This Weekend: Tonight’s Fireside Chat and Spring Scavenger Hunt!

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #16

E. Stephen Burnett explores fantastical stories for God’s glory as publisher of Lorehaven.com and its weekly Fantastical Truth podcast. He coauthored The Pop Culture Parent and creates other resources for fans and families, serving with his wife, Lacy, in their central Texas church. Stephen's first novel, the sci-fi adventure Above the Circle of Earth, launched in March 2025 from Enclave Publishing.full bio | events | contact
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    Jesus’s People Need Fantastic Stories

    We need fantastic stories like we need food, water, air, love, and above all, Jesus himself.

    I’ve Launched My Own Web Portal

    With all this expected growth in Christian fantasy, I’m going to need a bigger blog.

    Tim Keller: Jesus versus the ‘Religious People’?

    Tim Keller seems to repeat the old myth that the Pharisees were “Bible believers.”

    Aquaman Isn’t Simply ‘Big Dumb Fun,’ So Why Do Critics Claim It Is?

    Aquaman is big, but it’s not dumb, and it’s fantastically sincere, not “cheesy.”

    People Keep Finding SpecFaith By Searching for ‘Spells’

    Why are these two SpecFaith articles about “magic spells” so popular?

    The ‘Widow’s Mite’: It Might Not Mean What You Think it Means

    The widow of Luke 21 who “gave all she had” isn’t an inspiration. She’s a tragedy.

    ‘Young Justice’ Fans Actually Got the Show Renewed, So Why Do Some Still Complain?

    Some fans’ sense of bitter entitlement betrays the heroes we enjoy.

    I Can’t Follow All These Popular Shows and Movies; How Do You People Do It?

    I find myself feeling lost and “uncool” among all these lists about the best popular culture of 2018.

    Now available in all systems

    The fight for the space mission begins in his homeworld.

    Brock Rivers never wanted to be a repairman on Mars. Years ago, he failed to protect his family, and now he labors across a frontier planet to keep his children alive and escape CAUSE. But the spacefaring humanist regime is taking over Martian colonies, forcing all to join the secular state.

    Back in Brock’s homeworld, his people summon him to fulfill old hopes with a new dream. After decades of cultural isolation, they plan to restore missions for the 22nd century, voyaging beyond Earth to share the gospel in space. Brock must find a ship and recruit a team of misfit believers. They expect opposition from the formidable CAUSE, but not from a more deceptive enemy.

    One adversary attacks from the shadows to destroy the faithful. Others unify to oppose the project. Brock and his family must fight to resist these enemies of the space mission or else return to exile forever.

    Available at Amazon Buy direct from Enclave Find ACE at other bookstores

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    ‘On Magic and Miracles’ Trains Christians to Dispel Darkness and Discern Fantastic Stories

    Christian skeptics of fantasy must reckon with the biblical wisdom spelled in Marian A. Jacobs’s nonfiction-about-fiction book.
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    Little, Peddling Magicians Can Awaken Satanic Tyranny

    Uncle Andrew believes his “destiny” frees him from “all rules,” just like many of today’s political leaders.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Christian Movies Will Get Better When Audiences Seriously Demand Them

    Today’s audiences are fine with cheesy Christian movies. That will change.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    In Which A Snack Cakes Twitter Feed Shames the Folly of Fandom War

    @LittleDebbie wisdom: “People act as if they have to hate one thing in order to remain loyal to the other.”
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    C. S. Lewis on the Religion of Star Wars

    C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity describes “only a blind force, with no morals and no mind . . .”
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Let’s Start a Club for Writers!

    Question: “How can we sell more excellent and popular Christian fiction?”
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Christian Creators Can’t Easily Bypass ‘Christian Markets’ for Secular Markets

    If “Christian markets” are too steep a hill to scale, imagine trying to leap over the secular market mountains.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Tosca Lee’s Novel ‘The Line Between’ Is Already Great and You Should Read It

    Unlike dystopians with teen heroes, “The Line Between” starts before a crisis and follows a young adult.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Amelie Wen Zhao’s Critics Enforce New Fantasy Legalism

    Progressivists who target Amelie Wen Zhao outdo the legalism of the old Christian fundamentalists.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    My New Year’s Resolution: Reject Story Cynicism

    Last year I found myself getting more cynical about stories and even reality—then I found the culprit.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Stories That Celebrate Life: ‘The Measure of a Man’

    Captain Jean-Luc Picard: “Your honor, Starfleet was founded to seek out new life. Well, there it sits!”
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Aquaman Respects Women, and So Should His Defenders

    A female critic disliked “Aquaman,” and got hate from sexist males who ignored their own hero’s standards.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Should Missionaries ‘Turn Off the Television’ and Video Games?

    “Turn off the television. Shut down your video games”? But serious missionaries must engage their neighbors’ culture.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Bill Maher is Still Wrong about ‘Same Thing’ Superhero Movies

    TV host Bill Maher’s resumed rant against fantastical stories only reveals his own immaturity.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Joy in Books Goes Beyond an Immediate ‘Spark’

    Yes, books exist for our joy, so let’s reject shallower “duty and Art”–style reasons for reading them.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Now More than Ever, Don’t Embrace the Power of the Dark Side

    Do we take seriously our own fictional heroes’ warnings not to embrace the power of the dark side?
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Feedback: Here’s How My Friends Find Time for All These Popular Shows

    After last week’s article, several friends shared how and why they track best-reviewed popular culture.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    If Spider-Man Dies, We Grieve, Even if We Know He’s Coming Back

    When real or fictional heroes die, even if we know they will return, we have freedom to mourn them.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    Everyone’s a Critic: A Response to Criticism of My Criticism of Critics

    In an age when everyone’s a critic, might criticism of “the critics” unfairly malign the pros?
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    I’m Still Skeptical of Most Christian Movies So Far

    Should Christian-made movies explore only discipleship methods like prayer, promises, and proverbs?
    — E. Stephen Burnett —

    A Movie Is About Much More Than the Pop Song They Stuck In There

    I don’t get the disproportionate attention some critics give to pop tunes in secular movies.
    — E. Stephen Burnett —
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    E. Stephen Burnett explores fantastical stories for God’s glory as publisher of Lorehaven.com and its weekly Fantastical Truth podcast. He coauthored The Pop Culture Parent and creates other resources for fans and families, serving with his wife, Lacy, in their central Texas church. Stephen's first novel, the sci-fi adventure Above the Circle of Earth, launched in March 2025 from Enclave Publishing.full bio | events | contact
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  • Full biography contact Stephen