I have been blessed with the power of creativity and imagination and rather enjoy using it come up with new races and creatures to use in stories and such...
Tell me, as a Christian, is it wrong for me to imagine new races and creatures for my fantasy stories?
Also, would it be wrong to create various religions and cultures for those races?
2007-02-01 06:11:04 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Dear Ssj,
Along with several other posters I call your attention to C.S. Lewis's Narnia Chronicles. It amazes me to remember how much my son enjoyed them as a child. I didn't read them until 2 years ago as a grandmother, but I sure did enjoy them. I started with his adult books and enjoyed them so much that it made me want to read all of his material.
God has given you a gift. Accept His gift and offer it back to Him for His glory.
Edit: Maybe it would help you to determine which comes FIRST in your life.
Are you a writer who is also a Christian?
Or are you a Christian with the talent for writing?
2007-02-01 11:30:05 · answer #1 · answered by JOYfilled - Romans 8:28 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Famous fantasy writers such as CS Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia) and JRR Tolkien (Lord of the Rings, Hobbit) were christian and they had no problem writing fantasy. Indeed Tolkien crafted an entire, fleshed out history full of gods, spirits, religions, races, creatures, worked out more than 13 languages, etc.- an entire comprehensive mythology.
Lewis also used a lot of christian allegory in his fantasy stories, though Tolkien hated allegory and thought it a bad idea. Personally I think it's better to make fantasy as Tolkien did without trying to promote christianity, religious undertones can turn people off.
There are other christian fantasy writers as well. If you've got the gift and the imagination, go for it!
2007-02-01 06:16:42 · answer #2 · answered by Kit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CS Lewis - The Chronicles of Narnia series
CS Lewis - Space Triliogy
CS Lewis - Screwtape Letters
JRR Tolkien - Hobbit and Lord of the Rings
Stephen Lawhead - DragonHall Trilogy
Stephen Lawhead - Pendragon Cycle
Stephen Lawhead - Emporium series
The writings of George McDonaldson
John Bunyans - Pilgrim's Progress
Shepard of Hermes (a book considered for the New Testament)
...and dozens more. All imaginative, fantasy works by Christians over the years. Fantasy can be an excellent vechile for teaching Christian principles and morals. Lewis Narnia books - which I first read in college - help to establish much of my Christian belief.
Nothing wrong with a Christian writing fantasy fiction. As long as he carries his Christian principles and ideals with him into the stories.
2007-02-01 06:21:28 · answer #3 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. As long as you make sure the recognize that you are, in fact, writing FICTION. Give God glory through this amazing gift that He has given you.
After all, C.S. Lewis, the author of "The Chronicles of Narnia" was a very strong Christian and he did the same thing!
Enjoy!
2007-02-01 06:16:10 · answer #4 · answered by Blake 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, God gave you the gift of creativity. Use it. I love reading books that are written by fantasy Christian writers. It's not a sin to use your imagination...
2007-02-01 06:15:47 · answer #5 · answered by rosesaremaroon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would it be a problem. Obviously God has granted you a gift to write. It's how you use that writing to tell a story. Would you consider Lord of the Rings evil. It's a story of good defeating evil. Use your God given gift to tell stories about human struggle of good vs evil. Anything good I'd love to read it.
2007-02-01 06:19:14 · answer #6 · answered by wheelerdr44 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see nothing wrong in using your imagination to create different worlds, people or religions. If God didn't want you to use your imagination, why would he have gifted you with it and a way to use it?
2007-02-01 06:16:04 · answer #7 · answered by lilith663 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see nothing wrong with using the mind God blessed you with to create new and fantastic worlds. It irritates me to no end when some Christians denounce Harry Potter as being "satanic" when it is just an ejoyable read and nothing else. As long as you don't begin worshipping the gods in your books, you should be fine.
2007-02-01 06:15:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course not! look for instance JRR Tolkien he was a christian and he wrote the trilogy of Lord of the Rings... and the story is actually trying to provide a christian view in the story, not directly... but he does. so dont be afraid to write.. !!!!!!
2007-02-01 06:16:44 · answer #9 · answered by Maniaka 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your God gave you the gift of creativity, why wouldn't He want you to make use of it? There are many Christian fantasy writers out there. Look at C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, to name just two.
I say celebrate what you've been given! Best of luck to you.
2007-02-01 06:15:03 · answer #10 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