The Gospel According to Peanuts by Robert L. Short

Short's most memorable comparisons, though, are to be found in the other central characters of Peanuts. Charlie Brown is also prone to moments of great anxiety, a fear of nothingness and emptiness. Charlie Brown, in a very real sense, represents Everyman, a jolly good fellow who is always looking for something to improve a life that is, by and large, rather miserable - he never wins, just as mankind, on its own, never wins. In the same vein as the parables of Jesus, Short makes use of dozens of Peanuts comic strips to shed light on a clear and understandable theology, finding many illustrative parallels in the lives of the Peanuts gang. It is a wonderful argument that offers up much food for thought.

For those who would scoff at the notion of linking Christianity with comedy, Short reminds us that, to the world, Christianity is itself rather comical.

Engage them in the arts or some other object of mutual interest, and you open up innumerable outlets for Christian witnessing. You can't go around beating people over the head with God and get results, no matter how good your intentions. The fact that Charles Schulz himself was a Christian is, in a sense, immaterial as Short argues, Christians should embrace all manner of things which will allow them to connect with others in a subtle and less holier-than-thou manner. He begins the book with a justification for Christians embracing the arts as a means of spreading the Gospel to those around them. Short certainly does not argue that every single Peanuts cartoon carries a theological message, but he offers up an amazing selection of comic strips that do in fact encapsulate a number of important Christian beliefs. I could not possibly be more pleased.The Gospel According to Peanuts is a truly fascinating little book filled with insight, wisdom, and the type of joy that Christians should naturally espouse. succeeds in making theology enjoyable.” - Christian Century I could not possibly be more pleased.' -Charles Schulz, creator of Peanuts Critical Praise succeeds in making theology enjoyable.' -Christian Century '. This book′s wise observations are as timeless as they are timely. First published in 1968, this contemporary case for vigorous Christian faith - profusely illustrated by Charles Schulz′s delightful peanuts cartoon strips - sheds more light on the Christian faith and how it is to be lived than many more 'serious' theological works, with hundreds of cartoons featuring your favorite peanuts characters Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, And of course, Snoopy (including the earliest red baron strips).

The Gospel According to Peanuts by Robert L. Short