Chasing Shadows: A Romantic Short Story

Photo by: Kaebobee

"Moonlight Nymph"

I run through the meadow into the moon's gleam that trickles through the trees and splashes across the grass. And in the brightness all I see is you.  

Your hair is illumined, your eyes green, your face round and delicate. You wear grey silk, like nightwear, and extend your hand to me, beckoning me to come. 

I looked back but for a moment, and you were gone. 

I cannot say why I turned. Perhaps I think it too wondrous to be real, to fanciful to be happening. And now that you're gone, I dread to think it all a dream.


But then I approach where you stood, a strand of your radiant hair wafting in the gentle breeze, and as I involuntarily place my open palm beneath it, it rests upon it. I squeeze my hand- and my heart- around it.


And that contact with you, was all it took to know you were real, to know I was not chasing shadows.

So I searched. I journeyed through the forest, days without food. I slept in the cold, damp night, and sweltered in the day heat. My skin itched and turned to rashes, but I dared not turn back again, I dare not stop chasing after you. 

It wasn't the hand extended, or your warm smile, no- it is your eyes. Your piercing green eyes that say come, come, but do so like you want me, like you need me. 

I lose track of the day, and am closing in on despair. I take satisfaction in knowing you wanted me to come, to approach, to take you then and there. 

I delight in knowing my suffering, my hunger is for you. My sun-burnt flesh and weary head cannot thwart this rising pang of love and passion in my soul. I think of your lips, how they glistened like ocean water kissed by the sun rays, a thousand different refractions each promising it's own reward. 

And if I had to search one thousand days to find my treasure, I would. 

What are you? I do not know. A nymph, a goddess? I do not care. You had summoned me, and I dare not refuse your beckon, I dare not stop to ask why, or look back as before. And why would I? Such enchanting beauty no man has ever seen. I cannot resist your allure.

Then a glimpse, or was it? I could not be sure. I had all but forgotten, to my shame, your figure, once a vivid painting in my mind's eye but now reduced to a silhouette with silver lining. 


My passion had cooled. But that brief image re-lit the flame of my desire. 

Now I tear through the wooden hillside like a hurricane, ripping branches, being cut by thistles, stumbling on root and uneven ground. It is the least, why yes, the least I can do for you, my love. For I had turned my eyes while even in your presence! 


Yet for you to show yourself to me but for an instant was more than I deserved. And now that I have had a fleeting trace, I am tormented for more. 

So I run, and run, and run. Like a crazed lover, for that is what I am! 

Then another glimpse, and I change direction, and call out to you. But what is your name? "My love, my wonder, my joy, my beaut!" I cry, but you do not answer. You did not answer. 

I collapsed in a clearing, chest aching and head pounding, face down in the earth. I cried, from there I cried out to you! But where are you? You do not make a sound. You slink through the night like a whisper carried away by the wind. My feeble body had no nourishment, except for the uncatchable image of you. 

I believe it will sustain me a thousand years, so I stand. But no sooner do I falter and fall back to a knee. 

Then I looked up, and there you were. Why this, this is the spot, the same meadow as before! How long had it been? It was the place I knew, the special place where I first saw you. Your radiance had not diminished, your smile had not wavered, your teeth were still beautiful. 


Then I am enraptured again by your sparkling lips, intensifying the magnitude of my longing to press mine against yours, to lay in your arms, to be with just you on this fine patch of soft grass, beneath the stars, beneath the moon, by the pure flowing waters.... 

I am approaching, I am approaching you steadfastly. I will not look away, I shall not blink. I can smell your delicious fragrance- oh how inviting it is- as I draw near. I am captivated in this moment, and my heart beats violently as your angular features stand sharp, brilliantly like you are glowing, the only thing in color on this colorless grey night. 

I am noticing your eyes, they are green as emerald. As I approach I am realizing this time I cannot look away, I cannot breathe. I hasten my steps so that I do not lose breath before I reach you! I race to you; your silk hangs loose off your precious body. I long to touch you, to gently clasp your face in my hands! Now you are spreading both arms away from you, facing me; I'm running into your arms! 

And it is too late. 

You were wise, clever indeed to return to that same spot, that same time of the year when the lighting would befall the mound just as it did before. For I could not see, until this very moment before I dive headlong into you as you step outside that enchanted gleam, that your silk is of webs, your hair locks are of poisonous asps, your eyes are cruel embers, and your teeth are sharp fangs.

You are not what I expected. You are not pretty, my cruel love.  

I fall into your web. The hand that you did not extend I now see contains a dagger with wormwood on its point, and it's tearing through my chest. It's plunging through my heart. 


The searing pain gives way to drowsy, 


and I am going under, 

                                      under,

                                                   under,

                                                                under,

                                                                             under....

                                                                                         

                                                                                        Then I awake. And I am in hell. You are here. And all I want to do is run from you, but I cannot. I cannot.  

Game Over?

Post by: Daniel Avery

         

Shoot the gun, dodge the bullet. Swing the sword, block the blade. Jump over the brick, avoid the dragon. Most video games resemble the same style of a city, nation, or planet, on the cusp of destruction, locked in a viscous battle, and in the midst of the chaos is a lone character. Chosen by some higher power or in possession of a unique skill, the hero charges onto the front lines to save the day. That kind of heroism and battling are only found in video games or your ancient history text books right? Wrong! As Christians, we need to realize the current status of the world and take heed to Scripture and charge onto the front lines of battle.



