Celebrating the Works of George MacDonald George MacDonald inspired the imaginative visions of C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, J.R.R. Tolkien, and so many others. He presents the reader with an enchanted world that is richer than the flattened world of materialism that defines reality for so many. Through this volume, we hope to invite the reader into the world of fantasy en route to discovering a true reality. Take a tour of the books of this classic Christian author, from his christian fantasy novels for both children and adults as well as his theological works. Contributors: Donald W. Catchings Jr.: "A Heavenly Guide: Lewis's 'Teacher' in The Great Divorce," a poem on the wise Scotsman. G.K. Chesterton: "On George MacDonald," a reflection by Chesterton on one of his favorite authors. Kelly Lehtonen: "Romanticism, the Marble Lady, and the Orders of Longing in Phantastes" on MacDonald's Christian view of human nature. George MacDonald: "The Imagination: Its Function and Its Culture," a fully annotated version of this classic essay on the important of imagination with George MacDonald's original notes. Jason Monroe: "Fight the Miserable Things: Reflections on the Joy in At the Back of the North Wind" on regaining joy with imagination. Seth Myers: Seth Myers: "Phantastes: Enchanting Beauty and Sacrificial Love" on joy, hope, and faith illustrated in MacDonald's classic fantasy novel; "Lilith and The Queen's Gambit: Two Ingenue Who Learn Love Through Sacrifice" on growing with community; and "From MacDonald to Magical Realism: Faith and Fantasy with Romantics, Marquez, Murakami, and Van Halen" on MacDonald's influence on fantasy for adults. Annie Nardone: "The Richness of Plain Talk: Interview with David Jack on Translating the Beauty of George MacDonald" on language and literature. Daniel Ray: "Old MacDonald's Dish: A Hearty Serving of George MacDonald's Thoughts on the Imagination and Its Relevance to Contemporary Apologetics," an essay on why the writing of George MacDonald matters. Megan Joy Rials: "The Lizard or the Stallion? George MacDonald on the Retroactivity of Heaven and Hell in The Great Divorce" on Lewis's choice of guide. George Scondras: "Good Enough to Believe In: George MacDonald and the Knowledge of the Ineffable" on justified belief in God. Aaron Stephens: "MacDonald, George," a poem on the border of Fairyland. John P. Tuttle: "Aëranths, Angels, and Allegory" on allegory in The Golden Key. Advent 2020 Volume 3, Issue 4 300 pages

Superheroes captivate our cultural imagination. From reading comic books in our childhood bedrooms to watching the latest blockbuster on the silver screen, we long to see the champion defeat the villain and ultimately rescue the world from certain destruction. Though the stories may be fantastical, our desires are not. Our hearts are drawn to superheroes because we want someone to triumph over evil and save the world. This issue of An Unexpected Journal proposes that just maybe our desires have already been fulfilled. Contributors Jesse W. Baker: "The Power of Weakness" on Questions of Violence Donald W Catchings, Jr.: "He Will Rise" on Nolan's Salvific Themes Annie Crawford: "Super-Women and the Price of Power" on Gendered Superheroes Joseph Holmes: "Superheroes and Worship" on the Attraction of Superhero Movies Christy Luis: "Ex-Cult Member Saved by Grace" on the Dangers Of False Heroes Jason Monroe: "Answering Joker’s Dark-Knight-Defying Anarchy" on Competing Worldviews Seth Myers: "Global Superheroes from the Disneyverse and Studio Ghibli" on Heroism Manifested around the World; "Once a Prince or Princess: MacDonald’s Moral Superheroines and Heroes in the Princess Tales" on Ordinary Heroic Actions; and "Planets, Poetry, and the Power of Myth in Halo and Destiny" on the Apologetic Power of Video Games Annie Nardone: "Just a Sidekick?" on the Importance of Support Cherish Nelson: "Person or Persona: What's Inside the Spider-Verse?" on Plantinga's Conception of the Multiverse Megan Joy Rials: "Diana Prince, Apologist? Salvation and the Great Commission in Wonder Woman" on an Unlikely Apologist Jason M. Smith: "Worth Reading" on Some Good Starting Points James M. Swayze: "Superheroes, Saviors, and C.S. Lewis" on Epic, Myth, and Human Longings John P. Tuttle: "Humility Contra Pride as Represented in Thor (2011)" on the Superiority of Virtue Clark Weidner: "Faith on Trial in Frank Miller’s Daredevil Comics" on Questions of the Greater Good About the Cover We are all looking for a hero, someone to battle monsters that threaten. A hero can battle the monsters without, but only the Superhero can conquer the monster within. An Unexpected Journal Summer 2021 Volume 4, Issue 2 300 pages

