Yes, beauty drives Christian creativity and I wonder what happened. I’ve got two Christian speculative fiction books I promised to read, but they’re so dark that it’s really a struggle.

I just received a major revelation a couple days ago. How did a young man who grew up as a science whiz in high school suddenly drop out and end up an artist? Short answer? The drugs broke through my scientific intellectual pride and showed me beauty. In a world where the lies and hypocrisy had overwhelmed me, this was a breath of fresh air. Of course, as a heathen, my art was dark also.

But then, in 1974, I met Jesus. Within a week my self-centered abstract ugliness resolved into simple, gorgeous landscapes. It’s like my soul realized the source of beauty—all of a sudden. The new life coming through my spirit opened me up to seeing what the creator had done. I started seeing the gorgeous results of the stewardship of dominion. Man actually taking care of the creation, guided by the Holy Spirit, revealed such wondrous things.

Yes, beauty drives Christian creativity even in fiction

However, so many authors buy into the world’s methods that much of Christian speculative fiction remains obsessed by disasters, horrors, and hopelessness. We’re told that we cannot write books that aren’t interesting. That’s true, but for believers there’s always hope, help, and blessing. At least that’s the way my life has rolled.

In reality, the Lord is always with me as I walk through tribulation. I see miraculous deliveries all the time in my daily life. It should be that way in my Christian fantasy books also — unless I’m just out of my mind. I’m so tired of Christian fiction which forces me to put up with the horror, despair, and confusion of the supposed hero or heroine. Even if they’re heathens who don’t know the Lord, at least give me a supporting character who offers real hope. Even the best heathen authors do that. I mean, we can’t offer illicit sex or revenge, can’t we at least offer hope, peace, and joy?