“Mama, today I learned that Jesus used magic to heal the lame man!” My five-year-old daughter bounced on her toes, eager to relay all she’d learned in Sunday School that day.
I chuckled to myself. Until that moment, it hadn’t occurred to me that the miracles Jesus performed might be seen as ‘magic’ to a young child. But this line of thinking is just what Fantasy writers often apply to their own writing.
As Fantasy and Science Fiction writers, our work might not necessarily involve Christians or traditional religion. However, that does not mean our Christian worldview does not bleed into the fiction we create. The fact that we have a relationship with Jesus may subconsciously direct our thoughts as we write our words.
There have been times when I’ve written a fictional scene, only to realize the two main characters are perfect reflections of the character of God and Jesus, and their relationship to one another. Linking my faith with my fiction hadn’t been my main intention, but it had shone through, regardless. Because that is how God works—His goodness shines through each area of our life, even when we don’t realize it. His truth is eternal.
Likewise, we can use the way we portray ‘magic’ within our story to lead others to a relationship with Christ. Seeing a reflection of the Father’s love for us within the written word is a powerful tool that can be used to glorify Him.
A popular literary example of this would be C.S. Lewis’s “Chronicles of Narnia” series, which has fantastical creatures and characters, as well as magic. His literary work that tells the story of God and our relationships with one another as believers, has gained an audience much wider than just the Christian community. Other popular examples that hold strong Biblical ties—whether intended or not—are J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and even the secular movie series, “Star Wars.”
Regardless if your approach is intentional, it is possible to create fiction that uses magic to reflect the character of God, and to bring new believers into the Kingdom.What about you? Do you use ‘magic’ in your writing as a tool to direct others to see God? How have you used magic to illustrate your faith? Feel free to leave a comment below!
Laura L. Zimmerman is a homeschooling mom to three daughters, and a doting wife to one husband. Besides writing, she is passionate about loving J
esus, singing, drinking coffee and anything Star Wars. You can connect with her through Facebook and Twitter and at her website,www.lauralzimmerman.com
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