in doing so. Most people live, work, and play with people much like them, and they post things their friend pool is going to agree with. And so, when posting anything political, the question has to be, “What is the reason to be posting this?” It’s usually not to inform, because I’d say anyone aware of news right now has heard about Minneapolis. It’s to give a viewpoint. But unless you live in that area, does it affect your daily life right now? Not so much. The stakes are small. So when I see authors and other creatives I follow giving political opinions, I generally tune out. I’m not there for that. I’m more interested in how you’re living out that belief, whether helping a local legal refugee family or befriending your local police force or however that issue plays out in your everyday life. Peter Schott wants to re-hinge certain friends: Personally, I have a couple of acquaintances who I disagree with politically. On some things, we can just discuss and let it go. In others – the posts are just unhinged. I just mute/snooze the guy for 30 days. There was someone else who just went off the deep end – almost everything posted was hateful, cussing, and such. That earned a permanent block. It was sad to see someone go that far off the beaten path. I did have one friend who started calling his own friends Nazis and such because they disagreed with him on politics – maybe 10 years ago. I called him out on that as a Christian brother and he was able to realize that he’d gotten a little too far down the path and took a break (and backed off). Janie Brooks feels betrayed by political cringeposts: “When your favorite authors suddenly post hot takes about the latest controversial headlines or violent acts, how do you feel?” Startled. Annoyed. Betrayed. Hurt. Saddened. Startled because the author doesn’t usually throw their hat into the political fray. Annoyed because there are so many more topics to discuss. Annoyed because Instagram or Facebook is my escape from the constant barrage of never-ending political opinions and current events. Betrayed because I thought I knew who they were. Betrayed because they’ve shown me a side of themselves that goes against how they’ve always acted. Hurt because they’ve broken my trust. Hurt because my loyalty is hard to gain and I’ve been blindsided by their vitriol. Saddened because there are so many other topics in which I agree with them, but now I am anathema because of my politics. 3. Your hosts’ own political-posting rules E. Stephen Burnett’s top ten guidelines: Basically, don’t. Don’t post about politics. But if you do, don’t suppose you’re “above politics.” And discern what that term “politics” actually means. Carefully curate post subjects based on deeper reasons. Be timely, yet beware the PETs, or Political Emotion Traps. Stick with big themes that support your mission and novels. Avoid the great sins of slander and casting false judgments. Always rejoice with the truth and do not spread false reports. For lesser-known topics, do not meddle in quarrels not your own. “Never be cruel, never be cowardly. Remember hate is always foolish, love is always wise. Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind.” (Steven Moffat via the Twelfth Doctor, Doctor Who) Zackary Russell’s social post standards: I don’t want to wait until I “make it big” to say the truth. I don’t talk about or reply to the posts of politicians. Certain cultural, moral, and spiritual topics will inevitably overlap with a certain politician. That’s ok. I won’t avoid those topics. I do not have to comment on everything nor defend everything a politician says or does. That way lies madness. I try to find people to agree with, but comment in a way that adds something new to the conversation. I am much more focused on the world of ideas, because ultimately that’s what we are battling. Not the flesh and blood conveyors of those ideas. There is significant overlap between the battle of ideas and shaping moral imagination through stories. Although the former is reactive whereas the latter is proactive. I don’t believe in cultural pacifism, but I do pick my battles carefully. I also recognize that God calls people to directly take part in the political sphere. Same as he gives other callings. I simply have a different calling as someone working in full-time ministry. But I also reject the practice of some Christians who put their heads in the sand when it comes to certain hot-button topics. Com station Top question for listeners How do authors gain and keep your trust with their social posts? Next on Fantastical Truth For most of our 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. 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.

