Thank you for deftly deconstructing that meme. It takes many forms, but they generally have the same message.
I think what I worry most about another Trump presidency is the effect it will have on boys and young men and the effects that's going to have for a generation or two. A president tends to be a role model, but in this case he's a very negative role model that seems to give permission for the worst to come out in men. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy!
I loved reading IJ, and I thought that using a tobogganing scene to resolve a philosophical debate was an absolute delight.
Also, to further your point about David, besides the fact that he didn't write most of the Book of Psalms, of the individual psalms that *are* actually attributed to him, most of those are thought to have been written before David took the throne. So: David *didn't* write Psalms, and "King David" did *not* write very many of the psalms within that book.
My point would've perfectly dovetailed with your article had I remembered sooner that the most famous psalms that "King David" wrote were the ones where he expressed how sorry he was for all the terrible things he did.
Sad to hear that IJ is going out of print but hope to see it in a fantastic new self-pubbed edition soon. The only thing it was missing the first time around was monkeys and robots, maybe now you can fix that!
Imaginary Jesus is such a special book to me! I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since I read an ARC on the train headed to my first post-college job. I’m visiting IJ’s birthplace today for a colleague’s retirement party, which feels like a nice little full-circle moment.
Imaginary Jesus is a special book to my husband and me. My husband isn't a big reader, but we read through that whole book together twice and had TONS of conversations about it. We occasionally still reference it (KJV Jesus and Magic 8 Ball Jesus especially). As a writer, I'm so grateful you found an agent (and then a publisher!) willing to take a chance on it as there really is nothing else like it in Christian Fiction. We eventually purchased a second copy because the one we kept handing out to friends to read became very well-loved. ;)
Also, the sequel left a big impact on my dad at a time I think he really needed it. He's a classic sci-fi geek (big fan of the OG Dr. Who, OG MST3K, etc) and having some of those elements woven together with a faith message was the merging of two worlds that (sadly) nearly never meet.
Also, when my husband can hear me but not see me, he thinks he's turned me into sound waves. (facepalm) My kids are so confused . . . thanks.
Shawn, I often say that the most wonderful thing about becoming an author is all the wonderful people I have met through publishing and those books, and you are an excellent example of that. I am so thankful for your kind-hearted and loving presence in the world!
Thank you for deftly deconstructing that meme. It takes many forms, but they generally have the same message.
I think what I worry most about another Trump presidency is the effect it will have on boys and young men and the effects that's going to have for a generation or two. A president tends to be a role model, but in this case he's a very negative role model that seems to give permission for the worst to come out in men. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy!
I loved reading IJ, and I thought that using a tobogganing scene to resolve a philosophical debate was an absolute delight.
Also, to further your point about David, besides the fact that he didn't write most of the Book of Psalms, of the individual psalms that *are* actually attributed to him, most of those are thought to have been written before David took the throne. So: David *didn't* write Psalms, and "King David" did *not* write very many of the psalms within that book.
Really excellent point.
My point would've perfectly dovetailed with your article had I remembered sooner that the most famous psalms that "King David" wrote were the ones where he expressed how sorry he was for all the terrible things he did.
Right. He didn't write any that were like, "Hey that wouldn't have happened if Bathsheba wasn't such a terrible woman."
Sad to hear that IJ is going out of print but hope to see it in a fantastic new self-pubbed edition soon. The only thing it was missing the first time around was monkeys and robots, maybe now you can fix that!
GREAT idea!
Imaginary Jesus is such a special book to me! I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since I read an ARC on the train headed to my first post-college job. I’m visiting IJ’s birthplace today for a colleague’s retirement party, which feels like a nice little full-circle moment.
Aw, Jesse, you did such an amazing job on that book, too. Have fun today!
Imaginary Jesus is a special book to my husband and me. My husband isn't a big reader, but we read through that whole book together twice and had TONS of conversations about it. We occasionally still reference it (KJV Jesus and Magic 8 Ball Jesus especially). As a writer, I'm so grateful you found an agent (and then a publisher!) willing to take a chance on it as there really is nothing else like it in Christian Fiction. We eventually purchased a second copy because the one we kept handing out to friends to read became very well-loved. ;)
Also, the sequel left a big impact on my dad at a time I think he really needed it. He's a classic sci-fi geek (big fan of the OG Dr. Who, OG MST3K, etc) and having some of those elements woven together with a faith message was the merging of two worlds that (sadly) nearly never meet.
Also, when my husband can hear me but not see me, he thinks he's turned me into sound waves. (facepalm) My kids are so confused . . . thanks.
This is an amazing comment :D I am laughing just reading the end especially.
I met you when this book came out! Wow, 15 years. I'm glad I've been able to follow along on your journey.
Shawn, I often say that the most wonderful thing about becoming an author is all the wonderful people I have met through publishing and those books, and you are an excellent example of that. I am so thankful for your kind-hearted and loving presence in the world!
I love Imaginary Jesus. I hope you resurrect it. And maybe write a screenplay. ☺️