Thursday, 26 January 2023

Novel Review and Spirit-filled Fiction Award: Daughter of Zebulon by Jane Woodlee Hedrick.

Daughter of Zebulon 


The Omega Watchers series continues with its third installment, by acclaimed author Jane E. Woodlee Hedrick.

Don't miss out on the exciting return of Gabriella in 'The Daughter of Zebulon'!

Rev. 7:4 - Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

The end of days has begun. Gabriella is sealed and anointed as a Chosen One from the Tribe of Zebulon. She now exists in the supernatural realm no longer bound by the dimensions of time and space.

In the midst of Gabriella’s interdimensional travels, the boundaries of reality are blurred. As she moves between time and untime, she does not know where she will find herself. Her human desire is to awaken before the rapture…to return to the man she loves. Her spiritual desire is to fulfill her chosen mission, wherever that takes her.

When Gabriella moves into the supernatural dimension of untime, the evil Arcturus continues to shadow every step of her mission - his ultimate goal is the destruction of her soul. In the dimension of the natural realm, the satanic cabal has a bounty on her life – she knows too much about the coming New World Order. The battle rages no matter where she is transported.

Through Gabriella’s supernatural travels, The Spirit of God guides her with divine protection performing miracles as a sign to unbelievers. The Chosen One will expose Satan’s great deception bringing salvation to her people Zebulon, a Lost Tribe of Israel.

Perspective by Peter:


This series just gets better and better! I have had a long association with these novels and the author since the publication of the first novel, The Omega Watchers. I approached the author about reviewing this novel in 2014 and I am so glad I did. These novels are Spirit-filled and have been used by God to educate and instruct in Biblical eschatology. 

The novels in this series are:


A mysterious Dead Sea Scroll revealed prophecies of the return of the fallen angels and the timing of their release from the abyss where they have been imprisoned awaiting their final judgment. But, there is a missing piece to the prophetic puzzle!

Gabriella’s cave exploration leads her team on an ominous journey to discover a lost prophecy from the days of Noah and find her own spiritual truth. In her search, she opens her mind to a “Watcher” that captures her with his mystical powers of universal knowledge as they travel between time and untime.

This deceiving spirit proclaims the coming of the Ascended Master who will usher in a new age of peace for all mankind. Gabriella feels totally alone as her friends believe Yahweh as the one true God and they struggle to convince her she is falling deeper and deeper into a pit of destruction and is about to cross the point of no return.



The Third Strand, a sequel to ‘The Omega Watchers’, is a high-suspense Christian novel based on Biblical prophetic events of the end days.

The Psalms 83 war has just occurred and Israel’s stunning victory has triggered the beginning of the end days, ushering in the worst years that will ever be upon the face of the earth.

After days of being in what appeared to be a coma, Gabriella awakens to her new reality: strange surroundings, everyone she loves has vanished, and she is entombed in a hidden bunker with a man she barely knows - Chris, the officer assigned to protect her research team.

Quickly, a spiritual bond forms between Gabriella and Chris. Together they secretly witness the False Prophet’s preparations to introduce the Satanic One World Leader and the demonic plan to initiate the mark of the beast. Gabriella knows she is ‘chosen’ to expose the powers of darkness, but how does she begin?

During the day, Gabriella lives end-time prophecies coming to fruition. At night in vivid dreams, she continues to struggle with reality returning to the days before the rapture. Time and untime will continue to haunt her until...


This series is especially relevant and important in today's timeline as the events outlined in these novels show that we are in the End Times before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, His Glorious Appearing. I am in my 60s and I believe I will see His return. As I have said in the previous 2 reviews/posts, it is important that all Christians know about Biblical Eschatology as the events outlined in many books of the Bible, specifically Daniel and Revelation, but in other Biblical and extra-biblical books are happening as we speak or leading up to them. 

So what are the themes in this Eschatological thriller series? Demons, astral travel, angels, spiritual warfare, demonic deception, and end-times deception, One World Government, the Antichrist, One World Religion, population control and manipulation, spiritual enslavement, the Second Coming of Christ. 

