Once upon a time, more literary heroes pursued virtue, or at least knew that they should.[1. Photo by visuals on Unsplash.] But in more modern stories, main characters aren’t motivated by being good, but by being right. They exchange the truth and Law of God for the lie of “personal liberation.” In a world of abuse and tyrants, this can feel appealing. Yet how does this exchange ultimately make stories worse?

Episode sponsors

1. Oasis Audio: “1232” epic audio podcast
   
2. The Culling Begins by Anthony DeGroot
   
3. I. W.R.I.T.E.: How to Write a Novel course
   

Mission update

• Watch for two new Onscreen articles this week:
  
  • ‘Rebel Moon: A Child of Fire’ Plants the Seeds for Promising New Space Opera, A. D. Sheehan
    
  
  
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Reintroducing guest Thomas Umstattd Jr.

Thomas Umstattd Jr. built his first website at age thirteen and taught his first web design class at only age 16. Since 2009, his websites and resources have helped support authors. In 2014, Thomas has been marketing director for Enclave Publishing, and in 2015 Thomas became an author himself, publishing the nonfiction book Courtship in Crisis. As a podcaster, he hosts the Novel Marketing Podcast, and the Christian Publishing Show. Thomas still serves as the CEO of Castle Media Group, parent company of Author Media. He lives in Austin, Texas with his beautiful wife and children.

• ThomasUmstattd.com
  
• NovelMarketing.com
  
• ChristianPublishingShow.com
  

Concession stand

• We may speak of broader cultural terms to add context to the topic.
  
• But many readers resonate with these themes because of backstory.
  
• For more background, check into our Fantastical Foes series last year.
  
• Definitely see our episodes about church trauma and Sentimentalism.
  

Key excerpt from Thomas’s recent article at SteveLaube.com:

An amoral concept has infected Hollywood screenplays and Christian books alike. Some people call it clinicalism, and others call it clinical pluralism. Clinical pluralism is the belief that there is no right or wrong. There is no such thing as evil; there is only trauma. In stories where clinical pluralism is the overarching moral system, villains don’t do evil because they are evil. They do evil because they suffered trauma in the past.

Clinical pluralism is sometimes connected with a Marxist oppressor/oppressed worldview where oppressors are evil, and the oppressed are good. Marxism is an anti-Christian worldview. In Christianity, there are no oppressors or oppressed, slave or free, Jew or Gentile (Galatians 3:28). There are only wretched sinners in need of a Savior. The slave needs salvation as much as his master. The oppressed need a Savior as much as the oppressors do. Being oppressed doesn’t move you one inch closer to the Kingdom, and being an oppressor doesn’t disqualify you from the love of Christ.

Not only is amoral storytelling unchristian, but it is also boring and preachy. We live in a broken world. Everyone experiences trauma. When taken to its logical extreme, amoral storytelling causes villains and heroes to become indistinguishable.

—The Key Ingredient for Timeless Christian Storytelling: Morality, Thomas Umstattd Jr., The Steve Laube Agency, Jan. 9, 2024

1. Classic stories were centered on moral virtue

• Most of these dealt with their heroes’ specific sin struggles.
  
• Consider the fairy tales that often pushed morality to a fault.
  
• In C. S. Lewis’s Narnia, the children often sin and must repent.
  

2. But many modern stories promote ‘liberation’

• How do we see this theme reflected in newer fantastical stories?
  
• “Discover who you really are by throwing off the shackles of your past to unleash your power.”
  
• For example, Thomas compares Captain Marvel (2018) to Iron Man (2008).
  
• We also compare Captain Marvel (the character) to Black Widow’s struggles.
  
• These “liberation” ideas are being laundered through fiction and pop culture.
  
• Jesus, however, told us to “be on your guard against all kinds of greed.”
  
• This “personal liberation” worldview is fundamentally built on envy.
  
• Even some Christian-made fiction can fall into this “toxic empathy” trap.
  
• Jesus also told us to watch out for false teachers within the church.
  
• This can get uncomfortable. We first have to take the planks out of our own eyes.
  
• Yet many writers praised Thomas’s article and said they will apply this encouragement.
  

3. Better stories are returning to classic virtues

• Manga is taking bookstores by storm. That’s because because Japanese storytellers know good fiction requires transcendent meaning.
  
  • Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood directly portrays the “seven deadly sins”
    
  • Demon Slayer shows a Christ-like hero fighting evil spiritual forces
    
  • One Piece tells the tale of a pirate captain who may unite the world
    
  • Spy Family celebrates a totally trad family involved in espionage
    
  
  
• Several Christian-made novels feature characters who experience immense trauma, yet find healing and a higher purpose, such as:
  
  • That Pale Host
    
  • Konig’s Fire
    
  • Lost Bits
    
  
  
• LitRPG, a fast-growing genre, is praised by readers who embrace clear pictures of actions and consequences.
  

Com station

• Have you seen a story that tried to manipulate you into supporting the immoral choices of main characters?
  

Gretchen E K Engel wrote about episode 194:

My favorite movie was a literal 11th hour pick. My husband, son, and I saw Wonka on New Year’s Eve. Fantastic and fantastical! It’s closer to the 1970 film and musical perfection! This is a movie I’d watch again!

By the way, this is the best way to celebrate NYE. Go to the movies and land at home before midnight.

My son loves the Sony Spiderverse movies, and it might be his favorite of 2023. I enjoyed the first one and want to see this one. It’s also an example of good diversity casting that as Zach says, respects the fandom.

As a quintessential GenXer, Sean Astin is always Mikey from The Goonies.

Mon Mothma was my absolute favorite character in Andor and one of my favorite characters, period. A woman in leadership but also a wife and mother resonated with me.

Next on Fantastical Truth

You all love great stories. But how do fantastical books get made? Who takes all that raw material, polishes the edges, and turns the story into a shining jewel? We’ll explore this magical process, the making of fantastical novels from within and without, with Jamie Foley, indie fantasy author and creative director of Enclave Publishing.