The Cartoon Gospel of Matthew is unique because it is cartooning of scripture passages instead of scripture illustration or normal Christian cartooning (which primarily lampoons church life). The purpose is to add freshness to the interpretation of the passages. It should challenge the reader to (re-) read these verses and see if it adds a new dimension to his/her understanding.
The Cartoon Gospel of Matthew attempts to portray biblical characters as real people trying to know and follow God's will. It is all too easy to read the Bible and be left with the feeling that they are rigid, perfect, even superhuman characters instead of people with the same possibilities that you and I have. The cartoons are meant to be stimulating and humorous and are based on interpretation of the scripture. Each one is "defensible" theologically (with the exception of minor cartoonist privilege now and then), even though the point is to assist the reader in his/her own analysis of the actual scripture passage. Hopefully, the humor and challenge stand on their own merit.
Mixing humor with the holy can be hazardous, but I want to assure you that I take the Gospel message seriously, yet joyously. Jesus uses parables to express spiritual meaning with joy and a twinkle in his eye ... I hope to carry on that tradition in my own small way through cartoons. I think of the cartoons as visual parables meant to provide short, memorable, entertaining and visual insights. Each cartoon has commentary by Adam and Eve, an addition that started with William P. Anderson and my theology anthology entitled "A Journey Through Christian Theology" published by Fortress Press, May 2000, second edition May 2010. Hopefully their unique, since-the-beginning-of-time, perspective adds context and fun to each cartoon.
The scripture passages are excerpted from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, since most of the original research was done from this translation. The Gospel scripture selections usually follow the common lectionary readings for year A.
Thank you for reading the Cartoon Gospel of Matthew. I hope it entertains you and enriches your spiritual life. -Rich
The Cartoon Gospel of Matthew attempts to portray biblical characters as real people trying to know and follow God's will. It is all too easy to read the Bible and be left with the feeling that they are rigid, perfect, even superhuman characters instead of people with the same possibilities that you and I have. The cartoons are meant to be stimulating and humorous and are based on interpretation of the scripture. Each one is "defensible" theologically (with the exception of minor cartoonist privilege now and then), even though the point is to assist the reader in his/her own analysis of the actual scripture passage. Hopefully, the humor and challenge stand on their own merit.
Mixing humor with the holy can be hazardous, but I want to assure you that I take the Gospel message seriously, yet joyously. Jesus uses parables to express spiritual meaning with joy and a twinkle in his eye ... I hope to carry on that tradition in my own small way through cartoons. I think of the cartoons as visual parables meant to provide short, memorable, entertaining and visual insights. Each cartoon has commentary by Adam and Eve, an addition that started with William P. Anderson and my theology anthology entitled "A Journey Through Christian Theology" published by Fortress Press, May 2000, second edition May 2010. Hopefully their unique, since-the-beginning-of-time, perspective adds context and fun to each cartoon.
The scripture passages are excerpted from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, since most of the original research was done from this translation. The Gospel scripture selections usually follow the common lectionary readings for year A.
Thank you for reading the Cartoon Gospel of Matthew. I hope it entertains you and enriches your spiritual life. -Rich
