INTRODUCTION

If you love stories that grab you by the collar and refuse to let go, The Carnal God might just become your new obsession. First published in the July 1937 issue of Weird Tales, this story was co-written by John R. Speer—a former minister who turned his insider knowledge of faith and doubt into sharp, unforgettable fiction—and Carlisle Schintzer, a mysterious figure who vanished from the literary world after this one powerful collaboration. What we do know about Schintzer is almost nothing, which only adds to the story’s enigmatic charm.

The Carnal God takes readers deep into the uneasy crossroads where belief, desire, and power collide. It’s a tale that blends the sacred and the profane in a way that’s equal parts thrilling and unsettling. But don’t mistake it for just another pulp story. Beneath the surface, it’s packed with questions about the human need for control and the dangerous ways people justify their actions in the name of something greater.

Speer’s background as a minister lends the story an authenticity that makes it stand out from the usual supernatural fare of the time. He’s seen the inner workings of faith and knows how easily it can be twisted—not by supernatural forces, but by human flaws. Meanwhile, Schintzer’s contribution keeps the narrative sharp and unpredictable, creating a mood that lingers long after you’ve read the last line.

Why read this now? Because the themes are surprisingly relevant. In a world still wrestling with the balance between personal freedom and collective belief, between morality and desire, The Carnal God feels like a story that’s not just of its time but ahead of it. It’s a reminder that beneath the rituals and sermons, real people wrestle with messy, complicated truths.

But even if you’re just looking for a gripping, provocative read with a dash of vintage pulp flair, this story delivers. It’s dark, clever, and never dull—a little piece of forgotten literary history that still punches above its weight.

So dive in. Read it for the mystery, for the drama, or just for the ride. Either way, The Carnal God won’t leave you quite the same.