Jesus vs. the Bad Guys
Summary
Jesus vs. the Bad Guys is a new children’s book written by Connor Shram and Jared Neusch with illustrations by Daniel Duncan. This imaginative and Scripturally-based story takes a look at Jesus’ teachings of nonviolence and the love of one’s enemies. This story presents the richness of the Gospel in a charming and kid-friendly manner using age-appropriate metaphors and comparisons.
Assessment
Jesus vs. the Bad Guys is the first book of the Jesus is for Kids series, which is written with the goal of introducing children to the teachings of Jesus in an approachable — but theologically sound — way. Jesus vs. the Bad Guys takes a specific look at Jesus’ message of loving and forgiving one’s enemies.
The book’s writing style is both appropriate and approachable to kids as well as relatable, tying in discussions of real-life situations. The style is also much denser than one might expect from a kids’ book, making it perhaps a little trickier for younger kids to read on their own. The story is packed with invaluable Scriptural and Gospel references that all tie perfectly into Jesus’ teachings of love towards one’s enemies.
The artwork, in turn, is adorable and kid-friendly without being too over-the-top or distracting from the book’s core message. While the character design and some of the subject matter lean towards cartoony, there are a lot of little details snuck in throughout the illustrations that add an expected layer of depth. Additionally, the colors are bright, but there is a sketchy, drawn-with-crayons kind of charming aesthetic that makes it approachable.
The theology is where the book shines, however. Much deeper and richer than most Christian children’s books, this story does not water the core message down, only translates it into an easier format. It also does not shy away from the fact that Jesus was killed for those who hate him. The book actually features the crucifixion, depicted in an artistic and non-gory enough way to make it safe for children, but plain enough to make the point.
Light-o-Meter
Artwork: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Writing: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Age-Appropriateness: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Theological Message: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Overall: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Talk
When I was organizing my notes for this article, the question “now many times am I going to say the phrase ‘fart cannon’?” popped into my head and the answer was actually fewer times than I originally thought. This is partly because the book has such rocking awesome theology and Scriptural references that there’s no reason to bring up the fart cannon except to address the fact that everyone else is bringing up the fart cannon.
Despite initial appearances — trust me, I was cautious too — book isn’t some irreverent, joking mockery of Jesus created intentionally or accidentally in an attempt to make His message appeal to kids. The premise of the book is: Jesus is all-powerful (yes), Jesus came as King to defeat the bad guys (also yes), Jesus did not use violence to defeat the bad guys (once again, yes), and Jesus loved the bad guys (big, huge yes).
How does it get these points across? By describing Jesus and His message of love from Scripture and contrasting that with a bunch of child-friendly hypotheticals. Jesus could have taken the violent route and smote all His enemies with sulfuric hail or plagues — as God has done in the Old Testament — but He came down to Earth to forgive His enemies and give them a chance to repent. He could have taken His enemies down in one, fell swoop, but He didn’t. This example would work the same with lightning or bathing the Earth with fire or, in this case, with a fart cannon.
(But isn’t a fart cannon super crude?)
(Yes. However, have you met 5-year-old boys? A fart cannon is incredibly tame compared to most of the hypothetical weaponry they come up with without prompting. Also, it’s teaching them not to use fart cannons. I, for one, am applauding this message.)
(Also, why is no one talking about the t-rex?)
I think my one complaint is that the book didn’t have a glossary or other page with the actual Scriptural references they used. That would have been a handy reference not only for the parents, but for the kids as well, teaching them to always go back to Scripture with any theological work!
Wrap-up
Jesus vs. the Bad Guys is a theologically deep and Scripturally sound children’s book from Conner Shram, Jared Neusch, and Daniel Duncan. Diving in and explaining Jesus’ message of love towards one’s enemies, this book offers the complex concept of forgiveness in an easy to understand — but not watered down —way. Using childlike expressions and humor, this book compares the love of Christ to a bunch of hypothetical actions that He could have taken instead of forgiving His enemies.
Where to Enjoy
Amazon: Jesus vs. the Bad Guys: A Story of Love and Forgiveness (Jesus Is for Kids)
Christianbook.com: Jesus vs. the Bad Guys: A Story of Love and Forgiveness
Barnes & Noble: Jesus vs. the Bad Guys: A Story of Love and Forgiveness
Tyndale: Tyndale | Jesus vs. the Bad Guys
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