Dang, have you READ the book of Revelation?
Not everyone likes supernatural stories, by which I mean stories about unearthly creatures who break into human existence and wreak havoc. This definition includes the usual suspects of vampires, shape shifters (usually werewolves, because wererabbits aren’t scary), and Frankenstein’s monster types. They also include black magic practitioners, demonic entities, strange beasts, walking trees, zombies, and of course my personal favorite, ghosts.
But why would Christians, who worship the Almighty who is the Creator and Sustainer of all good and right things, enjoy supernatural stories?
Here’s why: Christians are no strangers to battle. It’s in our blood. I’m not talking about the history of the Crusades, or right-wing violent militias who call themselves Christians when they are anything but. I mean that Christians know there is a pitched spiritual battle going along within us and within the world. We believe that there really is a Satan, and although he’s not anywhere close to God’s league, he’s dangerous and he’s out to get us.
But we also believe that God is infinitely stronger than he is, and that when God is ready (He calls it “in the fulness of time”), He will return to the world. He will wipe Satan out and establish a new eternal kingdom in heaven and earth were there will be no more evil nor shadow. And while we’re waiting for the Second Coming, we’re fighting supernatural evil and threat.
Here are some other ways that faith intersects with supernatural literature:
#1: We believe in 7 crazy-seeming things before breakfast. I mean, we believe in a Risen Savior, the Holy Spirit, miracles, and a really great Ragnarök-type event that ends well. So, our capacity for spiritual sight is pretty well developed.
#2: The great apostle Peter, in his appropriately named letter of 1 Peter, writes this in chapter 8, verse 5: “Be alert and careful. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Dealing with a spiritual world full of supernatural enemies is no surprise to us.
#3: There are only two supernatural creatures that most/many Christians actually think exist: demons (nearly 100% because the Bible says so) and ghosts (above 50% anyway, and the Bible has that too). But a lot of us are perfectly happy to suspend disbelief while reading a supernatural novel that we like, because even though we might not believe in Bigfoot or evil invading aliens or werewolves, we’re fairly used to a world that has real monsters in it.
#4: Christian or not, many readers like supernatural stories that present a threatening, seemingly overpowered enemy–and cut it down to size. People living in difficult circumstances, which frankly is most of us, feel empowered and encouraged by reading stories were human beings took on astronomically high odds and won. Even if they died doing it, the bad guy was defeated and humanity wins.
Point #4 does beg the question of supernatural stories that end extremely badly. I think for example of the Lovecraftian mythos. Even though I love reading the books, the vast majority of protagonists experience “And everybody dies!” Or go insane or end up as a monstrous creature themselves. And of course, modern horror movies frequently end in a “twist” where the supposedly triumphant hero meets a horrible end. Now, I’m probably not the right person to comment on those because I find twists hysterically funny. I will enjoy a movie perfectly well into the last five minutes, at which point I begin to make up all the stupidest scenarios I can think of for offing the hero. The hero indeed gets offed, at which point I laugh for quite some time.
#5: Finally, can one read too much supernatural? Well of course, just as one could read too many sugary romances, or hard-boiled detective mysteries, or overwrought thrillers, or anything really. Too much of a good thing is nevertheless too much. So, just balance without different types of reading. Don’t forget the most important reading of all if you’re Christian: The Bible. Which, I might add, is a True Adventure, so there you go.
Ultimately, why do Christians read supernatural scary stories? Because it’s fun to see Good kick Evil’s you-know-what, plus we gain insight and courage into our own Evil-kicking missions for God.