Chick tracts are small evangelistic comic booklets created and published by Jack Chick Publications. The tracts were first created in the 1960s by Jack T. Chick, and promote fundamentalist Protestant evangelical Christian beliefs through a combination of strongly worded warnings about the consequences of sin and the need for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Some of the key characteristics of Chick tracts include:
- They are typically small, around 3 x 5 inches in size.
- They use simple cartoon illustrations and comic book style storytelling.
- The focus is on conveying basic Christian beliefs, such as the depravity of man, the reality of hell, and the need for salvation through Christ.
- Most follow common evangelistic themes of a sinner coming to faith, or a believer sharing their faith.
- The tracts take clear stances on issues like evolution, Catholicism, Islam, homosexuality, alcohol, gambling, occultism, atheism and other topics.
- They have provocative, attention-grabbing covers and titles.
- The style of writing and illustration is direct, simple and often very blunt or confrontational.
It’s estimated that over 1 billion Chick tracts have been published and distributed since the 1960s. They have been translated into over 100 languages and are distributed worldwide. While exact numbers are not known, Chick Publications claims these tracts have had over 900 million views.
The tracts are viewed by their publishers as an effective evangelistic tool, presenting the Christian message in a simple, accessible, and attention-getting format. However critics argue the tracts promote religious intolerance, demonize other faiths, and oversimplify complex theological issues.
Some of the most well-known Chick tract titles include:
- “This Was Your Life!” – Depicts a man dying and being judged by God.
- “A Demon’s Nightmare” – Shows demons terrified of a praying Christian.
- “The Gay Blade” – Strongly warns against homosexuality.
- “Dark Dungeons” – Warns about the dangers of fantasy role-playing games.
- “Big Daddy?” – Critiques evolution and promotes creationism.
- “Somebody Angry?” – Condemns Islam.
- “The Poor Little Witch” – Warns kids against celebrating Halloween.
Origins
Jack Chick (1924-2016) first became inspired to create gospel tracts after receiving one himself on the street and repenting of his sins. A World War 2 veteran, he began distributing tracts in his free time while running a small theater company.
Seeing the positive impact tracts could have, he founded Chick Publications in 1962 and published his first cartoon tract “Why No Revival?” in 1960 under the pen name Bob Rivers. His most popular tract “This Was Your Life!” came out in 1964 and has been translated into over 100 languages since.
Chick wrote and illustrated over 20 tract titles himself before bringing on other artists and writers. He continued running Chick Publications until his death in 2016 at age 92.
Design and Style
From the beginning, Chick intentionally made his tracts look like comic books in order to capture people’s attention. The simple drawings and dialog bubbles were intended to be appealing and unintimidating for all ages and backgrounds.
Most tracts follow a basic comic book plot structure: A main character is depicted living in sin, they have an encounter with a Christian evangelist who confronts their sin, and they end up converting and accepting Christ. Other tracts feature a Christian explaining theological beliefs or controversies to others.
The hand-drawn style of the tracts was inspired by Chick’s time working for the Walt Disney Company and uses many techniques common in comics. Bold outlines, exaggerated facial expressions, and stock characters and poses help communicate the message clearly.
While the illustrations have become more sophisticated over the decades, they maintain a simple, minimalist style to keep the focus on the message rather than the art.
Themes and Content
Chick tracts focus heavily on sin, judgment, hell, and the need for salvation. According to the tracts, mankind is inherently sinful, but God loves them and sent his son Jesus Christ to provide the only way to heaven through his death on the cross.
Repentance of sins, accepting Christ, and living a Biblically-based life are emphasized. Tracts feature people from all walks of life – from prison inmates to wealthy executives – coming to faith in Christ.
In addition to salvation themes, common topics include:
- Dangers of alcohol, drugs, gambling, occultism
- Cults and false religions (Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Catholicism)
- Evolution and creationism
- Homosexuality and LGBTQ issues
- Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism
- Halloween, Santa Claus, fantasy entertainment
The tracts adopt a very dogmatic, King James Only perspective. They view churches that use modern Bible translations as corrupted by the devil. Catholicism is condemned as a false religion leading people to hell.
