Zombies are hot, thanks in part to AMC’s series, “The Walking Dead.” Technically, a zombie is an animated corpse. Conceptually, zombies are a great metaphor for the spiritual life. Just ask youth worker and writer Jeff Kinley, whose book, The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook, explores “the selfish beast within.”

YWJ: Why did you write The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook?
Kinley: Originally the concept was born out of a casual counseling session I was having with a 20-something man about the struggle to become the Christian he really wanted to be. It was literally like a flash of revelation to me. The entire book concept came to me within 10 seconds. I immediately went home and emailed my agent and put together a rough table of contents, proposal and mock book cover.

YWJ: Who is Zombie Killers written for?
Kinley: I wrote this book for every person who has ever dealt with the selfish beast within them. For any believer who struggles with sin and obeying God. I’ve worked with 16- to 30-year-olds for the past 25 years and have a pretty good idea of what it takes to communicate the truth to them in their own (culturally-relevant) language.

YWJ: Why the Zombies Metaphor?
Kinley: Well, first of all, Zombies are real (at least in books and movies!). They are the perfect metaphor for what Scripture calls the “sin nature.” Think for a moment about who zombies really are and what they do.
– They are a deteriorated version of their former human self.
– They have been around for thousands of years.
– They are already dead, reanimated (re-born) that way.
– They are continually decaying.
– They can be dressed up like normal people, but soon revert back to their true selves.
– They cannot be cured.
– They cannot be rehabilitated.
– They cannot change themselves.
– They crave flesh and brains.
– They cannot control their urges.
– Their compulsion for brains is insatiable.
– They will do anything to satisfy that craving.
– They do not get tired or sleep.
– They do not give up.
– They have a heightened sense to detect fresh flesh.
– They are not always feasting on brains, but are still always in search of them.
– They often travel in hordes.
– They are incapable of selfless acts.
– They can be amazingly stealthful.
– Their lumbering walk is deceptive as they never stop pursuing their prey.
– Their kind will never die as long as there are brains to consume.
– They manifest themselves in every culture, race and tribe.
– The only way to stop them is to separate the brain from the nervous system.
– They stink.

Plus, I didn’t think a book titled You’re Really a Horrible Wretch…Seriously! or Deep Thoughts on Depravity would sell many copies.

YWJ: The format of this book is unique. Can you explain?
Kinley: Zombie fans will enjoy Zombie Killers because half of it is straight up fiction novel, but the other half engages the reader in a raw and relevant encounter with the living dead within them. As gory and graphic as zombies are, equally shocking is what the Bible says about the creature inside each of us. The Bible tells it like it is, in explicit R-rated language. This generation will find the non-fiction chapters of Zombie Killers calling them to a place of brutal honesty and transparency, but part of what makes this book so unique is because the episodes/chapters are set in an alternative format, with each fiction episode followed by a nonfiction chapter, and so on.

Additionally, the spirit of the Zombie Episodes is carried over in each of the non-fiction chapters. There is no loss of suspense or changing mentality from episode to chapter. We have tried to make seamless transitions so as to keep the same “zombie-flow” throughout.

YWJ: Did you have any reservations writing a book about Zombies?
Kinley: Not for a second, and for several reasons: First, the zombie genre is everywhere. It’s already prevalent in culture and has been for decades. Just like Jesus and Paul, it’s always smart to dip into culture in order to communicate spiritual reality. Both used events and culturally relevant words, customs and concepts to help their audience understand and embrace the truth of God. They weren’t afraid of culture. They engaged it and utilized it in order to help change those in it. From Jesus’ talks about seeds, farming, family and nature to Paul’s quoting secular poets and using secular words to talk about God, being incarnational with our language and media is never a bad idea.

Secondly, zombies are cool. Tons better than vampires!

Third, the generation I speak and minister to is well acquainted with the world of zombies. They get it when I talk about fantasy and have no problem relating to their lives/world. They haven’t been taught to segment their Christianity into religious and secular categories. They can make seamless transitions better because of their openness to things. As a result, their journey tends to be a more honest one, whereas older believers have to unlearn some things in order to become more real. If we ever stop speaking the language of the next generation, our Christianity will have ceased to be viable to the world, and we should shut the church down.

Fourth, there is a lot the conventional church can learn from this generation. When I explain to a 26-year-old that he has a vile, filthy beast living inside him, he nods his head and accepts it, wanting to know more. When I say the same thing to a Christian my age, he generally furrows his brow, gets offended and shows me the door. The church doesn’t have a reputation for talking about things that might scare off big donors.

I loved writing this book, and already have plans for another book in this genre.

YWJ: What will someone take away from Zombie Killers? How does Zombie Killers help people?
Kinley: The reader will be ushered into a dark place, where he will come face-to-face with his sin nature. It will be a painful encounter, but one he will be glad he experienced. He will learn what that awful part of him really is, why he is the way he is, just how deep his depravity goes and how it influences/drives everything about his life.

Finally, he will discover what to do about it, becoming equipped to overcome temptation and sin and slay the living dead within.

YWJ: What are Zombie Killer Weekends?
Kinley: I have spoken at countless camps, retreats, conferences and seminars through the years. Having been a youth pastor for decades, I can relate to the frustration a youth pastor can have in planning the next camp or retreat. A Zombie Killers Weekend/Camp is taking the theme of my book and having me come speak about how students can overcome sin and temptation in their life. I talk about:
• What the sin nature is and why is it such a big deal.
• What God really says about this inward battle.
• Why we keep struggling with the same sins.
• How we consistently can beat temptation.
• How to go beyond surviving to thriving in our walks with God.
• What roles friendships play in our struggles and victories.
• How we overcome the downward pull of the sin nature.
• How we can genuinely trust Christ as Savior.

Plus it’s just a fun weekend theme–lots of creative possibilities there.

Go here for more information about a Zombie Killers Weekend and click on the link for youth leaders.