That I find easier to believe than a prior poster's description of the author as a "Christian counselor." Maybe in this instance "Christian" is merely shorthand for somebody who thinks Jesus was a good guy, which seems to be the lowest common denominator definition used by people such as Hillary Clinton.
I thought the movie was terrific until it felt the need to comment on Christian theology. That seemed to be the tipping point in how I viewed the film as a whole. Suddenly it brought into focus the portrayal of the church-going family as dour and unsupportive, whereas the non-believing family is bright, open and fun. The death of the little girl even plays like a Christ metaphor, because her death seems to bring light and reconciliation to that repressed Christian family.
Yes, I think you get it. I found the book so unreadable because it's told through the young boy and Paterson makes his family so despicable. And of course, they are church goers, while Leslie's "cool" parents are former urbanites who are now living and writing in rural Virginia. There's a green place in their Terebithia where they go to be thankful. I hadn't thought about the Christ metaphor, but I think you're onto something.
I'm taking a course this semester in Young Adult Lit and I've been appalled at what I've read so far. Mostly. Although I really liked Holes by Louis Sachar. After what I've been reading, I think I'd read anything first before my child read it. Fortunately, mine is about ready to graduate from college now.