This feature article was written for FoxFaith.com and was released by BeliefNet
in their monthly entertainment newsletter. It appeared online until December 2008
Pastor and author Robert Short believes Horton Hears a Who makes two spiritual themes stand out as large as an elephant in your living room.
Short is the father of spiritual commentary on pop culture. His 1965 bestseller, The Parable of the Peanuts, examined the spiritual themes Charles Schultz brought to life through Charlie, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang. Short has presented messages on the gospel parallels in film, television, and other forms of media for more than 40 years. Short’s latest book, The Parables of Dr Seuss, walks through 11 beloved Seuss stories—including Horton Hears a Who. The film adaptation releases on DVD December 9, 2008.
When Short preaches on Horton, he gathers the children for a reading of the book while showing the images on a big screen. Short added, “Then I present the sermon which is designed to speak to the grown ups and to talk about what Seuss has said through his art form.” He hopes both parents and children will walk away with two big lessons.
“A Person’s a Person No Matter How Small”
As Short has ministered to thousands as church pastor or traveling speaker, he’s noticed that most miss the reality that God loves each of us and has a mission for our lives. “You are of infinite worth to God,” Short said during a telephone interview. “Don’t sell yourself short by thinking you’re too small to make a big difference in life. God has given us infinite possibilities in our service to Him.”
“Their whole world was saved by the Smallest of All.”
Short points out the parallels of this rhyme to many Bible passages including 1 John 4:14, “We have seen for ourselves… that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.”
Short believes, “My job is to call everyone’s attention to the fact they have a Savior.” In his book, Short says, “The salvation Christ brought is finished, completed—it’s an already accomplished fact.” Like the Whos had to discover Horton for themselves, we too have to discover that we have a Savior.
For more spiritual insights into the writing of Theodor Seuss Geisel, read The Parables of Dr. Seuss available wherever books are sold.
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