Saturday, February 14, 2009

Problems with the Manga Messiah?


I have received some negative comments about the Manga Messiah by some church leaders. I am curious about their objections. Is it because they are not used to the manga illustrations and their way of story telling? Or they object to the Gospel story told in a comic format? The Manga Messiah is all about Jesus Christ as told in the four Gospels.

I have read through the whole of Manga Messiah and I cannot find anything seriously wrong with it. This is taking into account that it is a paraphrased narrative synoptic telling of the the Gospel story. It is illustrated in the manga style which will appeal to the younger people who are reading lots of Japanese manga. I will not hesitate to recommend it to the younger folks.

I will be interested to know what are some of the objections to it.


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4 comments:

  1. what did they say?

    perhaps working through their objections might be an interesting exercise in examining their assumptions together with those whom like me would have no problems with both the books.

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  2. Hmmm. I am also interested to know. i see no problems with it too. I;ve given some copies and some youth read them and enjoy it. perhaps one issue they might have are some illustrations. hmmm

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  3. .. some folk especially from the reformed camp will have serious problem with the "picture of Jesus" in this comic "Manga Messiah""

    it is reflected in the famous Westminster Larger Catechism Q 109

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  4. Hi John,

    Good comment. The Westminster Larger Catechism Q109 asks "What are the sins forbidden in the second commandment?"

    Answer: "The sins forbidden in the second commandment are...the making of any representation of God, of all or of any of the three persons, either inwardly in our minds, or inwardly in any kind of image or likeness of any creature whatsoever...."

    I can understand how it may be misinterpretation. However note the word "inwardly." I do not think anyone really thinks Jesus looks like the figure illustrated in the Manga Messiah.

    It is a valid point nevertheless. Thank you.

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