S4 - Ep10 "Be Afraid" with Dr. Callaway Kutter

Hard Faith Podcast | Season 4, Episode 10 Be Afraid: Horror, Halloween & the Theology of Fear with Dr. Kutter Callaway Can horror movies actually strengthen our faith? And what if the Bible's command to "fear not" doesn't mean what we think it does? In this special Halloween season episode of the Hard Faith Podcast, filmmaker and Hard Faith founder Spencer Folmar welcomes Dr. Kutter Callaway, theologian, film critic, author, and professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, for a fascinating conversation about horror films, Christianity, and the surprising spiritual value of being afraid. Kutter Callaway will also be joining us as a featured speaker and panelist at Hard Faith Film Festival NYC, December 4–5, 2026, in Manhattan! Join us for two days of independent cinema, conversations about faith and filmmaking, industry panels, and opportunities to connect with Christian creatives and storytellers. Learn more and get tickets at https://www.hardfaithfest.com. Callaway, who teaches at the intersection of theology, psychology, and culture and leads Brehm Film at Fuller Theological Seminary, is the author of the new book *Be Afraid: What Horror Reveals About Facing the Darkness*. Drawing from theology, psychology, and cinema, his book challenges Christians to reconsider their relationship with fear and explore how confronting darkness can lead to greater wisdom, compassion, and spiritual growth. In this episode, Spencer and Kutter explore Hollywood's horror renaissance, why audiences increasingly gravitate toward frightening stories, and whether horror films can help us confront the real-life trauma, suffering, and evil we would rather ignore. From *The Exorcist* and *The Blair Witch Project* to *Sinners*, *The Substance*, and even Charles Dickens' *A Christmas Carol*, their conversation examines how frightening stories can reveal profound truths about the human condition. They also discuss the dangers of glorifying violence, the importance of Christian discernment, and why Scripture itself refuses to sanitize the darkness of our fallen world. Perhaps most provocatively, Callaway suggests that the Christian life isn't necessarily about eliminating fear, but learning to fear rightly—redirecting our fears toward what truly matters and recognizing that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The conversation concludes with a timely discussion about Halloween, Christian traditions, and how families can approach difficult subjects such as death, grief, and the supernatural without surrendering to fear. Learn more and connect: - Hard Faith Film Festival NYC: https://www.hardfaithfest.com - Kutter Callaway's book, *Be Afraid*: https://www.beafraidbook.com - Kutter Callaway: https://www.kuttercallaway.com - Hard Faith: https://www.hardfaith.com At Hard Faith, we believe life is hard, and God is good. Through honest storytelling and meaningful conversations, we're telling stories that liberate. Subscribe to the Hard Faith Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves film, faith, or a good scary story.