Whether you realize it or not, mankind is locked in a battle with Satan, and victory is only assured through Christ. A friend of mine made me realize how often the world wants a Savior. Movies, video games, even some music, all talk about a world or person in peril and how it is up to a lone person to step up to the front lines and become the savior. Our world is infatuated with a savior, yet we are blind to the true Savior. Super Mario is the most well-known video game in all of video game history. You can probably go up to anyone and ask them if they’ve heard of Super Mario, his brother Luigi and their pet dinosaur, Yoshi and they will give you a sarcastic, “Of course! Who hasn’t?!”



In the game, Princess Peach is captured by the villainous monster called Bowser, and it’s up to Mario to lead his brother and their pet to save the queen from certain doom. They travel many levels across the computer generated world in hopes of defeating Bowser’s massive army of ghosts, goblins, gumbas and more, until they finally complete the last castle and defeat Bowser and rescue Princess Peach, only to find that in the next game she is captured again.



But that’s beside the point. The point is, Mario is portrayed as the magnificent savior, a savior that everyone loves and admires. Another example of a savior like character is Link from the video game, The Legend of Zelda, where Princess Zelda is captured by Ganon and his evil forces known as the Gerudo in their plot to take over the land Hyrule and soon the world. Link is the archenemy of Ganon, and is sworn to protect the princess and all of Hyrule. He puts on his armor, grabs his shield, sheaths his weapon, and heads out into the front lines to rescue the princess and defend the world from the evil armies who are encroaching on the lands. The world is so captivated by these two fictional heroes, yet are blind to the reality of their message-Christ is the true and only Savior, and we live in a world that is in constant battle with Satan.



This cosmic battle between mankind and the legions of evil has been going on since the fall of Adam. But Christ will overcome Satan, He is the Savior of the world. At the Cross, Christ has already dealt the winning blow to Satan, but just like any other video game or movie, there is still a long way to go until the battle is completely won. The entire planet is held hostage like Princess Peach, or Princess Zelda, and we Christians are like them. By ourselves we are defenseless against the forces of evil that assail us, and it is up to Christ to rescue His bride, the Church.



“You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:5-6



Here Moses is explaining that God has a divine jealousy for us, His bride. It is not one of envy but of protection. Christ is jealous for what belongs to Him, the Church. Like any other savior, God comes down to defend His chosen people, those whom He elected to dwell in His kingdom.



“The LORD is the strength of His people; He is the saving refuge of His anointed.” Psalm 28:8



Now you may be asking why I’m saying this, or what does this have to do with you, a Christian, “charging to the front lines” as I stated earlier. Well, as Christians we may be Christ’s bride, needing to be saved, like Princess Peach is saved by Mario, but we are not called to just sit idly by and wait either. God does not tell us to wait patiently and do nothing. In fact, He does the opposite. God calls us to spread His Holy Word, to defend the weak and destroy the demons.



“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Timothy 1:7-10



A favorite video game of mine is the series known as Dawn of War. The most recent game of this series that came out is called Space Marine. You play as one of the soldiers fighting an alien infested planet that was once held by the humans, but lost to the ravenous creatures of death. The reason I probably enjoyed these games so much when I was young was because I liked imagining myself as one of the soldiers, fighting for the Emperor, saving humanity from almost certain destruction. Here is a brief overview of this game for those who do not know it. Dawn of War is set far into the future, and in this grim future there is one thing and one thing only, war. Sounds like a dark game doesn’t it? In one sense you could be right, but in the eyes of a boy, this game wasn’t filled with darkness as much as it was hope. The Emperor was portrayed as almost a god-like figure, that guided and led the genetically enhanced soldiers whom the Emperor had chosen. These Space Marines charged out onto the front lines of any battle chanting a fearsome cry, “In the Name of the Emperor!” They fought and died for their faith to the Emperor, proclaiming his name in an attempt to secure peace for all humanity. You may not realize the severity of the action since this is just a video game I’m talking about, but you can relate it to war, real marines charging out into battle for their country. These fictional Space Marines were true warriors, and possessed a fury or zeal like none other for their Emperor. I remember it now, hearing the chants and battle cries as these formidable men called out to their brothers in the heat of battle to keep their spirits high. “There is only the Emperor, and he is our shield and protector!” Imagine that, how close that is to reality as a Christian? There is only one God, and He is our shield and protector, “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31. Playing this game when I was young, I’d remember getting nervous and almost scared, when I was losing the battles, but my heart would become calm as these warriors shouted in the game, “Fear denies faith!” Our fear as Christians denies what God has planned for us; we live in fear, fear of the world and of it’s persecution when we shouldn’t fear it, but charge after it.



