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Where would a culture be without its heroes and their acts of courage? How can a society survive without strength and hope? It is in the dark times and in moments of weakness that stories of courage and strength, those which promise hope, have the most value. This issue explores the redemptive power of stories and their ability to impact and transform. Contributors: C.M. Alvarez: “Hope, Life, and the Fountain of Trevi,” a reflection on the enduring draw of the famous fountain; “Lava: A Story of Love and Hope” on the deeper meanings found within the Pixar short; and “The Making of a Hero,” a commentary on the forms of courage and an illustration of its development found in C.S. Lewis’s “Till We Have Faces” and the film, “Dear Frankie” directed by Shona Auerbach. Karise Gililland: “Relict,” a poem on the transition from bewildered suffering to active hope. Lucas W. Holt: “The Adventures of Asher Svenson: Story One: The Secret Wood,” a short story on the Mystery of the Forest. Nicole Howe: “A Reason for Our Hope: The Role of Fairy Stories in Christian Apologetics,” an essay on why fairy stories matter. Jason Monroe: “The Lord of the Rings and Consolation Concerning Death” on the central theme of J. R. R. Tolkien’s masterpiece. Annie Nardone: “The Power in Pain” on the first-hand experience of pain. Seth Myers: “Tales of Courage and Hope: Black Panther in Middle Earth and Narnia” on the connections from Oxford to Hollywood; and “Tales of Courage and Hope: Hamilton in Middle Earth and Narnia: Part One & Part Two” on the connections from Oxford to Broadway. Josiah Peterson: “The Homeric Versus the Christian Ideal of Man” on contrasting the nature of humanity Daniel Ray: “Courage in the Cosmos” on the Boldness of Our Story. Zak Schmoll: “The Heroism of the Ordinary in The Lord of the Rings” on the character of Samwise Gamgee.
Superheroes captivate our cultural imagination. From reading comic books in our childhood bedrooms to watching the latest blockbuster on the silver screen, we long to see the champion defeat the villain and ultimately rescue the world from certain destruction. Though the stories may be fantastical, our desires are not. Our hearts are drawn to superheroes because we want someone to triumph over evil and save the world. This issue of An Unexpected Journal proposes that just maybe our desires have already been fulfilled. Contributors Jesse W. Baker: "The Power of Weakness" on Questions of Violence Donald W Catchings, Jr.: "He Will Rise" on Nolan's Salvific Themes Annie Crawford: "Super-Women and the Price of Power" on Gendered Superheroes Joseph Holmes: "Superheroes and Worship" on the Attraction of Superhero Movies Christy Luis: "Ex-Cult Member Saved by Grace" on the Dangers Of False Heroes Jason Monroe: "Answering Joker’s Dark-Knight-Defying Anarchy" on Competing Worldviews Seth Myers: "Global Superheroes from the Disneyverse and Studio Ghibli" on Heroism Manifested around the World; "Once a Prince or Princess: MacDonald’s Moral Superheroines and Heroes in the Princess Tales" on Ordinary Heroic Actions; and "Planets, Poetry, and the Power of Myth in Halo and Destiny" on the Apologetic Power of Video Games Annie Nardone: "Just a Sidekick?" on the Importance of Support Cherish Nelson: "Person or Persona: What's Inside the Spider-Verse?" on Plantinga's Conception of the Multiverse Megan Joy Rials: "Diana Prince, Apologist? Salvation and the Great Commission in Wonder Woman" on an Unlikely Apologist Jason M. Smith: "Worth Reading" on Some Good Starting Points James M. Swayze: "Superheroes, Saviors, and C.S. Lewis" on Epic, Myth, and Human Longings John P. Tuttle: "Humility Contra Pride as Represented in Thor (2011)" on the Superiority of Virtue Clark Weidner: "Faith on Trial in Frank Miller’s Daredevil Comics" on Questions of the Greater Good About the Cover We are all looking for a hero, someone to battle monsters that threaten. A hero can battle the monsters without, but only the Superhero can conquer the monster within. An Unexpected Journal Summer 2021 Volume 4, Issue 2 300 pages
