We have already seen Halloween, full of candies and other tricky treats.[1. Featured images from Abhishek Hajare on Unsplash (red chilis) and Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash (green candy).] Next came Thanksgiving with its famous feasting. Finally we get the grand finale of festivals: the Advent season leading up to Christmas. So much spicy. So much sugar. These reminded us about fantastical stories and other creative works. Some might have the spicy bite of sarcasm. Others fill you up with too much sugar. How’s a Christian fan to handle these ingredients with wisdom?

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Concession stand

• Here we use “spicy” not about sensuality, but satire, parody, edginess.
  
• We’ll try to avoid squishy and extra-biblical terms like “gray areas.”
  
• But we’ll also avoid absolute declarations about what’s right and wrong.
  
• For issues that aren’t clearly right or wrong, the Bible has other words.
  
• We’ll use those, such as “meat sacrificed to idols” or simple “wisdom.”
  
• Also, you may get hungry, because we’re using a lot of food metaphors.
  

1. What do we mean by ‘spicy’ creative works?

• Stephen thought about this after a certain culturally conservative movie.
  
• It was a surprise drop by the same guys we talked about in episode 188.
  
• Unlike kids’ shows or fantasy drama, this was a vulgarian sports comedy.
  
• Personalities promoted it by promising it will “trigger the right people.”
  
• Basically it was weaponizing a non-fantastical story to “own the libs.”
  
• Meanwhile, Christians are debating Douglas Wilson, a popular pastor/satirist.
  
• Wilson is also the father of the popular fantasy author N. D. Wilson.
  
• So all this discussion affects Christian fantastical fans one way or another.
  
• Some critics don’t like spice because it’s off-putting to them or others.
  
• Others point to biblical mockery and say the parody is morally fair-use.
  

2. What do we mean by ‘sugary’ creative works?

• This one might be easier or harder to define. We can all imagine these.
  
• Stephen’s examples: the worst MCU movies, kitsch, silly evangelical stuff.
  
• And at this time of year, everyone jokes about hate-watching Hallmark.
  
• To sum up, we mean intentionally cozy, sentimental, sticky-sweet stuff.
  

3. How can we enjoy either ‘treat’ in moderation?

• Note our use of the word. It’s a mature and firmly biblical concept.
  
• It’s also taught in Scripture texts that encourage self-control.
  
• Other translations use fine old words like “temperance.”
  
• But the word is used in Phil. 4:5 (in the KJV). Here’s that text in the ESV:
  

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4–9 (ESV)

• Notice the apostle Paul’s frame. Moderation is same as reasonableness.
  
• It doesn’t come from dour self-restriction or legalism, but from rejoicing.
  
• This moderation doesn’t make you anxious. It makes you thankful.
  
• And it is part of enjoying all those things we ought to think about.
  
• Right now, the “sweet” people are happy, but the “spicy” sorts may be upset.
  
• The folks who like spicy stuff are tired of hearing that “clobber verse.”
  
• Of course, Philippians 4 doesn’t rule out edgier parts of the Bible or reality.
  
• Those elements, after all, would fall under whatever is true or just.
  
• We can use those clauses to correct any saccharine sweetness. As we do.
  
• But I’d also point out: when folks are binging on spicy, they get serious.
  
• Last week, I re-learned some don’t like challenges about moderation.
  
• They act like they’ve been accused of consuming poisonous foods.
  
• And they act like you’re trying to make them eat fat-free kale casserole.
  
• Not so. Thus the food metaphor: spicy and sugary things that we enjoy.
  
• But we enjoy these in moderation. If you binge on them, it’s bad for you.
  
• That’s what we’d call for. And it takes joyful maturity to apply this.
  
• If folks like spicy creative works in moderation, they’ll respond well.
  
• And if other folks like sugary stories in moderation, they’ll respond well.
  
• But pity the person who angrily defends this “freedom” for its own sake.
  
• Ultimately that won’t make you happy, or even win a just culture war.
  
• Instead you’ll get sick on the sweetness, or burn your stomach for battle.
  
• Worse, it’ll deaden our sense of delight in the Christ for whom we fight.
  

Com station

1. What are your favorite spicy or sugary stories for the season?
   
2. How do you practice moderation in enjoying these gifts?
   

Wilda remarked about Marian Jacobs’ mixed movie review:

My husband and I just saw it and we enjoyed the music and the beauty but we really did not like how they portrayed the three kings. We did not like the comedic part. It felt weird and disrespectful. Why did they choose to have King Herod’s son in a role and more importantly choose to help them escape is beyond our understanding. Why not stick to the story in truth? I enjoyed it for the most part but I can see how some Christians will have a problem embracing it.

Tyrean wasn’t a fan of some content in Stephen Lawhead novels:

In so many of his book series, Lawhead includes casual disregard, and sometimes verbal and physical abuse of female characters. I never finished the Pendragon cycle, but I remember this distinctly in Hood; in one scene Robin Hood (the hero) slaps Marian and then justified his actions as necessary. It is sickening and not in line with Biblical values.

Mission update

• Recent review and book quest for A Soul As Cold As Frost
  
• Upcoming review of H. L. Burke’s A Superhero for Christmas
  
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Next on Fantastical Truth

Did you ever read the essay where C. S. Lewis criticized trump… ery? At the holiday season? “They buy gifts for one another such things as no man ever bought for himself,” Lewis lamented. But he did love Christmas. So did professor J. R. R. Tolkien, who celebrated so hard that he ghost-wrote letters from Father Christmas, from the North Pole, for his own children. What can we learn about critiquing yet celebrating Christmas from these two legends?