Jane is developing the fourth novel in this series and I am on her Beta Reader Team. I have read the first four chapters that she has given the Team and it does progress the storyline, together with yet another plot twist! But readers of this series are used to these plot twists, Jane's trademark! 

This series is a must-read and is a very comprehensive instruction and teaching on Biblical Eschatology. If a Christian or even non-Christian wanted to learn more about this type of eschatology, this series would be an excellent place to start. I have read each book again with the publication of the next novel and I have done this with Daughter of Zebulon. I had to do this to see how this next novel follows from DoZ. And it does very well. I have even thought that Jane should combine Daughter of Zebulon with this next novel, and keep the same title, even if it means it becomes a longish novel! Jane has extensively researched all in and outs of eschatology and even conducts Bible study groups around them. I have no doubt regarding any of her research and what she presents. 

Adults learn best in a fun or entertaining environment and this fiction platform more than adequately provides for this and in understanding the themes of eschatology that Jane passionately presents in this series. 

New readers to this series will benefit from having all 4 novels (or 3 if Jane makes my suggestion a reality!) all together to read one after the other. There is so much to absorb and understand that it would require reading one after the other. I plan to do this once this last offering is published. It will be well worth it!

Now in relation to Daughter of Zebulon, the title is well-explained and forms the basis of the next novel. It is slower-paced compared to the previous two novels but does progress the plot arcs from them into this novel and one can see this coming to a satisfying end in the fourth novel. More demonic/end-times deception develops and the pursuit of Gabriella and Chris increases. Just when you predict where Jane is going with the story arc, there is a plot twist at the end of the novel, that threw me and was totally unexpected. I was momentarily confused but then realised I had to investigate an event in one of the previous novels that relate to this and then it becomes clearer why Jane did this. And in these first 4 chapters of this new developing novel that Jane send me, it becomes even clearer. This plot twist is very clever on Jane's part. She is one master storyteller on one level and an exceptional Bible teacher on another. Or should I say, eschatological teacher? :)

Gabriella's relationship with God is taken to a deeper spiritual level. In the novel's description, this is described well and is what you do see in the novel. It is why this novel is Awarded the Spirit-filled fiction Award by Radiqx Press (see below). Such an encouragement for us to have this type of relationship with God and Jesus. This is not just found in novels like this, it can be our reality if we just become fully surrendered to God and let His Spirit work in our lives. As Gabriella says,

"I will follow the Lamb wherever He leads me!"

I have been quoted by Jane in saying the following in relation to The Omega Watchers and it is still applicable to this series, 

“In Hedrick’s well-crafted novel, both the plot and all the details relating to the Nephilim, alien visitation, end times deception/eschatology are carefully intertwined and form a solid basis for this fast-paced, suspenseful, edgy, speculative based novel. I cannot wait to see what happens next and be further entertained, edified, and educated in eschatology, spiritual warfare, and demonology.”

I encourage any reader with an interest in Eschatology to read this series. You will benefit greatly from Jane's research and application of the same to this thrilling series. 

I have conducted two interviews with Jane. They can be found here:

Jane Woodlee Hedrick, Author of The Omega Watchers, 18/06/15

Jane Woodlee Hedrick, Eschatology and The Third Strand, 18/08/17


Highly Recommended.


The three ratings below are based on my discernment:


World Building 5/5

Characters 5/5

Story 5/5

The two classifications below are based on the booklet, A Spiritual System for Rating Books by David Bergsland:

Spiritual Level 5: Spirit-filled Fiction

Enemy Spiritual Level  4: Demons and Level 5: the battle for the spirit and mind.

Overall Rating: 5/5

————————————————————————————

Spiritually, based on my review and on the following reference booklet, A Spiritual System for Rating Books by David Bergsland, and that Daughter of Zebulon contains the main elements of the criteria of what constitutes Christian Spirit-filled Fiction outlined in this booklet, specifically that,

These books share the true power of a spirit-filled life totally given over to Jesus. They show an intimate personal relationship where a character has two way communication with his Lord and Messiah. Such a character not only speaks to God, he or she hears from the Lord on a regular basis—often hourly, normally daily. This reveals the wonder of the transformed child of God as they are trained, discipled, disciplined, and blessed.

I bestow unto Jane E. Woodlee Hedrick, the


Reality Calling Christian Spirit-filled Fiction Award




Congratulations, Jane!


If you would like to investigate this series further, click on the link below:




Readers and reviews are an author’s best asset, so I encourage any reader, to consider reading all three novels in this Omega Watcher series and submit a review on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest (or any other social media you subscribe to).

Reviews help promote an author’s novel to potential readers and encourage the author to keep writing. Reviews also help get the author’s message (and God’s message) to the reader, whether Christian or not, who may need encouragement and support in their lives while being entertained by the story.

Please note: As an Amazon Associate, I am required to disclose that book cover images or titles of novels in this post are paid links if they are linked to Amazon and result in a sale.

Monday, 23 January 2023

Series Review and Spirit-filled Fiction Award: The Saga of Christopher Barrett series by Jocolby Phillips.

Christopher, the leader of an elite U.S. special operations unit undertakes one of the most important missions of his military career, attempting to rescue a French journalist kidnapped by ISIS, while distracted with trusting God over himself. He is confused and angry with God and ineffective in his leadership, however, Jackson, the team-deputy and long-time mentor and friend provides much-needed stability for Christopher and the team.

The operation reinforces in Christopher that God was not to be trusted when needed most and Jackson leaves the mission searching for God and meaning to his life, as the men prepare to return to Washington D.C for debriefing. As Christopher and his team redeploy from the rescue mission back to Washington D.C., they find themselves out of work as the National Security Advisor deactivates the Christopher-led unit pending an investigation into the failed journalist rescue.

Things go from bad to worse for Christopher and Jackson as the two disgraced soldiers are thrust, unbeknownst to them, into the midst of the Rapture. They attempt to keep the chaos of a post-rapture world at bay, in a series of globetrotting missions, from rural Virginia to Brazil, ancient Babylon to remote Alaska. The actions of the president and others leave the world on the brink of World War. Christopher continues throughout each mission to trust himself above God. He refuses to listen to the Holy Spirit-inspired advice that those around him provide and the question lingers will he reconcile and surrender his pain to God.

Rise Of The Beast: The Tribulation Begins (Rapture: The Saga of Christopher Barrett, Book 2)

In Rise of The Beast, the action-packed sequel to Rapture Advent of The Last Days, the seven-year tribulation has begun with Christopher Barrett and Jackson Williams fighting for survival.

In the wake of World War III, Gabriella Costa finds herself working as the intelligence director for arguably the most powerful world leader in history, Draven Cross. She will face tests of loyalty to Omega while trying to survive the wrath of her new employer. Meanwhile, the world suffers at Draven’s whims when he unleashes a merciless biological weapon that leaves millions dead...Two mysterious men, labeled the Witnesses, draw lines between those believing in God and the One-World government, with casualties on all sides.

Who will pay the ultimate price for their beliefs? Who will survive the second year after the Rapture? Can Omega slow Draven down? Whether you’re a fan from the first book or new to the series, the Rise of The Beast is a globe-trotting thrill ride full of surprising revelations and provoking questions on the future of humanity.
THE WORLD LIES IN RUIN
THE OMEGA TEAM HAS BECOME THE HUNTED
THE EXISTENCE OF GOD IS NO LONGER
A QUESTION, AND THE TRIBULATION NOW HAS TWO GROUPS:

THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN GOD AND THOSE FACING THE WRATH OF THE LAMB.

Wrath of the Lamb is the third book in the Rapture series. It captures the drama and suffering of a former U.S. Special Operations Team and their pursuit to survive the judgments of God and the evil of a global leader. Start this action-packed faith-based thrill ride today.

Shadows of Eternity: The Great Tribulation (Rapture: The Saga of Christopher Barrett Book 4).

Shadows of Eternity is the fourth book in the Rapture series. It captures the drama and suffering of a former U.S. Special Operations Team and their pursuit to survive the judgments of God and the evil of a Satan-indwelt global leader, Draven Cross.

Christopher Barrett faces the pressure of leading an Omega team struggling for an identity in the wake of losing several members and being hunted across the globe. Jackson Williams, a core member of Omega and the spiritual leader, seeks to protect Christians caught in the wake of the U.E. global government’s path, no matter the cost.

The former Omega intelligence chief, Gabriella Costa, remains scarred from her imprisonment by Draven Cross, the evil one-world government leader. Gabriella’s anger and pursuit of finding God’s promised destiny will challenge the Omega team. Gemma Sutherland, an aide to Draven Cross and spy for the Omega team, is caught in a dangerous game where the stakes are the lives of millions. What will Gemma’s allegiance to Omega and the God of the Bible cost her and the Omega team?

As the Great Tribulation begins, the Omega team will forge new alliances to survive against the forces of darkness. Terrifying judgments will spur choices that further divide believers from non-believers, costing countless people their lives. In Shadows of Eternity, living until tomorrow is uncertain, and hope remains the only ally of the Omega team.

To be released on March 31st, 2023. Can be pre-ordered from the link in the novel title or in the link at the end of this post.

Perspective by Peter:

I contacted this author a few years ago to feature him on my previous blog. I was interested in this novel but was unable to review it at that time. Since then the entire series has developed and is about to conclude with Shadows of Eternity, Book 4 to be released on March 31st this year.

This is another novel series in the end-times genre or eschatology. I have repeated some of the same notes from my previous blog post of the review of that series,
The Time of Jacob's Trouble series by James R. Dale. 

I highly recommend this series to anyone Christian or non-Christian who has an interest in eschatology (end times). However, every Christian should be interested in what the Bible says about eschatology as we are about to enter the end times where the events leading up to Jesus' Second Coming are very close. I am in my 60s and I believe I will witness His Coming. 

Now there are a few different views on the Tribulation. Some have the Rapture occurring before the Tribulation, others mid-Tribulation, and others Post-Tribulation, yet one where the Rapture does not happen at all. It depends on how the authors of these views interpret and understand what the Bible says about it. This is such a controversial topic amongst Christians no matter whether they are Bible Scholars or just Christians with an eschatological interest. 

I have added the diagram below to show these views. Phillips takes the view of the Pre-Tribulation in this series, that the Rapture of Christians and the Church occurs before the Tribulation. The first three novels deals with all the Biblical events of the first 3.5 years of the 7 year Tribulation period, while Book 4 deals with the remaining 3.5 years until the Glorious Appearing or Second Coming of Jesus and the 1000 year Millennium.



I speak more about this in the video review below: 



Highly Recommended.

The three ratings below are based on my discernment:

World Building 5/5

Characters 5/5

Story 5/5

The two classifications below are based on the booklet, A Spiritual System for Rating Books by David Bergsland:


Spiritual Level 5: Spirit-filled Fiction

Enemy Spiritual Level  4: Demons and Level 5: the battle for the spirit and mind.



Overall Rating: 5/5

————————————————————————————

Spiritually, based on my review and on the following reference booklet, A Spiritual System for Rating Books by David Bergsland, and the The Saga of Christopher Barrett series contains elements of the criteria of what constitutes Christian Spirit-filled Fiction outlined in this booklet, (click on the title below to see what this is based on), I bestow unto Jocolby Phillips, the


Reality Calling Christian Spirit-filled Fiction Award



Congratulations, Jocolby!


If you would like to investigate this series further, click on the link below:




Readers and reviews are an author’s best asset, so I encourage any reader, to consider reading The Saga of Christopher Barrett series and submit a review on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest (or any other social media you subscribe to).

