Christianity and Fantasy

This paper explores the connection between Christianity and fantasy in literature, focusing on popular fantasy books like The Hobbit, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, and Ender's Game. It analyzes the themes of Christianity within these books and discusses the impact of religious fantasy on readers.

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Christianity and Fantasy
Author's Name
Institutional Affiliation

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Abstract
Sci-fi stories draw from both the established and theoretical sciences that create a
narrative awareness while fantasy creates a non-real narrative that may be established in a “real
world” environment but contains or relies on structured elements that have no basis in the
scientific literature as a Christian believer. When you add in Christianity with the sci-fi and
fantasy, too many Christians are full of myths and go between natural and supernatural. There is
both good and evil in Sci-fi and Fantasy; they show that individuals who have integrity can
overcome any obstacle. This paper will look at the Hobbit, Harry Potter and the Order of
Phoenix, as well as the Ender’s game which all show how an individual can overcome any
obstacle in their path, they are all faced with challenges, fears, and at some point are charged
with committing a sin in order to defeat their enemy. There is both good and evil in each of these
books. This paper will also address the Multiverse of each book, explore the dimensions of each
book and discuss the sufferings of the innocents.

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Introduction
Literature is full of themes of fantasy and imaginations based on eccentric characters and
mythical creatures. Often, one finds nuances of Christianity or religion in those imaginative
elements try to find expression in the real world. The readers get introduced to real-world
characters who live in fantasy worlds. The Hobbit, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, and
the Ender’s game are some good examples where the sci-fi and fantasy themes carry shades of
Christianity. The paper explores each of those books and discusses the imagination, fantasy
genre and the Christian faith within them.
According to the famous psychologist Carl Jung,” every period has its bias, its particular
prejudices, and its psychic ailment. An epoch is like an individual; it has its own limitations of
conscious outlook, and therefore requires a compensatory adjustment. This is affected by the
collective unconscious in that a poet, a seer, or a leader allows himself to be guided by the
expressed desire of his times” (Ramaswamy, 2014). Religious fantasy has been often used in
literary works and media. A broader view holds that these books with faith, imagination and
fantasy genre represent moral guidelines and reach religious truth through the narratives.
Although the emphasis may vary among writers, the religious content and fantasy writings are
both educational and entertaining. The content of the faith, imagination and fantasy writings are
blended and incorporated in many different formats (Chan, 2012). These books fulfill the need
for fantasy on the one hand and provide emotional and spiritual enjoyment on the other. While a
fantasy book or novel cannot substitute for biblical revelation or Christian faith, the distinct
Christian messages running throughout serve as a motif of forgiveness, self-sacrifice, and
redemption. One cannot ignore the impact of the spiritual and religious message in fantasy

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writing. Still, these books will always serve as a story, and the use of the fantasy genre and the
Christian faith only adds to the richness of the story (Łaszkiewicz, 2013). Fantasy is an
arbitrating art of languages, that links imagination and Subcreation and shares the etymological
characteristics related to unreality. After a series of catastrophic events, there is a happy ending
(Chen, 2014). Tolkien and Rowling differ in the way how they treat their heroes. Frodo suffers a
lot and goes away to a secret place to lead a peaceful life away from the world. Rowling's hero
chooses to come back to the world and the new age (Ramaswamy, 2014).
Fantasy fiction has been around for millennia, and its fragments can be traced back to the
18th century B.C.E. Gilgamesh (West, 2014). The Tolkien phenomenon set the fantasy ball
rolling during the twentieth century. Today, the English-speaking world is alienated among those
who have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and those who are planning to read them.
While the 20th century was a cradle for fantastic proliferation, the 21st century sees the
proliferation of the fantasy genre (Chen, 2014). The fantasy has fast become a mainstream
narrative, thanks to Tolkien. Today, the genre finds expression through novels, comic books,
animation, video games, and movies. As Tolkien observed, fairy tales found a place in the
nursery while fantasy was acceptable for the juvenile audience. Fantasy fits into the world only if
it is given a scientific rationale (West, 2014). According to Ramaswamy (2014), J.R.R. Tolkien
and J.K.Rowling top the list of writers who were able to feel the pulse of their readers, and it is
no surprise to see their books enjoy phenomenal success and rage among the popular culture.
The Hobbit
Tolkien lived in turbulent times of the two World Wars and later a period of alienation
within society due to technological growth. Lack of religion and spirituality motivated Tolkien to
write on subjects of myth and legend and re-examine the questions of morality and lasting

