Christian Speculative Fiction discussion

Hi everyone!
Is it okay for my Christian characters to use potions that enhance them? For example, being able to see in rhe dark?

It depends on how your world is set up. I the real world potions [and many other things] are occult items to gain power through personal strength. Even our medical practices could easily be labeled sorcery, the greek is pharmakia [sp?], gaining power through drugs.The Lord doesn't need potions. He can do things like that in answer to prayer.

I agree that the word 'potion' has that connotation in the real world, so you might need to find a more neutral term, Daniel—'draft', perhaps?

But David, I must take issue with your last statement. Yes, the Lord can do things in answer to prayer, but sometimes He chooses to use physical objects as 'conduits': think of Moses' staff; Samson's hair; Jesus' robe. These are my precedents for the physical 'instruments' the 4 central characters receive in my Mindrulers trilogy: the instruments are provided by God to give them certain super-normal abilities that help them fulfil their mission. God is given full credit for these; there's no suggestion of the occult.

Objects like these are widespread in fantasy fiction, and as long as we avoid any idea that the abilities are provided for personal power or self-gratification, I see no harm in them.

I agree that in your world, you handled these things well. That wouldn't work in a street from the real world in 2020, because God doesn't seem to our that way. He can do anything he wants, but his first requirement is consistently faith and trust. Trust in an object goes the other way from that.

But, hey, fiction is fiction, right. It just has to make sense internally. The real question is when you are done, can you legitimately call it representative of the Truth.

Steve wrote: "I agree that the word 'potion' has that connotation in the real world, so you might need to find a more neutral term, Daniel—'draft', perhaps?

But David, I must take issue with your last statement..."

I also agree that you handled these items well in Mindrulers.

A helpful study for this is the Bronze Serpent. It is only found in three texts in Scripture. It serves as a model for understanding "items" - their original use, man's corruption of them, and their God-intended purpose.

As for potions (the OP), I think it is a more difficult question. It is not easy to attribute a chemical combination that anyone can blend specifically to God as the power source. I also agree that faith in the object versus faith in the provider of the object is difficult to maintain. And, the two questions that I think are vital about common use of items (which I think would apply to potions too).

1 - where does the glory go?
2 - does it increase faith in Christ or divert faith elsewhere?

I hope this isn't too rambling to make sense.

Thank you all very much. The intention was for the characters to give glory to God in Spice Traders, but the female character who makes them will have a moral dilemma about the use of potions. The effects of the potion are not permanent, more of a "temporary boost" it fits with the plot of Spice Traders and the villain uses potions against them. I like the suggestion of using the word "draft" they are more of object, such as Bronze Serpent or Jesus's robe, but they are a physical symbol of God's power.

Daniel wrote: "Thank you all very much. The intention was for the characters to give glory to God in Spice Traders, but the female character who makes them will have a moral dilemma about the use of potions. The ..."

It might be slightly different, but "tincture" might be a word option. This is typically medicinal and involves other substances being dissolved in alcohol. Maybe it isn't a better word, but you could define as you see fit within your fiction. It would push you more towards science and a little way from magic/fantasy. Just a thought.

Thanks Stan. That's worth bearing in mind. I have written a lot scenes where they are investigating different potions/drafts and I have tried my best to give it a Christian slant. "tincture." maybe a word outside of my target age of 11-14.

Daniel wrote: "Thanks Stan. That's worth bearing in mind. I have written a lot scenes where they are investigating different potions/drafts and I have tried my best to give it a Christian slant. "tincture." maybe a word outside of my target age of 11-14."

I must say I like "tincture" better than "draft"! It has a suitably arcane ring to it, as well as the suggestion of something health-giving in a 'scientific' medicinal way. You'd be a better judge, but if you include a brief explanation when you first introduce the word, I'd have thought it wouldn't be too far beyond 11–14 year-olds…

sold! thanks again to you both! I am nearly at the halfway point with Spice Traders now. should be there either tomorrow or Friday.

Daniel wrote: "sold! thanks again to you both! I am nearly at the halfway point with Spice Traders now. should be there either tomorrow or Friday."

You're most welcome! Always happy to help! Keep pressing on!