Recently a New Zealand Vicar wrote that the very strength of the Resurrection story is in its impossibility ... dead men do not walk out of their grave. He drew the parallel that the strength of the Whale Rider story is also in its impossibility ... eleven year old girls do not ride whales.
If these stories were possible, they would not be notable. Each story has become a defining event within its community because of its impossibility. This is not to say that neither story is true - simply that, if the story did occur, then it is a miracle.
Predictibly there has been vocal response from the usual suspects in the christian community asserting that the author is defying one of Christianity's core beliefs ... the resurrection. However, I am not so sure. The author does not make it clear whether he thinks the Resurrection story is fact or myth. But he does draw a parallel between the Whale Rider story and the Resurrection story. This to me is simply using a literary technique to make a point.
I wish that more christian authors were as intelligent in their public pronouncements. Too often christian authors communicate in ways that are only appropriate within the christian community. The essence of communication is that the audience should hear what the author or speaker is saying. Too often christians use terminology, nuances, etc that are only understood by christian audiences - even when supposedly communicating with non-christians.
If christians are to credibly engage with those outside of the christian community then we must communicate in ways that are universally credible.