“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4



“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.” Psalm 27:1-3



There are many verses I can pull from Scripture, but those few give you, dear reader, a small taste of what God’s Holy infallible Word says about fear. The Space Marines didn’t fear any one due to their fervent faith, but that didn’t mean they weren’t protected either. To paint you a picture of these Marines, they were genetically altered soldiers, chosen by the Emperor. They were battle hardened, and wore massive metal plated armor which kept the lasers, axes, gun fire and any other assortment of assaults that besieged these troops from harming them. On the arms of this magnificent armor, they proudly wore the symbol of their great leader into battle. In turn, we as Christians should not fear anything Satan tries to throw at us, for we have the armor of God as our protection and His word as our weapon and we should proudly wear them.



“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:10-18



Wow, what a powerful message the Apostle Paul writes to not only the Church in Ephesus, but to every Christian. We do not need to be afraid, for He is with us. We do not need to run, for we have His armor. We must stand firm in our faith and preach the Gospel.



Another awesome symbolism this game offers to Christians is from the chant, “The Emperor guides my blade.” In the game you hear these courageous soldiers say this chant, calmly, and without hesitation or fear. A brief history, though this is a game set in the future, they do not only use weapons you’d assume most futuristic fictional games would. They make this game to be as bloody as it can be, in order to portray the true meaning of war. On top of the lasers, huge rifles, and all other assortment of fictional assault weapons, these battle ready troops carry war axes, chain-swords, hammers, and knives. They fight to the death with all their might in their struggle against the darkness. So when they say that the Emperor, is “guiding their blades in battle,” they say that with calmness knowing it to be true. How many Christians can calmly say in the heat of spiritual warfare that the Holy Spirit is guiding them? How many of us can have peace in our hearts knowing that He directs our swords?



“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105



“For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.” Psalm 31:3



“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8



“This God is our God for ever and ever; He will guide forever.” Psalm 48:14



God is our sovereign creator, maker of all things, and He has promised to be our rock and foundation, to be our protector and salvation. What do we have to fear? For He will guide us, has given us the armor for protection, and promised never to forsake us. What an awesome God we have, though we have rejected Him, sinned against Him, despised Him; He sent His Son to die for the sake of our salvation. I pray that message never ceases to surprise me, and always leave me completely humbled.



The last point I wish to make regarding the symbolism of this amazing game, is a final chant of these fearsome Space Marines that every Christian should relate to.



“It is better to die for the Emperor than to live for yourself.”



What a statement that is, to say it is better to die for the Emperor than live for yourself. That goes against almost every ounce of our nature, but, you know what? It is true for every Christian. It is better for us to die preaching the gospel for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, than to live for ourselves. But how many of us, me included, live our pathetic lives trying to please ourselves, rather than trying to please our Creator? How many of us try to do what we want, when we want, rather than what God wants? How many of us are afraid of persecution for preaching His Word, when that’s exactly what we’re called to do!? Dear reader, I am preaching this to myself as much as I am you. I’m no expert level warrior, I too struggle between doing what God wants and what I want. Our calling is in-fact to spread the gospel! Not sit in a safety bubble of Christianity, built up for our own self worth and gratification! What most Christians do not realize is that mankind, this world, is in a cosmic battle between Satan and God. I once did not realize this fact myself. I lived life thinking being a Christian didn’t require me to do many intimidating, fearful things. Sure, I knew that I would be persecuted for following God, and that I must follow Scripture and God’s instructions for His people, but I didn’t think I would have to venture out from my safety bubble that I constructed. Things like street preaching, going out and sharing the Gospel with people, standing firm for unborn children who are being murdered. I convinced myself I didn’t have to do it, because others would just do it instead. That was the wrong kind of thought for me to have, it is the wrong kind of thought for any Christian to have. It is wrong to think that we can sit in a safety bubble we’ve created, go to church, have our prayer meetings, and read the Bible daily. Though those are all good and required of Christians, it is also required to BE ON FIRE FOR THE GOSPEL! We must die to our self and live for Him in a righteous fury.



“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.” Mark 8:35



“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20



“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24



“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.’” Luke 9:23-26



We must deny ourselves and raise Him up. Now, dear reader, you may be asking what kind of battle fields I am talking about. Well, I’ll tell you. You can turn on the news, look at a website, or even look out your front window and tell this world is saturated with sin. There are many people who are not being spoken too about the gospel, there are many women murdering unborn life. There are many children growing up in a world where they have to bring a knife to school for protection. There are kids growing up without a family, and even if some do have a family, the majority of them are broken. Yes, this world is deep with sin, and there are many battle fields we can be called to. We see these events taking place and yet sit idly by, thinking that someone else will step in when in reality, that someone needs to be you and me. We can not keep looking at our world and hoping it will fix itself, our duty as Christians is to follow God’s commandments and Christ's example. Without Him we are nothing, and we must never forget that. But having a sovereign God doesn’t mean that I can sit in my chair and twiddle my thumbs either. I should be encouraged knowing my God has predestined my life and not be scared of persecution and charge out to the front lines! That is every Christian’s duty given to us by God. A battle field doesn’t even mean that we must go to an abortion mill; there are many battles around us. For example, the battle men primarily deal with, is lust. That is a spiritual battle on the very doorsteps of our soul, yet it’s one we find ourselves losing ground in every day. We must remain strong in faith, and pray for forgiveness when we fall, but always get back up and keep on fighting. There are plenty of ways in-which to fight as soldiers of God, the question is, will you rise up and charge for the front lines, or cower in fear of Satan, and let him win without putting up resistance?



