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Should Christians watch horror movies? Can frightening stories strengthen our understanding of good and evil, or should believers avoid them altogether? And what does the Bible itself teach us about fear, darkness, and courage?

In this episode of The Deep End, Pastor Tim Hatch welcomes N. D. Wilson, author of the Ashtown Burials series and a writer associated with House of David, for a thought-provoking conversation about Christian storytelling, the role of fear, and the importance of portraying evil without glorifying it.

Wilson makes a provocative argument: “God tells scary stories.”

From terrifying biblical encounters to the courage of David facing Goliath, Scripture does not shy away from danger, judgment, suffering, or spiritual conflict. But these accounts also reveal God’s authority, the seriousness of evil, and the hope found in His ultimate victory.

The conversation explores whether frightening stories can communicate meaningful truths about courage, faith, and redemption—and how Christians should evaluate the entertainment they consume.

Rather than simply asking whether a story is scary, Wilson challenges viewers to consider what that story is ultimately saying about good and evil.

In This Episode

Pastor Tim Hatch and N. D. Wilson explore the relationship between Christian faith, frightening stories, and the power of biblical storytelling.

  • Should Christians watch horror movies? Why the answer may require more discernment than simply rejecting an entire genre.
  • Why Wilson says God tells scary stories: How Scripture uses frightening events, danger, and judgment to communicate important truths.
  • The difference between portraying evil and glorifying it: Why the moral direction of a story matters as much as its subject matter.
  • How frightening stories can encourage courage: Why meaningful storytelling often places characters in danger and challenges them to overcome fear.
  • The Bible’s unsettling narratives: How biblical accounts of warfare, judgment, spiritual opposition, and suffering reveal the seriousness of evil.
  • Fear and faith: Why biblical courage does not require pretending that danger is unreal.
  • What makes storytelling Christian: The importance of moral meaning, sacrifice, redemption, and the ultimate triumph of good.
  • Wilson’s development as a writer: How his creative interests shaped his approach to fiction and storytelling.
  • House of David and the biblical imagination: The opportunities and challenges of dramatizing the life of David for modern audiences.
  • Why David’s story is so compelling: How danger, conflict, courage, and faith come together in the biblical account.
  • Ashtown Burials and The Silent Bells: Wilson discusses his imaginative fiction and the role of adventure, mystery, and danger in storytelling.
  • Why Christians need discernment: How believers can evaluate entertainment without either embracing everything or rejecting stories solely because they contain frightening material.

🌎 Cultural Relevance

Should Christians Avoid Horror Movies?

Horror is one of the most debated entertainment genres among Christians.

Some believers avoid horror movies because of their association with violence, occult themes, disturbing imagery, and the celebration of evil. Others distinguish between stories that glorify darkness and stories that use danger or fear to communicate moral truth.

The question is especially relevant in a culture where entertainment increasingly explores supernatural themes, moral ambiguity, and the boundaries between good and evil.

But Scripture does not teach Christians to evaluate something merely by whether it contains frightening material.

Romans 12:9 instructs believers to abhor what is evil and hold fast to what is good. Philippians 4:8 calls Christians to consider what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable.

These principles require thoughtful evaluation.

A story that celebrates cruelty, invites fascination with occult power, or makes evil attractive raises different concerns from a story that portrays evil as something dangerous that must be confronted and overcome.

The presence of darkness in a story is not necessarily the same as the celebration of darkness.

That distinction is central to the conversation between Pastor Tim and Wilson.

Why Does the Bible Contain Frightening Stories?

One of Wilson’s most compelling arguments is that the Bible itself contains stories that would be considered frightening if portrayed on screen.

Scripture includes accounts of divine judgment, terrifying visions, violent conflicts, demonic oppression, persecution, and encounters with overwhelming supernatural power.

Consider the account of the final plague in Egypt in Exodus 12, the fiery furnace in Daniel 3, or Jesus confronting a demon-oppressed man in Mark 5.

These are not comfortable stories.

They confront readers with the reality of evil, the seriousness of sin, and the awesome power of God.

Yet their purpose is not to glorify darkness.

Instead, they reveal God’s holiness, His authority, and His power to deliver His people.

In 2 Kings 6:15–17, Elisha’s servant becomes terrified when he sees an enemy army surrounding the city. But when the Lord opens his eyes, he discovers that God’s heavenly forces are greater than the threat before him.

The danger was real. So was God’s protection.

The Bible does not teach believers to pretend that evil and suffering do not exist. It teaches them to trust the Lord who reigns over all things.

Can Scary Stories Teach Christians Courage?

Courage is not the absence of danger. It is the willingness to do what is right in the face of danger.

That truth appears throughout Scripture.

When David confronted Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, the giant represented a genuine threat. David did not defeat him because the danger was imaginary, but because he trusted the Lord.

Likewise, Joshua 1:9 commands God’s people to be strong and courageous because the Lord is with them.

Psalm 27:1 declares that the Lord is our light and salvation, giving believers reason not to be overcome by fear.

