Jesus of Nazareth Bendable Figure

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Folklorist Simon Bronner, in Grasping Things: Folk Material Culture and Mass Society in America, wrote that touch is important because its “association with the hand implies the grip of possession.” That is, people become invested in ideas when they can experience them through other senses, especially touch. In the irreverent online publication Bully Magazine ( www.bullymag.com), Ken Wohlrob wrote: “What’s really interesting is that most of these manufacturers overlook one basic fact—that action figures are to be used with an imagination.”

Jesus Action Figures - Figures Toy Company Jesus Action Figures - Figures Toy Company

These figures, however, can pose more than their arms and legs. They pose a problem for some who examine religious culture. SOF’s point, of course, is that kids’ imaginations can, and do, run wild. And those imaginations might not shut down just because the figures represent characters from Holy Scriptures.Flannel board figures, while not three-dimensional, have offered children a means of acting out stories with Bible characters for decades. Though writing in jest as always, SOF makes an interesting point about the Jesus Action Figure. SOF reports it can’t recommend the figure because it is “theologically biased.” If there is an ethic behind biblical action figures, it may have less to do with which figures are put into plastic and more to do with how Jesus—in the hands of children—behaves.

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For example, Cook Communications Ministries ( www.cookministries.com) has produced a line of action figures including Jesus, Moses, David, Goliath and Samson. The blurring of boundaries isn’t lost on Kalich: “We feel our action figures serve the same purpose as other Christian products for children, such as coloring books, board games, plush toys and others,” he said. On the market for about one year, the figure sprang less from a theological motive and more from a desire for something novel. But not all biblical action figures are novelty items. Some are intended for actual use by children. Third, various forms of “Bible figures” have been around for centuries. Nativity sets are comprised of biblical figures, though they probably don’t have moveable arms and legs. But many a child has rearranged those figures, hidden them and used them with other figurines. What’s the coolest action figure since G.I. Joe? The Jesus Action Figure, according to online retailer Archie McPhee.And Ship-of-Fools ( www.ship-of-fools.com)is likely unsurpassed in reflecting on all things religious. The figures may be for children, but there’s no escaping theology. Train Up a Child, for example, offers a light-skinned and a dark-skinned line of figures. CCM’s initial lines had olive-colored skin.