Mystery: Detecting Truth in the Darkness A good mystery brings the reader into the mind of the detective: searching for clues, questioning suspects, and coming to conclusions. We like to play along, hoping to crack the case before the ultimate reveal. In a way, it feels like our real lives as we try to piece together the parts of our existence and discover what they mean. That is why mysteries are the perfect playground for the cultural apologist who seeks to explain what the facts about our world actually mean. Contributors “The Gospel of Murder” by Annie Nardone on Human Darkness “Serial, Healing and the Silence of God: The Hunger for Order and Truth in a Postmodern Mystery” by Erica Milecki McMillan on Seeking Truth “Light for the Seekers” by Sojourner Howfree on the Inquisitive Mind “An Elementary History of Deduction” by Seth Myers on the History of the Genre “The Secret of Father Brown” by G.K. Chesterton on Detective Methodology “The Inheritance of Hiram Percy Maxim” by Brian Melton on Consequences “Rationalism, Meaning, & Love: Sherlock’s Ethos as a Key to Unlock All Mysteries” by Jasmin Biggs on the Pursuit of Truth “What Mean These Stones? Archaeology, Poetry & Mystery” by Ted W. Wright on Excavating Humanity “Gizem Dagl” by Karise Gilliland on the Mountain of Mystery “Agatha Christie and Worshiping False Gods” by Jacqueline Wilson on Self-Examination “God as Revealer of Mysteries and Fountain of Love” by Jesse W. Baker on Divine Revelation “The Mystery of Our History: How Knowledge of the Church Fathers Can Strengthen the Church” by Kimberly Hyland on the Importance of the Past “The Mystery of Love” by Donald Catchings on Defining Love “Time Warping With God” by Tim Mcguire on Dreaming “Mystery and Meaning in the Multiverse: Everything Everywhere All at Once” by Seth Myers on Searching Through the Chaos “Book Review: The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith” by Rebekah Valerius on a Wise Lady Detective Volume 6, Issue 1, Spring 2023 240 pages Cover illustration by Virginia de la Lastra

Celebrating the Ancients From before the time of Christ, pagan philosophers and storytellers have been influencing thought and shaping culture. In this issue dedicated to the ancient philosophers that formed the foundation of Western culture, we examine the way Christian thought was influenced by and engaged with those early writers and how the Jewish Messiah fulfilled the best hopes raised by what C.S. Lewis referred to as the "good dreams of the pagans." Contributors C.M. Alvarez: "The Power of the Storyteller: Jesus and Aesop" on the ancient tales that changed the world. Jesse W. Baker: "Listening to the Past" on the value of the Ancients. Donald W. Catchings, Jr.: "The Chain-Breaker in Plato's Allegory" on escaping the cave, and an excerpt from the novelette, Strength in Weakness, a retelling of Theseus. Annie Crawford: "Wisdom Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us: Pagan Dreams of the King of Kings" on Christian virtues and philosopher-kings. Riz Crescini: "The Imaginative Strategy of Boethius" on the apologetic power of the imagination. Joshua S. Fullman: "A Galatian Marriage / Nasoni" on pagan morals and aesthetics. Karise Gililland: "Sede Vacante" on the Fall of Man. Douglas LeBlanc: "Vengeance is Mine, Saith Everyone" on societal and personal judgment. Alex Markos: "The Return of the Kings: Comparing the Homecoming of Odysseus and the Two Comings of Christ" on the tension between love and wrath, and "Persephone" on Christian re-imagination. Louis Markos: "In Defense of Hospitality and Storytelling" on the rules of xenia. Seth Myers: "Till They Have Faces: Lewis's Psyche Meets the Modern Helen of Troy and Circe" on different perspectives on ancient stories. Cherish Nelson: "The Nicomachean Ethics and the Enemy Within" on horror, power, and self-control. Annie Nardone: "Oh Brother: A Bluegrass Odyssey" on ancient morality, values, and spirituality. Zak Schmoll: "Pius Samwise: Roman Heroism in The Lord of the Rings" on Virgil and Tolkien's chief heroes. Jason M. Smith: "Worth Reading: The Ancients" with a list of suggestions on where to begin to read the ancient philosophers, and a review of After Humanity by Michael Ward. Ted Wright: "Drinking from the Well of the Past: A Reflection on the Role of History in Literature & Philosophy for the Modern World" on the function of history. Iris Zamora: "Ancients of Old," a poem celebrating the thinkers of days gone by. Fall 2021 Volume 4, Issue 3 280 pages Cover illustration by Virginia De La Lastra

