Last week, an assassin’s bullet ended the earthly life of Christian brother, husband, father, and popular political activist Charlie Kirk. Thousands were watching on the campus of Utah Valley University in the early afternoon of Sept. 10, 2025. Millions more prayed for an hour that Kirk would somehow survive. And then we mourned his death. Lorehaven is not a political group. But we do join in this public lamentation. And we look to fantastical stories of great villains and greater heroes to explore the bigger and pre-political questions beneath this tragedy: how we must fight evil in the world. Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Beneath False Stars by S. D. Grimm Outlaw Blood by Noah J. Matthews The Tixie Chronicles by Jack Borden Mission update New at Lorehaven: reviews of Suspended in the Stars and Augmented Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes Our episodes about “culture war” vs. culture creation: 40. How May Fantastic Stories Help Us See Politics in Biblical Perspective? 136. How Did Politics Become King of Evangelical Popular Culture? 178. Should We Weaponize Fantastical Stories To ‘Own the Libs’? 188. Can Political Pundits Create Fantastical Stories? 251. Could a Cultural ‘Vibe Shift’ Advance Christian-Made Fiction? Psalm 7:12–17 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts. Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends. I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High. Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (ESV) For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. 2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (ESV) For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. Screenshot from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002). 1. ‘Ride with me. Ride out and meet them.’ Our personalities influence how we initially respond to great tragedy. Many people need a lot more time to heal, to weep, to embrace. Yet others (myself included) want to grieve while charging forth. Understand, the martial metaphors we use are not literal. That’s not our place, as podcasters and fantastical fans. But it may be your place in the vocation you’re given. Some listening may literally enforce law and order. You may be a soldier who literally rides out. Either way, we may follow Aragorn’s call. More importantly, we follow Christ. 2. ‘For death and glory.’ But why do we ride? Some find more comfort in ideas dying for Christ. Stephen resonates with this, but would much rather live for Christ. If martyrdom occurs, that’s a bug, not a feature, yet redeemable. Even risking one’s life for the good is better than killing others. Théoden King, in the quote, is willing to risk his life in battle. But make no mistake, the Rohirrim also want to slay orcs. Here we use the “orcs” as bad ideas, not real persons. But for the men of Rohan, their orc-slaying is justice. Orcs are more like demons, irredeemable invaders. They’re disordered, scavengers, and parasites. Just like any evil that infects this good land. What is glory? Only death worthy of song? The Christian must hear, “God’s glory.” 3. ‘For Rohan. For your people.’ We love how Aragorn does not correct Theoden King, yet clarifies this. Their ride forth is not for their own personal satisfaction and pride. Instead they ride for their families, their people, their nation. This good impulse is often slandered as “nationalism.” It’s healthy patriotism. All of us should have it. Patriotism overlaps with simple love and loyalty. We should want all to love “their own” homes. Brits most love Britain. Indians love India. Americans should most love America. And all should respect others’ loves. Aragorn loves Gondor over Rohan. And yet he also loves the Rohirrim. Yes
