The Gospel According to "Peanuts"

In 1964, Robert Short wrote a book “The Gospel According to Peanuts,” showing that Schultz incorporated a number of Biblical themes in his cartoon strip. I have always been a fan of “Charlie Brown Christmas.” Last year, I used some gift cards to buy a large book outlining the story of the making of the special, and, as the article said, incorporating the Luke passage was an essential element in the mind of Charles Schultz. It shows us that, even in the competitive secular marketplace, we do not have to compromise our convictions.
However, I do wonder if the special would have been accepted in its present form in today’s politically correct, multicultural, secularized arena. However, let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul from prison, “The Word of God is not bound”

I read the old Charlie Brown books to my kids, and we all love them—I remember them from when I was a child.

This topic reminds me of Jan Karon’s books today. She includes the gospel, prayers, sermons, etc., very sound and her books are very, very popular.

My view of Peanuts and Charles Schultz was diminished after reading his biography. “In the book, for example, how someone with such a close affinity to children never showed much affection to his own children. His deep-seeded faith reflected the same personal conflict as Schulz viewed himself as an evangelical Christian, one who made a habit of giving ten percent of his hefty income to his church. At the same time, he turned his back on organized religion and embarked on an indiscriminate affair with a magazine photographer well into his marriage to a woman already subjected to the delusional torch he carried for the “Little Red-Haired Girl” from years before. Even his inarguable professional stature was not enough to prevent him from threatening to ruin a competitor late in his career.” At one point was even using the dialogue of one of the characters in his strip to send love messages to his mistress.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0066213932/ref=aw_cr_item_title

It’s always disappointing to learn the foibles and follies of a person whose work we enjoy or admire.

The half-hour special aired on Thursday, December 9, 1965, preempting The Munsters and following Gilligan’s Island. To the surprise of the executives, 50 percent of the televisions in the United States tuned in to the first broadcast. The cartoon was a critical and commercial hit; it won an Emmy and a Peabody award.

Linus’s recitation was hailed by critic Harriet Van Horne of the New York World-Telegram, who wrote, “Linus’ reading of the story of the Nativity was, quite simply, the dramatic highlight of the season.”

I was talking to one of my kids the other day about the commercial success of movies, and Googled http://www.dove.org/reports/roi/release9901.htm this article -

A comprehensive ten-year study focusing on the profitability of films based on their MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) rating is being released today. It reveals that, while Hollywood produced 17 times more R-rated than G-rated films between 1988 and 1997, the average G-rated film produced 8 times more gross profit than its R-rated counterpart. In addition, the average G-rated film produced a 78% greater rate of return on investment (ROI) than the average R-rated film.

It’s a real head scratcher as to why Hollywood continues to believe that people prefer violence, obscenity, and nudity, when what brings in the big bucks is family fare.

Greg,

It was disappoiinting to read of this serious lapse in his life. A couple of thoughts the Lord brings to my mind as I think about it. David was a man after God’s own heart, and we see some very serious flaws in his lifestyle and parenting. Let him who stands take heed lest he fall. Considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. As I note the sins of others (and we should not ignore them) I must be keenly aware of my own depravity, and of my need for the constant and intervening grace of God. (Just consider how many men in our churches hit wrong web sites). If a man after God’s own heart can fall seriously, so can I.
Secondly, we must focus upon the message. That is not to excuse faults in the messenger, but to remember that we are to properly represent Christ. His failings should also warn us not to adore the messenger and to elevate him above what he was. It must have been difficult for his wife in that stage of their lives.
When I wake up in the middle of the night, from time to time I reflect upon my past, especially before the Lord drew me to Himself, and I shudder to think of the permanent destruction I might have brought to myself. I also reach over and pat my wife on the back, and am deeply grateful to the Lord for the partner and friend He has given me. I am so thankful that I did not get what I deserved.
As I re-read your comments, Greg, it would seem that there may have been some kind of link between his abandonment of organized religion and his affair. In the local church, I rub shoulders with brothers and sisters to whom I am accountable, and seeing them week after week can have a purifying effect upon our lives.

Those are good thoughts, Dick. There but for the grace of God go all of us.