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spiritual truths through his books (Ramaswamy, 2014). Fantasy was used as a therapeutic and to
have a calming effect within the depths of the human mind. Fantasy has a particular influence on
the collective consciousness, and one gets attracted to fantasy when undergoing a difficult phase
of life. The fantasy genre with its designs of fairy tale and myth is reassuring and comforting like
the lost refuge of childhood as stated by Ramaswamy (2014). Tolkien’s linguistic art places
superseding importance on words over stories, and it is his use of critical stylistic figures that add
to the quality of his writing. The vividness in his linguistic creation expounds the fantasy
narrative. As stated by Chen (2014), his linguistic art makes the Secondary world unfolds before
the mind’s eye among the readers.
Tolkien creates fantasy with the use of powerful words and paints the spatial scene with
personification, assonance, consonance, alliteration, rhyme and meter. The vivid spatial
descriptions and figurative expressions accompany the characters and create an anxiety and an
uncanny space of fantasy. For example, those willow trees can move and can be really hostile
and the dreary marshes are able to engulf and turn out to be lethal. The annoying insects create
fear and disturbance as asserted by Chen (2014). Tolkienian fantasy carries a full fantasy and he
draws on the metaphors of “Cauldron” and “Tree” to illustrate mythological hypotexts. He re-
creates a myth with his narrative art by combining mythic themes and motifs. (Chen, 2014). The
Hobbit is like visiting a lost world left behind and the spirit lies in the inspiring medieval tales
and ancient legends with punning heroes. Tolkien creates a sense of awe and history with his
powerful narration and storytelling (Dodds, 2014). Tolkien’s fantasy brand indeed reached to a
wider audience and dream created by him was attractive to those who came after him.
Tolkien’s beloved novel “The Hobbit” is the first novel in the film trilogy based on the
book. The Hobbit takes you to a world constructed on terrific adventure as well as Christian

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principles (Campbell & Garrison, 2012). Tolkien’s deep Christian faith an essential viewpoint to
the grand adventure and the character develops into the kind of hero as he sets out to rescue a
civilization. Tolkien blends Celtic, Anglo and Old Norse mythology under his Roman Catholic
influence to create a deeply religious subtext in The Hobbit. Tolkien smuggled Christian truth in
his fantastical storytelling and was able to past the biases of secularized readers. There are
challenging and encouraging devotionals in The Hobbit that continues to fascinate readers for
decades now. It is the story of humble folk who overcomes fear and despair through
steadfastness and hope. It is a relevant Bible story that takes the readers into a world unlike any
other (Tolkien, 2012). And yet, it is a highly entertaining book that offers new perspectives to the
readers as they can relate to the old-fashioned morality. Tolkien’s classic novel has the dragons,
dwarves, and elves, but beneath all that fantasy lies the tale of daring and heroism. It is not just a
Christian journey but a journey of anybody that is based on morality, courage, and self-sacrifice.
The timeless adventure in the imaginative fiction carries a profound Christian meaning but
explores the spiritual significance at the same time. Millions of readers throughout the world
enjoy the extraordinary story that confronts them with startling honesty. Readers turn to this
novel as it gives them hope amid despair as asserted by Tolkien (2012).
Harry Potter and the order of Phoenix
Harry Potter books represent modern fantasy with those wizardry and magic tricks placed
within everyday problems such as family situations, maturity and relationships with peers.
Children enjoy modern fantasy as they can relate to the situations and face similar life
experiences. While the magical world is indeed fantastical, the lure lies in the truth it reveals
about the real world. The readers discover bravery, making right choices, loyalty, and trust
within the world of magic potions, evil powers and dragons (Webb, 2008). J.K.Rowling shaped

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Harry Potter during the early 1990s when there was a depression across the world in the wake of
the Gulf War. This is when the archetypal hero, Harry Potter, who is oppressed discovers that he
carries great powers in a corresponding fantasy world. The Harry Potter wonder is not limited to
the world of children's literature but is seen as a cross-over fiction that appeals to both children
and adults alike as asserted by Ramaswamy (2014).
The first chapter of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix gives a clear demo of
Rowling's interest in the adolescent experience both of her protagonist and her readers. In the
novel, one can feel the adolescent frustration within the protagonist as Harry is nasty to his
cousin Dudley (Webb, 2008). Rowling's change in narrative voice reflects the change in Harry as
a character. Rowling's writing represents a negative model of fantasy as escapism. Rowling's
readers are exposed to a tragic hero and how the orphan boy becomes a hero at a magical school.
Harry fears the return of Voldemort and in Order of the Phoenix and the readers get aware of
understanding the anxiety and tensions. He is frustrated as he does not know if Voldemort is
already creating havoc. The Order of Phoenix prevents Voldemort from becoming powerful and
wants to take Harry to a top-secret location (Webb, 2008). The book is a fantasy genre is highly
entertaining and with an impressive vocabulary. The teenaged wizard brings an unparalleled
level of excitement in both children and adults.
In Harry Potter and the order of Phoenix, Harry’s panic about Voldemort is uncannily
similar to the conservative Christian panic. The events in the book reveal the clear binaries of
good and evil. Although Rowling’s narrative is filled with complex characters, the basic story is
easy for the reader to follow and is a tale of good versus evil. According to Ingalls (2011), the
tenets of Christianity assert that the Christian life is not easy and those who seek it must be
prepared for a rough time. Rowling’s narrative thus sets the stage for the Christian gospel and

