When people hear that I’m a Christian fantasy author, especially for younger readers, the first question I usually get is: Why fantasy? Why not just write Bible stories or devotionals for kids?
It’s a fair question. After all, the Bible already gives us the greatest stories ever told. But here’s my heart: fantasy doesn’t replace Scripture – it opens the imagination so that Scripture can take root more deeply.
In this post, I want to share why I write Christian fantasy for kids, how fantasy shapes faith, and why these kinds of stories matter for the next generation.
Christian Fantasy Helps Kids See God’s Truth in New Ways
Children naturally live with a sense of wonder. They look up at the stars and know the world is bigger than what they can see. They hear thunder and imagine giants in the clouds. God made kids this way — with curiosity and imagination stitched into their souls.
Fantasy taps into that God-given wonder. When a child reads about a hero who chooses courage over fear, or light over darkness, they aren’t just being entertained. They’re rehearsing truths they’ll need in their own walk with God.
That’s why I believe Christian fantasy is more than entertainment — it’s discipleship through imagination.
The Battle of Light and Darkness
Every good fantasy story has a battle between good and evil. Dragons, dark forests, or shadowy villains may look imaginary, but kids quickly see that they represent something deeper.
The Bible says: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world” (Ephesians 6:12).
When kids read about evil being defeated in a story, they’re getting a picture of a greater truth: that God’s light always conquers darkness. This isn’t make-believe — it’s a spiritual reality made tangible through story.
How Fantasy Connects with Scripture
The Bible itself is filled with fantastical moments:
- A donkey that speaks (Numbers 22:28).
- A sea that parts in two (Exodus 14:21).
- A prophet carried to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11).
- Jesus walking on water (Matthew 14:25).
God has never been shy about using wonder to reach people’s hearts. Christian fantasy follows in that tradition. It gives children a safe and imaginative way to understand spiritual truths that might otherwise feel abstract.
Just as Jesus used parables to teach, fantasy stories can act as modern-day parables — stories that shine light on God’s truth in ways children can understand and remember.
Why Kids Need Fantasy More Than Ever
We live in a world where kids are surrounded by screens, advertising, and noise. It’s easy for them to feel small and powerless. Fantasy provides more than escape — it provides vision.
- Courage: A young hero standing up against impossible odds reminds children that they too can be brave with God’s help.
- Hope: Even when darkness seems overwhelming, fantasy shows that light breaks through.
- Faith: When a character learns to trust beyond what they can see, it mirrors the walk of faith each believer is called to.
At its best, Christian fantasy teaches kids that they’re not alone in the battle — and that their choices matter.
My Calling as a Christian Fantasy Author
I didn’t set out to write just “fun adventures.” My calling is to write stories that point children to the One who gives true hope.
When I sit down to create a new world or character, I ask myself: What spiritual truth does this reflect? How will this point kids back to God?
Maybe the dark forest in the story reflects loneliness. Maybe the villain whispers the same kinds of lies kids hear in their own lives. Maybe the hero learns that real strength comes from beyond himself — the same way we all must learn that our strength comes from Christ.
That’s why I write. Not to escape reality, but to help children see reality more clearly — the reality that God is with them, even in the battles they face.
Why Parents and Teachers Should Value Christian Fantasy
If you’re a parent, grandparent, or teacher, you might wonder: Should my child read fantasy? Is it good for them spiritually?
Here’s why I believe the answer is yes — especially when it’s rooted in faith:
- It makes faith relatable. Kids understand lessons better when they’re woven into stories. Just as Jesus taught through parables, Christian fantasy makes spiritual truths easier to grasp.
- It builds moral imagination. Kids who practice choosing “the good” in stories are more prepared to choose it in life.
- It opens conversations. After finishing a chapter, you can ask your child: What would you have done? What do you think this part teaches about God?
- It plants seeds for a lifetime. A story read at age 10 may be remembered at age 30 — right when a grown-up needs encouragement most.
Closing Reflection
At the end of the day, fantasy is not about escaping into another world. It’s about seeing this world — God’s world — with new eyes.
As a Christian fantasy author, my prayer is that the stories I write don’t just entertain, but that they point young readers back to the Author of all stories. Because when kids see that God’s light always shines brighter than the darkness, they’ll carry that hope with them for the rest of their lives.