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 about that, might some readers and authors focus so much on possible “allegories” that we miss great stories’ deeper meanings? Episode sponsors The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin The Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli Cole Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update New at Lorehaven: the Authorship has launched! Listen to last week’s episode, or read the companion article. 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 Subscribe free to get updates and join the 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 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 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 Mark 4:13–20; Matthew 13:18–23; Luke 8:11–15). But we may miss His main point if seek out the Secret Allegories. No less top church fathers seem to have started this trend. Famously he read many allegories into the Good Samaritan tale. But the central point is to answer, “Who is my neighbor?” At other times He simply said, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” Meaning the whole parable says something about His kingdom. What follows might be a prophecy of doom in the end times. Or it might be an illustration of human behavior fit for His reign. His parable may be about groups, individuals, morals, or salvation! In either case, “he who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 2. Pilgrim’s Progress is allegory; Narnia is not Many readers fondly remember John Bunyan’s classic quest tale. The allegories start simple but accessible, especially for Puritans. “Christian” is a Christian. “Evangelist” is. Apollyon is just a demon! Then as we’ve previously explored, the allegories get complicated. God, angels, the Bible, and Heaven are literal. So are good and evil. At one point Moses himself cameos as a Law-enforcing antihero! Altogether, Bunyan is both less and more creative than we thought. However, we needn’t impose our view of Progress For instance, many Christians learned to like Narnia by accepting the common belief that Lewis put “allegories” into his fantasy tale. Stephen recalls one article around the movie release in 2005. The writer meant well, but made up all kinds of silly “allegories.” He believed the Pevensies are apostles and weapons are prayer. Lewis himself specifically says outright that he did not do this. Aslan isn’t an “allegory” for Jesus. He is Jesus, working his good will in many worlds across a fantastical barely glimpsed multiverse. One’s view of “allegory” shouldn’t overturn clearly stated words. Otherwise we’d all end up reading our own ideas into the Bible too! 3. Forced allegories may ruin some stories Frankly, forcing allegories into stories risks rejecting their real truth. With limited allegories, Jesus made sure His parables carry layers. With mixed/complex allegories, Pilgrim’s Progress has aged well! By avoiding direct allegories, Narnia can be subtle yet also overt. And for new Christian-made fantasy, we can expect the same. Kids and grown-ups can lose themselves in the story, not pulling it apart for useful parts, but being surprised by deeper meanings. History shows this is a far more powerful way to read stories. Instead of making them into Teaching Tools, as if stuff we make up could replace God’s word, stories help us see our own responses. This is a far more human emphasis closer to imagination’s purpose. And for new writers out there, we encourage going deeper. Allegories look like ultimate meaning, but they’re really 101 level. Example: any sword may evoke Ephesians 6. But it’s first a sword. You don’t have to limit this idea to the word of God or even prayer. Swords have more resonance in Scripture than just one text. They’re tools of men and angels alike to defeat or restrain evil. So don’t reduce the concrete object to some spiritual abstract. Really this comes down to how we see the world. Do we expect a bodiless “spiritoid” eternity? Or one where matter itself matters? Scripture promises a union of tangible New Earth and New Heaven. Ultimately our stories must hearken to this reality. So study deep! Com station Top question for listeners How do you look for deeper meanings in the Bible and stories? Next on Fantastical Truth Next week is Groundhog Day, and we’ve already seen this story: Your favorite Christian author, who usually talks about book updates and inspirational life anecdotes, is suddenly posting about controversial political stuff. Should readers impose “no politics! no religion!” rules on story creators who feel strongly about a topic? Or might we expect more from authors posting or not posting hot takes?

“In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappear.” Jesus returned thirty years ago. Or rather, He sort of pre-returned, the warm-up act, if you will. Many faithful Christians believe in this kind of “rapture.” And in December 1995, two authors teamed up and used this idea to create the most successful biblical end-times thriller we’ve yet seen. In summer 2024 we overviewed the series. Yet now we’ll ask how that first Left Behind novel has aged, thirty years after its release. Episode sponsors Of Dawn and Embers by Gillian Bronte Adams The Case of the Heart Stone by Tulli Cole Above the Circle of Earth by E. Stephen Burnett Mission update Review: Sons of Day and Night by Mariposa Aristeo Behold Our Top Most Anticipated New Books and Movies for 2026 New article releases this Thursday: Discern the Top Three Negative Evangelical Myths about Popular Culture Next week, Lord willing: we announce the Lorehaven Authorship Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes Fantastical Truth podcast series: Left Behind Legacy 216. Why Do Christians Fight Over End-Times Prophecies? | E. Stephen Burnett vs Zackary Russell 217. How Did Publishers Steward the Blockbuster Left Behind Series? | with Dan Balow 218. How Did The Kids Get Left Behind? | with Chris Fabry 219. How Did GAP Digital Turn Left Behind Into Cinematic Audio Drama? | with Todd Busteed 220. How Did the ‘Left Behind’ Kids Audio Drama Speed-Run the Tribulation? | with Darby Kern 221. How Did The Left Behind Series Enrapture Millions of Fans? | with Jerry B. Jenkins Other Lorehaven resources on the Left Behind series Lorehaven.com search keyphrase: LEFT BEHIND Left Behind (1995) in the Lorehaven Library From the archives, Stephen’s article series: Twelve Reasons the ‘Left Behind’ Series is Actually Awesome How to Make a ‘Left Behind’ Streaming Series That’s Actually Awesome, Daniel Whyte IV Secular endorsements of the Left Behind series “This is the most successful Christian fiction series ever.” ―Publishers Weekly “Combines Tom Clancy–like suspense with touches of romance, high-tech flash, and biblical references.” ―New York Times “Call it what you like, the Left Behind series . . . now has a label its creators could have never predicted: blockbuster success.” ―Entertainment Back cover of Left Behind, book 1, published in late 1995: A novel of the Earth’s last days. In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappear. Vehicles, suddenly unmanned, careen out of control. People are terror stricken as loved ones vanish before their eyes. In the midst of global chaos, airline captain Rayford Steele must search for his family, for answers, for truth. As devastating as the disappearances have been, the darkest days may lie ahead. 