So there I was, one of the many God showed a need for Christian comics to. Like many of you I assumed that since I alone (silly assumption, yes?) was inspired by the need for Christian comics, that I must do it myself.
Preachy or Subtle?
How to avoid 'Christian Talking Heads?'
How to show action when murder is against God's will.
What level of realism to depict sin with? Too superficial and non-believers will think you don't know what you are talking about. Too graphic and the temptation to sin is great.
Am I being subtle about Christianity or just hiding my light under a wicker basket so that a little light shines through the holes, but not enough to blind the non-believers?
Did you ask yourselves these questions? I did.
On the question of action/conflict: To avoid Christian Talking Head, what were some solutions to show fighting? Fighting for what is right is a good thing. But the whole argument against whether the nature of War has changed since the New Testament comes up. Some people believe Christians shouldn't even be soldiers or police officers.
One solution is to show Biblical battles. There is no question that God supported many of those battles, hence there is no error in showing them.
Another solution is to show Angels battling Demons. Very visually exciting, and allowed, as Angels and Demons war and will continue to war until God ends the reign of Satan.
Another solution is to have humans fighting undead, robots, demons, so no murder transpires.
Over the years I have seen a few books with these themes. There was a time when I wondered whether there were too many books like this, but in time I decided that I feel every creator brings a different twist to these stories. For Angelic Warfare for example, Mark Melton's Angel Dreams is different than Melchizidek Todd's Allegories of the Way, both are wonderful series. Lisa Hutchison's The Shelter of Wings is another story of the supernatural that is also very different, and also uniquely lovely. Slightly different as it has humans battling demons is Shandra Koger's magnificent Lightning Prophetess. So I no longer shy away from these sort of books.
Christian super heroes are another popular solution to putting action into your Christian book. Again, there are many approaches that can be taken to Christian Superheroes, they need not all be the same.
The Christian spiritual armor in Ephesians is another recurring concept in comics as it is a goldmine of visual imagery and suggests action packed spiritual warfare, whether the armor is physical or the battles take place in a spiritual realm. Exciting stuff.
I personally decided I would go with the Christian talking heads, encouraged by some manga that were primarily about romance or friendships, with little or no physical conflict, as well as the "Adventures in Odyssey" radio program that I listened to for many years. I chose teens for my characters because we are all at some point, teenagers, and it remains a vivid memory, an exhilarating, exciting time of discovery, hope, love, loneliness, pain... the struggles the average non-combatant deals with and empathizes with. Even here, we see this is a recurring theme. David Duarte's fabulous 'Modern Christians' is one of my favorites, and it's nothing like my own amateur attempt 'The Edge of the Flock'. Justin Martin's 'Light Weightz' is a fusion of super powers/gifts of the Spirit and the teenager theme that looks like it's going to be astounding. And of course, the landmark rightly praised 'Serenity' series by Buzz Dixon is probably the first Christian teen comic that comes to mind for most people.
It's rare that I see two very similar stories.
Anyway, I will end now and open the floor to anyone who wants to share what their own thoughts for their stories were, how they decided on the genre and audience, and other inspirations the Lord gave them. Thank you for reading:)
Replies
I think violence as well as any kind of sin should be depicted the way the Bible does it. If a character is punching a guy out and the bad guy is a murderer, thief or committing a crime or harming or trying to harm someone it is justified to show violent action. It can be subtle or restrained though. If sinful acts are depicted they can be subtle or implied. My only criteria is that they be shown to be harmful. You can imply a character is committing a crime or sin but show that it is not desirable or beneficial in the long run. The Bible portrays all sorts of evil but as an example of what NOT to do.
C'mon post it here, this is a discussion thread we're having a discussion. It's not like this thread's active anywho and I'm sure people will get something out of it.
will do. I will message you. Again we are taking this thread in a different direction.
Nowhere in Romans5:1-10 does is say love the sinner hate the sin. It does say:
Romans 5:8
8 But God commendeth(4921[e]) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(4921). sunistémi and sunistanó συνίστησιν
Short Definition: I commend, prove, am composed of, cohere
Definition: I place together, commend, prove, exhibit; instrans: I stand with; I am composed of, cohere.
So it's not "Christ loving the sinner", but GOD Proving, commending, exhibiting, cohering His love to us in Christ dying for us, while we're still sinners.
D.L. Maffett said:
The part "He wasn't ours." is not scriptural look at:
James 4:4
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
D.L. Maffett said:
I'd say the sinful nature, the soul, the spirit, is crucified dead then replaced w/ Christ's: nature, soul, spirit(thru the Holy Spirit.) Nothing of our own remains, look at:
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
D.L. Maffett said:
You're gonna have to help me out here w/ the scriptural basis for these two sentences. As well as the, "love the sinner hate the sin", thing too.
@Alika, Please take my comments in stride and in the spirit of brotherhood / clarification and edification . This is going to get lengthy but we (you and I) go at it often, and much clarification is needed.
