Is It Wrong for a Christian to Read or Write Fantasy Novels?

If you read a book that has a witch in it, are you guilty of witchcraft?

Brian Tubbs
Koinonia

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Photo by Josh Hild on Unsplash

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 does this mean for those Christians who enjoy reading — and perhaps writing — fantasy novels?

What does it mean for Christians like me?

I love fantasy and science fiction

As a kid, I was enamored with Superman, fascinated by Star Wars, practically addicted to Star Trek, and thoroughly enjoyed watching Buck Rogers and the 25th Century.

Of course, in full disclosure, Buck Rogers came out about the time I was going through puberty, and…well…a certain Colonel Deering, played by the beautiful Erin Gray, may have had something to do with my enjoyment of that show.

In my imagination, I wrestled with whether it would be better to command a starship or wield a lightsaber and dazzle people with psychokinetic Jedi powers. Finally, I decided I’d like to do both.

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