How warranted is the criticism of biblical action figures? Yes, they’re tactile. Yes, they probably ignite children’s imaginations. But is this anything new? 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. So when CCM promotes its Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus action figure collection, it states that not only will the figures help children “mingle play time with faith time,” but the collection will bring the nativity “to life.” The product information also indicates that the figures will create “hours of fun for acting out the Christmas story.”

Jesus Action Figure / Christ action figures / Bible themed toys Jesus Action Figure / Christ action figures / Bible themed toys

Although let us not worry to much, as he can walk on water, heal all woes and most importantly TURN WATER INTO WINE.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.” 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. 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. 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.” 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.

Biblical Action Figures: Acting Out the Faith or Creating New Biblical Action Figures: Acting Out the Faith or Creating New

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. SOF concludes that “the real fun begins when you let them into the doll’s house, and when David first sets eyes on Barbie…”These biblical action figures are important precisely because they are toys: adults manufacture them and children play with them. And they do interpret Christian tradition. First, the firing of imaginations is hardly unique to action figures. Adults read to children—and to themselves, for that matter—because reading itself frees the mind.