I tell you dear reader to not let yourself fall without a fight! I plead with you to rise up! Look, Scripture doesn’t say we are not equipped! We have been given armor from God and refuge in His stronghold. He guides our souls and gives peace to those who ask. What are we to fear? What is to keep us back?



“For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any doubled-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12



And He has equipped us for “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17



“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready do punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” 2nd Corinthians 10:3-6



Scripture couldn’t be any more clear on the matter. We have been given by God the ability to wage war against the world, and do not be deceived, this world is at war with God and His people. Though at the Cross Christ won the decisive battle, the war carries on. And we must do what we are called as Christians to do. Fight for God, preach His Word. There was a good quote from Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. on abortion and the world, and I’d like to share with you because it aids my point. He said, “The murder of babies is backburner, boring, banal, as common as sin. Darkness has come into the world and we perceive it not.” The world has accepted this murder yet how many of us truly cry out? For John Calvin said, “A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.” We mustn’t remain silent any more dear brothers and sisters. Not to this atrocious act of sin or any other, we must charge to the front lines of battle for Christ. John Piper couldn’t have said it any better. “It isn't sex by itself that makes abortion. It is sex plus covetousness: desiring things that God does not will for us to have because we are not willing to find our satisfaction in him. Illicit sex and unencumbered freedom without children: for these we covet, and abortion is the result. Christ died that we might live. This is the opposite of abortion. Abortion kills that someone might live differently.” I want to live my life differently, not in the way Piper means it, but in the sense that I want to change my actions and thoughts from that of an impassive person, to that of a warrior on fire for the Gospel. For Piper says again, “It is better to lose your life than to waste it.” Piper summarizes what Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:7 by saying. “I will not waste my life! I will finish my course and finish it well. I will display the Gospel of the grace of God in all I do. I will run my race to the end.” Are you wasting your life? Or are you on fire for Him? R.C. Sproul Sr. said that, “Our lives say much more about how we think than our books do. The theories we preach are not always the ones we actually believe. The theories we live are the ones we really believe.” So how are you living? Do your actions portray that of a Christian? Are you living a life that’s honoring to our creator?



A final point I want to reiterate before I go is this. A new worldwide popular game was released this past year called Mass Effect 3: Take Earth Back. It’s the end of a trilogy where the evil forces of the cosmos has besieged Earths defenses and slaughtered mankind until there were few left. Not only do these forces kill the humans, but the way they do is by impaling them with metallic rods meant to transform the dead humans into ferocious, mindless, monsters, blind to reality and bent to only destruction. The demonic armies hold Earth captive, and mankind is unable to save themselves from their doom. The hero, Commander Shepherd, comes back with an army with one purpose and one purpose only, to take Earth back. Shepherd is the savior with the skill, determination, will, and power to save mankind from their demise. This story, a video game, is not far off from the real world today, dear reader. Our world, planet Earth, is right now being held captive. Right now we are locked in a deathly spiritual battle against the Devil and his legion of demons. Satan has blinded man and controls them like the vile aliens in Mass Effect. Man is unable to save himself apart from Christ, and we are like the Space Marines. I do not mean it in the sense that we are the sole saviors of mankind, that title and position belongs to the Triune God. No, we as Christians, our Lord’s righteous warriors, are called to charge to the front lines, be the army behind Commander Shepherd, be the army of the Lord. We are called to battle Satan and his menacing armies in this cosmic battle over the salvation of mankind. We are called, to Take Earth Back.



“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” James 1:22-26



So let me ask you this dear reader. Are you ready to do what God’s word says? Are you ready to join the cosmic fight over the salvation of the world for our Lord? Are you ready to protect those too weak to defend themselves? Are you ready to proclaim His name in a righteous fury and spread the Gospel? Or is it already, “Game Over,” for you?



“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like me, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

God, I Pray

This is the latest poem by Jesse Stiemann, and in my opinion, his finest work yet. 

Just God, I come before Thee,

In quietness, on bended knee,

I beg Thee, in Christ Thy Son,

As in heav’n, Thy will here be done.

Tear from me this sinful flesh,

Restore to me a heart afresh,

Give me mind to love Thy law;

The ice upon my cold heart thaw.

Daily do I praise Thy name,

Nightly do I enact the same,

Daily still do I offend,

Nightly still Thy law I rend.

Were it only law I break,

T’would  not render my soul to shake,

‘Tis Thy wrath that trembles me,

For I offend a God holy.

Give my heart to do Thy will,

Preserve me in Thy Spirit still,

Give the new man now to win,

O’er the old man, who seeks to sin.

Father, make me to walk well,

Keep my feet off the path to hell,

Be the lamp unto my feet,

Light up my path, ‘til we shalt meet.

For I am fool, this I know,

I walk as blind, my own way go,

For Thy way is best, ‘tis wise,

Grant me to see this with my eyes.

I know Thy way, it is best,

But behave not at Thy behest,

Grant me to follow Thee now,

Make mine will unto Thy plan bow.

