#christian storytelling

[brainypixel]

We are excited to welcome you all to the first installment of our new blog series, "The Theology of Storytelling", now available on the Brainy Blog!

Check out "Introduction of Terms" below!

[artist-issues]

there is a huge difference between “magic” as in, “the fairy-tale symbol for a another dimension of good or evil being manifested/a fantasy word for ‘superpower’”

and “magic” as in: “real-world sorcery.”

HUGE difference. Sorcery happens in the real world. It’s when creatures worship created things instead of their Creator. It’s when humans get played by real demons and think they’re tapping into something better.

But “magic” in stories is not always that. Weirdly it sometimes references sorcery. But it’s not always sorcererous. The Fairy Godmother from Cinderella is a symbol; she’s a rewarder of good ethics, and her “magic” just makes that agency a little richer and sparklier. But the witch from Snow White? She’s a character who references real-world sorcery. The same way the Huntsman references real-world people-who-hunted-for-a-living.

That is the difference. Sorcery vs. storytelling magic.

[kalissimsblog]

Three days later...

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[genshinlesbian]

just finished the Focalors execution cutscene and we’re about to face the whale. Had to pause and write down my thoughts because the religious symbolism here has me in a CHOKEHOLD

Fucking primordial water in the Oceanid’s veins to turn them human is what turns them back again? This is my body and blood?? Remember you were water and to water you shall return????

Moreover there is literally a character with the title “The Father.” Navia’s grief for her father is a constant theme. Do you see the vision here.

Hydro elements consists of three central figures, two intrinsically linked as the same person, split into humanity and divinity. The first created the second who suffers under the burden of holding faith in the first. One sacrifices herself with a device that suspiciously resembles a crucifix (or guillotine. Sigh. French people) to return power to the third.

Then he VERBATIM fucking goes and FORGIVES THE NATION’S ORIGINAL SIN?? Now he’s about to go face the LEVIATHAN???

brb I guess I’m adding “allegory for Christ” to the reasons I love Neuvillette so much….

Edit: The flood came. As in The fucking Flood From Noah’s Ark. walking on water casting the nets etc. the disciples were fishermen. FUCKING. PURIFICATION BY THE WATER?? BAPTISM, HELLO PEOPLE????

[blessedarethebinarybreakers]

For submission Saturday:

I feel like my faith and sexuality are inherently tied as an aroace Quaker. Being able to find strength in the emphasis on friendship - its importance, even as far as a metaphor for relationship to god - within Quaker writings is really affirming.

I'm pleased that there's this whole sphere of people who have a different language and approach to understand the significance/depths of "queering" friendship. Whether that's in a specifically queer way, or in a spiritual accompaniment way - recentering friendship is less a foreign concept. Perhaps it's not surprising from the Religious Society of Friends (though it's not always a perspective shared across meetings) but it means the world to me: like a calling to be a dedicated Friend in all ways.

(Your blog brings me so much joy btw, thank you!)

Oh, I love this so much!! It makes my heart sing to hear you've found a faith community that affirms and enriches you so wholly <3

It's Storytelling Saturday! Share your story.

[dadbodbuck]

i know 911 is the lapsed catholic show but. can we PLEASE get a non christian storyline. i want to see more of chimney and the lees and their altar for kevin!!!! i want to see ravi going to temple or reciting a sutra or engaging with whatever religion he grew up in!!!! i want those relationships explored and referenced with the care and complexity that bobby and eddie get!!!!! TIM ARE YOU LISTENING I'LL DO ANYTHING

[whoiskt]

"And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Genesis 22:7

"The Story of Isaac" by Leonard Cohen | "The Little Prince" directed by Mark Osborne | "Poor Isaac" by The Airborne Toxic Event | "Castlevania: Nocturne" by Clive Bradley | "We are Gods! We are Wolves!" by LE LOUP | "The Last of Us" by Naughty Dog

[kaisertheadvisor]

This is only scratching the SURFACE of the elaborate lore involving the Brood at this rate.

[humanradiojmp]

I managed to watch most of the GLITCHX 2024 video. Seeing the different spotlights for the up and coming indie series was super fun and inspiring. But what personally stuck out to me was the interview with Final Space’s creator Olan Rodgers.

Hearing his experience about pitching his show and getting it picked up only to face roadblock after roadblock and getting essentially screwed over was both terrifying and oddly motivating.

I say this because the past year, I’ve been working on conceptualizing a TV series of my own. I’ve been working off and on the show bible and learning things about film and storytelling more seriously than before. That and I’ve been thinking hard what I actually want to do with this story; how I want it to be made (since I’m currently back and forth between live action or animated) and what elements are important to the story.

and there are some things I don’t want to negotiate on or give up (mainly the faith elements, but other things as well).

 and what was being said in the interview kind of solidified that if I have an idea I want to do, and there are things that kind of need to be a part of it to make it what it is, then it’s likely I’ll have to fight tooth and nail for them.

Because something I've been thinking about a lot is how unconventional it is. it's going to be hard, I think, to find a studio that'll want to make it and make it the way it's intended to. this is something I've worked on for two years. none of that time I want to go to waste.

honestly, when I get to the point where I do pitch it, I’m hoping and praying God will reveal the right place to sell it to. That’ll understand the vision and honor it. And if no current studio is the right place, God will provide what’s needed to make this passion project of mine a reality.

