6 most common Christian Entertainment Tropes | Kedoshim Initiative Podcast Ep. 2

In our second episode of the Kedoshim Initiative Podcast. Xavier presents his list of 6 Christian entertainment tropes that he has spotted being used most used list commonly in today's Christian entertainment landscape. Episode can be listened to on Spotify and YouTube. (Parts of this blog post was formatted using Chat GPT 3.5)

TROPE #6 - Accurate Media adaptations of bible stories

Media adaptations of Bible stories that aim for strike as close to perfect accuracy to the scripture they pull from. None of the comics we cover this this year took that approach, but there are Christian properties like The Action Bible, The Kingstone Bible and even dramatized audio bibles are great examples that fit into this category. On YouTube, Revelation Media’s iBible also fits into this category as well as the Bible Project’s "Books of the Bible overviews".

TROPE #5 - Creative Adaptations of Bible Stories

This trope refers to media adaptations of Bible stories, that strike some balance between creative storytelling and staying true to scripture. This year's comic highlights include 'Strange Tales from Eternity #0,' #1, and 'The Rocks Cry Out from #2.'

'Strange Tales from Eternity #0' masterfully tells the Gospel story through Evan David's writing and Jeff Selmons' illustrations. 'Issue 1' creatively reimagines Proverbs 9 in a dystopian cyberpunk setting. Wilsa Sepriedi's Anime/Manga illustrations perfectly complement the message. 'The Rocks Cry Out' takes an imaginative approach to Luke 19:40, tracing an animated rock's journey from creation to the new earth, witnessing biblical events along the way.

Other Christian media properties that would fall into this category include 'The Chosen' TV series, 'Veggie Tales' and animated or live action adaptations of of Bible characters, such as DreamWorks' 'Prince of Egypt' and 'Joseph: King of Dreams.'

In the gaming sphere, '5 Guardians of David' stands out with its top-down Diablo inspired combat system where you play as 5 of David's mighty men. While the gameplay may stretch realism, it creatively weaves biblical narratives into an entertaining experience.

Comics series like 'Dominion: Fall of the House of Saul' which is an intriguing blend of Star Wars and Narnia in its retelling of 1st and 2nd Samuel within a galactic civilization of humanoid lion characters. Also fall into this category

TROPE #4 - BIBLICAL TIME TRAVEL

Time travel, when woven into biblical narratives, is a concept that demands careful execution. The only comic that we reviewed this year that embraced this theme is 'Calvary Academy.' This approach resonates with an observational style of time travel, akin to the animated series 'Superbook.' Even when characters are inserted directly into biblical stories in a fictional manner, this method maintains a sense of respect for the original narrative.

On the flip side, there's a less favored approach where stories tamper with the biblical timeline, proposing improbable "what ifs." This deviation from the events documented in the bible veering into speculative and, for some, writing scripture territory.

'Bible X: Gate 0' is a promising example of an upcoming video game series that delves into the biblical time travel trope. From what has been seen and experienced in the demo, it appears to handle this theme with care and creativity. This execution, if done well, has the potential to provide a unique and enriching perspective on biblical stories.

TROPE #3 - TECHNOLOGY + THEOLOGY

In the realm of Christian superhero comics we've covered, technology often complements spiritual elements. For instance, in Alpha Red #3, the protagonist employs "spiritual discernment" alongside advanced technology to combat supernatural threats. Other series like The Remnant showcase a seamless merger of faith and technology, where believers use both divine powers and advanced equipment to thwart the forces of evil.

The overarching theme in these narratives is that technology is a tool, morally neutral and subject to the intentions of its user. It's not an endorsement of anti-Christian ideologies but a creative exploration of how advanced Christian heroes navigate the complexities of the modern world.

The merging of technology and Christianity isn't about abandoning faith for science or vice versa; rather, it's an avenue for creative expression and storytelling. These comics embrace the notion that technology can be wielded for good or evil, echoing the biblical principle that tools are neutral, and it's the heart behind their use that matters

Trope #2 - THE BOOK OF REVELATION INSPIRED FICTION

Christian fiction often explores the Book of Revelation, presenting diverse viewpoints while adhering to a sound biblical worldview. While the Pretribulation Rapture perspective is commonly depicted, I personally would like to see fictional stories delving into post or mid-tribulation Rapture perspectives. If such stories exist, I'm eager to discover them.

A humorous observation in Star Cross Comics is the abundance of Anti-Christ characters, leading to a dilemma in their crossover event comics —deciding which character earns the title of the legitimate Anti-Christ. I suggested an Anti-Christ tier list to Joe Spicer, the founder of Star Cross Comics is in order so stay tuned for that one day.

End times narratives offer a vast canvas for creativity, allowing for speculative exploration without distorting foundational biblical stories. It's a theme I appreciate for its imaginative potential while once it does not rewrite scripture in for the sake of being 'creative'. The intersection of fiction and biblical prophecy provides a thought-provoking space for both creators and audiences.

HONURABLE MENTIONS #1 - LORD OF THE RINGS + NARNIA + ALLEGORIES

While I personally don't resonate strongly with Narnia or Lord of the Rings, I recognize the impact these stories have had on fiction and their are often brought up in the "Christian fiction debates". Their influence is undeniable, sparking debates about their Christian compatibility within our Discord Community. Some view the authors through a critical lens, labeling them as heretics, while others vehemently defend their allegorical contributions.

I find myself in the middle, not taking a definitive stance, as I haven't delved deeply into these debates or their work. Nonetheless, the discussions within our community Discord and in online forums reveal a spectrum of opinions. Some argue for the Christian essence embedded in these works, while others question their alignment with Christian values.

Allegorical Work such as The Pilgrim's Progress would also fall into this category as well which is a piece of fiction I do thoroughly enjoy.

HONURABLE MENTIONS #2 - Non christian fiction created from a christian world view

A nuanced category would be stories crafted by Christians that don't explicitly fit into the Christian entertainment label. These narratives, while not overtly preaching Christian themes, emanate from a Christian worldview. Among the comics I've covered, Black Blossom #1-3 stands out as an early exploration of this theme, laying the groundwork for the theological intensity seen in later issues.

This category encompasses stories where theological statements aren't explicitly uttered in dialogue. Instead, the characters' motives and the narrative's composition reflect a Christian worldview, advocating for goodness without relying on direct allegory like Pilgrim's Progress.

TROPE #1 - CHRISTIAN SUPERHEROES

All 37 of the the comics we review on The Xplanations YouTube channel this year (2023) were within the realm of Christian superheroes. "The Remnant" is a prime example of a stellar execution of superpowers within a sound Christian theological worldview. The story doesn't rely on cosmic, world-ending threats—instead, it centers around the premature rise of the anti-Christ, where superpowered believers are risen up t0 thwart his plans.

Other stories like "Alpha Red" and "Biblical Proportions #1" venture into world-domination plots, successfully infusing Christian themes. While "Alpha Red" presented a serviceable execution, "Biblical Proportions #1," a Christian multiverse collaboration, stood out due to the solid Christian worldview crafted by Star Cross Comics.

"The Black Blossom" by Evan David bridges the gap between technology and the supernatural with an angelic intervention story, showcasing a unique and well-executed narrative. These stories, despite my oversimplification, impress with their dialogues, such as those in "Parables of the Remnant Special Edition #1" and the "Black Blossom Annual #1," where theological discussions are seamlessly woven into the superhero narrative.

These examples illustrate that entertaining superhero stories can thrive within a biblical worldview, eliminating the need to resort to narratives that take jabs at Christian theology we see prevalent in the fictional media landscape of today.