I am blindness, give me sight,

I am darkness, give me Thy light,

I am hatred, grant me love;

Grant me unto Thy courts above!

How long, Lord, shall I remain?

How long in this world wrought insane?

Nay, I must not think this way!

For my brothers, ‘tis better I stay.

God, I pray, make me Thy Son,

Make plain in me Thy vic’try won,

Make Christ in me to increase,

God, I pray, the sin in me cease.

A Response to Doug Wilson's Review of The Hunger Games

Tonight I read Doug Wilson's review of The Hunger Games which you can find here. While I think he raises some good points and some of the same concerns I have, in the end I have to disagree with his conclusions, and perhaps some of his reasoning.

First, let me say a bit about the book. The Hunger Games is about Katniss Everdeen and is written through her eyes (in first person). She lives in Panem, which is a futuristic North America where the Capitol is now in the Rocky Mountains and oppresses the 12 outlying districts by forcing them to make goods and raw materials for those who live in the Capitol. About three quarters of a century ago, the districts rebelled against the Capitol which led to war, and in the end the Capitol was able to quash the rebellion. Since then, the Capitol has held  the hunger games, where a boy and girl from the ages of 12-18 from each district are drawn from a lottery to compete. The hunger games is essentially a death match, with only one victor. The victor gets heralded as a hero, and earns a life of luxury for himself and his family. This is the Capitol's way of reminding the districts who is in control and is a form of punishment for the rebellion, a paying for the sins of their grandparents so to speak, to ensure that another uprising does not occur.

To the discerning Christian, there should be red flags going up by now. If you were selected for the hunger games, would you compete? Would you kill others just to help out yourself and your family? Is it right? Doug Wilson's answer is an immediate "no." For him, it's obvious:

Suppose the Capitol bad guys had decided to set up a different required sin in their games. Suppose it were the Rape Games instead. Suppose that the person who made it through the games without being raped was the feted winner. Anybody here think that this series would be the bestselling phenomenon that this one is?

To answer Wilson's question, certainly not. But that's a different scenario that I will address momentarily. For now I want to post another bit of what Wilson had to say about The Hunger Games:

As the book progresses, the ethical problems are effectively disguised. The first way is by having a number of the wealthier districts send tributes who are semi-pro. In other words, they are not reluctant participants, but are eager for the glory that attends winning the games. When that kind of guy comes after you, everything is self-defense. Then there is the fact that there are a bunch of them out there killing each other, and Katniss doesn’t have to do it. And the third device, and the one that keeps you turning the pages, that the author does not reveal whether or not Katniss will be willing to kill when it gets down the bitter end, and her opponents are innocents like she is. In other words, you have a likeable protagonist who is fully expecting to do something that is perfectly appalling by the end of the book. 

 What I want to point out is that Katniss' opponents are not "innocent" if they choose to kill her. I was thinking if I were chosen for the hunger games, I would not compete. Then Jesse Stiemann reminded me of the fact that self-defense is not a sin. Now, perhaps Wilson thinks self-defense is a sin, I am not sure, but I do not. So after careful consideration, I think if I were chosen for the Hunger Games, I would not kill anyone who did not attack me first. Indeed, I would plea with the other contestants to not fight, but if they did not relent, I would defend myself. Though, for me I wonder if I would ever let it get that far. I think if I was chosen I would resist until they killed me. I would never get to the hunger games because I would kill all who forced me to go to them, or more likely they would have to kill me first. Then again, maybe I would not.

It is the sinfulness of man, ultimately, that would allow the hunger games to happen. If all those drawn from the districts simply refused to participate, the Capitol would have to kill them themselves, and that wouldn't be any fun. Not to mention you wouldn't have a very compelling book, would you? So I certainly take Wilson's points to heart, but at the same time, if I were chosen for the hunger games, did not resist to the point of death before they could take me there, and was thrust into the enormous domed outdoor arena that they were placed in to compete, and I had no intention of killing unless it was for self defense, I do not believe that I would have committed any sin.

Understand, I would not be competing in the hunger games. I would be attempting to save my life. And that's where I think Wilson is wrong. Those coming after me to kill me are not innocent. They are choosing to compete in the hunger games. I am not choosing to do so, however, I am also not choosing to forgo my permission to defend my own life. If someone came to kill me in such a situation, they would be attempting murder. I am allowed to save my life from being murdered, am I not? And is my self defense murder? No. Then where am I sinning, Mr. Wilson? I am not Jesus, my mission was not to die to save sinners. My death would not effect the salvation of anyone. I could choose to die, this is true. I will not argue that we are commanded to defend our own lives in every situation.

But what about Katniss' family in the story? I won't spoil anything, except to say essentially that if she dies, her family dies. If I were Katniss and chose to sit out the hunger games, but the others have chosen to try to murder me, I would fight for my family if not myself, and doing so as but a non-participant that happens to be, against my own will, thrust into this arena. If I had no family, I probably would not fight, I would probably let them take me out, though even in that scenario I do not see how it could be considered sin to defend yourself.

