In this episode, we explore the art of crafting compelling villains in faith-driven fiction. We start by unpacking what separates a simple antagonist from a true villain — and why villains are often essential to driving a story forward. From Shakespeare’s Iago to Star Wars’ Darth Vader, we look at iconic villains across literature and film and ask: what makes them unforgettable?
Then we dive into Scripture itself — where some of the most powerful villains serve God’s greater purposes. Pharaoh, Judas, and even Saul before his conversion remind us that even darkness can be used to reveal light.
Finally, we get practical: What does it take to write a faith-driven villain well? We’ll talk about avoiding shallow evil-for-evil’s-sake characters, creating villains with real motivations, and writing darkness without glorifying sin. Whether your villain finds redemption or faces judgment, this episode will challenge you to think deeply about the role of evil in your stories — and how it can ultimately point readers back to grace.
Key Takeaways:
- Why even the darkest characters can serve a redemptive story
- What separates a villain from an antagonist
- How Scripture uses villains to reveal God’s power and truth
- Practical tips for writing villains with depth, purpose, and intentionality
Sprint Prompt: Rewrite a story from the villain’s POV
Jenifer Carll-Tong is the best-selling author of historical Christian romances and co-host of the Christian Indie Writers’ Podcast.
