What is the Adventures of Toby?
The Adventures of Toby is a series of stories in the form of short films, books and comics about a boy who goes on adventures with Jesus in his spirit. Children often battle with the notion of the spirit and Jesus living in our spirits. Toby’s adventures give a vivid picture of friendship and conversation with Jesus.
How did Toby start?
The idea for Toby came from a moment with my young son, when I was trying to explain the concept of the human spirit, and how it doesn’t die when our bodies die. I woke up in the middle of the night soon after, with a story in my head. I knew it was from God and that he wanted us to make the film.
What makes Toby different to other animated films?
Toby is different to other animated films in that it unashamedly portrays Jesus. We didn’t want to beat about the bush. We want people to come away from the films with no doubt in their minds that Jesus is the most incredible friendship one could ever have. We also have explored wonderfully imaginative ways to communicate difficult spiritual truths. We write from our own lives, so we don’t try to push theology on kids. We take truths, unwrap them and then live them out. Then we write from that difficult place of failure and triumph, so that the stories are real and livable.
Why is Jesus dressed in modern gear?
We want to take Jesus out of the box we have historically put him in, long robes, soft, flowing hair, and show him as a person, as relevant, accessible today as he was to those who met him on earth 2000 years ago. We asked ourselves – if Jesus came to earth today, what would he wear? What language would he use? He would be God, of course, but he wouldn’t be wearing a 2000 year old dress! Kids really relate to this. When they see the Toby films they realise that God is a friend, not an inaccessible historical figure.
Why does Toby have a popgun? Aren’t guns bad?
Guns are bad, but so are swords – both are used for killing. Yet the bible compares Scripture to a sword (Eph 6). We have taken that analogy into a 21st Century boy’s reality – Toby’s popgun become the vehicle for him realising that Scripture is our finest weapon against evil.
Jesus is too buddy-buddy. Why have you compromised his holiness?
I have no doubt that when I get to heaven I will fall down flat on my face before my Most Holy GOD. Most times in worship I find myself there! But Jesus also lifts us up and is our companion though out our day – even in our most personal moments! I have had a lot of fun with Jesus in my life, and I want kids to know that they can do the same. For more on this idea, take a look at Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, as well as the section on Sanctifying the Imagination in Meditation in one the most wonderful books, Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.