1. Left Behind proclaims gospel truth* Let’s start with the true. This book really wants to get you saved. It’s a product of deep Biblical Christian desires to redeem souls. Two authors (largely) make this work: the nonfiction author Tim LaHaye (The Act of Marriage) plus fiction author Jerry B. Jenkins. Both men, however, are evangelicals who want the gospel spread. So the novel shares a goal with others thriller based on possible futures: to tell a plot-driven story yet also provoke reader action. At times the threat of sin does feel lesser than that of Antichrist. All biblical Christians agree to repent and receive Jesus as Savior. Yet not all biblical Christians agree with “pray the sinner’s prayer.” And certainly only some Christians accept this end-times scenario. The late LaHaye, and Jenkins as well, would surely agree with this. Let readers, then, always discern what in the book is gospel truth and what are opinions (however deeply studied) about prophecy. 2. The story has unbelieving ‘good’ heroes Left Behind is underrated for this—its protagonists are good guys. Buck Williams has high ethics in his newsmagazine journalism. Rayford Steele has been (until now) a loving husband and father. Chloe Steele is a young college student free of remarkable sin. And finally, Bruce Barnes is a decent pastor at his local church. And yet … all these men lack Jesus, and they’re drifting into sin. The novel’s opening spells out the lurking evil in one man’s heart: “Rayford Steele’s mind was on a woman he’d never touched.” It seems that Rayford’s family-man decency only lasts so long. For the authors, then, the Rapture is as much a warning trumpet blast to his heart as it is a measure of mercy for existing Christians. Many fans reacted strongly to this theme. How could such good people, even a pastor at a church, be left out of any pre–Second Coming event? Weren’t they by all accounts decent people? Conversely, lest any Christians suppose unbelievers are all wanton sinners, Jenkins answers that no, we can root for these people. Even without the label, Left Behind shows common grace in action. Common grace can make you decent, but only Jesus will save you. 3. Left Behind stays functional and practical This novel is written, by design, to be as widely read as possible. Jerry B. Jenkins has spoken on this as the authors’ express goal. This isn’t literary fiction. Chapters are short. The style is simple. The original Left Behind is a rather thick book at 468 pages, but with large font face, wide margins, and lots of white space. All these invite as many readers as possible; this story is populist. Therefore, critics who fault the book for not meeting the goals they have migrated over from other books are revealing their ignorance or possibly elitism. Left Behind isn’t trying to be a timeless classic. In fact, many of the original moments quickly felt very timebound. Characters use dial-up modems; cell phones show up sporadically. Later revised versions updated the technology. Yet as Jerry B. Jenkins told us in 2024, he’s content to leave the series as it is. However, Left Behind also feels oddly distant from some moments. Rayford’s finding of his vanished family is an emotional high point. Other scenes, like a car bombing, get summarized at a distance. This creates plot accessibility, but not so much character access. With some exceptions, then, Left Behind values truth (and its own strong opinions) and goodness in substance over beauty in style. Again, this was likely by intention on the creators’ part. Sometimes what the prosaic style sacrifices for speed still creates deep emotions because the momentum draws in more readers. Later volumes, like book 6, delved deeper into emotional journeys. You feel (even in passing) the weight of hero deaths and struggles. Ultimately, Left Behind offered a different kind of beauty—brisk and efficient pro writing, repetition, and popular accessibility, all of which set a course for this runaway successful late-1990s series. Com station Top questions for listeners Do you expect the Rapture at any moment? Or some other event? What did you (or your parents?) think about the novel Left Behind? Email us podcast@lorehaven.com or tag as on the social medias. Mandi W. wrote in reply to an unspecified episode: So I am not really a sci-fi/dystopian reader, but follow LH/Enclave for my veracious teen readers. My shocking love was The Chaos Grid and Crier Stone books from Lindsey Llewellyn. Well done!!! I actually read them each in 1 sitting and stayed up WAY too late doing so. ;o) Lydia sent this about last week’s episode 294: Your point about sci-fi/fantastical exploration and dominion-taking being a huge part of our future in the new heavens & new earth reminds me of my favorite quote from Wayne Thomas Batson’s Door Within trilogy: the last chapter of the last book ends with the hero asking the God figure, the King, if there will be adventures in His kingdom. The King smiles and says, “More than you can possibly imagine.” That line changed my perspective on eternity completely. Several educational years later, I’m a postmillenial and eager for stories that can transcend time and inspire generations to take dominion of the world for Christ’s kingdom. Here’s to an increase of that in the years to come! Next on Fantastical Truth This podcast and other resources from Lorehaven focus on readers. That’s why, when aspiring writers send us questions like, Where can I find an agent? or Will you look at my unpublished manuscript?, we haven’t had much to share in that area. Until now. This month we launch the Lorehaven Authorship in the Lorehaven Guild on Discord. Let’s explore how these new digital discipleship channels, pro livestreams, and fan-focused Book Festival will help authors cultivate their God-given creative purpose.