Reading Shakespeare through a Christian Lens Not only huge English literature fans or apologetics aficionados will be delighted by this special Advent issue of An Unexpected Journal. The aim is to interest the scholar, yes, but also the general reader who has no special knowledge of English literature, Shakespeare, or apologetics. The defense of the Christian faith believes that no domain of human experience. All areas, including the history of ideas political, philosophical, scientific, and social, are fair game for apologetic research and discussion. All that we express in literature (especially the dramatic arts) deals with our experience, and experience is tied to the One who Makes, Redeems, and Sanctifies experience. With features from guest editors: Joe Ricke: "A Guide to Reading this Volume," "Introduction," "Against Pessimism: As You Like It (or Not)" Sarah R.A. Waters: "Lewis, Lear, and The Four Loves" As well as contributions from Shakespearean Scholars: Jem Bloomfield: "Disclosures of Form" John D. Cox: "Paradoxia Shakespeareana" Jack Heller: "Dogberry’s Inscrutable Grace in Much Ado about Nothing" Laura Higgins: "Shakespeare’s Hidden Ghosts" Crystal Hurd: "Ophelia" Corey Latta: "Hamlet’s Father" and "Othello" Tony Lawton and Editors: "Shakespeare and Cultural Apologetics" Tracy Manning and Editors: "An Interview with Tracy Manning" Louis Markos: "Letters From Shakespeare: Love" and "Letters From Shakespeare: Fools" D.S. Martin: "A Poem Emerging From An Epigraph Concerning Hamlet’s Indirection" G. Connor Salter: "Adaptation and Cultural Apologetics" John Stanifer: "Authorship: A Poetic Meditation" Jennifer Woodruff Tait: "Scripture" and "Jaques Tells His Story" Grace Tiffany: “Who is’t can read a woman?” Gary L. Tandy: “O, I have ta’en too little care of this” Including excerpts from the works of William Shakespeare: "Sonnet 55" "Cordelia To Lear" "Isabella’s Speech (On Mercy)" "Bottom’s Dream + Biblical Source" "On Mercy and Prejudice" "Sonnet 116" And commentary from classic authors: "On Shakespeare" by George MacDonald "On MacBeth" by G.K. Chesterton Erasmus On Fools "On Shakespeare" by John Milton 250 pages Volume 5, Issue 4 (Advent 2022)

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

Finding Joy in All Circumstances In a world chasing happiness, how does one find true joy? In a faith that promises joy as one of its benefits (Galatians 5:22), Christians should have the market cornered on joy, but do we? What is the original meaning of joy and what is the use of it? In this issue, contributors share examples of joy, some hard-won and at the end of a trial. We hope these pieces will help you find the definition of joy in your own life. Contributors “Review of What is Heaven Like? By Richard Eng”: Jasmin Biggs on the theological truths found in a children’s book. “Again I Say: An Excerpt From In Their Mother's Arms”: a novel excerpt by Donald W. Catchings, Jr. on a post-apocalyptic dystopia. “Joy and the Mind of the Reader”: Annie Crawford on why we should read. “Meticulous Mycologist: How Beatrix Potter Inspired C.S. Lewis”: Carrie Eben on joy in Beatrix Potter. Poems “Broken Blessings” and “Jubilee”: Joshua S. Fullman on God’s gifts. Poems “Home at Last” and “Song of Songs”: Ann Gauger on longing and love. “Joy - Brief”: Soujourna Howard on joy through pain. “The Shoes”: a short story by Kim Jacobson on finding spiritual joy. “Joy, Hedonism, and Scientific Utopia”: Jason Monroe on a truly good life. “Joy as Life’s Fuel”: Seth Myers the pursuit of joy. “Joy in the Mystery”: Annie Nardone on joy and donegality. “Review: Mere Evangelism”: Josiah Peterson on a new work on C.S. Lewis. “The Crown Because of the Cross: The Inseparability of Suffering and Joy in the Thought of C.S. Lewis”: Megan Joy Rials on suffering and joy and “A Review of A Green and Ancient Light by Frederic S. Durbin” on a worthy successor to C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. “Gratitude and the Happiness Machine”: Zak Schmoll on the root of joy. “Father Stu: A Story of Faith and Flaws, of Dreams and Determination”: John P. Tuttle on an authentic biopic. Poems “Joy's Arrival” and “Hidden in the Boughs”: Sarah Waters on coming together. “Joy (And Truth and Love): Some Johannine and Pastoral Reflections”: Donald Williams on a Johannine look at joy. Photography contributions by Tommy Darin Liskey .Cover Art Our cover illustration was created by Chilean artist, apologist, and physician Virginia de la Lastra. Fall 2022 Volume 5, Issue 3 240 pages

