23 Feb
Jesus Christ Superhero?!
It’s true that we all need a superhero because it’s just in our subconscious that we all need a Savior. That’s why comics like Superman, Spider-man (my childhood favorite) and even Wonder Woman, with their celluloid enactments pull in so many millions both at comic stores and at the box-office.
But to put the Lord Jesus Christ as the main character in a manga (or comic done Japanese-style), and portraying Him as this dark, silhouetted, brooding and kick-ass stranger in town is just taking it a bit too far in my opinion!
Yeah, that’s the manga-ized Jesus you’re seeing in the picture.
I have no problems with illustrations of Bible stories in general, but I have a serious problem with those that put a face to the Lord Jesus Christ if He is featured in the illustration — you know, the long blonde/brown-haired, blue-eyed guy a la Roman Catholic style?
Aimed at the 15-25 age group, the manga which attempts to illustrate the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation has been selling so well in the United Kingdom (30,000 copies to be exact, and counting) that it has now become the best-selling graphic novel in the country.
Now, I think that’s quite a novel idea in itself — presenting the Bible in a graphic novel — and acceptable to a certain degree. After all, some of us did love the illustrated story of The Exodus in the movie “Prince of Egypt” and I hear there’s another that will be released soon called “Ten Commandments”.
Also, it is quite perfectly alright when some Christian parents have no second thoughts about buying illustrated Bible stories of Exodus or the Flood (Noah’s Ark) for their young ones.
Personally that’s as far as I would go, i.e. it is alright to illustrate the accounts in the Bible, but…
When it comes to illustrating the LORD Jesus Christ and shining such a light (dark, brooding kick-ass stranger in town, indeed!) on the LORD of CREATION, the LORD of Lords, this is NO way to do it, nor should it be done!
Some might say that it’s a great way to reach the young.
I don’t think so, because for one, I think that people between the ages of 15 to 25 can stomach being told the Gospel directly without having to use such an “aid”.
How about giving out evangelism tracts as a start, eh?
Secondly, where’s the fear of the LORD and actually taking the LORD of Lords seriously?
Here’s a choice quote from the story in an online UK newspaper detailing how the Church of England supports the manga:
But the Church of England praised The Manga Bible, describing it as “brilliant and clever”. A Church spokesman said: “This will clash with some people, but it’s something many people will identify with too. The idea of Christ as a sort of superhero figure isn’t new. Think back to Jesus Christ Superstar. What’s important is that the message of the Bible is maintained.”
Does the spokesman even know what Jesus Christ Superstar was all about?!
It made a mockery of the Lord Jesus Christ! And there… right there… there’s the all-important notion of the post-modern movement — that the ends justifies the means, when the spokesman says how important it is that “the message of the Bible is maintained”.
In what way?! And which Bible has that man been reading?!
Besides, there’s so much error in the manga Bible, as the graphic novel is called, no Christian can truly agree with the spokesman that the message of the Bible has been maintained. For example, the Sermon on the Mount did not feature because there was not enough action to it.
So, yeah, leaving out a good (and might I add, a pretty integral) part of the Lord Jesus Christ’s teachings during His ministry still entitles the graphic novel to claim that the message of the Bible has been maintained.
Someone explain to me how that is possible?
Oh, and our superhero will have sidekicks, as all good superheroes do. The manga Jesus will have John and Peter providing “humor” and “light relief” alongside the superhero himself.
It doesn’t surprise me that Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has hailed the manga saying “It will convey the shock and freshness of the Bible in a unique way”.
After all, we are talking about the same Christian leader who “… gave his backing to a translation of the New Testament in 2004 in which St Paul’s condemnations of gay sex were deleted and Christians were told to go out and have more sex. St Peter became ‘Rocky’ and Mary Magdalene ‘Maggie’”.
I think that just about sums it up.
Shalom Aleichem.
Sources:
1. Ahmed, Murad. “Religious Superheroes Come Back Fighting in a Manga Comic Bible.” The Times 18 Feb. 2008. <http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3386643.ece>.
2. Banerjee, Neela. “In Manga Bible, the Tough Guy is Jesus.” International Herald Tribune 10 Feb. 2008. <http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/10/asia/manga.php>.