Reviews help promote an author’s novel to potential readers and encourage the author to keep writing. Reviews also help get the author’s message (and God’s message) to the reader, whether Christian or not, who may need encouragement and support in their lives while being entertained by the story.

Please note: As an Amazon Associate, I am required to disclose that book cover images or titles of novels in this post are paid links if they are linked to Amazon and result in a sale.

Monday, 9 January 2023

Series Review and Spirit-filled Fiction Award: The Time of Jacob's Trouble series by James R. Dale.

Soon after the dawn of creation, a cosmic battle between the forces of Light and Darkness began. It has remained for the most part unseen by humanity, confined to the heavenly realm or visible only to the most spiritually attuned. Until now. Now the hour grows late and the Deceiver's last desperate gambit is about to be played, and it will be witnessed by the whole of creation.

Special Operations Master Sergeant Jack Braedan is a believer, but only in himself, his training, and the strength of the men fighting beside him. The only higher power he has ever acknowledged is the Constitution and his chain of command. While on his latest covert mission overseas however, he receives devastating news that changes his life forever. Only a day after returning home to bury his parents, the world is plunged into chaos by a freak phenomenon that threatens society as we know it.

Braedan soon finds himself plunged into a desperate battle against sinister government forces and an ancient evil older than humanity itself. But he is not forced to fight alone. As the world spirals into chaos, Braedan discovers a new love and a growing faith. Surrounded by new friends and aided by a steadfast comrade, he begins a determined struggle for survival in a world teetering on the brink of darkness and slavery. It is not only a fight for their lives, but their souls as well. It is the Time of Jacob's trouble.


When the Event plunged the world into chaos, EU President Apollus Cassini and alien Prince Azalil of the Annunaki quickly formed the World Zone Council and assumed control. Jack, Anna, and the Sword of David soon found themselves battling for their lives against the gathering forces of darkness. After a gunfight with marshals of the World Zone, Jack awakens from a coma within the bowels of the Atlanta Detention center. Far from home, he must fight his way back to his friends and the woman he loves. Against all odds, he escapes his captors and finds new friends and allies, but the road home to his wife and unborn child will not be easy. Cassini and the World Zone have tightened their iron grip on humanity and the Sixth Seal of Revelation is swiftly approaching.




Sheltered by the awesome power of the Most High, Franklin, Tennessee has become a sanctuary for more than just the members of the Sword of David, but also for a growing number of believers seeking protection from the horrors of the World Zone.

Jack has finally been reunited with Anna, and together with friends and family they are surviving in relative peace now that Chairman General Cassini believes his Anunnaki allies have burned Franklin into radioactive dust.

But peace in the Time of Jacob’s Trouble cannot last. The Bottomless Pit has been opened, the Great Tribulation has begun, and the final battle between good and evil is coming. Niko the Angel has returned and given Jack, Anna, Nikki, and Julie another mission. Wearing only the clothes on their backs, they must leave behind everything they have built and journey into the very heart of the Beast’s kingdom, trusting only in their faith and their love for God and each other.

“Those who endure to the end, the same shall be saved.”
Matthew 24:13.


Perspective by Peter:


Sword of David was published in 2019 and the remaining novels thereafter. I had a request from the author to review this first novel but was unable to at the time. I am glad I have to able to review them at all as this is an excellent series. It was the release of the third novel, Babylon Fallen, recently that piqued my interest in reading them now.

I highly recommend this series to anyone Christian or non-Christian who has an interest in eschatology (end times). However, every Christian should be interested in what the Bible says about eschatology as we are about to enter the end times where the events leading up to Jesus' Second Coming are very close. I am in my 60s and I believe I will witness His Coming. 

Now there are a few different views on the Tribulation. Some have the Rapture occurring before the Tribulation, others mid-Tribulation, and others Post-Tribulation, yet one where the Rapture does not happen at all. It depends on how the authors of these views interpret and understand what the Bible says about it. This is such a controversial topic amongst Christians no matter whether they are Bible Scholars or just Christians with an eschatological interest. 