A Garden of Medieval Minds The medieval period was a time of greats: great courage, great words, great light, and great darkness. The writers, philosophers, and artists of the time still touch and influence our lives today. This volume celebrates these masterpieces that merged the physical and the spiritual into meaningful, incandescent truth. Contributors: C.M. Alvarez: “Death, Grief, & Hope in Pearl” on progressing through grief as illustrated in the Gawain poet’s medieval poem Pearl. Donald W. Catchings, Jr.: “The Dream of the Crown,” a medieval inspired poem on the piercing of Christ’s brow and “Chronological Snobbery: In Reply to Contemporary Petrarchs” on valuing the past. Annie Crawford: “Hogwarts in History: The Neo-Medieval Vision of Harry Potter” on our love of the medieval and “Cosmos” on holy wonder. Alison Delong: “A Call to Lament: An Apologetic Study of the Anglo-Saxon Elegies” on comprehending struggle and responding to it. Karise Gililland: “Wearing One’s Habits: Aristotle, Aquinas, and the Making of a Virtuous Man” on the ancient and medieval views on cultivating goodness and “The Quest of the Golden Queen,” a heroic poem on the Lady and the dragon. Sandra G. Hicks: “Death and Redemption for the Modern Heart: What We Can Learn from the Anglo-Saxon Elegy” on Christ, the Warrior-King illustrated in the medieval elegy, “The Wanderer.” Alex Markos: “Christ, Our Hero at Calvary: Meaning and Metaphor in Beowulf and ‘The Dream of the Rood’” on understanding the resurrection. Korine Martinez: “An Unlikely Witness” on the perspective of the cross illustrated in The Dream of the Rood. Jacqueline Medcalf: “The Book of Kells,” a medieval influenced poem on seeing a wonder. Seth Myers: “Dante for Moderns” on serving our fellow man and “Francis of Assisi” on medieval relevance. Annie Nardone: “The Venerable Bede: Following the Medieval Christian Footpath” on preserving history and “Thomas Aquinas: Understanding Evil” on darkness and life. Cherish Nelson: “The Gravity of Sin: Truth in the Grotesque in Dante’s Inferno” on the depths of evil. Holly Ordway: “Memento Mori: A Reflection on ‘The Ruin’” on the question of progress. Ted Wright: “Hagia Sophia and the Evidential Power of Beauty: Divine Architecture as Apologetics” on truth in stone. About the Cover Our cover illustration was provided by Chilean artist, apologist, and physician Virginia De La Lastra depicting the vibrant imagery of medieval illuminations. Vigorous and verdant green life battles against the dragons symbolizing evil, while the peacocks give the promise of the hope and power of the resurrection. Fall 2020 Volume 3, Issue 3 310 pages

