Guest post by writer and editor
Dona L. Watson

Behind God and family, fantasy fiction is one of my driving passions–one of the key factors that makes up who I am. Why fantasy? It might be for the brief escape from life gained from a few minutes of reading. It might be the way vast cultures and races designed by talented authors intrigue me. Regardless, I love the way fantasy fiction captures my imagination, poking me, prodding my thoughts toward something I’ve never before considered. To me, that is pure brain candy.

I know that to some Christians, fantasy fiction is frowned upon as a venture too far from reality to be healthy. In fact, not all see fiction itself as being wholesome in any way, but instead consider it to be simply a lie–as evidenced by scathing essays and posts that can be easily found on the internet. To those people, I would say, “Consider Christ’s parables.” Jesus Christ himself understood, in all of his wisdom, the explosive power a story can have on the human soul. Sometimes a story can capture our interest in ways that true life–or dryly recited principles–never can.

This is particularly true with our younger generation. Young people are so easily entranced by a good story. And this is where children of God can make a real difference in someone else’s life. Fantasy stories in particular capture young minds in ways no other types of stories can. I’m not talking about gritty, sensual fiction, but stories filled with action, intrigue, and light. What an opportunity we have to point others to Christ–the ultimate source of light in this increasingly darkening world. As examples, I point to such fantasy authors as Bryan Davis, Wayne Thomas Batson, Sharon Hinck and others who have successfully captured our emotions and minds and then redirected us toward God and his precepts. Oh, that someday I might add my humble work toward achieving the same goal. Hence springs my love, my passion for fantasy fiction.

I think the same arguments apply to fiction of all types, particularly inspirational fiction. I would say to those of you who are writers, we all have the opportunity to embrace the passion and let our lights shine! Are you with me?

http://fantasyandfaith.com/