I have added the diagram below to show these views. Dale takes the view of the Post Tribulation in this series, that there is no Rapture of Christians and the Church before the Tribulation. Taking this view means that there would have to be an event to cause the Tribulation whereas in the Pre-Tribulation view it is the Rapture of Christians and the Church that causes the start of the Tribulation. Dale has an EMP event that destroys all electronics and places humanity globally off the grid and fending for themselves, as all societal structures are non-existent. 


Then he introduces another controversial topic. Alien invasion in the guise of the Nephilim (first described in Genesis 6:4) and fallen angels. This view purports that any alien being is really a fallen angel disguised as such in order to deceive humanity and take over. They deceive mankind into believing that it was the "aliens" who created all living things on Earth (panspermia) and they have returned at this time to take mankind to its next level of evolution both on a physical, mental and spiritual level. Hence they have recreated the Nephilim, super soldiers (see the Introduction to Sword of David for the background to all the topics/themes that form the basis of the series). 

Now some Christians would treat this series as blasphemous and heretical with these two topics included in the series. But there is plenty of sources that back up what Dale has included. Yes, it is fiction and not a confirmed account that this is what it will be like. Some eschatological fiction has no alien beings, just Satan possessing the Antichrist when the One World Government, One World Religious System, and One Worldwide currency (the Mark of the Beast from Revelation) come into existence. Others have no satanic possession at all, just one man who with delusions of grandeur takes on the role of the Antichrist and instigates the three systems I have just mentioned. 

No matter, as Dale is more concerned with how to survive as a Christian in this end-times world. 

I speak more about this in the video review below: 


Highly Recommended.

The three ratings below are based on my discernment:

World Building 5/5

Characters 5/5

Story 5/5

The two classifications below are based on the booklet,
A Spiritual System for Rating Books by David Bergsland:


Spiritual Level 5: Spirit-filled Fiction

Enemy Spiritual Level  4: Demons and Level 5: the battle for the spirit and mind.



Overall Rating: 5/5

————————————————————————————

Spiritually, based on my review and on the following reference booklet, A Spiritual System for Rating Books by David Bergsland, and the Times of Jacob's Trouble series contains elements of the criteria of what constitutes Christian Spirit-filled Fiction outlined in this booklet, (click on the title below to see what this is based on), I bestow unto James Dale, the


Reality Calling Christian Spirit-filled Fiction Award




Congratulations, James!


If you would like to investigate this series further, click on the links below:




Readers and reviews are an author’s best asset, so I encourage any reader, to consider reading the Time of Jacob's Trouble series and submit a review on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest (or any other social media you subscribe to).

Reviews help promote an author’s novel to potential readers and encourage the author to keep writing. Reviews also help get the author’s message (and God’s message) to the reader, whether Christian or not, who may need encouragement and support in their lives while being entertained by the story.

Please note: As an Amazon Associate, I am required to disclose that book cover images or titles of novels in this post are paid links if they are linked to Amazon and result in a sale.

Monday, 28 November 2022

Novel Review: The Boy Who Cried Christmas by Dennis Bailey.

The Boy Who Cried Christmas. 


9-year-old Logan Ailshie, the only son of well-to-do parents, was used to getting his way, especially during the holidays. For him, Christmas wasn’t just about making a list but making sure it was long enough. He also had a reputation for embellishing the truth. That is until a chance meeting with an angel on the streets of Manhattan ends with a journey back in time to the birthplace of Christianity. Eventually, he makes his way home with a story that could change all their lives. He only has one problem . . . no one will believe him.


Perspective by Peter: 

I don't have much time nowadays for written reviews so I thought I would try my hand at video reviews. This is my first attempt. The Boy Who Cried Christmas is one heart-warming, moving and tender story. It would be a great start to your Christmas reading. 




If you would like to investigate this novel further, click on the link below: 

Readers and reviews are an author’s best asset, so I encourage any reader, to consider reading The Boy Who Cried Christmas and submit a review on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest (or any other social media you subscribe to).

