Why Fiction Needs More Mentor Characters

When you hear “fictional mentors,” what probably comes to mind is the quintessential wizened elder who speaks a few prophetic words over the hero, before inevitably dying a tragic death at the climax of the second act. But mentorship is so much more than a convenient plot device; it is a Biblical directive, a sacred duty, and an essential component of discipleship.

And whatever is important in life, is important in fiction.

Repeat After Me

In Matthew 28:18-20, we find Jesus’ last instructions to His followers before returning to heaven. Right at the center, in verse 19, we find the Great Commission: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations…” The word translated “make disciples,” is a primary verb which means that everything that comes after it answers the question “How should I make disciples?” And the answer is through baptism and teaching.

Webster’s Dictionary defines a mentor as: a trusted counselor or guide; a tutor, a coach. Jesus’s command to make disciples may well be translated “Make disciples by guiding others into the love of God.” Paul modeled this method in his ministry, going so far as to instruct the believers in Corinth to “imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). The preceding verse reveals the true heart of mentorship: “I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:33).

God doesn’t just call us to mentorship to benefit the ignorant and unbelieving, or even to provide friendship and counsel to our fellow disciples—although these are definitely valuable functions of the role. God calls us to mentorship to make us aware of our influence. No matter what you’re doing or where you are, others are watching—and learning—for better or for worse. This humbling truth drives us to the heart of Christ to seek the wisdom, guidance, and the mentorship of His Spirit. It’s a sacred cycle of learning and dependence which makes us cry out with David: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing” (Psalm 143:10).

OK Boomer…

There’s a another aspect of this truth: how receiving mentorship affects us. In the 21st century, an unhealthy gap exists between the generations; young people miss out on elders’ wisdom, and elders miss out on young people’s strength. In 1 Samuel 3, we read the story of Samuel, a priest who first heard God’s voice when only a young boy. But he needed the insight of his mentor, priest Eli, to recognize and respond to that voice. God’s plan for mentorship is two-fold and cross-generational.

As I discussed in a previous post, stories have a unique power to reveal truth and reflect light. When it comes to representing God’s plan for generational mentorship, fiction often falls short: either leaving mentors out completely, or using them sparingly and ineffectively. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Not to Brag But…

My series is in no way the only Christian fantasy to feature high-quality, cross-generational mentors, (Puddleglum from C.S. Lewis’s The Silver Chair is a one of my favorite) but since this blog is about the Tiding Bearer Trilogy, let’s talk about the essential ingredients to Biblical fictional mentors using Tenebra’s mentors as a guide.

Mentors have their own struggles and flaws

Just because mentors are leaders doesn’t mean they have to be perfect; in fact, it’s often the ways in which they approach and overcome their flaws that make them worth looking up to. This is especially true in the case of Realgar, who, as a former first lieutenant in the High Ruler’s militia, has many regrets. But instead of dwelling on them, he uses his past to encourage Errol when he fails, reminding him that his mistakes can be teachers instead of tormentors.

Mentors provide Biblical wisdom and insight

As any good mentor should, Dara gets her advice straight from the Giver Himself. Much of her dialogue is a direct paraphrase of Proverbs, and she doesn’t shy away from calling out the heroes when they make a wrong turn. As she says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” But she also encourages and uplifts them, and always points them back to the Giver’s faithfulness and love.

Mentors have complex faith walks

Mentors are human, and that means their relationship with God should be as nuanced and complex as any other character’s. Although Riah believes in the Giver and faithfully tends to the chronicles of the tiding bearers, his past is full of tragedies that have made him bitter and reluctant to step into a mentor role. But when he sees the Giver’s hand at work in the young heroes He’s raised up, their courage gives him reason to believe again. (See how it all comes full circle? Youth and elders need each other!)

Mentorship is an extension of the Great Commission and a calling that applies to every believer. Just as we need mentors in the real world, readers need characters they can look up to in fiction. If you have any favorite fictional mentors, tell me about them in the comments or drop into my DMs on Insta! And until next time, stay kind, curious, and courageous. <3 <3 <3