[alexlibris-bookart]

One more completed custom ordered leather journal. The symbol is hand-carved from specially prepared leather, hardener, and gilded.

[artist-issues]

Also, I don't know if I've ever said this, but sometimes I feel it needs to be said—no human-made story is ever going to get Christianity exactly 100% right, whether in metaphor or in allegory or in symbolism.

Because Christianity is reality. It the framework upon which everything else hangs. So it would be like if I made a movie about elephants. I could go out and document an elephant's whole life from start to finish. I could produce a faithful account of what the elephant was feeling and thinking. And I could dramatize it without fudging the facts or skewing the truth observed about that elephant in any way.

But when you look at it, it'll still just be A Story About an Elephant. It won't be the elephant. And because it's not all-inclusive, because it's not everything there is to know about the elephant right down to its atoms and ancestry and how many breaths it took and what every other animal thought of it, etc., it won't even be a perfect explanation of the elephant. It'll just get super close.

Because stories are communication. But communication has nuance and suffers from limitations. Especially clear and impactful communication. So, while I might say something true about elephants by making a story about them, I'll never be saying the whole and perfect truth about elephants. Just like you can use a story to say something true about Christianity (or any truth) but you'll never be saying the whole and perfect truth about Christianity.

Besides, God already did that. So relax and be earnest--you're just shining a spotlight on truth. You're not inventing it or breaking it down exhaustively.

[kimberlyandcotv]

It's been a while since I've done anything related to these characters. but someone drew Kimberly for ArtFight and it motivated me to draw Kimberly and Co. again. I've been meaning to do this meme for a while because I think it's absolutely hilarious, and totally fits these two. This would also apply to Fabian and Janett, with Fabian as the singer and Janett as the screaming fan.

Thinking about the actual plot for the characters, if Isla were to go back into music and singing, Nathan would 100% be her biggest supporter and fan. He'd probably be one of the few that motivates her to pursue it again and be there when she's facing roadblocks.

[kalissimsblog]

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[stuckasmain]

“This is a story about a woman”

Don’t you see? It never mattered what the duke did next! In the movie he gets his jaw rocked by Zidler and disappears. In the musical he leaves in a huff after Satine herself tells him off. Does he retaliate? Maybe. Personally I think out of embarrassment and lack of stake (satine) he probably gave up- the theater would go back into financial debt.

However it doesn’t particularly matter as both versions of the story is Christian telling their story back to us. The explanation is the simplest of them all… he doesn’t know. He never returns to the Moulin rouge despite living across from it, he goes into a deep depression for months- he wouldn’t know or ask. This is satines story not the Duke and hers ended.

One of the biggest criticisms is actually one of the best small details.

[blessedarethebinarybreakers]

hopefully this sends okay! i wrote this a bit ago and posted it on my art blog but i wanted to share for Storytelling Saturday <3

Rainbow.

The rainbow is 

God’s promise

That we will not be destroyed

No wave of terror

Swallowing all of us before our very eyes.

I think of this,

God's promise

In the wake of another hateful act

My beloved and I holding each other tightly

Saying I Love You I Love You I Love You

God Help Us God Help Us

Repetition gets Your attention

At least so my study Bible says

I look for

God's Promise

In the spray of the road

In windows

On cars and clothes

And the sky

To see the bow hung up

To see signs of safety

We hang flags and

God's promise

At every door post

On our bodies

Like the blood of the Lamb

Angel, Pass over us

Beloved

There is sanctuary here

I am holding to

God's Promise

Gripping at the colors that symbolize

The wholeness of me 

And I plead:

Hear Your grieving children, God

Do not destroy us

Do not let us be destroyed

Amen, Amen, Amen.

Powerful. Thank you so much for sharing <3

It's Storytelling Saturday! Share your story.

[izayoichan]

Arlo: Don’t be afraid.

He walked to the two of them and unbuttoned their shirts. Arlo’s eyes shone and his left hand turned into a claw and he placed it inside the box. He started chanting words in a foreign language as he moved the claw to Emil’s chest and cut a line right over the scar of his heart. Emil flinched and tried to pull back, but the gentle squeeze from Flynn stalled them.

Light erupted from the cut as Arlo pulled that light into a line, like it was blood. He drove the line into the box and then repeated the process to Flynn’s chest, who also flinched when he felt the cut. Warmth and electricity filled them both and they gasped. Arlo pulled on the two golden lines, as if he was sewing them together, until he closed the box, the two lines connecting Emil’s to Flynn’s chest, pulsing with the quick pace of their heart.

Arlo: Mah’Vala. Repeat and hold both your hands… Then, when you feel both your heart beats, kiss to seal the Arys.

Emil’s worried glance fell on Flynn.

Emil: Mah’Vala. Flynn: Mah’Vala.

And as Arlo had said, they felt the heartbeat flow to the two of them in unison, beating in their head. And Emil kissed Flynn. The line burst, leaving particles of gold in the air. The golden cut on their chest healing, leaving a golden burst of light where the cut was, a star-shaped shiny scar.

Flynn and Emil remained silent, as the awareness of each other befell them. They could feel one another, intimately, inside their very chest. Arlo stepped back, putting the box away, his eyes and hand turning to normal, as forlorn eyes fell over the box.

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