The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook

In light of the popularity of the themes of the undead and zombies, this timely book, The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook: Slaying the Living Dead Within by Jeff Kinley is sure to capture the interest of young people- both Christians and even non Christians. In the books, chapters alternate between the story - indicated by "Episodes" and the spiritual commentary in the "chapters".  It is a unique format with comic book styled illustrations with each episode. The scientific explanation of the zombie "virus" is good enough to rival the storylines of popular zombie themed movies.

 The book is spiritually encouraging but also true to the theology of the bible. The truth about the corruption of our state of being is not hidden, but explained.  Sin is discussed as well as the spiritual battle within.  The author makes references to the bible.  The actual references are at the end rather than in the text- so to look up the verse you must look to the notes in the back.  While the author does not dismiss personal accountability for sin, he tells the reader on page 43 that the spiritual battle that occurs and personal remorse when Christians continue to sin in of itself is evidence that we are Christians.  Nevertheless I can not help but think that this feel good statement is not enough to motivate believers to try their best to put to death their old ways.  In a way I think it simply is a recognition and a passive resignation to accept that we are sinners rather than a call for a Christian to deliberately fight against sin and put a death to it.
So many movies such as 28 days later and popular video games are centered around the concept of the the vampire and the zombie- the human entity that is alive- yet dead. In contrast to the vampire, there is no asthetic appeal to the distgusting and horrific zombie.  Yet it would suprise the reader to know that essentially many of us are no different than zombies.  Ironically, the bible says that many of us are the living dead- or more specifically, the spiritually dead.  When we are no born again, we are in essense the same as a zombie- hence the premise of this book. 

This book makes use of an interesting analogy, employing popular culture to introduce Christian concepts of spirituality and life in contrast to spiritual death and Christian lukewarmness.  As a blogger I recieve books to review without cost and am not required to write a positive review.