Stories that place characters in frightening circumstances can reveal the difference between cowardice and courage, selfishness and sacrifice, despair and hope.

But that does not make every frightening story spiritually beneficial.

Christians must still consider the content, message, and effect of what they watch or read.

A story may contain a courageous hero while also including material that an individual believer finds inappropriate or spiritually harmful.

Biblical discernment requires considering both the story’s moral direction and its potential influence on the viewer.

House of David: Why Biblical Stories Need Conflict

Wilson’s involvement with House of David brings another dimension to the discussion.

The biblical account of David contains extraordinary dramatic elements: an unlikely young hero, a powerful enemy, political intrigue, betrayal, warfare, friendship, sacrifice, and the consequences of human sin.

These elements are not additions invented by modern entertainment.

They are part of the biblical narrative itself.

David’s confrontation with Goliath is memorable precisely because the danger is enormous and the outcome appears impossible from a human perspective.

Yet David’s confidence rests in the Lord rather than his own strength.

The challenge of bringing biblical stories to television is to communicate their drama without losing their spiritual meaning.

A faithful portrayal of Scripture must do more than entertain. It must respect the biblical account and the truths that make these stories significant.

For Christian audiences, House of David also raises broader questions about how filmmakers adapt Scripture, portray biblical characters, and balance dramatic storytelling with biblical accuracy.

Ashtown Burials and the Christian Imagination

Wilson is also known for his imaginative adventure fiction, including the Ashtown Burials series.

His storytelling combines danger, mystery, imaginative settings, and characters facing extraordinary circumstances.

In the interview, Wilson discusses his writing and the role of storytelling in shaping how readers understand courage and the world around them.

Adventure stories frequently place characters in situations where they must confront something greater than themselves.

The outcome often depends on loyalty, perseverance, sacrifice, and the willingness to act courageously.

These themes provide opportunities to explore moral questions through fiction.

For Christian readers, the issue is not whether every book or movie must explicitly present a sermon.

It is whether the story’s underlying moral vision is consistent with what Scripture teaches about goodness, evil, truth, and human responsibility.

How Should Christians Choose What to Watch?

The conversation ultimately points toward the importance of Christian discernment.

Believers should not assume that every story labeled horror is identical, nor should they assume that frightening entertainment is harmless simply because it has a positive ending.

Instead, Christians can ask:

  • Does this story portray evil as something to resist or something to admire?
  • Does it celebrate courage, goodness, truth, and sacrifice?
  • Does it encourage an unhealthy fascination with occult practices or spiritual darkness?
  • Does its content conflict with my biblical convictions?
  • How does watching or reading it affect my thoughts, conscience, and relationship with God?

Romans 14:23 emphasizes the importance of acting in faith and with a clear conscience.

Christians may reach different conclusions about particular movies, television programs, or novels.

But those decisions should be shaped by Scripture, wisdom, and a sincere desire to honor the Lord.

The goal is not to find excuses to consume questionable entertainment.

The goal is to develop biblical discernment that recognizes both the danger of glorifying evil and the value of stories that point toward truth, courage, and redemption.

💬 Join the Conversation

N. D. Wilson’s perspective raises important questions about Christian entertainment, storytelling, and the relationship between faith and fear.

  1. Should Christians avoid horror movies altogether, or does the message behind the story make a difference?
  2. Can frightening stories communicate biblical truths about courage, sacrifice, and the victory of good over evil?
  3. How do you determine whether a movie, television series, or book is appropriate for you or your family?

Watch the full episode of The Deep End with Pastor Tim Hatch and N. D. Wilson, then share your thoughts in the comments.

Watch the interview: https://youtu.be/N6plckE-Lyg

📣 Engage With Us

Watch The Deep End with Pastor Tim Hatch

Explore biblical perspectives on current events, culture, Christian living, faith, and the questions shaping our world.

Stay connected:

Featured resources: N. D. Wilson’s Ashtown Burials series and The Silent Bells.

If this conversation challenged the way you think about Christian storytelling, share it with someone who enjoys books, movies, or thoughtful discussions about faith and culture.

🙏 Share the Hope

The Christian story does not deny the existence of evil.

Scripture tells us that sin has entered the world, that suffering is real, and that humanity cannot save itself.

But the Bible also reveals something far greater than the darkness: Jesus Christ has overcome sin and death.

In John 16:33, Jesus tells His disciples:

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV)

The Christian hope is not that life will always be comfortable or that we will never encounter frightening circumstances.

Our hope is that Jesus Christ has accomplished what we could never accomplish for ourselves.

Through His death and resurrection, He offers forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and eternal life to all who repent and believe in Him.

Evil is real, but it is not sovereign.

Death is an enemy, but it does not have the final victory.

Jesus Christ is risen, and those who belong to Him have an eternal hope that no darkness can overcome.

If you are searching for truth, forgiveness, or a new beginning, turn to Jesus Christ. His Word is trustworthy, His grace is sufficient, and His promise of eternal life is available to all who believe in Him.

The darkness does not have the final word. Jesus Christ does.

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2026, The Deep End
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