Dragons: History, Myths, and Legends Greedy, wicked, vengeful, powerful. Dragons occupy a powerful position in cultural imaginations across the world and across the years. From C.S. Lewis's boy who almost deserved to be named Eustace Clarence Scrubb to the Hydra of Greek mythology, these creatures Contributors: "Dragonish Thoughts in Our Hearts: Dragons as Mirrors of the Human": Junius Johnson on Our Internal Tension "Desolation": Donald Catchings on Joining the Fight and "Violence of Fire," a short story on a coming conflict. Excerpt from The Chaos Spiral: Adam Brackin on Dragons in the Bible "Wangerin and Wyrm": Christine Norvell on a Great and Cosmic Evil "A Tale of Two Dragons: Reflections on Corruption, Conviction, Grace, and Sacrament": Melissa Cain Travis on a Restoration of Humanity "The Cardinal": Jacqueline Wilson with a poem on a Loss of Humanity "Grathugar": George Scondras with a short story on a Glory-Seeking Knight "St George and the Dragon: Inspiration and Identity": W.H.G. Kingston on the Heroic Knight "Lewis’s Dragons and Materialism: A Reflection on Eustace Scrubb and Other Dragons": Clark Weidner on the Need for Imagination "Hercules and the Hydra": Alex Markos on a Christian Retelling "Dragons, Snakes and Demons: A Medieval and Biblical Bestiary for Modern Minds": Ted W. Wright on Dragons of History. "Job and His Dragon": Carla Alvarez on the Problem of Evil "The Forbidden Fountain": A short story by Azalea Dabill on a Dragon’s Poison "Nella Sua Voluntade": Elizabeth Martin on Challenging Dragonish Archetypes "Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Buried Giant: The Dragon of False Memory": Tracey Leary on Reconciliation An Excerpt from Dragonslayer: Beginnings: Carey Green on Courage "The Dragon’s Demise: Experiencing Apocalypse": Jesse W. Baker on the Relevance of Revelation .Cover Art Our cover illustration was created by Chilean artist, apologist, and physician Virginia de la Lastra. Summer 2022 Volume 5, Issue 2 2r0 pages
The Power of Imagination Our imaginations are often treated as relics of our childhood. We are told to grow up and leave that sense of awe and wonder behind. What if these modernistic tendencies were entirely wrong? What if we were meant to live enchanted lives, seeing the world with the joy and amazement? This collection of essays, stories, and poems is meant to explore the power of the imagination and its unique connection to our human nature. Contributors "Imagination and Its Role in Faith" by C.M. Alvarez. An essay on how imagination open the mind to faith. "We Have Sinned and Grown Old: A Reflection on Imagination and Motherhood" by Nicole Howe. An essay on the innocence of youthful wonder. "Messiah" by Adam L. Brackin. A short story of a voyage to Paradise. "Awe" by Annie Nardone. A poem regarding a sense of wonder. "The Adventures of Asher Svenson, Story Two: A Feast of Fishes" by Lucas Holt. The second installment with the tale of Asher Svenson and his adventures at the seashore. "Reviving a Sacred Imagination" by Annie Crawford. An essay on the way reason and imagination are both necessary for discipleship. "Light in the Darkness" by Korine Martinez. A short story about striving against evil. Inspired by the true story of Charlotte Thomason. "Imagining Conversion" by Josiah Peterson. An essay regarding the way conversion stories change lives. "God, the Playwright" by Donald W. Catchings, Jr. A poem on the Gospel as an imaginative masterpiece. "The Armor of the Dragon: Chapter One - What Grew in the Garden" by Daniel Asperheim. A short story on the beginning of a magical adventure. "Re-Enchanting the World: A Tale of Two Paradigms" by Josh Herring. An essay on overcoming our modern disenchantment. "Celestial Rodeo" by Daniel Ray. A short story on the importance of humility. "The Imaginative Power of Sub-Creation" by Zak Schmoll. An essay reflecting on why we love Tolkien's stories. Cover art by Virginia de la Lastra Volume 2, Issue 1, Spring 2019 ​​​​​​​198 pages
