The Image of Satan in Evangelical Children’s Fantasy

Over the last few decades, niche publishers have presented several children’s fantasy series marketed as being “in the tradition of Lewis and Tolkien.” These publishers, however, are neither British, nor are they Anglican or Catholic. They are instead American Evangelical organizations, providing a space for faith-informed stories that wander somewhere between allegory and parable. Within the pages of these texts can be found not only the expected Christ-figures, but there are also Satan-figures and hellish landscapes much more likely to reflect concepts from Dante, Milton, and medieval witch-hunting guides than from the Bible, the text that evangelicals claim to be foundational for their beliefs. This paper will explore both the influences on the representation of Satan and hell in these texts, as well as the purpose of these representations. For example, some of these stories are designed to scare children into certain behaviors, others present the hope of an ultimate good as a foil against a (perceived) very real evil. Texts that will be addressed include David and Karen Mains’ Tales of the Kingdom, Jerrel Law’s Spirit Fighter series, and Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga