Faith - Fun and the Power of Christian Cartoons

Hey friend! Let’s talk about something super close to my heart—cartoonists who use their talents not just for giggles (though those are holy too!), but to share the Gospel, bring joy, and shine God's light in creative, unexpected ways. You see, cartoons aren’t just silly drawings—they're tools of storytelling, truth-telling, and yes, even evangelism!

I’ve taught cartooning to thousands of kids (usually while dodging airborne crayons), and I’m here to tell you: these legendary artists below didn’t just doodle—they drew for the Kingdom!

Charles Schulz – Peanuts, Faith, and a Beagle Named Snoopy

Charles Monroe Schulz was born in 1922 in Minneapolis and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He was the quiet type—an only child who loved books, drawing, and his dog Spike (who later inspired Snoopy!). His nickname was “Sparky,” after a comic strip horse from Barney Google, so it’s safe to say his destiny was cartoon-shaped from the start.

He sent out his first drawings at a young age, but his hometown paper rejected him. Ouch. Still, Schulz kept sketching, learning, and persisting—something every homeschooler can relate to when long division feels like a cruel joke!

Finally, in 1950, Peanuts debuted in seven newspapers. Fast-forward, and it became one of the most beloved comic strips in the world, with over 2,600 papers carrying it at its peak.

Schulz’s Christian faith was subtle but sincere. He was a lifelong student of the Bible and wrestled with big theological questions—often processing them through his art. He once said, “I preach in these cartoons, and I reserve the same rights to say what I want to say as the minister in the pulpit.” That famous A Charlie Brown Christmas moment where Linus recites Luke 2? That wasn’t just a cute script decision—it was Schulz standing firm for the Gospel. He believed in using his work to quietly point people toward biblical truths. Interesting Book About Charles Schultz

He also illustrated personal struggles like loneliness, self-worth, and purpose—offering a kind of spiritual comfort many found relatable. Through characters like Charlie Brown and Linus, Schulz presented faith as something deeply human.

Fun facts About Charles Schultz:

• Schulz served as a machine gunner in WWII. 

• Snoopy’s first words were “Hi!” in a thought bubble. 

• He never let anyone else draw Peanuts—every line was his own until the day he died. 

• He taught Sunday School for many years and often reflected on how faith should
  be lived, not just spoken.

Al Hartley – From Archie to the Almighty

Al Hartley was born in 1921 in New Jersey. After surviving WWII as a B-17 bomber pilot, he returned home to attend the Art Students League in NYC—where the boy who once doodled fighter planes started drawing teenage romances and superheroes.

He made his mark in the 1950s at Archie Comics, capturing all the goofy, clean-cut teen energy of the era. But in the late 1960s, everything changed. Al Hartley had a powerful encounter with Christ that turned his life—and art—around. His conversion gave him a whole new purpose: to serve God through his creativity.

And he didn’t waste time.

Through a partnership with Fleming H. Revell publishing, Hartley launched Spire Christian Comics. These included Christian retellings of Archie stories and adaptations of books like The Cross and the Switchblade, The Hiding Place, and Born Again. His comics reached kids who might never pick up a Bible but would totally read a comic with bright colors and snappy dialogue.

Hartley believed in the power of visual storytelling to make faith come alive. He didn’t just illustrate Scripture—he made it accessible and appealing. In many ways, his work was a bridge between popular culture and Christian truth.
Fun Book For Kids: The Best of Archie Comics

Fun Facts About Al Hartley: 

• He once pitched a Christian-themed Archie story, and the Archie execs said, “Do what you want—just don’t mess with the characters.” So he didn’t mess—he just led
  them to Jesus!

• Hartley’s dad was a U.S. congressman!

• His comics were distributed in prisons, hospitals, and even mission fields.

• He viewed cartooning as a ministry and signed his comics with Scripture references.

Johnny Hart – Caveman Wisdom Meets Eternal Truth

Johnny Hart was born in 1931 in Endicott, New York, and had cartooning in his blood even at an early age. His mother was a gifted artist, and his grandfather—a Sunday school teacher—instilled deep spiritual roots. Johnny joined the Air Force after high school, where he honed his artistic skills doing illustrations for military publications.

