Short Book Review: ME, THE PROFESSOR, FUZZY, AND THE MEANING OF LIFE

Presented in a graphic novel format, ME, THE PROFESSOR, FUZZY, AND THE MEANING OF LIFE is a book that examines in a very logical and straightforward way the case for Christianity. On occasion, the book delves into some rather complex issues (such as the laws of thermodynamics), but presents them in a way that most educated readers should be able to follow. I have heard many of the same arguments presented before, but not in the concise manner as they are represented in this book. I would recommend this for anyone who is searching. It is also a good book for those who already established in their faith. The only drawback I have with the book are that the illustrations are relatively subpar. I tend to read a lot of graphic novels and illustrated books, so I was a little disappointed by many of the illustrations (the book would be even more powerful if the author had a professional illustrator to work with instead of doing it all himself). With that said, ME, THE PROFESSOR, FUZZY, AND THE MEANING OF LIFE still does an excellent job of presenting a very logical and straightforward case for Christianity that is accessible to just about anyone.

Book Review: WELCOME TO LIFE AFTER EDEN

WELCOME TO LIFE AFTER EDEN is a collection of the one-panel strips “After Eden.” “After Eden” is a one-panel comic strip created by Dan Lietha for Answers in Genesis. The comics are pithy, often humorous, and sometimes serious examination of life and the world from a Biblical and creationist point of view. The comics in the book are from 1999-2003. Before each chapter, there is a short essay/not from the author. WELCOME TO LIFE AFTER EDEN would make a great resource for anyone looking for some illustrated pieces of humor for a church newsletter or bulletin.

Jesus Vs. McDonald's Advertising

From "Inherit the Mirth"

It's Not Manna from Heaven

 

From "Inherit the Mirth" by Cuyler Black

Offering and Sin Tax

-from Thom Tapp

Church Attendance

 

by: Jonny Hawkins

Potluck and Pool Noodles

by: Jonny Hawkins

No Exit Polls in Heaven and More

 

Comics by Jonny Hawkins

A Quote About Christianity

"Christianity is a faith for all people, but it is not a faith for all notions and ideas." - @MattWalshBlog

The Temperance of the Christian Life

Casting Castanets

Book Review: SCHULZ'S YOUTH

 A few years ago I came across a book written by Charles Schulz entitled YOUNG PILLARS. The book contained many of the one-panel strips that Schulz had drawn for the Church of God youth magazine. SCHULZ'S YOUTH contains all of the "Young Pillars" strips that were ever published, including some that haven't been in print since they were first published in the magazine. These strips are all one-panel strips featuring teenagers (that look somewhat like older versions of "Peanuts" characters) and the humorous antics of their Christian lives. For instance, there are a lot of strips about teaching Sunday school, youth group meetings, and conversations about dating. Except for the occasional reference that is no longer relevant (e.g. a mention of Pat Boone), these strips are still relevant today. In addition to the "Young Pillars" strips, SCHULZ'S YOUTH also contains all the strips of another strip Schulz drew for a different Church of God publication. The other series contained in the book is "Two-by-Fours" and features a group of preschool children in a series of one-panel Christian-themed gags, some of which contain no words. SCHULZ'S YOUTH is a unique item that makes a great gift for any Schulz fan. It also has an audience in fellow Christian believers who enjoy comics: many of the comics in the book make great inserts for church bulletins and newsletters.

Cannonball Baptism

 

from Amusing Grace by Jonny Hawkins

Pancake Breakfast

Book Review: COFFEE WITH JESUS

Like many readers, I first became acquainted with David Wilkie's "Coffee with Jesus" via a Facebook post that someone had forwarded. I don't remember which strip it exactly was at the time, but I liked how succinct and pithy it was. When I had heard that the comics of "Coffee with Jesus" had been compiled into book form, I had to get a copy.

The book COFFEE WITH JESUS is a collection of most of the "Coffee with Jesus" strips that have been published to date so far. I'm not sure if it contains all of the strips, but it seems to have most of the strips that can currently be found on the Radio Free Babylon website. There also seems to be a few strips in the book that haven't been published on the Internet, yet. The strips in the book are separated into seven thematic chapters. Each of these chapters has a short introduction. In addition, at the end of the first six chapters there is a short character biography about one of the re-occurring characters in the strip: Kevin, Carl, Ann, Lisa, Joe, and Satan. The book also has a well written introduction from the author about how the strip came to be and how it has slowly evolved since its inception. At the end of the book, there are some discussion questions; COFFEE WITH JESUS would actually make a pretty decent, albeit unusual Bible study.

The artwork is quite simple and that's part of the charm of the strip. There are no ongoing story lines and although there are reoccurring characters, you don't have to be familiar with any of them to understand the strip. If you do read all of the strips, you can see some slow character development with the characters. Some might find Jesus' comments in the strip to be a bit too snarky or satirical. Personally, I think that (for the most part) they hit close to the truth about our lives and help shed some much needed light into the darkness or shatter some illusions and idols that we all have. If nothing else, it really makes me think what Jesus would say to me if I was to meet with him on a weekly basis and share a cup of coffee.

Church Comics

Both cartoons created by Jonny Hawkins.

Book Review: AMUSING GRACE

I first became acquainted with some of Jonny Hawkins' cartoon through a daily calendar for teachers. The style in AMUSING GRACE is the same as on those calendars, but instead of schools and academia, the setting has changed to church. There are 160 pages in the book. The book has a short introduction and then the cartoons start on page 4, so there's a grand total of 157 cartoons in the book. These are one-panel comics. They're short and pithy. Some of them are groaners, others cause a chuckle, while there are a few that are belly-laugh-inducers. I enjoyed some of these comics so much, I'm going to copy them and submit them to my church to see if they will print them in a bulletin or newsletter some time.