Why does narrative hold unique power over the human heart?

Why do some characters feel more real than real people?

We seldom pause to ask or answer these questions, but we know when the magic happens. And whether through fiction or nonfiction, this interaction is equally compelling. Story captivates the human heart.

Anistemi asserts that this power, the power of words and of story, is preeminently upheld, established, and perfected in the resurrected grace and glory of Jesus Christ, the Word.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him, was not anything that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

-John 1:1-5

As Tolkien famously asserted and Lewis agreed, the Christian storyteller engages in nothing less than the act of worship he was created for: sub-creation. "According to Tolkien the appeal of the fairy story lies in the fact that man there most fully exercises his function as a 'sub-creator'; not...making a 'comment upon life' but making, so far as possible, a subordinate world of his own," (Lewis, On Writing for Children). Understood as worship, our stories, real or imagined, should reflect the creator whose image we are made in—must be lights in the darkness.

In an age of increasing censorship and hostility, Anistemi was born of the need for Christ-following writers to find community, practical resources, and supportive encouragement from other writers with shared values.

To many, Christian story has become synonymous with phrases like, "uplifting story," "clean story," or "censored story." We believe better phrases are "worthy story," "beautiful story," and "meaningful story." Anistemi is a Greek verb used many times through the New Testament, "To raise, to rise, to stand up, to resurrect," (see Strong's). 

Our founder, Janie Barbosa, started Anistemi Publishing in 2023 with the prayerful desire to nurture a space where creative members in the body of Christ can connect and raise up voices that seek to elevate not just the good, the true, and the beautiful—but that boldly radiate the glory of Christ through creative forms. It's time to create like we were created to!