Why the World Needs More Christian Fantasy

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“Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It’s a way of understanding it.”

— Lloyd Alexander

Once upon a time, fantasy was considered dangerous.

Too escapist. Too imaginative. Too “worldly.”

But what if the opposite is true? What if fantasy, when grounded in truth, is more than just an escape from reality but also a journey deeper into it? What if Christian and Christian-made fantasy isn’t a genre to be wary of—but a powerful tool for truth, hope, and healing in a disenchanted world?

I believe the world needs more Christian fantasy—and here’s why.

Fantasy Reveals Eternal Truth Through Story

Jesus told stories.

Not doctrinal lectures or theological manifestos, but stories—rich, layered parables that invited listeners to imagine the Kingdom of God. Through mustard seeds, wandering sons, lost coins, and buried treasure, Jesus bypassed intellectual resistance and spoke straight to the heart.

Christian fantasy does the same.

Stories that are infused with a Christian worldview—whether explicitly labeled or not—carry truth beneath the surface. C.S. Lewis famously said that fiction “smuggles truth past watchful dragons,” and fantasy may be the most effective form of all.

Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia and his more complex Space Trilogy are beautiful examples of this layered storytelling. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings isn’t overtly Christian in language, but the foundational themes—fellowship, sacrifice, grace, and the triumph of good over evil—are unmistakably shaped by his deep Catholic faith.

In my epic mermaid fantasy series Rise of the Grigori, I aim to do the same. Biblical doctrine and theology unfold within a world full of mystery, brokenness, and beauty. The story follows the undines, a matriarchal sea-dwelling race of mermaids who once had a divine calling, but have fallen far from it. Out of fear and cultural myth, they enslave human men through siren song while still seeing themselves as peaceful. Their society is fractured, fragile, and haunted by forgotten truths.

But even in the depths, grace is calling.

It Re-enchants the Imagination

We live in an age of disenchantment. Our world prizes reason over wonder, skepticism over belief. We are surrounded by data, but starved for meaning.

Christian fantasy reawakens our capacity for awe.

Fantasy invites readers to explore the unseen—to imagine the miraculous, to believe that there’s more to the story. It reminds us that faith itself is a form of vision, and that things which seem impossible to the world are often the most true.

Whether it’s the deep mythology of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, the transcendent courage of Lewis’s Space Trilogy, or the richly symbolic worlds in Rise of the Grigori, fantasy reminds us that our imagination is not childish—it’s a gift. And when that imagination is anchored in truth, it becomes a powerful tool for awakening hearts.

A Quiet Rebellion Against Hopelessness

A large portion of modern fantasy—especially secular, mainstream fantasy—tends to glorify moral ambiguity, despair, or the pursuit of power. Worlds are gritty, protagonists are anti-heroes, and happy endings are often dismissed as naïve.

Christian fantasy is quietly but powerfully countercultural.

It doesn’t flinch from darkness, but it refuses to let darkness have the final word. It champions themes like hope, mercy, redemption, and sacrificial love. It gives us flawed characters who fail—but who are not beyond grace. And it reminds us that even in the bleakest moments, light still breaks through.

In Rise of the Grigori, the darkness isn’t just external—it’s systemic, cultural, and spiritual. The undines are trapped in a cycle of fear and control that began generations ago, after they gave in to the seductive lies of Semyaza and Tamiel, rebellious seraphim who twisted their calling into something almost unrecognizable. But even here, redemption is not out of reach. Truth speaks through love, sacrifice, and a growing awareness that the old songs of control can no longer sustain them.

Oblique Truths, Powerful Worldviews

It’s important to recognize that “Christian fantasy” doesn’t always carry a label.

Tolkien didn’t label The Lord of the Rings as “Christian,” yet it continues to inspire readers of faith around the world. Brandon Sanderson, though writing in the secular market, is a devout man of faith, and his stories often explore deep themes of belief, morality, and sacrifice. Veronica Roth (Divergent, Poster Girl) is another example of a Christian author whose worldview infuses her fiction, even when it isn’t overt.

Faith-based fiction can be bold or subtle. Sometimes, truth comes through clearly. Other times, it’s a whisper, a seed planted through metaphor and mystery. Both forms are needed. Both are valuable.

Discovering Christian Fantasy Authors (Old and New)

If you're looking to explore more faith-infused fantasy, you're in good company. Here are a few classic and contemporary authors worth exploring:

Classic Faith-Based Fantasy:

J.R.R. Tolkien – The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion

C.S. Lewis – The Chronicles of Narnia, The Space Trilogy (aka The Cosmic Trilogy or the Ransom Trilogy)

Stephen R. Lawhead – The Pendragon Cycle, The Song of Albion

Frank Peretti – This Present Darkness, The Oath

Contemporary Christian Fantasy and Speculative Fiction:

C.F.E. Black – Her Scepter and Crown series blends Christian themes with romantic fantasy, using a powerful magic system based on Truth and Lies. (Book 1: Blade of Ash.)

Bree Moore – The Plague King Chronicles are rich in atmosphere, weaving biblical allegory and emotional depth into high fantasy landscapes. (Book 1: The Quill and the Vial.)

Nadine Brandes – Known for her YA dystopian and fantasy fiction (Fawkes, Romanov, Wishtress), Nadine explores themes of identity, purpose, and surrender.

(And yes—me!) – My Rise of the Grigori series is a sweeping epic mermaid fantasy that dives deep into a society gone very wrong, weaving theology, mythology, and redemption through a tale of control, memory, and hope against all odds.

You can also check out my previous post, “Great Sources for Clean Romance and Fantasy Fiction”, where I recommend other tools and communities for finding clean or faith-based books—especially the amazing Lorehaven Library, which curates Christian speculative fiction across genres and age groups.

(You might also be interested in this article on their website exploring modern applications of the C.S. Lewis “watchful dragons” quote: Stories For Christians 1: The New ‘Watchful Dragons’.”

Courtesy of Nong Vang via Unsplash.

The World is Dark. Christian Fantasy Isn’t a Distraction—It’s a Light.

In the end, fantasy rooted in truth is not just escapism. It’s resistance.

It resists despair. It resists apathy. It resists the lie that the brokenness we see is all there is.

More than that—it points us toward the true Story. The one that begins in Eden, stretches through Calvary, and ends in a place where streets are paved with gold, God’s glory is all the light we need, and every tear is wiped away.

And if Christian fantasy helps even one reader glimpse that Story a little more clearly?

Then it’s worth writing. It’s worth reading. And it’s even dangerous, but not in the way you think.

And yes—it's absolutely worth needing more of.

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