Reviews help promote an author’s novel to potential readers and encourage the author to keep writing. Reviews also help get the author’s message (and God’s message) to the reader, whether Christian or not, who may need encouragement and support in their lives while being entertained by the story.

Please note: As an Amazon Associate, I am required to disclose that book cover images or titles of novels in this post are paid links if they are linked to Amazon and result in a sale.

Saturday, 26 November 2022

Guest Blogger: Fear Not: Why Christians Do Not Need to Avoid Horror by Jess Hanna

Today I am reproducing (with permission) an article published by Christian novelist, Jess Hanna who writes in the genre of Christian Horror.

Wait, what did you say, Christian Horror? Is there such a thing? Is this a genre? This sounds heretical and blasphemous! These have been some of the questions and statements I have had aimed at me from fellow Christians when I stated I read (and reviewed) Christian Horror.

This has always been a controversial and divisive topic in Christian circles. However, when you look at the Bible, there is so much horror contained therein, that there is no basis for the controversy surrounding this topic. It is here that we see the origin of horror.

I always like to know why a novelist writes in the genre(s) they do and the topics they address in their novels. So I was excited when I came across this article by one of my favourite novelists, Jess Hanna.

So without further ado, I will let Jess explain to you why he writes Christian Horror.

Fear Not: Why Christians Do Not Need to Avoid Horror.


Jess Hanna  Post published: October 20, 2022. 
Reading time: 9 mins read.


It feels almost like a cliché to discuss the taboos surrounding Christians writing horror, but perhaps that is only because I have been a Christian horror writer for many years now. To begin, I can tell you that I have never been confronted about my affinity for horror outright, scolded for doing something wrong, counseled about my interest in the supernatural, or called a heretic. I don’t know if it is because some people think these things and don’t say them, or I surround myself with people who are strange, like me. I like to think that perhaps it is because of how I explain why I do what I do when asked about my writing. Then again, some people may just express themselves with passive-aggressive criticism.

I am first and foremost a born-again Christian. Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Savior. I am also an avid fan of the horror and supernatural thriller genres in all formats, including books, movies, television, and even video games. This may seem like a dichotomy to some, but I would argue that the Christian faith is nothing if not supernatural first. The Bible is filled with miraculous healings, dead people coming to life, the blind who can suddenly see, an entire nation of people walking through the Red Sea, the raising of the dead, and Jesus Christ’s own resurrection.

There are also events of a darker nature so terrifying that barely anyone talks about them. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but there are depictions of angels of death, a young boy who cuts off a giant’s head after killing him with a stone (the “children’s” story of David and Goliath), a prophet who consults with a witch, a valley of dry bones rising up to become an army (it was a vision, but it counts), and many other horrors.

Growing up, as a young believer, it never occurred to me to think there was anything wrong with horror until others pointed out that these things may be unhealthy or potentially sinful. That caused me to reflect and examine my motives for consuming horror. Was I simply interested in seeing ghosts terrorize people or serial killers torturing and slicing up their victims, or was there another reason why I was drawn to stories of a dark nature?

As I thought about the topic, I recalled the first scary movie that left a strong impression on me, A Nightmare on Elm Street. This was probably not what I should have been watching as a nine-year-old boy, but my curiosity for unusual stories was already activated, and boy did this film deliver.

Think for a moment about how creative that story truly is. A serial child murderer is burned to death by vengeful parents and comes back to haunt the dreams of their children, continuing his murderous rampage. While the premise is not reality, the very concept was terrifying and gave life to a monster that scarred an entire generation. But do you want to know what interested me in the story? It was not that I wanted to see Freddy Krueger on the screen. He was terrifying! And I certainly did not want to see anyone be horribly killed, although there is plenty of Freddy and killing in the movie. No, I wanted Freddy taken down, for evil to be destroyed by good. I wanted to see Nancy and her friends beat him. I wanted the good guy to win.