Now to address Wilson's rape games scenario. If I were thrust into that situation, I would not rape anyone. Period. Raping someone would not be the way in which one defends themselves. Instead, I would kill them. God commands killing sometimes, but he never commands raping. Killing, in some situations, is not sin. Sometimes it is, and it is called murder. This is why God does, in some situations, command killing, or allow for killing (such as self defense). If they tried to rape me, I would kill them in self defense. Is it a sin for a woman who, walking down a dark alley, attempts to defend herself from a rapist? Surely not. Surely Wilson would not argue that to be like Christ would mean to not offer resistance and to receive the raping.

Now what if this woman is thrown into an arena and is told that there are 23 men who are going to try and rape her because the government has said if they rape her they will get a million dollars? Would the woman not have every right to try to defend herself from being raped? And wouldn't the way to defend yourself be to kill those who are trying to rape you, assuming they did not stop trying to rape you before it came to that? It is completely irrelevant whether or not, in the event this woman succeeds in killing all 23 rapists before they rape her, that she would receive a million dollars herself. Maybe it would be wrong for her to take the money, maybe not. Maybe it would be okay for her to say she did not compete for the money, but if they want to give it to her anyways, that is fine. That's not really worth disputing right now. What I want to point out is that, from best I can tell, Katniss never is looking for the honor of being the champion. Getting food for her family? Perhaps. But to the extent that it would actually drive her to kill not only in self defense but to actually initiate a killing of one who did not try to first kill her (which would be murder)? I don't think so. Honestly I cannot remember from reading the book to be certain, but I did not get the impression that she would kill unless first threatened. And so what if she did? That would not make the book bad or wrong to read.

To reiterate, I am not saying it is acceptable to compete in the hunger games. It is not okay to kill just to get goodies for you and your family, even if your situation is horrible in the first place. I am saying it is okay to fight for your life and for the well being of your family. I have only read the first book of the trilogy, but I can say (slight spoiler) that Katniss kills only in self defense. And it is apparent from the outset that nobody has chosen to sit out the hunger games. All are looking to win, even at the bitter end.

Also, I am not arguing that Collins, the author of The Hunger Games, has her morality right on this one. I am simply disputing Wilson's arguments.

One more segment of Wilson's review I'd like to discuss. Here he may make his strongest argument:

 As Thomas Watson put it, better to be wronged than to do wrong. It is not a sin to be murdered. It is not a sin to have your loved ones murdered. It is not a sin to defend your loved ones through every lawful means. But that is the key, that phrase. Every lawful means only makes sense when there is a law, and that only makes sense when there is a Lawgiver. Without that, everything is just dogs scrapping over a piece of meat. And once that is the framework, there is no real way to evaluate anything. The history of the Church is filled with families being martyred together. Survival is not the highest good. 

Yes, the Church is filled with martyrs, but they were, and are, being martyred for their faith. I would gladly lay down my life if it was due to my faith in Christ (Lord willing). I would not gladly give up my life just because of some silly competition called the hunger games. Nor do I see any command in Scripture that says I cannot defend myself, except when it comes to our faith in Christ. Even then, Christ fled, and the disciples fled. I don't want to get too much into the question of whether it is wrong to try to defend oneself if say, an atheist came to kill you because you were a Christian. Say the girl from Columbine that got her brains blown out for admitting her faith in Christ was instead given a gun and said "If you are really a Christian, lay your gun down and let me kill you." Would she have to do that? I don't think so, to me that sounds a lot like the devil saying to Jesus "if you are really the Son of God, and since you are really hungry, command these stones to be turned to bread." Likewise, couldn't the girl have said, "I am a Christian, my word is proof enough of that. But I do not have to put my gun down so you can kill me to prove it, to cater to you." Not putting a gun down is not recanting your faith in Christ. Denying your faith in Christ is recantation.

So, I am arguing that Katniss in the story could rightfully kill in self defense. But by killing in self defense, she is not competing in the hunger games. Even if she turned out to be the victor and they crowned her as the champ, she could still say she never killed for that reason, and it would be true, despite her being crowned victor.

This is good stuff to talk about with fellow Christians, and for those who have younger children and teens. I may still do a full review of The Hunger Games, but for now let me say this. The writing is done in a simple style, a very readable style, but the subject matter is heavy and thought provoking. Not so much to Wilson, he seems to see this all as flimsy, a matter of situational ethics smoke and mirrors, and for the Christian the only valid response would be taking a sword to the neck or arrow to the heart while on your knees, without any resistance.

But again, this isn't martyrdom. If he wants to be consistent, he should say a woman cannot defend herself from a rapist, that a man cannot shoot an intruder who has broken into his home in order to protect himself, his wife, and his family. He says survival is not the highest good, but is that absolutely, in every situation the case? Obviously it is good in some cases. Otherwise Christ would not have fled when they tried to stone him, otherwise Paul and Peter would not have fled and been commanded by Christ to flee when dissenters tried to kill them. Obviously sometimes living is the highest good, or at least a higher good than not living; that's why we have Romans 13, that's why we have the military, policeman, and neighbors. That is why we have guns.

