British theologian Dean Stanley once wrote, "The true call of a Christian is not to do extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things in an extraordinary way." That is precisely what the authors culled together by editor Cynthia MacKinnon have done in the anthology "Light at the Edge of Darkness". Using fantasy and science fiction, genres that were once closed to Christian writers in the minds of many, these wordsmiths have crafted stories that are as meaningful as they are entertaining. Because of their efforts, the genre of Biblical speculative fiction has a new work by which to define itself.
The opening story, "Undeniable" by A.P. Fuchs, instantly lets a reader know that this anthology means business. It is a tale of determination and sacrifice that slaps shackles on a reader's wrists and allows him or her to experience the demands of faith under extreme circumstances. From page one, a reader is compelled to ask him or herself, "Would I do the same for my God? Is my faith strong enough?" Soul-searching questions indeed. However, not every piece is as emotionally demanding. For example, Deborah Cullins-Smith's "The Rider" is a refreshing visit to the Old West that redefines the classic image of "The Man in the White Hat." In a story which is accurate even to the dialect, geography, and mise-en-scene of the setting, Cullins manages to weave in elements of fantasy so seamlessly that not only do they not seem incongruent, one wonders why other authors of western fiction have never taken the time to do the same.
For the historical buffs, Steve Doyle's "The Waking of the Dead" is a pleasing piece, and science fiction fans will relish tales such as "Small and Simple Things," a new take on space travel from new author Alethea Knight, "Your Ordinary Average Alien" by Adam Graham, and "Chairman" from the Frank Creed, an author who grows more original and uplifting with each story he writes. For those who prefer narratives from the here and now, Daniel I. Weaver's "Guilty" and Stephen L. Rice's "One Taken, the Other Left" will more than wet one's literary whistle. In short, reading this anthology cover to cover is akin to visiting a revival tent of itinerant preachers. Each author shares his or her testimonial tales, and the result is nothing less than a blessing.
Readers will run the gamut when reading "Light at the Edge of Darkness," not only of genre, style, and subject matter, but also of emotion and spiritual growth, which is only fitting. After all, each Christian who comes to know God arrives at His feet via very different paths, and no two stories of salvation are identical. That is why this anthology could not have come at a better time, for, in addition to helping define a new genre, it can reach out to modern readers and touch those who might never otherwise be exposed to any aspect of the Christian faith.