“There is a time for stories, and there is a time for rational arguments, and the skill we need lies in knowing which to use, and when.” — Os Guinnesse
I recently came across an article by Mark Tapson who wrote:
“The most compelling science fiction is that in which the core of the story is not the threat of hostile aliens or Death Stars, but the dangers posed by our own humanity.”
And there are few better examples of such compelling science fiction than the old Twilight Zone series where Rod Serling often used fictional threats—like aliens—to shine a penetrating light on real-life threats. Serling even conceded:
“I found that it was all right to have Martians saying things Democrats and Republicans could never say.”
But where are those storytellers like Serling today? Where are those men and women who are cleverly adept at using the vehicle of fiction to share far deeper truths to a much wider audience who would otherwise not be interested in seeking out those truths?
Dare I suggest, they’re all around us?
They’re the lesser-known libertarian and conservative Christian authors whose books we give little regard to, but whom we should familiarize ourselves with because — after all — who better understands “the dangers posed by our own humanity” than Christians and libertarians?
The Power of Fiction
Non-Christian readers who would never read books such as John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, JC Ryle’s Holiness, or John Owens’ Mortification of Sin, have thoroughly enjoyed CS Lewis’ entire Chronicles of Narnia series. Likewise, many professing Christians who would never read a book on practical witchcraft, happily own the entire Harry Potter series.
So, what’s the common denominator? What would persuade an agnostic to read books with religious themes, and what would attract a Christian to read books with occultic themes? The answer is remarkably simple: a compelling story, well told.
Humans love stories. We’re drawn to them — enchanted by them actually — and although non-fiction books are great, there’s something deeply intoxicating about a well-crafted fictional tale.
And when it comes to changing the world around us, it could be argued that fiction has been more successful at influencing readers than most non-fiction.
The use of storytelling, be it in books, movies, television, art, or music, has long been a catalyst for change in our culture, because, as Francis Schaefer once observed:
“For many, what they see on television is more true than what they see with their eyes in the external world.”
But why is this true?
Nancy Pearcey, in her book Saving Leonardo, attempts to answer this question:
“T.S. Elliot once noted that the serious books we read do not influence us nearly as much as the books we read for fun (or the movies we watch for entertainment). Why? Because when we are relaxing, our guard is down and we engage in the ‘suspension of disbelief’ that allows us to enter imaginatively into the story. As a result, the assumptions of the author or screenwriter may go unnoticed and seep all the more deeply into our consciousness.”
It’s through the age old art of storytelling that authors possess the power to shape the hearts and minds of others, yet today, this medium is most often neglected by Christian libertarians—if not outright ignored.
Examples of Fiction’s Influence
Consider that two exceedingly popular, best-selling books written in the last hundred years is George Orwell’s 1984 (warning of the evils of communism) and Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged (often credited as a gateway drug to libertarianism for those who make it through its voluminous pages). And then consider that one of the most widely read and enduring books in the world for over 300 years has been John Bunyan’s beloved Christian classic, Pilgrim’s Progress which has sold over 200 million copies and has never been out of print since its first publication in 1678.
What do these three books have in common? They’re all works of fiction. And the truth is, as much as we may not want to admit it, they’ve all reached a broader audience than the likes of F.A Hayek, Murray Rothbard, and Frédéric Bastiat, or R.C. Sproul, Charles Spurgeon, and John MacArthur.
These three novels alone did more to introduce the world to libertarianism and the Christian faith (respectively) than most non-fiction books advocating the same ideals.
But why are authors who promote libertarianism and the Christian faith — through the conduit of fiction — so often ignored by those who share these same beliefs? Perhaps it’s because the allure of intellectualism is so great that most don’t feel there’s any value in trifling with fiction, even though an appeal to the likes of the aforementioned Orwell, Rand, and Bunyan would prove otherwise.
Conversely, however, our adversaries have not neglected the persuasive power of fiction, art, film, and music — they’ve actually been exploiting these areas to advance their agenda for decades. In fact, hijacking the arts was just one of their many steps designed to bring America to its knees in subjection to a Marxist dystopia.
Destruction By Design
In 1958, W. Cleon Skousen revealed communism’s 45 goals to take over America in his book, The Naked Communist. Goals 20–25 pertained directly to arts and entertainment:
20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.
21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV & motion pictures.
22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all form of artistic expression. (An American communist cell was told to ‘eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings,’ substituting shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms.’)
23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. (‘Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art.’)
24.Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them ‘censorship’ and a violation of free speech and free press.
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio and TV.
Instead of competing with our sworn enemies in the arena of arts and entertainment, we happily abdicated these influential areas to our adversaries so we could focus on more serious avenues of influence, like non-fiction. And now we are paying the price as we and our children are drowning in the most base, vulgar, and profane movies, music, art, and literature imaginable — an ever-increasing portion of which pushes an anti-Christian, collectivist agenda. This alone, if for no other reason , should be impetus enough to support Christians and libertarians in the arts.
Nancy Pearcey again:
“Many ministries and [Christian] activist groups pay no attention to the arts unless it is expedient — unless it gives them an opportunity to mount a public protest, rally the troops, and raise money. . . . Where is their ongoing support for creative people who are gifted to lead the culture in positive directions? . . . The long-term solution is to support Christian artists, musicians, authors, and screenwriters who can create humane and healthy alternatives that speak deeply to the human condition.”
Quality Assurance
Now, this does not mean we should settle for subpar efforts. On the contrary. We should seek out and find the books, films, art, and music that not only exemplifies our beliefs, but does so in the highest quality. The story should be worth telling, and it should be told well. And if it is, then it should be supported, encouraged, and shared by Christian libertarians everywhere.
Unfortunately, many Christians and libertarians have not been very encouraging to or supportive of creatives in their own camp, and thus, the artists whose very labors could evoke real change, end up withering on the vine.
So, what do we do? Nancy Pearcey gives us direction:
“Where is the music and art that expresses biblical truths so eloquently that it invites people to embark on a search for God? Christians must go beyond criticizing the degradation of American culture, roll up their sleeves, and get to work on positive solutions. The only way to drive out bad culture is with good culture. . . . The church must once again become a place with a reputation for nurturing artists, those with a special gift for giving visual and imaginative expression to biblical truth.”
Conclusion
Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, observed:
“The propagandist’s purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.”
There’s no doubt as to the level of success the propagandists of Marxism have had. Fortunately, our side also has the tools and the talents to combat the propaganda of those who would seek to enslave us. Unfortunately, however, Christian libertarian authors, artists, film makers, and musicians, can’t do it alone. We need you — we need each other.
With your support and encouragement, our message can reach far and wide in our endeavor to remind “one set of people” that “certain other sets of people” are human, are made in the image of God, and are deserving of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
J.L. Pattison is an award-winning speculative fiction author whose books have earned him favorable comparisons to Rod Serling, M. Night Shyamalan, and Ray Bradbury. He also writes for such publications as Liberation Day, Predict, The Startup, and The Writer’s Sanctuary. His articles have also been featured at Mere Liberty and on Wretched TV.