Celebrating the Works of George MacDonald George MacDonald inspired the imaginative visions of C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, J.R.R. Tolkien, and so many others. He presents the reader with an enchanted world that is richer than the flattened world of materialism that defines reality for so many. Through this volume, we hope to invite the reader into the world of fantasy en route to discovering a true reality. Take a tour of the books of this classic Christian author, from his christian fantasy novels for both children and adults as well as his theological works. Contributors: Donald W. Catchings Jr.: "A Heavenly Guide: Lewis's 'Teacher' in The Great Divorce," a poem on the wise Scotsman. G.K. Chesterton: "On George MacDonald," a reflection by Chesterton on one of his favorite authors. Kelly Lehtonen: "Romanticism, the Marble Lady, and the Orders of Longing in Phantastes" on MacDonald's Christian view of human nature. George MacDonald: "The Imagination: Its Function and Its Culture," a fully annotated version of this classic essay on the important of imagination with George MacDonald's original notes. Jason Monroe: "Fight the Miserable Things: Reflections on the Joy in At the Back of the North Wind" on regaining joy with imagination. Seth Myers: Seth Myers: "Phantastes: Enchanting Beauty and Sacrificial Love" on joy, hope, and faith illustrated in MacDonald's classic fantasy novel; "Lilith and The Queen's Gambit: Two Ingenue Who Learn Love Through Sacrifice" on growing with community; and "From MacDonald to Magical Realism: Faith and Fantasy with Romantics, Marquez, Murakami, and Van Halen" on MacDonald's influence on fantasy for adults. Annie Nardone: "The Richness of Plain Talk: Interview with David Jack on Translating the Beauty of George MacDonald" on language and literature. Daniel Ray: "Old MacDonald's Dish: A Hearty Serving of George MacDonald's Thoughts on the Imagination and Its Relevance to Contemporary Apologetics," an essay on why the writing of George MacDonald matters. Megan Joy Rials: "The Lizard or the Stallion? George MacDonald on the Retroactivity of Heaven and Hell in The Great Divorce" on Lewis's choice of guide. George Scondras: "Good Enough to Believe In: George MacDonald and the Knowledge of the Ineffable" on justified belief in God. Aaron Stephens: "MacDonald, George," a poem on the border of Fairyland. John P. Tuttle: "Aëranths, Angels, and Allegory" on allegory in The Golden Key. Advent 2020 Volume 3, Issue 4 300 pages
Whether chosen and celebrated--like going off to college or welcoming your first baby--or unexpected and anxiety-inducing--like losing a job or grappling with a broken trust--all change brings stress. Kristen Strong knows about change--especially the kind you didn't choose or expect. What she's fought hard to learn over the years is that change is not something to be feared but something to be received as a blessing from a God who, more often than not, works through change, not in spite of it. Strong has learned to see change not as a grievance but as a grace. In this hope-filled book, she shows women how when we follow God's will, we receive blessings of contentment, purpose, and renewed strength. She encourages women to see change not as the end of their story but as the scenery for this part of life's journey. And she offers practical advice for coping with change in every part of life. Anyone who has struggled to adjust to life's transitions will welcome this warm and personal perspective.
How to overcome worry and fear is a question many are asking today. With fear and anxiety at epidemic levels, it can be easy to think that Jesus's promise to give a "peace that passes all understanding" is wishful thinking. It is time to reframe and refocus. In the course of the 7-day devotional, core fears are identified and a Scriptural response given. Reflections for each day help disarm the fear and claim the victory in Christ. Included is a 30-day workbook to track your progress as you walk into your new life living in the peace of God.
