A quick skim of popular YA and adult fantasy novels, whether by secular or Christian authors, reveals a host of stories with magically powered characters. I think of The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson in the secular field. Most YA fantasy stories by Christian authors include magic as well: Mary Weber’s Storm Siren trilogy, Kara Swanson’s Dust and Shadow, and Nadine Brandes’ Fawkes and Romanov, to name a few. As a casual observer of genre trends, especially in the case of YA books, I think it’s safe to say that magic-filled fantasy stories have definitely replaced dystopias. Even before this trend began, I noticed many Christian writers plagued by how to handle magical powers in their stories. While some shun magic altogether, others restrict magic to witchcraft and sorcery, avoid those, and opt for writing “magic systems” that may more properly...
Humility and Obedience as an Artist
Artists are powerful. Whether they are painters, poets, writers, actors, or musicians, artists wield a power that echoes the creative forces of God. While artists cannot create out of nothing, they do have the ability to recreate reality through mirroring reality in a way that follows the norms of their particular craft. All humans are artists in that they “are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece.” (Pope John Paul II, Letter to Artists, 2). Yet, an artist in the traditional sense has a greater focus on creation and creativity in regard to what is beautiful. This does not make the traditional artist a better person than someone who is not a traditional artist, but I believe it does give the traditional artist an extra responsibility; rather than simply being responsible...