Listen to this article:
[Note: This article refers to Rethink Church, which was a long-running section of the UMC.org website. Rethink Church was meant to be a space of invitation and information for those who are curious about the Christian faith, but not yet engaged in a community of faith. Articles published under "Rethink Church" are still available through the "New To the UMC?" section of this site as well as by clicking the "Rethink Church" button at the end of this article.]
From my earliest days writing for Rethink Church, one theme has always motivated me: the spiritual connection between myth and faith. The thread has woven its way through nearly everything that I’ve written here. As I write this final article for Rethink, it feels fitting to return to that theme, as John Hendrix’s The Mythmakers offers an opportunity to reflect not only on the power of myth but also on the work we’re all called to continue.
Hendrix’s graphic novel, which chronicles the creative fellowship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, highlights how their stories were shaped by war, faith and an enduring belief in the divine. Their mythmaking wasn’t just about entertaining readers—it was about giving the world what Lewis famously called “good dreams.” These are the glimpses of truth that prepare us for the ultimate reality, much like myth points us toward the Gospel.
This has been my goal all along: to explore and celebrate the divine spark in the stories we tell, the myths we love, and the ways we encounter God in the creativity of others. And though this chapter of my writing may close, the work itself will never be done.
Myths and Good Dreams
C.S. Lewis’s concept of “good dreams” offers a helpful lens through which to understand the purpose of myth. Before he became a Christian, Lewis saw myths as beautiful lies—compelling stories, but ultimately untrue. Tolkien helped him reimagine myth as a divine gift, echoing the Gospel. In Mere Christianity, Lewis writes that God sent humanity “good dreams” long before Christ’s arrival—myths and stories that, while incomplete, prepared hearts for the coming of the ultimate truth.
Just as ancient myths of dying and rising gods hinted at the truth of Christ’s Resurrection, so too do our modern stories—whether they are fantasy novels, films, or video games—contain fragments of eternal truth. Myths don’t just entertain; they awaken something in us, reminding us of our deepest longings for beauty, justice, and redemption.
The Theology of Creation
One of the central themes of The Mythmakers is the role of myth in Lewis and Tolkien’s writings. To understand their approach, we must turn to Tolkien’s essay “On Fairy-Stories”, where he laid out his storytelling philosophy. Tolkien argued that myths are not mere fantasies or lies but vehicles for truth. They allow us to see reality with fresh eyes, offering glimpses of the eternal.
Tolkien identified four key aspects of a good myth:
-
Sub-Creation: Humans, made in the image of the Creator, can create worlds of their own. For Tolkien, writing myths was an act of sub-creation, a way to reflect God’s creative power. Stories like The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia aren’t just entertaining—they echo the divine story.
-
Recovery: Myths help us rediscover the wonder of the world around us. In Tolkien’s view, modern life often dulls our sense of awe, but a good story can restore our vision, allowing us to see the sacred in the ordinary.
-
Escape: Far from being escapism in the negative sense, myths provide a way to break free from the limitations of the present moment. They lift us out of despair and into a world where hope remains possible.
-
Consolation: At the heart of every good myth is what Tolkien called “eucatastrophe”—a sudden, joyous turn of events that brings redemption. For Tolkien, the Resurrection of Christ is the ultimate eucatastrophe: a story that is not only mythic in structure but also historically true.
Living in the In-Between
Hendrix’s portrayal of Lewis and Tolkien resonates with another idea central to Christian theology: the tension of living in the “now and the not yet.” Just as Tolkien’s characters navigate the uncertain times before the fall of Sauron, we live in the in-between space of God’s Kingdom—already inaugurated through Christ but not yet fully realized.
This eschatological tension mirrors the eucatastrophic structure of Tolkien’s myths. The end is certain: evil will be defeated, and redemption will come. But the journey to that end is fraught with challenges, losses, and moments of despair. As Hendrix shows through the lives of Lewis and Tolkien, the in-between times matter deeply. It’s in these moments that we both forge and lose friendships, create meaning and confusion, and discover hope and loss.
Their stories weren’t just about endings—they were about the in-between, the friendships, battles, and quiet moments that make the journey meaningful. Hendrix’s work reminds us that our stories, too, matter. Even in the ordinary, we are part of God’s greater narrative.
The Never-Ending Work of Mythmakers
Like this work by Hendrix, the mythmaking of Lewis and Tolkien continues in every writer inspired to create their own worlds.
This is the work I hope to leave behind as well—not just articles or ideas but a call to see the divine in the creative works of humanity. It’s a reminder that storytelling, mythmaking, and finding God in unexpected places are never indeed done. Each of us is a part of this ongoing narrative, contributing to a story far more significant than ourselves. They awaken us to beauty, inspire us to hope, and prepare us for the ultimate reality of God’s Kingdom.
A Final Clarion Call
As I close this chapter with Rethink Church, I want to leave you with this: we are all mythmakers, called to reflect God’s truth and beauty in our stories, relationships, and lives.
Faith is a story we are invited to live into—a story of creation, fall, redemption, and renewal. It’s a story that encompasses all other stories, pointing us to a God who is both the author and the subject. And just as Tolkien saw the Resurrection as the ultimate eucatastrophe, we live with the hope that our story, too, will end in joy.
So, keep telling stories. And keep experiencing the stories that others are telling. Keep finding God in the creative works of humanity. Keep living as mythmakers, reflecting the divine spark in all you do.
Thank you for reading, exploring these ideas with me, and sharing in this journey. May we all continue to find God in the stories that shape us, and may we never stop seeking the divine.
Nathan Webb is a major nerd in just about every way. He loves video games, anime, cartoons, comic books, tech, and his fellow nerds. Hoping to provide a spiritual community for people with similar interests, he founded Checkpoint Church--"the church for nerds, geeks and gamers." Nathan can be found lurking on his Discord server, reading the latest shōnen entry, or playing the newest indie game. Nathan is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church in the Western North Carolina Conference. He also curates a community for nerd ministry called Pixel & Pulpit. You can reach him on any of the socials on his Linktree.
