As I read The Old Gods Waken by Manly Wade Wellman, I began to wonder . . . should Christians read stories about White Magic?

Amid completing final edits on my upcoming novel, Inheritance, I took a much needed break to spend a few hours away from the keyboard. I used that opportunity to listen to a new book, at least new to me- a recommendation from a friend . . . (thanks Rick!).

Even better- this book was read by my favorite narrator of all time- who now voices my own books. Multi-Grammy, Nebula, Audie, etc. Award-winning narrator Stefan Rudnicki, of Enders’s Game fame. What a great voice!

The Old Gods Waken by Manly Wade Wellman led us on a thrilling excursion into the Appalachian mountains of the United States. There we left the modern world behind and entered one peopled by unpretentious mountain folk, their simple ways, their folk wisdom — and by Others — shadows from another age . . . one much older. Darker.

Here in these craggy mountains are things of an unseen world, forgotten by modern history, dismissed by modern science. But all too well remembered in the lore of these deep-rooted mountain folk. And these folk know well how to respond when suddenly, those dark entities attack.

The main character- John, better known as John Silver, plays the central role in a series of five novels and dozens of short stories. In this, the first book of the series, he and his friends fall victim to unseen attacks by practitioners of dark magics. They band together and take the offensive in a thrilling tale of good vanquishing an unquestionable evil.

The characters jump off the page, each with their own vibrant personalities, the picture of each painted with the elegant, unobtrusive brushstrokes of a master storyteller. The story line is straightforward, the prose spare and unobtrusive. Crisp. Clean. The regional dialects are well portrayed and real-to-life. And while the plot and the antagonists might at first glance seem to be a bit campy, the mastery on display in the development and portrayal of the protagonists evidence the fact that this might be intentional. I think it is.

Why? Because this is pulp fiction at its best. A fun, thrilling story, an escape from the pressures and perils we face in our own world- every day. A story that doesn’t offer more existential angst, but less. A stress-free adventure the reader might inhabit, join John and his cohorts, and defeat the evil enemy. Never having to fear elevating their own cortisol levels.

In short- a fun read. But one which does acknowledge the existence of the unseen worlds. And the entities which inhabit it. Including our own Creator God.

One thing I love about this story is this- the magic system in this world is not one which has been made-up from whole cloth. The author portrays the very real world, the very real Powers and Principalities that we all struggle with, as Paul so appropriately points out in Ephesians 6:12. Our world needs more stories which explore this topic- of True Magic. Our age has too long denied its presence.

An aside- for the purposes of these discussions, I will define magic as anything which violates the laws of physics, of time and space. Not my definition, and if I knew where I’d first heard it, I’d give credit. But I don’t.

The point is this. Who can do the impossible? Who can freely defy these laws? Of course, our Creator God can, and does. So, it seems, can the heavenly host. The angels. Both those who serve Creator God, and those now in rebellion.

This story explores this unseen world of True Magic, both dark and light. Not creating a new fictional reality, but drawing upon the knowledge of the real- folklore, both biblical and arcane. Occult.

But should Christians read stories about this unseen world? The occult?

I contend that the unseen world is as real as that which we inhabit. As real as all we see, touch, and feel. And though we can’t ordinarily perceive that unseen world, we should be aware of that reality and stand against those dark, unseen forces. After all, Paul says “we struggle” against them. “Struggling against” is not a “willful ignorance” of. The Apostles, other disciples, and even Jesus often waged war against the dark forces- casting out demons . . . saving all who would accept the Truth- a truth itself hailing from the unseen realm.

A caveat. To be too pruriently interested in the things of the occult is not healthy, and I’m not encouraging that. I am encouraging a healthy, well-informed knowledge of the enemy, that we might guard against his wiles.

Which brings me to my second point as it relates to this story. What are the weapons we are to employ against this unseen enemy? Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 6:11– this is the armor of God, the armor of light. I refer you to the teachings of Paul, rather than expand upon this subject here. But in short, when doing battle with our unseen enemies we are to employ- or more rightly deploy- His Truth, His Righteousness, the covering of His Salvation, the Gospel, and the Word of God. Not with our own strength, but His.

So back to our story. Did Silver John and his companions follow Paul’s exhortations? Did they enter battle with the prescribed armory? Calling upon His power? The answer is not clear-cut. Prayer is mentioned as a weapon, as is God. But many of the tactics used during “magical battle” hearken more of white magic than they do of true spiritual battle. Is this done simply for the sake of a thrilling story with a bit of “magical world-building” thrown in- drawn from real folklore? Is it done for the sake of story simplicity?

After all- stopping the action cold for a three chapter treatise on Ephesians 6 might not be a great storytelling tactic. Tom Clancy might get away with a multi-thousand word treatise on the construction of nuclear weapons- right in the middle of a thriller novel- but the rest of us aren’t Tom Clancy.

So- should Christians read this story of White Magic? Will the remainder of the Silver John saga bring more spiritual clarity? Will this story which, quite accurately portrays the unseen worlds and the dark entities which inhabit them, eventually portray the bible and the gospel with equal accuracy? Though some commentators do suggest the Silver John stories flesh out a “primitive gospel-based Christianity”, I don’t know the answer to these questions. Yet. 

Either way- this is a fun story of good vanquishing evil, of the unseen realms. And I, for one, will be continuing this journey with Manly Wade Wellman.

Besides. Be honest. Wouldn’t you, right now, love to take a few evil bad guys to the woodshed? I’d bet a few are coming to your mind, even now.