DAVID CRUMM SAYS: Robert L. Short launched a very influential new genre in spiritual media with this book, a point that religious historian Martin Marty makes in the introduction to this newer edition. Short's book has sold more than 10 million copies -- and, essentially, made it safe for pastors and Bible-study teachers to pull lessons from popular media.

More than four decades after this book took America by storm, we've now got entire congregations booking showings of new films like "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Nativity Story." Short played an important, catalytic role in that whole creative trajectory.

The power of Short's book in 1965 -- and today -- is in pointing us all to engaging in a conversation with our culture. We may very well disagree with some of Short's arguments in this book -- but it's a fun journey and, even though many others have followed him into this genre, the basic Peanuts book is a classic that still opens our eyes toward a joyous pilgrimage.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #141974 in Books
• Published on: 1979-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 130 pages

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

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Customer Reviews

"Must" reading for all Charles Schultz fans.
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.

Sound theology AND entertaining
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!

Outstanding work of popular theology
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.