God & the Small Screen – Salvaged Faith

Where is Peter Bishop?

Posted on August 24, 2011Leave a comment

I honestly think that the closest I am ever going to come to experiencing what the disciples experienced after the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ is the summer hiatus of Fringe.

It is absolutely crazy that I have not yet posted on my favorite television obsession, Fringe. It is a visual feast, has some of the best acting on the small screen – nay, anywhere, and never ceases to gross me out and string me along and blow my mind every single week. Two of the main characters have played at least five versions of themselves in various universes and times… its out there, and it is fantastic.

In May, season 3 ended with one huge, gigantic cliffhanger. Seeing the result of the course of action their world was currently on, one of the main characters, Peter Bishop, made a sacrifice… to bridge the worlds, he somehow wiped himself from existence.

As fans, we sat there with our mouths hanging wide open, screaming: WHAT?! That doesn’t make sense! How can that be?! Did he die? Did he never exist? What does this mean? Is he coming back? Why would the writers do that? But we loved Peter Bishop! Joshua Jackson is awesome, how could you do this?! What on earth is going to happen now?

Theories started flying around the internet. It didn’t help that the people who were actually employed by the show as cast had no clue what was coming next either. Confusion, chaos, despair, curiousity, set in.

Some thought maybe he would reappear as an observer, but then that theory was blown out of the water when Mr. Jackson appeared at Comic-Con in observer gear, making fun of us all.

Somehow he will be back… we know the question has changed from “Who is Peter Bishop?” (as in, what are you talking about, that guy never existed) to “Where is Peter Bishop?” But that doesn’t necessarily set our minds at ease until we actually see the character reintegrated into the show. He is part of the trinity of the core cast and the relationships he has formed with the other characters, especially his father, MAKE the show what it is.

Those final two minutes of the season finale were, in a miniscule way, comparable to the final days of the disciples with Jesus. Things were going well, but were difficult. Uncertainty was in the air, but you knew you were in good hands.

And then all of a sudden, wham-bam, the whole universe falls apart.

I know that this is a stretch. But in our lifetime it is always going to be a stretch to imagine what it would have been like to be a disciple at that time. Nothing we experience can compare to the confusion and despair they must have felt to watch their teacher – their messiah – brought up on charges, beaten, and killed. Those agonizing days would have been utterly heartbreaking. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. They didn’t know what was going to happen next. And every possibility seemed impossible.

The world of entertainment tries to capitalize on those moments of uncertainty. Every single narrative arc relies upon those natural breaks in the story that leave you wanting more, that have you hanging on by the seat of your pants because you need to know what happens next. Every 23 minute comedic episode uses the commercial breaks to leave you guessing as to the punchline that inevitably awaits at the end. We all want our loose-ends tied up… but the ride is so much more fun when we have some moment of sheer panic in between.

That particular season finale: “The Day We Died” was superb. Narratively speaking, it pulled all of the right strings… or all of the wrong ones, if you want to think about it that way. It left you simply aghast and what this could possibly mean in the context of a story you wanted to immerse yourself in.

Yes, it’s television.

Yes, it is only a story.

But for someone as far removed from the crucifixion of Christ as we are today, sometimes that too, feels like little more than a story.

And as I wait in anxious anticipation for the season to start again in September… I realize that I do so with much more hope than the frightened disciples huddled together in a room.

In Fringe, the worlds will never be the same again after that ending.

For the disciples and for us, the world would never be the same, either.

I find myself at times incredibly jealous of the gifts of writers on some of these shows. They capture, week in and week out an intensity of emotion and pathos that truly brings the words and the narratives to life.

My only hope is that as a pastor, as someone who tries to live these scriptures and teach these scriptures, I might help bring to the words the same kind of intensity and longing and doubt and confusion as some of my favorite television shows do every episode.

a commitment to blog!

Posted on August 23, 2011Leave a comment

This section of my blog was supposed to be the creative outlet to pull my less than admirable hobby of television watching into the realm of theologizing and spiritual reflection.

Yes, I had hoped to turn t.v. into a spiritual discipline.

No, it didn’t really happen last year.