Tags: Bible, Comic, Graphic Novel, Illustration, Japanese, Manga, Movie, Spider-man, Superhero, Superman
Posted by FishHawk on 23.02.08 at 20:09
AMEN!!!
Posted by Karl on 23.02.08 at 20:09
Satan will use every trick he can to belittle, demean and discredit the gospel message. This is really not all that surprising considering Jesus said that there would be a great rebellion (apostasy) and falling away prior to His return. So in a way, it is cause for celebration, as it means we are all the more closer to His return. Hallelujah! It is also a huge sign that we need to be sharing the gospel with as many hearts as God has prepared to receive the message.
Posted by Carol on 23.02.08 at 20:09
Amen, what Karl said.
This is just another example of how entertainment (which feeds the flesh) is being mixed in with the spiritual. Nowhere in Scripture are we told to use worldly methods and aides to do this.
And if this manga employs a “shock’ and “freshness” method, then does that mean that the Bible is dull and stale and in desperate need of our bringing life to it? It seems that it really would seem dull and stale to a generation that is over stimulated due to countless entertainment options (both in the church and outside). So in order to reach them, they think Jesus has to be bigger, better, and more entertaining in order to hold their interest. And if this new-fangled method of bells and whistles is used to lure these people in, then they are only here for that reason.
Posted by Sicarii on 23.02.08 at 20:09
Wonderful perspective, Karl! And, yes, we should be doing exactly just that.
Shalom!
Posted by Sicarii on 23.02.08 at 20:09
You’re right, Carol. This is also the by-product of entertainment-centric church services that is responding to this noise-polluted ‘entertaining’ world of ours in the wrong way.
Instead of further distancing ourselves, we find many drawing nearer and even adopting worldly standards in their churches.
Shalom!
Posted by BrotherMark on 23.02.08 at 20:09
Man has tried to use his creativity to come up
with fantastic super hero types…..but he has never
even scratched the surface of the reality of what
the Lord has in store for us when we are changed
into a glorious redeemed body like His. A body that will
be able to see Him as He is….in the spiritual and physical
realms at the same time….outside of time, too. We can
appear and disappear…be anywhere at any moment. Eat all we want and not get fat..Serve Christ as His Glorified Body.
Whew!………….Can’t wait for Jesus to reveal us to the world. Won’t they be surprised !
Posted by sigit on 23.02.08 at 20:09
Guess one word from me: “That’s not Jesus”
Even Jesus picture that we know today was not Jesus.
That’s all. Keep critizise Sicarii
Wa’Aleichem Shalom
Posted by Sicarii on 23.02.08 at 20:09
Indeed they will be, BrotherMark! I agree with most of what you said about our new bodies, but can’t find the references to support “appear and disappear” and “eat all we want and not get fat”.
The second, if supported by Scripture, does sound good though, lol!
Shalom!
Posted by Sicarii on 23.02.08 at 20:09
Sigit: Amen! I take much offense at how our Lord is portrayed in all forms of media, and sometimes I just want to rip those ‘pictures of Christ’ into pieces for idolatry! ;-)
Shalom!
Posted by BrotherMark on 23.02.08 at 20:09
After Christ rose , He appeared.. many times to His own.
On one occasion he ate fish….showing that a resurrected
one can eat….also we know we will eat and drink with Him
in the Kingdom. We will also be able to do these things when we are changed into an eternal glorified body.
The things we will be able to do are so great….we cannot imagine
them all as yet.
God Bless.
Posted by Sicarii on 23.02.08 at 20:09
Ah, I see where that comes from now!
Thanks, BrotherMark.
Shalom!
Posted by LaVrai on 23.02.08 at 20:09
How about folks who keep a ‘portrait’ of Jesus on their living room wall? Is that any different?
Anyway, this reminds me of this brilliant Web site. It stores a collection of random stuff people put out capitalizing on the image of Jesus…like mugs, t-shirts, candy bars, bottled water, etc. It’s worth a look, believe me. Even jelly beans
http://www.alittleleaven.com/jesus_junk/index.html
Posted by Isaiah on 23.02.08 at 20:09
LaVrai:
To me, it’s no different at all.
Yea, A Little Leaven is an awesome site, and is one of my all-time favorites.