Celebrating the Works of George MacDonald George MacDonald inspired the imaginative visions of C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, J.R.R. Tolkien, and so many others. He presents the reader with an enchanted world that is richer than the flattened world of materialism that defines reality for so many. Through this volume, we hope to invite the reader into the world of fantasy en route to discovering a true reality. Take a tour of the books of this classic Christian author, from his christian fantasy novels for both children and adults as well as his theological works. Contributors: Donald W. Catchings Jr.: "A Heavenly Guide: Lewis's 'Teacher' in The Great Divorce," a poem on the wise Scotsman. G.K. Chesterton: "On George MacDonald," a reflection by Chesterton on one of his favorite authors. Kelly Lehtonen: "Romanticism, the Marble Lady, and the Orders of Longing in Phantastes" on MacDonald's Christian view of human nature. George MacDonald: "The Imagination: Its Function and Its Culture," a fully annotated version of this classic essay on the important of imagination with George MacDonald's original notes. Jason Monroe: "Fight the Miserable Things: Reflections on the Joy in At the Back of the North Wind" on regaining joy with imagination. Seth Myers: Seth Myers: "Phantastes: Enchanting Beauty and Sacrificial Love" on joy, hope, and faith illustrated in MacDonald's classic fantasy novel; "Lilith and The Queen's Gambit: Two Ingenue Who Learn Love Through Sacrifice" on growing with community; and "From MacDonald to Magical Realism: Faith and Fantasy with Romantics, Marquez, Murakami, and Van Halen" on MacDonald's influence on fantasy for adults. Annie Nardone: "The Richness of Plain Talk: Interview with David Jack on Translating the Beauty of George MacDonald" on language and literature. Daniel Ray: "Old MacDonald's Dish: A Hearty Serving of George MacDonald's Thoughts on the Imagination and Its Relevance to Contemporary Apologetics," an essay on why the writing of George MacDonald matters. Megan Joy Rials: "The Lizard or the Stallion? George MacDonald on the Retroactivity of Heaven and Hell in The Great Divorce" on Lewis's choice of guide. George Scondras: "Good Enough to Believe In: George MacDonald and the Knowledge of the Ineffable" on justified belief in God. Aaron Stephens: "MacDonald, George," a poem on the border of Fairyland. John P. Tuttle: "Aëranths, Angels, and Allegory" on allegory in The Golden Key. Advent 2020 Volume 3, Issue 4 300 pages

G.K. Chesterton seemed to have something to say about almost anything. A cultural critic and writer of the highest degree, he utilized both wit and paradox as he sought to not only to challenge bad philosophy but promote the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. Volume 2, Issue 4 Advent 2019. 250 pages

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.

Celebrating the Living Witness of People and Places of the Christian Faith Saints and sanctuaries are critical parts of the Christian experience. We learn from those who have gone before or walk alongside us. When the mission becomes exhausting, we search for havens where we can recover and find the encouragement we need to continue. This issue seeks to celebrate the Christian journey; it considers many people who have traveled in ways we can learn from and the places that supported them as they carried on. Contributors "Prelude"" Sharon Jones on a Moment of Brightness "Saints, Suffering, and Sanctuaries from Around the World: Japan, Korea, and China"" Seth Myers on Christian Heroes in Asia "Cathedral Cosmos: A Glance Heavenward into the Medieval Model": Jason Monroe on Avoiding Chronological Snobbery "From Jokers to Fools: The Fire of Notre Dame as a Call to Holiness": Megan Joy Rials on Modernity, Architecture, and Hope "Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo": Donald Catchings on Experiencing Sanctuary "The Holy Dead: Saints as Sanctuaries": Joe Ricke on Physicality and Spirituality "Sestina for Miracle-Seekers" Mary Lou Cornish on Overcoming False Piety "Shelter in the Vine: An Unexpected Sanctuary": Charlotte Thomason on a Spiritual Haven "Sanctuaries for the Suffering: Trauma and Imagination in Apologetics": Jesse Childress on Psychological Elements That Influence Worldviews "Fire and Water: Three Kwansabas": Theresa Pihl on Memories of Ugandan Martyrs "Adventure & Faith: Lessons from the Life of St. Brendan the Navigator and Bilbo Baggins": Ted Wright on Voyages and Ventures "Rest and Reemergence: Rivendell As a Sanctuary": Zak Schmoll on Healing and Pressing on "Unforsaken: Fantasy, Providence, and the Silence of God": Clayton R. Conder on Finding Clarity through the Strange "Ode to Francis": John Tuttle on a Saint to Study "But It’s Not Fair": Annie Nardone on Lessons from Boethius "The Offering of St. Ignatius": Annie Crawford on Enduring Pain for God’s Glory "The Kingdom of Kings and Queens: A Parable": Jesse Baker on a Transformational Encounter "The Voyage of the Titan": Zak Schmoll on Wanting Something Better Cover Art Our cover illustration was created by Chilean artist, apologist, and physician Virginia de la Lastra. The stained glass panel illustrates the beginning of the Great Struggle with the Fall and the saints which led the charge when the tide began to turn in the Great Reversal: Joseph, Mary, and John the Baptist. Spring 2022 Volume 5, Issue 1 270 pages