But another season of shows that will suck me in is just around the corner and I am bound and determined to post at least once a week here. I am absolutely kicking myself for not reflecting on a bunch of episodes from this last year.

Stay tuned!!!

Grilled Cheesus…

Posted on October 14, 20101 Comment

Ready-made just for my blog comes along an episode of Glee called, “Grilled Cheesus.” It begins with a young man named, Finn, discovering that his grilled cheese sandwhich has the face of Christ toasted onto the surface.

There are probably a billion different directions that I could take to start to dissect this episode from a faith perspective… especially the idea of prayer being a magical incantation that gets us all of the things we have ever wanted.

But the storyline that drew me in and rocked me professionally was that of Sue Sylvester. When Sue gets all uppity about faith being brought into a public place, you begin to think, alright – this is a typical Sue rant.

However, when she is confronted by the school guidance counselor, Sue responds back honestly and openly. You get the feeling that she is truly baring her soul and not just making up some wildly crazy and insane story to disturb everyone around her. Our fearless antagonist proclaims that she once had faith… and that she has always looked upon her big sister with eyes of wonder. But as Sue began to grow older, she started to recognize that others did not see her big sister with the same love and adoration she did. They saw her as a person with disability, a person who was less than, and treated her as such. Sue’s heart was broken over the way that her big sister was treated and she prayed and prayed to God that her big sister might get better. When God failed to answer – Sue gave up on God.

Sue and Jean – from The Yeti Online

I think this is a common theme in many stories of those who have left the faith. When someone we deeply love is hurting… when we are hurting… we pray for God’s deliverance. We pray that God would take away the pain and would bring justice to those who have been wronged. And we pray and we pray and it seems like there is no answer. The world is still broken, our loved ones are still sick, death comes, the mean guy wins the lottery… where is our salvation?

We believe God has failed us… and so we turn our backs upon God.

What I loved about how Glee handled this storyline comes in the scene between Sue and her big sister, Jean. It comes across much better when you can see Sue react to her sister’s words. You can watch the scene here.

Sue: Do you believe in God, Jeannie?

Jean: Do you?

Sue: No, I don’t

Jean: Why not?

Sue: (explains how God never answered her prayers for her sister to be like the other kids)

Jean: God never makes mistakes. That’s what I believe. Want me to pray for you, Sue?

Sue: Yeah, that would be nice.

In four words, Glee disrupts the more traditional understandings of disability as brokenness. Jean looks upon her life, not with eyes that see a problem, but with eyes that are thankful for who God has made her to be. In four words, Jean helps her sister realize that she is not sick, she is special. In four words, this episode challenges us to think differently about how we see the “less fortunate” of this world – to rethink even how we might characterize those who are not the same as us.

I don’t want to say that there are not real problems of poverty and disease and sickness. There are many broken and hurting people in this world. But there are also just as many opportunities to experience blessing and abundant life and joy and hope amongst the lives of those who we might think have gotten the short end of the stick. And it is sometimes in the darkest corners of our lives and in the world, that we see the hope and the light of Christ shining the brightest.

It’s SEPTEMBER!!!!

Posted on September 2, 2010Leave a comment

Since launching this blog, I have been sorting here and there through some of my favorite 42 minutes of television… but what I’m really craving are new episodes!

We are getting closer, so much closer to the season premieres of all of my favorites… just a few more weeks!

The Harper Avery

Posted on September 2, 2010Leave a comment

I have been catching back up on last season’s episodes of Grey’s Anatomy as I prepare for the upcoming season. While there were a number of interesting themes this past season, the idea of competition really jumped out at me in the last few episodes I watched.

(from ABC/ERIC MCCANDLESS)

In some ways, it began when Harper Avery himself was checked into Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital. He’s the man behind the award which isgiven to prestigious surgeons who have done extraordinary things.

In episodes 6:16 – “Perfect Little Accident”, 6:17 – “Push” and 6:21 – “How Insensitive” there runs the idea that without competition, without a striving for greatness and collegial recognition surgeons will become lazy, fail to take risks, and medicine as a whole suffers.