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negotiates the trilemma of good, bad, or in between. Harry Potter’s characters enquire precise
questions about the truths of right and wrong and the existence of God. Harry is raised by an
abusive aunt and is unaware of his own true heritage as a wizard. Many fundamentalist
Christians are against the Harry Potter series as they believe that children can get intrigued by the
occult practices and the magic-based tale can trivialize religious issues. However, Rowling’s
story-line and imagery are drawn from Christianity and other spiritual traditions (Simmons,
2013). The narrative within the Harry Potter series exemplifies Evil in its numerous forms and
how it can die and return again. Rowling openly admits that there is no religious plan in her
books, but they can be useful in preaching moral teachings to children. Although Rowling’s
story-line makes no reference to the reality of gods, God, or any formal religion, the potential
messages within the texts are rich with Christian themes. One can find references to personalities
and practices in her imagery. Many believe Harry Potter books to be appropriate for children as
they tell the Christian story and meet the spiritual longing for the truths of life, love, and death
that are taught by Christianity (Ingalls, 2011).
The Enders game
Ender Wiggin, the protagonist in Ender’s Game, faces alien invaders and defeats them
eventually. The fears of bugger invasion motivate Ender and mold him into a tactical
commander. The temporal wonders and fantasy of near-light-speed travel plus the fictional aliens
add to the imagination of the reader. The world hegemony of Ender’s Game cannot exist without
the fictional buggers (Campbell, 2009). Ender’s Game is a convincing tale of war, horror, justice
and deals with the difficulties of human nature. Ender is haunted by the thought that he has
erased an entire species and seeks redemption. He begins a new spiritual movement that reflects
the need for harmony and truth (Wartick, 2013). Ender’s Game shows how young people can

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help protect the homeland and defeat nasty opponents. The young hero of space fantasy is
horrified by the destruction of an entire species of life (Beck, 2015). The universal humane
values often get ignored in war fantasies, and it becomes difficult to visualize the horrors of real-
life war within the thrills of an imaginary conflict. Ender’s Game appears to be non-religious at
first glance as no religious symbols or characters are discussing their faith. The protagonist
Ender saves humankind from the evil forces and rallies a group of loyal followers around him.
One can draw parallels of him with Christ as he is different from other humans just like Christ.
He is beloved by his followers and controversial for those who feel threatened by him. However,
the significant difference between Christ and him lies in the methods they choose (Huff Post,
2014). While Jesus chose peace, Ender chooses violence. Although Ender turns to violence to
defeat the Formics, he regrets his actions later.
The authors of fantasy approach the religion in different ways and it is not easy to
demonstrate that religious themes within fantasy. While fantasy literature can achieve certain
expectations and address religious issues, one can say that the authors create their own secondary
religions as they place their characters within a meaningful network of choices and obligations
based on morality (Łaszkiewicz, 2013). The religious motifs hold an indispensable place in the
entire adventure and the center of the plot. The Christian paradigm holds that each individual is
unique, special and carries a purpose in life. As man has God given gifts, he can become a role
model and hero for others. If one examines the Harry Potter series, he is shown with unique
powers and is resurrected symbolically once he dies, and thus served by the symbol of Christ.
Although modern science fiction is expected to be anti-god, one can find biblical bent in them.
For example, In Ender’s Game, the children think they are playing the game, but the adults are
playing games with them and often they are tricked to get trained to become leaders. Ender, the

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main character gets manipulated and often gets pushed into extreme environment and struggles
between right and wrong. Tolkien is known for keeping the fantasy genre alive and in Hobbit, he
employs myths, and legends to build a work of fantasy. While the elves in his book stand for the
men’s aspirations, the hobbits carry a conservative goodness about them.
Conclusion
Fantasy and sci-fi stories create an alternate world that may be difficult for a Christian
believer to accept or follow. However, on closer observation, it is apparent that stories like
Hobbit, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix and the Ender’s game carry both good and evil
and show how an individual can overcome any obstacle with faith and courage. Ordinary fiction
places God and his universe as a backdrop and uses characters and events that never occurred.
The fantasy goes further down and explores the dimensions of imagination and creativity and can
alter God’s creation and create sub-creations. Although the fantasy writer enjoys a great deal of
freedom and invents non-human creatures, he has to find a place for human nature and morality
to touch his readers. Thus, it is no surprise to see elements of God of the Bible and Christian
faith even in a radically different universe. The analysis of the novels carefully chosen for this
article reflects how fantasy literature tends to involve religious and spiritual themes. The authors
of fantasy and imaginary world use secondary religions that carry references to existing religions
to a various degree. The writers enrich the secondary realities with religious themes in their
fiction and demand inquiry into the religious quality of life.

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