As we leave Halloween 2020 behind, let me pose a question to you that has (on several occasions) been asked of me – and is frequently asked online: Is it wrong for Christians to read fantasy novels or watch fantasy movies and TV shows?
Now, in full disclosure, for those who don’t already know this about me, I have a confession to make.
I’m a Christian, and I love fantasy and science fiction.
Whew! There, I said it.
I’m now out of the closet (so to speak).
And it’s true. I love reading about dragons, monsters, wizards, Jedi, sword fights, epic battles, and more.
I love reading (and watching) science fiction and fantasy.
And I’m planning to personally WRITE in the umbrella genre of fantasy and sci-fi. (More on this in future posts).
Some Christians will not approve of this, and they will see me as compromising and cavorting with “worldly entertainment” and “worldly pleasures.” In fact, some will argue the “worldly pleasures” I enjoy are bolstered by demonic influences.
Since I take my faith seriously and genuinely respect many of those who will likely feel this way, I want to take some time to politely address their objections.
The Bible says we are to avoid contact with “mediums” and “necromancers” (Leviticus 19:31) and that “sorcerers” will ultimately be sent to the “lake that burns with fire and sulfur” for all eternity (Revelation 21:8).
What’s more, the Bible also tells us to “avoid the appearance of evil” (I Thessalonians 5:22).
For many Christians, it’s an open-and-shut case. God condemns sorcery and witchcraft (and anything related to that). We, as Christians, are to avoid anything that smacks of evil or appears like evil. Therefore…
We shouldn’t read fantasy literature or watch fantasy movies and TV programs, right?
Seems pretty clear. Doesn’t it?
To be clear, the Bible does forbid and condemn any participation with necromancy and sorcery.
But why?
The answer is because their source of power is satanic. Keep in mind that, in the real world, supernatural power – that is, power outside of and apart from the natural realm we inhabit – comes from a supernatural source.
Common sense, right?
Well, according to the Bible, there are only two supernatural forces at work: God (and His angels) or Satan (and his demons).
That’s it. Only two sources.
Those who follow God are told to love, follow, and obey Him — and to have nothing to do with God’s Enemy.
If you play on God’s team, you are to have no contact with the other team. According to the Bible, if anyone performs supernatural feats or miracles, either that person is doing so because of God’s power OR they are channeling demonic power.
Make sense?
That’s how things are in reality. And that’s why we are to not have anything to do with witches or those who claim to speak to the dead.
But…
That’s in the real world.
What about in the world of make-believe?
On this point, many Christians will say: “Yes, Harry Potter and Star Wars are make-believe. Dungeons & Dragons is make-believe. But a follower of Jesus Christ should still have nothing to do with those things.”
Why?
Well, their reason for taking that stand stem generally from one of two premises:
- Favorable depictions of magic and wizardry (albeit in a fictional setting) still run contrary to the condemnation of the actual practices in Scripture, and/or…
- Exposing ourselves to even fictional depictions of magic may tempt us (or others) into experimenting with (and thus potential seduction by) the real thing
To understand their first point, let’s take sex.
According to the Bible, any sexual activity outside of marriage is a sin. Therefore, when we read a novel or watch a TV show or film that depicts two (or more) people engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage, we are watching something that is sinful.
It may be simulated sin, but it’s still (often, though admittedly not always) portraying a sinful activity in a favorable light.
The question really is …
Is it okay for Christians to watch a TV program or movie — or read a book — that favorably depicts or endorses sin (even fictional sin).
This is a question that various Christians will answer differently, since much depends (again) on the specifics and the context. A novel, for example, may depict a character in chapter 5 enjoying something the Bible regards a sinful, and then reaping the consequences of said activity in chapter 18.
So much depends on context and presentation. It’s really tough to answer a hypothetical here.
I would say, at the very least, that I believe parents should protect their children from as much exposure to sin as possible.
As for grown-up Christians, I would point you to Paul’s letters, especially each teachings on what might be “permissible,” but not “beneficial” to our walk with Christ (see I Corinthians 10) as well as his teachings on meat offered to idols (see I Corinthians 8).
And honestly questions and challenges like this are why we must “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17) and frequently ask God for wisdom (James 1:5).
There is, however, a problem with applying this question of the favorable treatment of sin in fiction to fictional depictions of magic.
It’s simply NOT the case that all fictional depictions of magic are sinful.
The “rules” of the fantasy world matter.
In some fantasy worlds (whether TV, film, novels), “magic” is simply a part of the “natural” world or may be due to fictional scientific advancements or experiments.
HOW a character gets and uses magic is more important – especially in a fictional setting – than whether he or she is utilizing magic.
We must be able to acknowledge a difference between the fictional and the actual. There is a difference between the practices condemned in the Old Testament and what you see in the Lord of the Rings or Star Wars movies.
Yes, I know that “the Force” in Star Wars is inspired by, and in some ways, drawn from Eastern and New Age beliefs, but show me Midochlorians in the Bible!
When Moses wrote down God’s laws against cavorting with actual sorceres, he wasn’t thinking of Yoda!
I recognize that some people have a difficult time appreciating that difference. I know, for example, that book sales on the occult and witchcraft increased as a result of the Harry Potter phenomenon. And I therefore “get” the sensitivity that many Christians have when it comes to how impressionable people (especially kids and teenagers) react to fictional depictions of wizardry and magic.
I get it. I do.
But … whatever happened to personal and parental responsibility?
Don’t we have a responsibility for mature thinking and discernment?
And if we’re parents, aren’t we responsible to teach and guide our children accordingly?
I remember reading years ago about kids who jumped off buildings trying to fly like Superman. It’s horrific, but does that mean we ban superhero comics or movies?
When it comes to whether Christians should read (or watch) fantasy, play Dungeons & Dragons, dress up on Halloween, or other such questions…
We are in the area of personal liberty as Christians and we must prayerfully exercise discernment for ourselves and our families, based on the unique situations we’re in and the myriad factors in our lives (and those of our loved ones).
And we need to extend grace and tolerance to those who may see things differently.
The presentation of fictional magic is NOT a proverbial hill Christians should “die” on (again, proverbially speaking).
There are (to use another metaphor) bigger fish to fry.
Seek God and His wisdom in all matters.
You can’t go wrong there.
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