Recently, there have been a number of articles written about the faith of young people. They talk about the need for parents to be more involved in the religious development of their kids, the commitment levels of teens, and ways for the church to be more welcoming.

But one tidbit of information caught my eye: If you want to reach the boys, and not just the girls—you have to make sure there is some friendly competition.

In my own experience, for our youth group, game nights are the most popular events for the guys. There is a sense of personal investment in the activity when there is a competition. It doesn’t matter if the prize is an ice cream treat or a break from doing the dishes—having an incentive makes all the difference in the world.

Friendly competition is healthy and exciting. Whether you yell, “last one to the top of the hill is a rotten egg,” or challenge a buddy to lose weight with you—having someone to encourage you, to push you, and to challenge you to succeed is important.

So, I wonder what the place is for competition in the life of our religious communities. Does God like competition? Can it help us to be more faithful disciples?

I’m of two minds on this issue. There are those pesky verses in scripture that remind us the last shall be first and the first shall be last.

But I also think adults crave the chance to belong to a team, to work together, to push themselves to do better, as much as kids do. I think adults need that sense of accomplishment just as much as young people do.

I’ve been thinking about Romans 12 in this context. For some reason, I remember verse 12:10 saying something about “outdoing one another in love.” In my memory, it was always this urging to make love the most important thing, to honor and respect others, and to always push yourself to be more humble, more serving, more faithful than the next gal. It felt like friendly competition to me.

But the New Living Translation says: Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

The Contemporary English Version translates the passage: Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself.

The Message reads: Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

I found my memory jogged with the Wuest traslation : In the sphere of brotherly love have a family affection for one another, vying with one another in showing honor.

Either we are supposed to always put others first and let them win… or we are supposed to push one another in humility and honor… I’m still confused and my greek isn’t very good. If I infer correctly, the second part of the verse: te time allelous proegoumenoi – that last word really is telling us to take the lead in putting others first. Be first in being last… that’s just as confusing as Jesus!

But really… that is the spirit of all of Romans 12. Don’t think of yourself highly, but realize you are a part of a team designed to be Christ’s body. Figure out what you do well, and do it to the best of your ability. Be zealous, be joyful, give and love to everyone – no matter who they are.

This is our task to do together. And if we need a little encouragement along the way, if we need a friendly little shove in the right direction – perhaps that is part of what it means to be a team player. Perhaps without that extra little oomphf, then we like the surgeons will become lazy, fail to take risks in the faith and the kingdom will suffer as a result.

In my church, I’m proposing, therefore, a challenge.

We are kicking off a mission project for Heifer International the day after the big Iowa/Iowa State football game… and I know how many die-hard fans we have for both of these great teams.

So, I’m encouraging my church to put that spirit of competition to work. I’m inviting them to come dressed in theirblack and red and gold on that Sunday… and to bring their change and dollar bills. For the rest of the month, we are going to fill up jars for our favorite teams and at the beginning of October, which ever team has collected the most funds for Heifer International—the other group has to don the winning team colors at church.

We are encouraging one another to share with God’s people in need. We are working to live in harmony with one another, but adding a little bit of spiritual fervor there, too. And we’ll see just how far we can push one another through this challenge – we’ll see how deep people are willing to dig. And just to up the ante a bit… I promised that if we were able to raise $2500 for Heifer International – I would dye my hair!

Crafting Idols

Posted on August 15, 2010Leave a comment

In the season opener, The Office – Season 4, chaos seems to break loose around Dunder-Mifflin. First Michael, the boss, runs over Meredith with his car. Then Sprinkles the Cat dies. A curse is upon the office!

There is a scene when Michael gathers everyone into the conference room and asks them to share about what their religions are – and what they might say about this curse. As they go around sharing, there is some bonding between the Presbyterians and some banter about other faiths and not being identified simply by your religious affiliation… but the Michael pops in and says something about how they just can’t believe in God after a day like today. And the room goes absolutely silent. Blank stares are all you see on the other faces. Perhaps slight nods of assent. Michael asks – What did people believe in before God? The Sun? Some animal? And then proceeds to create the most fantastical animal god that he can dream up.