I just finished the Teen Age daughter Tour of duty 3 months ago. So I have the medals, ribbons and operational experience to speak on that. I made my mistakes (great ones) and learned from them. I learned greatly how to witness thought love, example though lifestyle and work in forgiveness in dealing with a teenage daughter. In fact dealing with her, God showed me how He deals (and continually deals with me in the areas of forgiveness, blessing, love. mercy). I am earning my combat star to the medal in raising my son (who is now 17) again learning the same lessons. (note both of which have been in my home and under my roof and raised by me and my --wife / their mother-- since birth). About dealing with the wife...going through it now. Also I have over 20 years of marital experience in dealing with that concept too. More life lessons of love, forgiveness etc.. but then have to throw in Understanding how God loves the Church with that one. So when I speak of things comes from HARD life lessons learned. I used to be a hard @#$ in dealing with things but learned that it simply doesn't work. Again 10 years + of law enforcement experience. In that I have seen people (especially believers) at their worst. And there is nothing worse than throwing scriptures (without understanding) at a person when they are down and/or confused.
When WE show someone Christ, they see THEIR sin. They see Christ's perfection and that they can't measure up to it. The Law also shows the Sinner that they are unable to obtain wholeness and completeness on your own. Christ's sacrifice on the cross gives provisions for the forgiveness of sin. His teachings draw men to the Father and to repentance. Christ loving the sinner and not the sin see Rom 5:1-11. This gives the basis of Christ's love for use when were still in a sinful state. (here comes the counter) Your point my next be "in versus 5:10 it says we were enemies of God". True, WE were HIS enemy and He wasn't ours. Again God condemns the sinful nature of the person (flesh) and allows for the soul (essence) of the person to be redeemed and causing the Spirit (life-force) of the person to be Holy.
And here is the meat of the issue understanding the genuine nature of man in reference to a Holy God. I have found that some believer have a serious problem understanding that a person is different from their behavior(s). Thus back to the parent example, Your child can be disrespectful, disobedient, and diabolical but as a parent you still love them. You see them punished when needed and chastised when necessary. This is how God deals with us. (understanding that like a good parent, there is a point to where the child has to be cut off because consequence of their behavior deems it necessary... i.e. the Lake of Fire) I beleive that it pains God to see that man would have to be cast there. Also note the Hell and The Lake of Fire were not originally intended for man... but for the fallen (yet another issue).
I have to be direct with you here (and this may start a fire storm). The word is a two edged sword. It to be used to attack as well as to defend. Because it is a powerful weapon we must wield it with justice, mercy, love and understanding. It seems that your arguments and statements at times (note I am centered on your statements and not your person) seem to be more so to stir reaction and not so much for edification, education uplift or encouragement. Please help me to better understand your motives for some of your comments and the reasoning behind them.
@Maffett what'd i say?
Please help me out here cause i'm not understanding what you're saying. First you're saying the law is to show sin, then you say we having Christ shows sin; but the law convicts them while Christ gives them hope? Eventho you're equating the two as doing the same thing? imma jump over the whole oil and rubbing down thing, to each his own. About the spouse and kids; don't tell people, do this to be nicer in your witness, type a thing. If anything tell em, you wanna learn patience and perseverance, Yahweh will teach you that thru a spouse and kids. I'm thinking you haven't gone thru the teenager/young adult stages in your kids lives yet, or your wife's menopausal stages in her life yet, Yeshua help him. and if you have then you know all bout longsuffering. But please clarify what you're meaning and for Christ's sake show me the scripture saying, love the sinner hate the sin, cause that's not biblical.
Then you say stand on the word? idk i'm confused as to what you're saying.
Oh and how that applies to story creation, Be bold and stand on the Word. Seek God about what needs to be done in your story. Pray over it, because like it not / believe it or not... someone is going to read it. And that someone may be changed forever by what you create.
@ Alika, I agree that Bible should be your standard. But I have to disagree on the "qouting scriptures" approach. In my experience I have seen it back fire more often then work. Not saying scriptures are not powerful nor effective. I am concerned about the delivery. If your goal is to tick someone off, turn them away, make them think you arrogant (i have seen) that the quoting tactic is effective. The reason, it causes them to see themselves as less than and not able to stand up to the measure of the law. It makes them see the sin they did and judges them as a person. This is the purpose of the Law. But we have Christ who loves the person and hates the sin. When we example Christ we show the sin, show how Christ's love/blood/sacrafice covers them and give them HOPE! That is the issue I have with "simply quoting scriptures". Its setting the bone without giving bedside manner. We called to be ambassadors for Christ, If someone complains they are being the squeaking wheel we oil them with the word. The oil being the word the action of wiping them down being the action of the word (love). Brother it took me half a life time to get to this point. The best way to learn it is to get married and work through raising children and loving a spouse. Those experiences will teach you that you can be "right" but go about it all "wrong". With that said... I brace for your reply Alika, cause you have a knack for good "point and counter point". But this is good because we all can learn and see what God has for us through it.
The bible should be your standard. If it's in the bible you can put it in your books, and if people complain just cite the verse or put it in the back to preempt any hassles.
I think people shouldn't worry about what people think and just tell a great story that emphasizes the message your trying to bring. we live in a fallen world where bad things happen to depict that accurately i think one would have to be honest about it otherwise its unbelievable. like how A ton of christian movies seem cheesy its because it doesnt seem real
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next