Planting the Seeds of Imagination Holly Ordway has established herself as one of the preeminent voices in the field of cultural apologetics. Her ability to engage with the imagination is clearly demonstrated through her own scholarly work, most recently the paradigm-shifting Tolkien's Modern Reading, but her influence was critical in the founding of An Unexpected Journal as well. This collection of essays, poetry, and stories demonstrates her wide-ranging impact that is truly bearing a fruitful harvest. Contributors "Maps," My Map by Jesse W. Baker on the importance of poetry. "Contrary Winds: Tolkien's Priority of Faith and Family" by Donald W. Catchings, Jr. on Tolkien's personal values, and "The Call" on the teacher's call. A review of Tolkien's Modern Reading by Annie Crawford "Drawing the Drawing Out of Me" by Virginia de la Lastra on a pleasant surprise. "Ordway's Myth-Busting Research: Tolkien's Modern Reading (A Review)" by Ryan Grube on a paradigm shift. "Poetry as Prayer, Imagination the Spark to Worship and Service: Ordway's Review of Gerard Manley Hopkins in Word on Fire's Ignatian Collection" by Seth Myers on contemplation, poetry, and missionizing. "A Passage to Something Better" by Annie Nardone on Tolkien's approach to virtue. An interview with Holly Ordway "Middle-earth and the Middle Ages" by Joseph Pearceon the influence of Beowulf. "Dr. Ordway's Visual Guide to Paragraph Structure" by Josiah Peterson on creating meaning. "Lost and Found" by Theresa Pihl on changing perspective; "Learning Writing at Writespace" by Jamie Danielle Portwood on the importance of community. "Gandalf: The Prophetic Mentor" by Zak Schmoll on the Defeat of Sauron. "A Case of Mistaken Identity" by Jason M. Smith on our great misconception. "Peak Middle-earth: Why Mount Doom is not the Climax of The Lord of the Rings" by Michael Ward "Echo and Narcissus" by Clark Weidner on the goodness of reality. "Some Real Magic: Taliessin Lectureth in the School of the Poets" and "The Challenge of 'The Republic'" by Donald T. Williams on poetic imagination. "Unveiling Reality Through the Imagination" by Jared Zimmerer on a strategy to fight meaninglessness. Cover Illustration by Virginia de la Lastra Advent 2021, Volume 4, Issue 4 270 pages

Reading Shakespeare through a Christian Lens Not only huge English literature fans or apologetics aficionados will be delighted by this special Advent issue of An Unexpected Journal. The aim is to interest the scholar, yes, but also the general reader who has no special knowledge of English literature, Shakespeare, or apologetics. The defense of the Christian faith believes that no domain of human experience. All areas, including the history of ideas political, philosophical, scientific, and social, are fair game for apologetic research and discussion. All that we express in literature (especially the dramatic arts) deals with our experience, and experience is tied to the One who Makes, Redeems, and Sanctifies experience. With features from guest editors: Joe Ricke: "A Guide to Reading this Volume," "Introduction," "Against Pessimism: As You Like It (or Not)" Sarah R.A. Waters: "Lewis, Lear, and The Four Loves" As well as contributions from Shakespearean Scholars: Jem Bloomfield: "Disclosures of Form" John D. Cox: "Paradoxia Shakespeareana" Jack Heller: "Dogberry’s Inscrutable Grace in Much Ado about Nothing" Laura Higgins: "Shakespeare’s Hidden Ghosts" Crystal Hurd: "Ophelia" Corey Latta: "Hamlet’s Father" and "Othello" Tony Lawton and Editors: "Shakespeare and Cultural Apologetics" Tracy Manning and Editors: "An Interview with Tracy Manning" Louis Markos: "Letters From Shakespeare: Love" and "Letters From Shakespeare: Fools" D.S. Martin: "A Poem Emerging From An Epigraph Concerning Hamlet’s Indirection" G. Connor Salter: "Adaptation and Cultural Apologetics" John Stanifer: "Authorship: A Poetic Meditation" Jennifer Woodruff Tait: "Scripture" and "Jaques Tells His Story" Grace Tiffany: “Who is’t can read a woman?” Gary L. Tandy: “O, I have ta’en too little care of this” Including excerpts from the works of William Shakespeare: "Sonnet 55" "Cordelia To Lear" "Isabella’s Speech (On Mercy)" "Bottom’s Dream + Biblical Source" "On Mercy and Prejudice" "Sonnet 116" And commentary from classic authors: "On Shakespeare" by George MacDonald "On MacBeth" by G.K. Chesterton Erasmus On Fools "On Shakespeare" by John Milton 250 pages Volume 5, Issue 4 (Advent 2022)

