The Wayfarer's Journal is one of many webzines/magazines that publish science fiction and fantasy by Christians.
"by Christians?"
A rather odd statement, but it reveals the topic I want to explore. The substance of a Christian's story will intrinsically be different than that of a secular writer's.
What's the difference? The difference is wrapped up in the word "hope".
Where the secular writer nearly always puts their hope in man (man's goodness, man's overcoming, man's love, man's conquering evil, etc.), the Christian writer can, and should, place the focus beyond simply man's achievement, but go to the true source--the root--of any human virtue , and that is God.
A Christian's hope is in God, and from the wellspring of their spirit, which is now inhabited by the Holy Spirit, flows different thoughts, different drives, and that reflects in their writing.
The world rejects hope in the Christian God. So do worldly fiction magazines. The message of Christianity is offensive to them unless it is sufficiently watered down or disguised in allegory.
Now, I love a good allegorical Christian story, such as C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, or his Space trilogy. Allegory can be extremely powerful, but the secular magazines will continually reject a straight forward Christian story, no matter the genre.
Our world has become increasingly hostile to the message of hope Christianity puts forth. They reject that their is one savior and one way to Heaven.
That is why I am thankful for magazines such as Wayfarer's who have made it their mission to find good fiction that brings glory to God.
God is true, how can we not proclaim it in our stories!
Check out these other CSFF bloggers highlights of this great webzine:
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Michael Heald
Jason Joyner
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika or Mir's Here
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Hanna Sandvig
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
2 comments:
Brandon, these are great thoughts. Thanks for posting.
Becky
Thanks Rebecca :)
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