The Gospel According to Peanuts [Paperback]

Robert L. Short (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2000

While Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts gang have enjoyed the kind of success most cartoon characters can only dream about--becoming pop culture icons of the highest order and entering the global consciousness practically as family members--Robert Short's The Gospel According to Peanuts also has found a place in the hearts of many readers, with sales now totaling more than ten million copies. This anniversary edition features a new cover, a new interior design, and a new foreword by Martin E. Marty. Whether coming to the book for the first time or taking a second look, a delightful experience awaits in this modern-day guide to the Christian faith, fully illustrated with Peanuts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In 1965, a 28 year-old pastor named Robert Short turned a popular slide show he'd been presenting while working his way through seminary into a book called The Gospel According to Peanuts using Schulz's characters to explain the Christian faith. He explained that Lucy, in her headstrong impulsiveness, often represents original sin. In the Hound of Heaven chapter, Short shows how Schulz used Snoopy to stand for Christ or ideal Christians. A small Presbyterian publishing house (John Knox) published it in hopes of inspiring some Sunday-school teachers to think outside the box, and, behold, their wish was fulfilled. Over 10 million copies were sold. Thirty-five years later the publisher has issued an anniversary edition....Short demonstrates a broad and deep grasp of Scripture, theology, and popular culture, all without any of the personal narrative that dominate today's religious bestsellers. After reading Short's Gospel, I know less about him than I do about my insurance agent. His only narrative is the gospel: original sin, the wages of sin are death, sin makes us aware of our need for redemption, salvation is entirely a work of grace motivated by divine love. --From Beliefnet

About the Author

Robert L. Short is perhaps best known for his first book, The Gospel according to Peanuts, which was lauded by The New York Times Book Review as "a 'perilous experiment' that comes off and earned the "admiration and respect of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. An ordained Presbyterian minister, he regularly traveled and preached throughout the country, presenting programs in Christian faith and the arts at churches and colleges. His other books include Something to Believe In, The Gospel According to Dogs, and The Parables of Dr. Seuss.

Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press; First Edition edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664222226
• ISBN-13: 978-0664222222
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Must" reading for all Charles Schultz fans., March 3, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gospel According to Peanuts (Paperback)

Robert Short's The Gospel According To Peanuts is a timeless classic of religious insight based on the enduring legacy of the late Charles Shultz, creator of the Peanuts newspaper comic strip. Short examines the religious content of Schultz's beloved little universe of Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, and the rest to reveal, from a Christian perspective, the prophetic and theologic meanings manifested by these charming and universally known cartoon characters that became pop culture icons the whole world over. The Gospel According To Peanuts is highly recommended reading all Schultz fans and anyone who has ever noted the enduring wisdom embedded and embraced by the little folks who inhabited his daily and Sunday cartoon stories.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sound theology AND entertaining, February 21, 2000

By 

Reed Siebenthal (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gospel According to Peanuts (Paperback)

In contrast to an earlier reviewer, I see sound theology here. Mr. Short never says that everyone will be saved regardless of their actions or beliefs; he clearly expresses the true Gospel - that one must be saved through faith in Jesus Christ alone. With that out of the way, this is both a solid statement of the Good News of atonement through Jesus' sacrifice but also an entertaining and novel way to illustrate its principles. While some may be put off by the expressions "Good grief!" "Auuuggghhh!" and the like, they represent our reactions to life and show that we all struggle daily. Even the Apostle Paul said that he "die(d) daily" in his struggle with the sin of daily living. The late Charles Schulz (whether intentionally or not) reflects through his Peanuts gang this struggle and the joys that can be experienced if we pursue them, in our case through a true faith in Jesus Christ! God bless Charles Schulz!

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding work of popular theology, December 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gospel According to "Peanuts" (Paperback)

This fun and interesting book has become a classic in its field since its original publication -- but it's still fun and interesting! In simple style, it reminds us there can be "much wisdom in a little joke" -- and Charles Schulz's work is exhibit number one. If you are interested in popular culture, cartooning, or theology, you'll find much to ponder here.