Finding Joy in All Circumstances In a world chasing happiness, how does one find true joy? In a faith that promises joy as one of its benefits (Galatians 5:22), Christians should have the market cornered on joy, but do we? What is the original meaning of joy and what is the use of it? In this issue, contributors share examples of joy, some hard-won and at the end of a trial. We hope these pieces will help you find the definition of joy in your own life. Contributors “Review of What is Heaven Like? By Richard Eng”: Jasmin Biggs on the theological truths found in a children’s book. “Again I Say: An Excerpt From In Their Mother's Arms”: a novel excerpt by Donald W. Catchings, Jr. on a post-apocalyptic dystopia. “Joy and the Mind of the Reader”: Annie Crawford on why we should read. “Meticulous Mycologist: How Beatrix Potter Inspired C.S. Lewis”: Carrie Eben on joy in Beatrix Potter. Poems “Broken Blessings” and “Jubilee”: Joshua S. Fullman on God’s gifts. Poems “Home at Last” and “Song of Songs”: Ann Gauger on longing and love. “Joy - Brief”: Soujourna Howard on joy through pain. “The Shoes”: a short story by Kim Jacobson on finding spiritual joy. “Joy, Hedonism, and Scientific Utopia”: Jason Monroe on a truly good life. “Joy as Life’s Fuel”: Seth Myers the pursuit of joy. “Joy in the Mystery”: Annie Nardone on joy and donegality. “Review: Mere Evangelism”: Josiah Peterson on a new work on C.S. Lewis. “The Crown Because of the Cross: The Inseparability of Suffering and Joy in the Thought of C.S. Lewis”: Megan Joy Rials on suffering and joy and “A Review of A Green and Ancient Light by Frederic S. Durbin” on a worthy successor to C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. “Gratitude and the Happiness Machine”: Zak Schmoll on the root of joy. “Father Stu: A Story of Faith and Flaws, of Dreams and Determination”: John P. Tuttle on an authentic biopic. Poems “Joy's Arrival” and “Hidden in the Boughs”: Sarah Waters on coming together. “Joy (And Truth and Love): Some Johannine and Pastoral Reflections”: Donald Williams on a Johannine look at joy. Photography contributions by Tommy Darin Liskey .Cover Art Our cover illustration was created by Chilean artist, apologist, and physician Virginia de la Lastra. Fall 2022 Volume 5, Issue 3 240 pages
Planting the Seeds of Imagination Holly Ordway has established herself as one of the preeminent voices in the field of cultural apologetics. Her ability to engage with the imagination is clearly demonstrated through her own scholarly work, most recently the paradigm-shifting Tolkien's Modern Reading, but her influence was critical in the founding of An Unexpected Journal as well. This collection of essays, poetry, and stories demonstrates her wide-ranging impact that is truly bearing a fruitful harvest. Contributors "Maps," My Map by Jesse W. Baker on the importance of poetry. "Contrary Winds: Tolkien's Priority of Faith and Family" by Donald W. Catchings, Jr. on Tolkien's personal values, and "The Call" on the teacher's call. A review of Tolkien's Modern Reading by Annie Crawford "Drawing the Drawing Out of Me" by Virginia de la Lastra on a pleasant surprise. "Ordway's Myth-Busting Research: Tolkien's Modern Reading (A Review)" by Ryan Grube on a paradigm shift. "Poetry as Prayer, Imagination the Spark to Worship and Service: Ordway's Review of Gerard Manley Hopkins in Word on Fire's Ignatian Collection" by Seth Myers on contemplation, poetry, and missionizing. "A Passage to Something Better" by Annie Nardone on Tolkien's approach to virtue. An interview with Holly Ordway "Middle-earth and the Middle Ages" by Joseph Pearceon the influence of Beowulf. "Dr. Ordway's Visual Guide to Paragraph Structure" by Josiah Peterson on creating meaning. "Lost and Found" by Theresa Pihl on changing perspective; "Learning Writing at Writespace" by Jamie Danielle Portwood on the importance of community. "Gandalf: The Prophetic Mentor" by Zak Schmoll on the Defeat of Sauron. "A Case of Mistaken Identity" by Jason M. Smith on our great misconception. "Peak Middle-earth: Why Mount Doom is not the Climax of The Lord of the Rings" by Michael Ward "Echo and Narcissus" by Clark Weidner on the goodness of reality. "Some Real Magic: Taliessin Lectureth in the School of the Poets" and "The Challenge of 'The Republic'" by Donald T. Williams on poetic imagination. "Unveiling Reality Through the Imagination" by Jared Zimmerer on a strategy to fight meaninglessness. Cover Illustration by Virginia de la Lastra Advent 2021, Volume 4, Issue 4 270 pages