The lesson I learned from A Nightmare on Elm Street and of horror, in general, is that evil never sleeps. It also never stops inventing new ways of doing evil. But the clearest message is that, with courage, evil can be defeated and that even in the darkest hour all is not lost.

While I do enjoy horror, I do have my personal limits. I shy away from nihilistic or hopeless horror, or portrayals of torture for its own sake. I also have no interest in graphic portrayals of real-life serial killers (aka the current Dahmer Netflix series). Call it a choice of personal taste. There are plenty of people who have almost no interest in horror but can’t peel themselves away from true crime. I’m not sure how those people justify the distinction between that and horror, but many do.

While I enjoy a wide range of terrifying entertainment, my own personal writing falls into a category I refer to as “redemptive horror.” It is not horror for its own sake. The stories I write have a purpose. Even the squirm-inducing gore and the building sense of dread are crafted for the sake of something greater. I don’t feel the need to shield readers from the ugliness of the world. The Bible does not sanitize the depiction of evil, and neither will I.

Throughout these stories, though, is a light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, one of the aspects of writing in this genre that is particularly challenging to me is depicting the fight between good and evil. As a Christian, I believe that evil can be banished at even the slightest mention of the name of Jesus. This puts me in the position of telling a story from the perspective of those who are without God. It is the only way I feel I can tell an authentic supernatural tale.

Even though I think I can write a scary story, there is no one who can expose the horror of evil like God. In fact, the most terrifying aspect of Christianity is the ultimate exercise in horror for those who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. There is nothing I or anyone could ever write that compares to the torment of hell and separation from God for all eternity. I think it is impossible to capture the breadth of that experience in a way that humans can fully comprehend, even though I tried to do so with my first book, The Road to Hell. Our minds, even the most warped among us, cannot come close to imagining the devastation in store for those who refuse Jesus.

Most importantly, Jesus faced the ultimate horror for us and he did not turn away. He was crucified and took on the full wrath of God for our forgiveness. While he asked his father to take the cup away from him, he did not resist the terror of the cross. No, Jesus faced the full wrath of God and beat death so that we could live.

As with all great horror, the word of God included, there is a persistent thread of redemption woven throughout that appeals to our unconscious acknowledgment of the redemptive salvation we could never earn on our own. My goal in writing is to create vivid descriptions of a lost and dying world, desperate for a savior that it fears will never come, and to contrast that with the glorious light of that promised salvation that comes to rescue the suffering among us who cry out to God.

A common verse often quoted to admonish horror creators and fans is Philippians 4:8 “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” What could fulfill the admonition of this verse more than imagining a crushingly hopeless scenario where all human effort fails to drive out evil, the darkness appears to be winning the fight, certain death is near, and the only true good we will ever know pulls us out from our lowest circumstances without hesitation when we call on Him, welcoming us as friends, brothers, and sisters.

Jesus modeled how we should respond when faced with unfathomable horror. He faced the crucifixion and mortal death with full knowledge of the consequences and did so willingly knowing that God would equip him with the ability to defeat the power of the grave. As followers of Christ, we are the best-equipped people in the world to face the horrors of Satan and all the powers of hell and crush it beneath our feet with the power of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We do not need to be afraid of the dark. The darkness needs to be afraid of us! And that is why I write horror.

Interested in exploring more redemptive horror, be sure to pick up a copy of Jess Hanna’s The Road to Hell and the brand new sequel, The Road to Redemption, available in paperback and ebook!


Jess is not the only Christian who writes Christian Horror. Thomas Smith is one other that I have read and reviewed. And there are others. Mike Duran is another and he has also written an account supporting Christian Horror. 

I posted about Christian Horror in this blog in 2015. For your interest, the link to that post is below. It is worth reading, especially now that you have read Jess' POV on this topic. Jess' novels are also worth reading and also Something Stirs by Thomas Smith and which is outlined in this post below:

Thomas Smith, Christian Horror -- Is there such a thing? 3rd May 2015.

And another great resource is this podcast from Lorehaven: 

Do Christians Really Need Horror?