One last thought, as an aside. At the end of Wilson's review, he gives the book three out of five stars. He gives it a four for holding our attention, a five for "keeping a sense of ethical tension in a world without ethics," and zero stars for "helping Christian young people set their minds and hearts on that which is noble and right." This last rating doesn't make much sense to me. Why score a book that is written by, as far as I know, an unregenerate person who does not claim to be anything other? Would you actually expect to find the unregenerate setting their minds, and their books, on things that are noble and pure and right, when Scripture explicitly says that they cannot? When I read books like the Hunger Games and watch the movie version of it, I do so to be entertained for sure, but more so to see the secular worldview. I want to get a glimpse into the ideas floating around in unbelievers' heads, their questions and answers for this thing we call life (and hopefully in time to finish my own fiction work that illustrates naturally the noble and right things that Wilson and I both desire to see in literature). The book teaches me, it helps me see where the unbelievers are coming from. It is a matter of engaging the culture, of taking it's pulse. And as Francis Schaeffer would say, we should be admiring the works of our unbelieving friends as well, since we are all made in the image of God and to some extent cannot help but do what we were created to reflect and do.

Collins has crafted an admirable novel, with compelling storytelling and quite good, though not quite J.K. Rowling quality writing, and the movie is pretty good to boot. Enjoy them with discernment, for pleasure and as a looking-glass into the unbeliever's worldview and thought process. Do not try to heavily mine them for Christian truth, morality, and nobility. That seems like a no-brainer to me, but the vast majority of Wilson's review is taken up on this issue.   

   

The Literary Genre of Fantasy and Its Use in Imparting Christian Truth

By guest author and blogger: Thomas Clayton Booher






This blog was originally posted at Thomas Clayton Booher's blog Yellow House News






Editor's note: Thomas Clayton Booher is the father of Thomas Fletcher Booher, one of the regular contributors to Worldview Writing.










Fantasy has fascinated me ever since my father gave me theWizard of Oz as a youngster, sick in bed with the flu. I had no idea at the time of what fantasy was. Though my reading is not restricted to fantasy alone, I have always gravitated to it.





Christian fantasy has particularly interested me. Such fantasy has been written for all ages. C. S. Lewis's Space Trilogy ('Out of the Silent Planet', 'Perelandra', and 'That Hideous Strength') is obviously for the older reader. Yet, his ever-popular The Chronicles of Narnia, though written for young children, has a quality to it that satisfies the child-like imagination of the adult. No wonder. Lewis writes in his short essay On Three Ways of Writing for Children, "I am almost inclined to set it up as a canon that a children's story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children's story. The good ones last." In the context, he means that the child will enjoy it not only when a youngster but ever afterwards, on into adulthood and the latter years. I agree with that. Such children's stories approach classic status over time.




Now a corollary of Lewis's canon is this: It should not matter when one reads the children's story for the first time; whether as a child or adult, he will like it. And because he likes it, the message in it has a better chance of getting through. The important point here is that fantasy is right up that alley of children's stories and as a consequence, a good fantasy will resonate with a readership of all ages. Christian fantasy, even when written for the child, becomes a very suitable vehicle for imparting Christian truth to young and old alike.




But let us step back a moment and ask the question, what is fantasy? Our subject is a certain flavor of fantasy, that is, Christian fantasy. But regardless of the flavor, one would expect the basic definition of fantasy to be the same. The understanding of what fantasy is will affect the author's story and the reader's expectations. We ask then, what is fantasy?




One might say fantasy is a story about a make believe world where magical things happen; a place where animals talk and behave much like humans, as beavers and lions (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe) or moles, water rats, badgers, and toads (The Wind in the Willows). You may encounter wizards and witches who cast spells, both good and evil (Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, The Lord of the Rings). You will run into objects that are extraordinarily charmed, and have the power to disarm, such as an apple that puts one who eats of it to sleep forever (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs); or to transform, such as a ring that slowly possesses the mind and will of the one who bears it (poor Gollum); or to rejuvenate, such as a hidden spring that gives longevity to the one who drinks from it (Tuck Everlasting). It is a realm where dangerous or bizarre creatures exist, such as dragons (Dragons in our Midst,Eragon), orcs and ring wraiths (The Lord of the Rings), sorns (Out of the Silent Planet), plant men (The Gods of Mars), and thestrals (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix).




You can find all of this in fantasy, but it does not tell you what fantasy is; it just tells you what it is like. So, what is fantasy? Here is my definition:




Fantasy is a story whose setting is a world governed by natural and supernatural laws wherein ordinary and extraordinary, mundane and magical, worldly and otherworldly beings and objects interact with each other. By supernatural, I do not necessarily mean the supernatural as defined by the theologian, although as a Christian, I find it difficult to think of any other kind when I hear the word. Supernatural here refers to that which is not found in the ordinary workings of our existence; say a looking glass that one can step through, or a wardrobe that is a portal to a wintry, forlorn world. The key point, there is an interplay between the two so that the one is not a surprise to the other. The wardrobe's particular property to serve as an entrance to another world may come unexpectedly, but in the context of things, it fits in rather nicely, and one becomes quite accepting of it (including the reader as well as the fictitious character of the story).