Chick Publications confirms all tracts are written based on a literalist, fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible. Their content always aligns with a Independent Fundamental Baptist perspective.
Criticisms and Controversies
While popular with some evangelical Christians, Chick tracts have frequently generated controversy for their blunt style and hardline stances on issues like homosexuality, Catholicism, and other religions. Some of their harshest criticisms include:
- Promoting religious intolerance, fear, and hatred towards others
- Demonizing gays and lesbians in very insensitive ways
- Inciting anti-Catholic and anti-Muslim paranoia and distrust
- Misrepresenting nontraditional denominations and beliefs
- Spreading inaccurate information about groups they disagree with
- Using heavy-handed, emotional scare tactics to frighten readers into conversion
Many theologically conservative Christians argue the tracts present complex issues too simplistically. The concerns that Chick Publications is divisive and promotes conflict between believers have caused some Christian bookstores to stop selling their materials.
In response, the publishers defend the tracts as reflecting Biblical truth even when it’s hard for some to accept. They believe speaking bluntly about sin, hell, and salvation is the most loving approach.
Impact and Reach
Experts estimate over 900 million copies of Chick tracts have been read worldwide since the 1960s. They are distributed in over 100 countries and translated into more than 100 languages, including Chinese, Arabic, German, Cebuano, and many more.
In the U.S. alone, around 20-30 million copies are believed to be passed out each year. The tracts have traditionally been handed out in public places like bus stops, malls, laundromats, stores, and sidewalks by individual Christians.
Chick Publications does not officially track how many people convert to Christianity through their tracts each year. However, over the decades they have received thousands of testimonies from people who claim to have been saved after reading tracts.
In addition to spreading their message, the company states the tracts provide basic discipleship for new believers who may not have a church. Their presentation of the gospel is designed for cross-cultural evangelism.
Critics argue the impact of Chick tracts is likely often overstated. While the provocative messages elicit reactions, both positive and negative, many recipients likely just discard the tracts without engaging deeply with their content.
Tracts in Pop Culture
Though intended as evangelistic tools, Chick tracts have influenced pop culture in some surprising ways thanks to their dramatic style. Some examples include:
- “Dark Dungeons” inspired a real role-playing game based on its story of girls led into witchcraft through RPGs.
- “Hi There!” provided inspiration for a song by indie pop band The Rakes.
- Comedian David Cross parodied two different tracts in his comedy routines.
- A fake tract titled “Hawkins III” mocking Chick’s style was distributed at the PAX gaming convention.
- The Norwegian band Gorgoroth used a demon from “Busted!” on an album cover.
These and other parody or artistic takes on the tracts illustrate their unique place in pop culture as extreme yet cartoonish depictions of evangelical Christianity. The striking designs and absurd themes naturally lend themselves to artistic reinterpretations.
Where to Find Chick Tracts
Those interested in reading or collecting Chick tracts have a few options:
- Visit the Chick Publications online store to browse all available titles.
- Download free PDF copies of most tracts from the publisher’s website.
- Find tracts being handed out in public locations by Christian distributors.
- Order bundles of print tracts to be mailed to you for distribution.
- Search for individual tracts on Amazon or eBay.
- Find collected volumes of tracts at some bookstores or libraries.
The company also offers digital tract apps for iOS and Android. For those wanting to learn more about the history and origins of the publications, the book “The World of Jack Chick” provides a comprehensive overview.
Conclusion
Since the 1960s, Chick tracts have spread a unique form of fundamentalist Christian evangelism through small comic booklets. Their eye-catching and emotionally charged style aims to compel sinners to repentance and conversion to faith in Christ.
Supporters see them as invaluable, portable tools for soul-winning. But many condemn their heavy-handed methods and content, arguing they promote religious hatred and misinformation. Tracts also spread well beyond intended audiences.
Whatever one’s view, Chick tracts have unquestionably penetrated global religious culture through their distinctive approach. They remain one of the most visible forms of evangelistic literature in history.