In 1958, he created B.C., named after a friend and centered on a gang of prehistoric goofballs. Then in 1964, he co-created The Wizard of Id, adding medieval madness to his repertoire. At first, his strips were pure gags—but after becoming a born-again Christian in the 1980s, Johnny began using his comics to boldly share biblical truths.

He wasn't subtle either. Easter strips showed empty tombs. Christmas strips mentioned Christ by name. Some editors dropped him. Others applauded. But Johnny stood firm in his calling. More About Johnny Hart

His comics became spiritual messages wrapped in humor—an ongoing devotional in newspaper form. He said his creative inspiration often came during prayer, and he believed God used his comic strip to reach people who might never set foot in a church.

Fun Facts About Johnny Hart: 

• He said he received some of his ideas directly from God while sleeping!
• He passed away in 2007 at his drawing board while working on—you guessed it—an Easter strip about the resurrection.
• His legacy lives on through his grandkids, who now run B.C. with the same faith-forward focus.
• He once said, “My purpose is to proclaim the Gospel in every strip.”

Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) – Rhymes That Ring with Truth

Now, let’s shift gears to someone who didn’t write explicitly Christian books, but whose moral storytelling fits beautifully in a Christian homeschool setting.

Theodor Geisel—aka Dr. Seuss—was born in 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was a mischievous child (think Max from Where the Wild Things Are, but in rhyme), and a constant doodler. His love of words came from his mom, who soothed him to sleep with bakery jingle rhymes. That early rhythm became the backbone of his writing style. A Fun Biography About Dr. Seuss

Geisel's background in political cartoons and advertising gave him a unique style. He was bold, funny, and just a little odd—which kids loved! And even though he wasn’t overtly Christian, his books echo many biblical values: the dignity of life, humility, contentment, generosity, and justice.

His works often pushed back against injustice and pride, and he championed the vulnerable—ideas we see clearly reflected in Jesus' teachings. His ability to simplify big moral concepts through rhyme and whimsy makes his work a natural companion for faith-filled conversations.

Moral-packed moments to share with your kids: 

• Horton Hears a Who: “A person’s a person no matter how small.” Hello, Psalm 139:14!
• The Grinch: Real joy isn’t from things—it’s found in love, truth, and community.
• Yertle the Turtle: Pride leads to a fall. Proverbs 16:18, anyone?
• The Sneetches: We’re all equal in God’s eyes, stars or no stars.

Fun Facts About Dr. Suess: 

• He wrote Green Eggs and Ham using only 50 different words (after a bet with his publisher).
• His WWII propaganda films inspired Horton's message of protecting the vulnerable.
• He never had children—but said, “You make them. I’ll entertain them.”
• Though not a professing Christian, his stories offer powerful illustrations for faith discussions.

In Closing: Drawings That Declare the Gospel

What can we learn from these wonderful cartoonists, who used their God given talents to bring the good news to others? We can learn that cartoons can:

     Cartoons can be used to teach the truth

     Cartoons can help to spark conversations about Jesus

     Cartoons can also help to point hearts to Jesus

Just like Jesus used parables, these cartoonists used ink and humor to highlight eternal truths. Let’s encourage our kids to do the same! Whether they’re doodling funny animals or sketching Bible stories, their creativity can shine for God. 

Who knows? Maybe the next great Christian cartoonist is currently drawing at your kitchen table, sticky from peanut butter but filled with holy purpose!

Want to Have Even More Fun?

Click Here to get a Free mini workbook called Cartoons, Cartoons Everywhere!
It's packed with lots of fun stuff like:

✅ Fun facts about cartoons in everyday life 

✅ A cartoon scavenger hunt

✅ Drawing prompts

✅ A fun coloring page

✅ Pages to create your own cartoons

✅ A parent tip sheet to spark more learning

This little workbook is perfect for Christian homeschoolers
who want a quick, no-prep activity that inspires creativity and deepens the art-academic connection.

Click here to get your free workbook!

You Can Do This!

Keep Drawing - Keep Laughing -  Keep Pointing Your Kids To Jesus

You've got this. With Love from a Mom to Mom, a Mema to Mema,
and one homeschool heart to another homeschool heart.