An Unexpected Journal: Celebrating Planet Narnia

by Adam L. Brackin, Annie Crawford , Brenton Dickieson, Ryan Grube, Malcolm Guite , Marshall Arthur Liszt , Louis Markos, Jason Monroe , Holly Ordway , Jahdiel Perez , Josiah Peterson, John Mark Reynolds, Lancia E. Smith, Donald T. Williams , Michael Ward , Kyoko Yuasa

2018 · An Unexpected Journal

When Michael Ward's Planet Narnia emerged a decade ago, myriad things were pulled into its orbit: The immense gravitational force altered the field of C.S. Lewis studies, to be sure, but the discovery's scope stretched far into the worlds of literary criticism, Christian apologetics, and the arts. Only now, after ten years under its influence, have we begun to consider the magnitude of Planet Narnia's effects, and perhaps it is best to begin such an index by cultivating a jovial atmosphere of appreciation. Thus we curated this issue to celebrate both Dr. Ward and his stellar work. Photography: Lancia E. Smith Illustrations: Virginia de la Lastra Artwork: Ryan Grube. Contributors: Adam L. Brackin: "Quarantine," a short story. Annie Crawford: "The Cure Has Begun." Brenton Dickieson: "(Re)Considering the Planet Narnia Thesis," a challenging essay to the thesis. Ryan Grube: "For Your Contemplation" Malcolm Guite: "Planet Narnia as Creative Inspiration," an essay; "The Daily Planet," a poem; "The Circle Dance", a poem. Marshall Liszt: "Gravitational Pull," a reflection. Louis Markos: "Why We Love to Visit Narnia." Jason Monroe: "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and the Rehabilitation of Practical Reason." Holly Ordway: "A Seven-Day's Journey through the Heavens," a poem Jahdiel Perez: "Where Paradoxes Play," Michael Ward on Christian Orthodoxy. Josiah Peterson: "A Defense of Planet Narnia." John Mark Reynolds: "An Unexpected Journey: Imaginative Apologetics and the Ward Moment," A personal reflection from Dr. John Mark Reynolds on the origins of the apologetics program at Houston Baptist University. Michael Ward: "Seven Questions," an interview with Dr. Michael Ward and An Unexpected Journal, and "Return to Planet Narnia" with additional support for the planetary thesis. Donald T. Williams: "C.S. Lewis, A Life," a poem. Kyoko Yuasa: "Table Narnia: Fugue to Evangelical Adventure," an essay on the symbolism of the table throughout the Chronicles.

An Unexpected Journal: Dragons

by Adam L. Brackin, Azalea Dabill, Carey Green, Junius Johnson, Tracey Leary, Elizabeth Martin, Christine Norvell, George Scondras, Melissa Cain Travis, Jacqueline Wilson, C.M. Alvarez, Jesse W. Baker, Donald W. Catchings, Jr., Alex Markos, Clark Weidner, Ted W. Wright

2022 · An Unexpected Journal

Dragons: History, Myths, and Legends Greedy, wicked, vengeful, powerful. Dragons occupy a powerful position in cultural imaginations across the world and across the years. From C.S. Lewis's boy who almost deserved to be named Eustace Clarence Scrubb to the Hydra of Greek mythology, these creatures Contributors: "Dragonish Thoughts in Our Hearts: Dragons as Mirrors of the Human": Junius Johnson on Our Internal Tension "Desolation": Donald Catchings on Joining the Fight and "Violence of Fire," a short story on a coming conflict. Excerpt from The Chaos Spiral: Adam Brackin on Dragons in the Bible "Wangerin and Wyrm": Christine Norvell on a Great and Cosmic Evil "A Tale of Two Dragons: Reflections on Corruption, Conviction, Grace, and Sacrament": Melissa Cain Travis on a Restoration of Humanity "The Cardinal": Jacqueline Wilson with a poem on a Loss of Humanity "Grathugar": George Scondras with a short story on a Glory-Seeking Knight "St George and the Dragon: Inspiration and Identity": W.H.G. Kingston on the Heroic Knight "Lewis’s Dragons and Materialism: A Reflection on Eustace Scrubb and Other Dragons": Clark Weidner on the Need for Imagination "Hercules and the Hydra": Alex Markos on a Christian Retelling "Dragons, Snakes and Demons: A Medieval and Biblical Bestiary for Modern Minds": Ted W. Wright on Dragons of History. "Job and His Dragon": Carla Alvarez on the Problem of Evil "The Forbidden Fountain": A short story by Azalea Dabill on a Dragon’s Poison "Nella Sua Voluntade": Elizabeth Martin on Challenging Dragonish Archetypes "Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Buried Giant: The Dragon of False Memory": Tracey Leary on Reconciliation An Excerpt from Dragonslayer: Beginnings: Carey Green on Courage "The Dragon’s Demise: Experiencing Apocalypse": Jesse W. Baker on the Relevance of Revelation .Cover Art Our cover illustration was created by Chilean artist, apologist, and physician Virginia de la Lastra. Summer 2022 Volume 5, Issue 2 2r0 pages

An Unexpected Journal: Imagination

by C.M. Alvarez, Daniel Asperheim, Adam L. Brackin, Donald W. Catchings, Jr., Annie Crawford, Josh Herring, Lucas W. Holt, Nicole Howe, Korine Martinez, Annie Nardone, Josiah Peterson, Dan Ray, Zak Schmoll

2018 · An Unexpected Journal

The Power of Imagination Our imaginations are often treated as relics of our childhood. We are told to grow up and leave that sense of awe and wonder behind. What if these modernistic tendencies were entirely wrong? What if we were meant to live enchanted lives, seeing the world with the joy and amazement? This collection of essays, stories, and poems is meant to explore the power of the imagination and its unique connection to our human nature. Contributors "Imagination and Its Role in Faith" by C.M. Alvarez. An essay on how imagination open the mind to faith. "We Have Sinned and Grown Old: A Reflection on Imagination and Motherhood" by Nicole Howe. An essay on the innocence of youthful wonder. "Messiah" by Adam L. Brackin. A short story of a voyage to Paradise. "Awe" by Annie Nardone. A poem regarding a sense of wonder. "The Adventures of Asher Svenson, Story Two: A Feast of Fishes" by Lucas Holt. The second installment with the tale of Asher Svenson and his adventures at the seashore. "Reviving a Sacred Imagination" by Annie Crawford. An essay on the way reason and imagination are both necessary for discipleship. "Light in the Darkness" by Korine Martinez. A short story about striving against evil. Inspired by the true story of Charlotte Thomason. "Imagining Conversion" by Josiah Peterson. An essay regarding the way conversion stories change lives. "God, the Playwright" by Donald W. Catchings, Jr. A poem on the Gospel as an imaginative masterpiece. "The Armor of the Dragon: Chapter One - What Grew in the Garden" by Daniel Asperheim. A short story on the beginning of a magical adventure. "Re-Enchanting the World: A Tale of Two Paradigms" by Josh Herring. An essay on overcoming our modern disenchantment. "Celestial Rodeo" by Daniel Ray. A short story on the importance of humility. "The Imaginative Power of Sub-Creation" by Zak Schmoll. An essay reflecting on why we love Tolkien's stories. Cover art by Virginia de la Lastra Volume 2, Issue 1, Spring 2019 ​​​​​​​198 pages