Can science fiction and fantasy books be God-honoring?

As I child, I loved to read science fiction and fantasy. I was the kid who, after mom said “lights out,” turned on the flashlight and read comic books and science fiction under the covers.

As an adult, I’m still a big science fiction fan (I went to a Star Trek convention and had a blast, but no, I wasn’t dressed like a Klingon). I believe science fiction is the result of mankind’s God-given sense of adventure, wonder, creativity, and imagination. It emerges from being made in God’s image.

I notice that sometimes you allude to science fiction, including Star Trek and Star Wars. Do you recommend that Christian young people get into the Star Wars movies and books?

I enjoy science fiction and I do like Star Wars, especially the original three movies. However, Star Wars is a very poor place to get a theology, and that’s my biggest problem with its influence on the young, who don’t yet have the filters in place to screen out the heresy. If kids and parents can sit down, like we did with our daughters, and discuss the theological errors with “the Force,” that can be very good for them (and us). Some things are better not to get exposed to, but some our kids will inevitably be exposed ...