Fact or Fiction

Christian allegory doesn't show a recalcitrant lack of imagination. It takes inspiration to substitute gospel elements for relevant story entities and strong ideas to express salvation issues through a tale of might and magic. Still, I would rather construct an assemblage that didn't obviously run parallel to the message of the Christian faith. Fantasy can encompass Christian belief but it doesn't have to be simply an allegorical representation from creation through armageddon. The message can still be expressed without pure parallels and substitutes; a story still told that doesn't diverge from Christian ideals and our overall worldview of truth and life.

Absolute truth, morals and an existential creator as a part of a fantasy world do not immediately coin it a Christian allegory. There are certain aspects that, in my beliefs as a Christian writer, are wholly adhered to; while there are some instances, actions and settings that are avoided, purely because they are an unnecessary (moral) hindrance to the exciting tale being told and do not give more credence or add to the story as an influencing whole.

I can cite Christian moral loci and develop characters who fit into the regime of Christian bounds - the story itself will reflect unavoidable elements of Christian belief. It may not be a parable with the express purpose of suggesting salvation and the need for redemption, but within the framework of God the Creator, an eternal destiny and overcoming temptation and sin that ultimately leads to death and separation from God: a Christian faery-tale indeed is possible, without the obvious mark of theological inditement.

Perhaps literature is no longer as provocative and remonstrative as it once was. What is being bred now - and what we have become accustomed to - are less paper-based, more electronic-based media, through which much discussion is produced and different trains of thought are encouraged. Where we stand - and where we are going, ever so quickly it seems - is upon the prow of a vessel where rotting bookshelves sink further beneath the turbid waters and a myriad of plasma tv's invade our horizon. Destination: change. Is this the transition period?

It's a real pity that in this secular world, so much, if not all of public television is consumed with immorality. The Christian message is not there, nor is an absolute truth proclaimed in any form. As seasons cycle past, every programme degenerates and begins to step into questionable territory. I feel that this is just another of the enemy's games. Interest is sparked and you follow along; then, before you know it, an episode is dropped in that defies logic: moral bounds are surpassed and it spoils the programme itself for you, the believer, because you are then faced with a moral dilemma: to continue watching and hope that the series doesn't ever-so-subtly sprout more seeds of bankruptcy or to scratch off yet another captivating story because the path it is now taking cannot be overlooked.

Certain elements in the entertainment industry are simply a no-go. Wouldn't it be better if we capitalised on the current scheme of things - when it comes to media - and gave to society something that never strayed from within moral constraints; things such as forgiveness, honesty and real love, without the need for spite, deceit and pre-marital sex? There are so many genres that are swallowed up by impiety and the giants of the Western world - couldn't we produce quality television of the same calibre as our pagan neighbours and show what we should be truly capable of?

We live in different times. Last century, many technological advances were made - this current generation lacks willpower, morality, self-sacrifice, and even intelligence. Children are not encouraged to improve their logic and reasoning but instead are indoctrinated more and more with lies. Everything we see and hear is filtered through our environment. If that environment is not one of morality and truth, then people are not even encouraged to question their worldview itself.

Apathy and acceptance of false image are two of the biggest hurdles in reaching a tilting generation. What worked ten years ago is not likely to be of interest to those at the same stage in their lives now. As life progresses and we change to adapt ourselves to where we are, it makes the most sense not to push away what is there to utilise but to embrace it and use it for the purposes it should be used for.

God is the one who created us. It stands to reason that in all of our creativity we shouldn't view Christianity as a minority from the 20th Century but a driving force of this current decade, year, month, and even day. I don't profess to be "up with the play" but we all have a calling; our destiny cannot be fulfilled if we are not exercising the gifts that we have been given. We can't slow down time or prevent secular changes from happening. We can move forward in this wonderful world that we've been given and show people that there is more to life than expectation of temporary fulfilment.

I can't stress how important it is that Christians be not the nay-sayers, but the pioneers and entrepreneurs of the now. We hold the only truth. We are the only faith who have real liberty - freedom from unseen bondage that ensnares us from birth. We should be setting the standard and releasing grace, mercy and love in every form of enjoyment, insight and teaching. Many great men and women of the past who paved the way for our current technological exploits received inspiration from on High. Where are the Christian tv programmes that captivate thousands of people in every city? Where are the Christian movies that are nominated for worldwide recognition awards? Where are the Christian books that are in the world bestsellers' list?

It's not a matter of condemning such illusion and trickery that has beguiled even the most dedicated believer - it is about recognising what is right, what is obedient to God, what gives him glory - and presenting that to the world to replace such desensitising exploitative material that is in so much heartbreaking abundance. You can't expect to pump effluence out of the hole without replacing it with clean water.

If we were to give to the world Christian alternatives that were both captivating and relevant in every way - think how people's attitudes would change. Think how more open to the truth people would be. Think how much more health and life people would have. Think how much more like the One in whose image we are created we could become. Because life does have a purpose - how are we bringing this hope to our world?

-Timotheos