I wonder in some ways if that isn’t what the Israelites were thinking as they were huddling in fear at the base of Mt. Sinai. Above them is thunder and lightning and booming and I’m pretty sure they thought they were about to die. They had been led out of the land of Egypt to this desert landscape and they were doomed. So they put their heads together and gathered up all the gold that they could get their hands on and formed it into the most awesome thing they could imagine. They formed a beautiful calf to protect them from this dangeours and fearsome God hovering on the mountain top.

Whenever we want God to fit into our box – to be tame and manageable and on our side, we craft hideous and fantastic idols. We turn God into a policeman, or a gentle old man. We turn God into vicious angry beast in whose hands we are helpless, sinful creatures. And in each of theses ways in which we try to define God, to limit God, to say what God is – we fail. We miss the point. We never are able to get the entire picture.

When Moses met God on the hillside and asks for a name to give the Israelites. Although it is debated how exactly the translate Exodus 3:14… both the ideas “I will be who I will be” and “I am who I am” both give us the impression that God is not to be defined by our words, our images, or our thoughts. God is more than, God IS… and that immensity just doesn’t fit into our little brains.

Suffice it to say – any time that we speak of God, we create an idol of a sense. The key is to keep aware of the fact that we have limited God by any gender, image, creature or name that we have given… and to keep ourselves open to the possibility that we might be wrong and incomplete and that we might need someone to shake those notions up a little bit for us.

Where we head terribly wrong is when we, like Michael, create a god of our own choosing – be it money or fame, or “some sort of monster, like something with the body of a walrus wit hteh head of a sea lion. Something with the body of an egret, with the head of a meerkat. Or just the head of a monkey, with the antlers of a reindeer. With the body of a… porcupine.”

what to do when your faith is shaken

Posted on August 14, 2010Leave a comment

On a television show like “Bones,” faith and reason, science and religion, seem to be inevitably at odds. That is part of the beauty of the chemistry between Booth and Brennan – this dynamic interplay reminds me that just because something appears to be contrary doesn’t mean it has nothing in common.

While there could be many places to start with an episode called, The Devil in the Details, an episode about a body found lit on fire in the middle of a Roman Catholic sanctuary, it was the last few minutes that caught my eye.

Brennan asks Booth a simple question – how is your faith not shaken after a case like this one? And his simple answer is, it is. He’s going to lie awake tonight and toss and turn and question and doubt. But he trusts that his faith will come back as much as he trusts the sun will rise the next morning.

My mind immediately went to the philosopher Hume, who took empiricism to its farthest limits when he posited that just because the sun has come up every other morning is no guarantee that it will come up on the next morning. Cause and effect is not something that we can see or touch or taste.

Brennan’s response lies somewhere between Hume and faith. She is concerned with causes and effects and when she sees an effect, like a dead person, and cannot determine the cause – her ability to trust in the basics of science and reason is tested. But throughout it all – even when she can’t see what she is looking for, she can trust that 2+2 = 4. “There are mysteries that I will never understand, but everywhere I look I see proof that for every effect there is a corresponding cause… even if I can’t see it. I find that reassuring.”

I was once told that our faith needs to be strong enough so that if one of the pillars of that faith is shaken, the whole thing won’t come tumbling down. The question always seemed to me – what are the pillars that are okay to be shaken? And what are the immovable and unshakable tenants of our faith?

For Booth and Brennan – it was the simple things that provided the grounding. The sun coming up. A simple mathematical equation. Something that we can see with our eyes, something that will never possibly be untrue. We may not know why… but we simply know.

Despite all of the questions of theodicy and good and evil and causes and effects… what are the things that we KNOW? what are the things that never go away – no matter how much our faith is shaken and how we are tossed about? what is your grounding, your anchor in the midst of a storm?

Whether it is rational or not – or biblical or not – I always go back to the simple premise that God is love. No matter the tragedies in the world, I trust that God is love and that God is present with those who are hurting. I trust that whatever evil has befallen us, that God is love and that love will conquer all. It is as true for me as the sun rising in the morning or a mathematical equation. Throw in all of the clouds and variables that you want… the earth will keep spinning and God will still be love.