If you’re visiting Beneath the Tangles for the first time, you may be surprised by how we focus on the unexpected convergence of Christianity and anime. However, we believe that there’s a godly value in the art form, how we approach it, and in the community that loves it. As you read our blog or visit our social media sites, it may be helpful to know more about the core beliefs that feed into our mission. Given below, they’ll give you an idea of what we’re about and why we do what we do (please also visit our About Us page, where you can read about our mission and vision).

Christianity

Beneath the Tangles is a Christian ministry. Hearing that my immediately cause you to put your walls up—and perhaps with good reason. But we hope to be different from the unfortunate image, developed because of the many evils perpetrated by people who follow Christ, by letting Jesus be the foundation. Our words, actions, and worship should emanate from Christ and flow outward from within, not the other way around, influenced by culture, politics, or anything else. And through a few foundational principles that unite Christendom—the belief that all humans are sinners in need of redemption and that God, the creator of the Universe, sent his son, Jesus, in human form to the earth where he died as an atoning sacrifice for our sins and rose from the grave, that in our belief we may be forgiven, receive the Holy Spirit, and gain eternal salvation as the gracious gift of God—our staff moves forward with a mission that’s about honoring God and loving otaku.

Religion

While the writers here believe that Christianity is the one and only true way, we welcome readers of all other religious beliefs (and those who don’t have a religion) to join us in conversation on the blog and our other outlets. We intend to be respectful of all faiths and belief systems. Beneath the Tangles is meant to be a safe place for otaku, even if your thoughts don’t necessarily match our own.

Humanity

While humans are very capable of good works, and though they do many wonderful things in the world, we believe that within, we’re all sinners, having gone astray from God. This unholiness creates a barrier between humans and the holy and perfect God. Hell is an actual place, and it is where people are cast to be away from God’s presence. But God offers salvation through His own sacrifice, as mentioned in the Christianity section above. Part of our mission here is to deliver this message to those who are unaware, and while we cannot shy away from what the Bible declares as sin, we will minister to our audience with empathy and kindness, and hopefully in a way that conveys Christ to them, in all his truth, glory, and grace.

Bible

The writers of Beneath the Tangles take the Holy Bible as authoritative, written over thousands of years by writers inspired by God. As a collection of books, scripture contains many different kinds of literature—history, poetry, and letters, to name a few, and must be read with contextual understanding; still, it’s also one cohesive whole, and right from the first chapter through the last, explains the story of God’s love for and redemption of mankind. We frequently point toward scripture in our blog posts. Other works may be taken as wisdom, but the Bible is without exception, perfect and true.

Anime

We understand that many Christians disavow anime, finding it to be ungodly and immoral. But think of things a little different. We see anime as a beautiful creative expression that can and often does show the many attributes of God, from his immense creativity to the love he shares with us and wants us to share with one another. Media can be more than mindless entertainment; within that entertainment, as part of the art that’s being created, we can see God himself, even if it the anime was made without that intention.

Missions

Our writers believe that it is the call of every Christian to tell others about the gospel story, or the story of God’s redemption of humankind through Jesus Christ. This website helps to tell that story through discussion of significant parts of the gospel, including the ideas of grace, sin, justification, mercy, and transformation, within posts that discuss some of our favorite anime and manga. Beneath the Tangles is not just a blog or a series of social media platforms; it is a ministry to otaku.