There’s a distinction between a Christian in name only and one in practice. You don’t have to proclaim yourself a Christian to know as much – those outside the faith can see the actions of, say, the Westboro Baptist Church and without much knowledge still firmly state that these folks are not practicing the faith as Jesus taught it. It’s only a skip and a beat to Christian characters in anime, who aren’t there to preach the gospel to a nation that’s 99% non-Christian, but rather to color a series by bringing in a background that might provide for interesting storytelling. And so when you see a priest character, like Nicholas D. Wolfwood of Trigun, you understand as a viewer that this character is probably developed as a Christian in name, not in spirit.
What’s interesting about Trigun, though, is that Wolfwood is saved spiritually in part through the words of an unbelieving plant. And even more surprising is this – that “plant,” Vash the Stampede, is a better example of faith than his seemingly spiritual counterpart.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
– Hebrews 11:1
This definition is significant in a variety of ways. Since many might focus on the idea that we “do not see” when it comes to faith, one could easily make the assumption that having “faith,” in a Christian sense, means that you believe blindly. That’s an easy conclusion to make, but it would be a wrong one. Not being able to see doesn’t mean making irrational jumps based on emotion and upbringing and whatever else leads one blindly to religion – it means trusting in one’s belief even if you can’t see it right now. Even when the road is difficult and you’re in despair, a strong faith will lead you to lean on your belief even when you can’t see it played out in action.
Do you see? A vibrant faith is based on a sound foundation. Truly faithful people have faith because they stand on the truth of the gospel. They believe that Jesus is the way – circumstances of life and swaying emotions don’t change this grounding.
Vash the Stampede isn’t a Christian, so his faith is not one in God, but he still demonstrates a faith that is otherwise similar to that which I explained. He believes that “love and peace,” a non-violent and perhaps overly optimistic worldview, is the way. He holds unswervingly to the lessons he learned from Rem, and despite all that he sees that shows something to contrary – that the world is made up of evil men and women – Vash continues to move ahead with his belief. Circumstances do not shake his worldview.
Wolfwood is on less firm footing. He’s of course more practical than Vash, willing to kill when necessary for the greater good. But it eats him up inside. He claims that Vash’s ways are naive, but the internal struggle reveals that Wolfwood cannot justify his beliefs. He’s being dishonest with himself – his way of life, he can see, is not what he truly believes. In his final scene in Trigun, Wolfwood finally comes to terms with this, realizing that he had followed a path that was on a slippery slope. He could never have a strong faith in his own way, because deep in his heart, he didn’t believe it – and it took a remarkable circumstance, in the form of a Humanoid Typhoon, to show him as much.
In reality, Christians, too, are challenged by difficulties in life. After all, despite what some might preach, God doesn’t promise an easy or rich life for believers – quite the contrary sometimes, in fact. One thing He does promise, though, is that He is with us. The truth of the gospel dictates that our sins are washed away when we ask Christ for forgiveness, and because of that, we can rely on the truth and grace of God, even when our souls are put to the utmost pain and distress.
Eventually, Vash returns to complete his work. Burdened by his “sin” and in pain over his actions, Vash needed time away to think, recoup, and meditate upon what he believed. But trusting so thoroughly in the bedrock established by Rem’s teachings, Vash recovers and continues down his path of love and peace. And for the Christian whose faith is in the bedrock of Christ, we can believe the same, even in our suffering:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
– 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
….*feels the need to add Trigun to his growing backlog of anime*
But in all seriousness, I did enjoy this article, especially as you didn’t try to “over-Christianize” the show or the characters in an effort to show the Christian principles behind it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 is a verse that’s helped me through trying times in my life, and I think it applies here, especially that God “will not test us beyond what we are able”.
Thanks for the new insights! 🙂
Thanks for the verse – I often think of that one as well, particularly when others are going through a hard time. There is a reason – and there is strength to support us and lead us through.
Trigun is definitely worth a try! It’s now old school, but I don’t think it’s dated as many older series are (see like-themed Rurouni Kenshin).
“This definition is significant in a variety of ways. Since many might focus on the idea that we “do not see” when it comes to faith, one could easily make the assumption that having “faith,” in a Christian sense, means that you believe blindly. That’s an easy conclusion to make, but it would be a wrong one. Not being able to see doesn’t mean making irrational jumps based on emotion and upbringing and whatever else leads one blindly to religion – it means trusting in one’s belief even if you can’t see it right now. Even when the road is difficult and you’re in despair, a strong faith will lead you to lean on your belief even when you can’t see it played out in action.”
Faith and hope have a kind of objective value in the world that most people take for granted. If you go into the world expecting only despair, no matter how hard you try…Your actions and mood will reflect the pain in your heart. It’s unattractive in a very business-minded sense— Successful job interviews are those where you appear serenely, unarrogantly hopeful. You’re also more productive when you believe in something. The only way to produce hope like that is by convincing your limbic system that it actually has a trump card: By having faith even when it looks bad. That’s why humans were created with a cerebral cortex: It is the hopeful, faithful part of the brain that can override mere “circumstances.”
It is part of what makes us different from every other being you’ll see on Earth.
“God doesn’t promise an easy or rich life for believers – quite the contrary sometimes, in fact. One thing He does promise, though, is that He is with us.”
I have found that knowing that Someone is with you, watching you in Their own mysterious way…That’s worth more than all the sanity and riches there are in the world. It gets you through the nightmares in life, especially when you yourself are your own worst demon.
I often have the opposite reaction when I get down, though – instead of being faithful, as I espouse here, I push God away. I blame him. I’d rather not abide in his love, but wallow in despair or more commonly with me, rage in my pride. In that way, I hope that I’ll more often recenter my faith in trusting that God is RIGHT, God is true, God is unchanging and that my ways are so limited that I should humbly submit now as an act of faith, understanding that upon later introspection, I’ll almost certainly see why putting God before myself was the right thing to do.
It’s phenomenal to Google search an article about Christianity and Trigun! I love the truth you’ve shared and would love to connect a decade after the fact haha my email, unabashedly, is leecash7@gmail.com
I’m a pastor and anime lover, and oh boy does anime help us understand the unseen, especially the spiritual warfare we are in the schemes of the devil. Yes, ask “WWJD?” But there is also value when strategizing to ask “What Would Satan Do?” In regards to what are his tactics to stumble you? To tempt or accuse you? What lies will he tell?
May the Truth guide you in discerning the unseen. And may you steep in the Love of God, setting your mind on the things above which are good, beautiful, perfect, holy and acceptable. We are Always Accompanied.
leevash7@gmail.com, silly autocorrect. Hope the context made sense XD
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