So far, our definition identifies fantasy's world. But what happens in that world? That can be stated succinctly: it is a tale of conflict between good and evil. No surprise there. All stories have a conflict between good and evil however broadly or narrowly you define those two words. Good and evil may merely refer to what makes life easier or worse. For the Christian, however, it refers (at least it should) to the contrast between the holiness of God and the depravity of man. Fantasy, like all story-telling, cannot avoid a clash between good and evil, however mild or severe. For fantasy, I think it is more severe and central, and because of that, fantasy has an inherent quality that makes it a perfect vehicle for imparting Christian truth. After all, the great theme of the Bible is the cosmic battle between God and Satan and the final victory of God through his Son, Jesus Christ.




That is why it puzzles me to hear of "Christian fantasy" degraded as an oxymoron, that is, a contradiction of terms. Christian fantasy has been charged as a dangerous instrument of deceit. Here are some points argued by one who opposes Christian fantasy: (1) fantasy is anti-truth, (for example, animals don't talk, hence a lie); (2) fantasy subtly slips into reality thereby making it difficult, especially for young children, to tell the difference between truth and lie; (3) fantasy does not fit true godliness but moves the reader away from truth and therefore into a denial of God; (4) a love for God will oppose fantasy because the one who loves God loves only the truth. See the link Christian Fantasy is an Oxymoron.




If Christian fantasy had as its purpose to promote a lie, I would wholeheartedly agree. But Christian fantasy uses extraordinary, magical, and otherworldly elements to promote the truth. If you want to portray the evilness of evil, fantasy allows you to do that in its most horrific form (dragons, evil wizards and witches, ruthless and heartless orcs, evil emperors, and so on). Look into the bulbous eyes of Gollum, and you see the evil of greed personified. Contrariwise, fantasy allows you to portray good in its most sublime form. How can any child miss the love and sacrifice of Aslan who gives himself up to merciless mockery and brutal death for the despicable Edmund?




Now, taking this definition of fantasy, we can look at the last book of the Bible and regard it from that perspective. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that the Apocalypse (otherwise known as the Revelation of St. John) is make-believe like the story of The Three Little Pigs, or Sleeping Beauty; or that John, the writer, did not actually experience the visions he wrote about. What I am saying is that John's visions of the four horsemen, demonic creatures in the form of locusts (bearing the face of a man, the hair of women, and the sting of a scorpion); the classic Red Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet (who form a counterfeit Unholy Trinity) are the extraordinary, magical, otherworldly things of fantasy. The point is this: the locusts, dragon, beast, and false prophet in themselves are not real; but what they depict is real - demons and a counterfeit trinity. These are symbolic of a reality that is far more pernicious than the symbol itself.




That brings us to another pertinent aspect of fantasy. Symbolism, to one degree or another, is an inextricable element of fantasy, and as such, follows the very pattern found in the Apocalypse. But more broadly, the images of John's Revelation are non-existent creatures that depict truths about the great battle between God and Satan, good and evil, the people of God and the godless world that has been localized in time and space on planet Earth ever since the temptation of man and his banishment from God's presence in the garden. Christian fantasy has such a broad setting: a universe in which this great battle is taking place and manifested in part through the interaction of mortal human beings with observable magical or supernatural elements.




For these reasons, Christian fantasy may serve quite appropriately as a tool in the hands of a Christian author to identify, portray, and communicate the great truths of God's revelation to man. In my opinion, after Lewis there came a dearth of solid, well-written Christian fantasy that continues even today. I would like to see that change.

Down to Reign: A Poem by Jesse Stiemann

Jesse Stiemann




Authorial Note: I sought to write a poem, and so, a few weeks back, I ventured forth into the night, and was surrounded by fog. I thought of God's grace, and of His hand leading me out of my wicked ways into salvation, and thus began crafting a poem. As I walked, I pondered the imagery of a Psalm, sinking down, and thought up the poem from that perspective. This is the fruit of God's grace through my gift.








As I sink into the mire,
Dark surrounds, my straights are dire,
Sinking further in decay,
There is here no other way.






I was walking blind before,
Now I know that all the more,
No path before, no path behind,
No path to heal my broken mind.






As I sink, I start to mope,
What then could inspire my hope?
I lay here while foes surround,
Now I only lose more ground.






Now what is this, this strange light?
It comes bold, and gives me sight,
Driving all my foes away,
It comes to me; Light of Day.






Inside darkness, full of pain,
There I lay, worth no one’s gain,
A wretched sight, still he nears,
From above, breaking my fears.






Down he comes into the mire,
Here he comes; my hope inspire,
Rescues me amid my foes,
Light of Light, from darkness goes.






Too bright to see where he brings,
In my ears, a great song rings;
“Holy, holy, holy,” cry,
I am with the Holy Tri.






The Spirit takes my cold heart,

Stone shatters, breaking apart,    

Giv’n a heart to do God’s will;
A heart of flesh, beating still.






Jesus stands in front of me,
Father looks, the God-man see,
He says, “I send you back now,
To that earth where I saved thou.






Do not fret, oh my good son,
The battle, yes, has been won;
Man has crushed the serpent’s head,
And evil shall soon be dead.






I send you back now, to that place,
Be my son, and bear My face,
Be not alone, for I shall give,
The Spirit to you; go, live.”






Now I go down to the mire,
Light of light; a burning fire,
Bring life to lost, in their pain,
Until He comes down to reign.