The Impact of Film and Music Film and music are the language of modern culture. What messages are being conveyed in the movies and songs we love? An Unexpected Journal explores the truths embedded within popular media. Contributors "Serenity and the Theodicy of Joss Whedon" by C.M. Alvarez: An exploration of the themes of evil, free will, and the power of love in the 2005 film. "On Judging Movies" by Daniel Asperheim: A guide on film criticism and judging true value in movies. "A Sonnet to Music: The Language of the Soul" by Donald W. Catchings, Jr.: a poem on the beauty of music. "The Function of Absolute Music for Religious and Non-religous Minds" by Will Daniels: a reflection of the value and purpose of music focusing on the work of Johann Sebastian Bach. "Where are All the Great Christian Film?" by Joseph Holmes: A survey of the existing landcape in Christian filmmaking and suggestions for improvement. "The Value of Smuggled Theology in Music" by Sheila Krygsheld: an examination of the way music conveys meaning and deeper truths. "In Page and Film: Visions of Virtue in Harry Potter" by Roger Maxson: an analysis of the virtues illuminated in the Harry Potter series. "Lewisvaldi" by Seth Myers: a poem celebrating the joy of summer reflecting the work of C.S. Lewis. "Who Authors the Authority? A Discussion of Watchmen and Rightful Rule" by Jason Monroe: an examination of Watchmen's critique of authority. " Twenty Øne Piløts: In the Trenches " by Annie Nardone: on finding significance and meaning in modern music. "C.S. Lewis, Myth, and Filmmaking" by Timothy Nargi, Jr.: a reflection on the ability of C.S. Lewis to convey theological messages in his fiction and its implicatiaon for modern filmmaking. "Bridging the Gap" and "A Series of Unfortunate Events and the Persistence of Hope" by Zak Schmoll "The Witch and the Horror of Eternal Consequences" by Philip Tallon and Cameron McAllister: an examination of the way the portrayal of real evil in films provides real life lessons. "Analyzing the Fact/Value Dichotomy in Ready Player One: The Movie" by Charlotte B. Thomason: an analysis of the movie as a social commentary and cautionary tale. "Narnia Adapted to Film: the Triune Dance" by Kyoko Yuasa: a reflection of Lewis's search for the dance of the Triune in art. "Comedy-Drama in Film: Caught Between Good Friday and Easter Sunday" by Hannah Zarr: a reflection on the way dramedy helps viewers better perceive a Christian view of reality. Cover art by M.A. Listz Volume 2, Issue 2, Summer 2019: 300 pages.

G.K. Chesterton seemed to have something to say about almost anything. A cultural critic and writer of the highest degree, he utilized both wit and paradox as he sought to not only to challenge bad philosophy but promote the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. Volume 2, Issue 4 Advent 2019. 250 pages

Finding Joy in All Circumstances In a world chasing happiness, how does one find true joy? In a faith that promises joy as one of its benefits (Galatians 5:22), Christians should have the market cornered on joy, but do we? What is the original meaning of joy and what is the use of it? In this issue, contributors share examples of joy, some hard-won and at the end of a trial. We hope these pieces will help you find the definition of joy in your own life. Contributors “Review of What is Heaven Like? By Richard Eng”: Jasmin Biggs on the theological truths found in a children’s book. “Again I Say: An Excerpt From In Their Mother's Arms”: a novel excerpt by Donald W. Catchings, Jr. on a post-apocalyptic dystopia. “Joy and the Mind of the Reader”: Annie Crawford on why we should read. “Meticulous Mycologist: How Beatrix Potter Inspired C.S. Lewis”: Carrie Eben on joy in Beatrix Potter. Poems “Broken Blessings” and “Jubilee”: Joshua S. Fullman on God’s gifts. Poems “Home at Last” and “Song of Songs”: Ann Gauger on longing and love. “Joy - Brief”: Soujourna Howard on joy through pain. “The Shoes”: a short story by Kim Jacobson on finding spiritual joy. “Joy, Hedonism, and Scientific Utopia”: Jason Monroe on a truly good life. “Joy as Life’s Fuel”: Seth Myers the pursuit of joy. “Joy in the Mystery”: Annie Nardone on joy and donegality. “Review: Mere Evangelism”: Josiah Peterson on a new work on C.S. Lewis. “The Crown Because of the Cross: The Inseparability of Suffering and Joy in the Thought of C.S. Lewis”: Megan Joy Rials on suffering and joy and “A Review of A Green and Ancient Light by Frederic S. Durbin” on a worthy successor to C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. “Gratitude and the Happiness Machine”: Zak Schmoll on the root of joy. “Father Stu: A Story of Faith and Flaws, of Dreams and Determination”: John P. Tuttle on an authentic biopic. Poems “Joy's Arrival” and “Hidden in the Boughs”: Sarah Waters on coming together. “Joy (And Truth and Love): Some Johannine and Pastoral Reflections”: Donald Williams on a Johannine look at joy. Photography contributions by Tommy Darin Liskey .Cover Art Our cover illustration was created by Chilean artist, apologist, and physician Virginia de la Lastra. Fall 2022 Volume 5, Issue 3 240 pages