Tag Archives: Television

Zombie Theology

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zombiesI took a seminary class some years ago that dealt with theology in theater. The premise of the class was that all theater productions, movies, television shows, etc., say something, even if it’s in an obscure way, about what and how people think about God and life. Recently, there have been a rash of zombie movies and television shows such as; The Walking Dead, Z-Nation and others. And of course, classics such as Night of the Living Dead and Day of the Dead still perk the interest of many horror movie fans.

A few days ago, while watching an episode of Z-Nation (the series), I started thinking about the theology of zombies. What are these movies and these television shows saying about God and life? Well, I noticed that in The Walking Dead and in Z-Nation, there are always more zombies than living people! The zombies walk around in a mindless fashion, going no place in particular. I said: “Wow! That reminds me of some people I know!” Do you know anyone who is living their life in “zombie-mode?” They have no goals and they are not going anywhere in particular. They just get up each day in survival mode, just trying to make it through the day. It seems like there are always more people who are going nowhere in particular than there are people who have goals, visions, and plans.

I also observed that the zombies feed off of the brains of the living people! They eat brains, but they don’t get any smarter! And when they bite a person, they turn that person into a zombie too! There are people around who will suck the life out of you! They seem to specialize in always trying to destroy your creative thoughts and many times they will try to steal your ideas, but they never come up with anything original or creative on their own! These are the people who have made “Captain Obvious” their hero! They are quick to point out the obvious problems but are totally clueless and useless in offering viable solutions!

Usually, the zombie apocalypse starts with one infected person who bites another person and before you know it; it’s a plague of zombies! It’s a zombie apocalypse! When I consider many of the idiotic ideas that are being accepted as truth and normal today, I wonder if we are in the midst of a zombie apocalypse! I recently heard of a high school principal who thinks the way to elevate low achieving students is to group them with high achieving students! But what always happen in those cases is that the achievements of the higher students are pulled down by the low achievers! This high school principal must have never seen a zombie movie! A zombie is never cured by biting the living, but when a zombie bites the living, the living always turns into a zombie!

One more thing about the zombie shows and then I’m through! In the zombie shows, no matter how many zombies there are, there are always some living people who have hopes of survival, finding a cure, and having a new beginning! Hopefully this post will be read by people who have that hope! Common sense is not so common anymore! In government, there are not many statesmen around anymore; only politicians! Gun violence, police brutality, racial profiling, government corruption and people killing other people like flies! We’re in the middle of a zombie apocalypse! But, even in the midst of this, there is hope! That hope is found in the God who offers hope in the midst of our despair! So even if you have been bitten, there is hope in God! So don’t give up! Keep fighting the zombies off! Don’t let them bite you! And for God’s sake, don’t let them eat your brains!

The Preachers of L. A.

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preacher of laSomeone asked me recently what I thought about the reality television show: The Preachers of L. A. I don’t quite remember exactly what I told them, but I do remember my reaction the one and only time I saw the show! At first, I found it, hurtful, scandalous, degrading and irreverent! But, then I thought about it and the more I think about it, the more I understand what’s really going on with that show!

First of all, it is “reality TV!” The phrase; “reality TV” is really an oxymoron! I mean, think about it! How can any reality show on TV be an actual real representation of reality? In the real world, much of the mundane and boring day-to-day activities of everyday life would not be very entertaining to watch. Therefore, most of what is presented in any reality series is “staged” in order to make it entertaining. And to the extent that it is staged, it is not really real! Much of what happens on the Preachers of L. A., or any other reality series is “staged” for entertaining purposes. Why? Because of ratings!

I’ve heard that some of the preachers on the show say they do it because they want people to know that preachers are human just like everybody else. Well, according to the Bible I read (Their Bible might be a different book) the ministry is a sacred calling! The preacher is human, but the preacher is NOT just like everybody else! The true preacher has a calling from God that calls them to be “apart” (separated) from the world; not a part of the world!

Personally, I think this show is just another attempt to make a mockery of the church in order to weaken its testimony and witness! And by no means is the show an accurate portrayal of the life of most preachers and pastors of Los Angeles or anywhere else in America! But who would want to watch a preacher spend 16 to 20 hours a week in study and preparation for a 30 to 45-minute sermon on Sunday morning? That would make “boring” TV! Who would want to watch a preacher spend hours each day on bending knees seeking the face of God? That would make boring TV! Who would want to watch a preacher driving from hospital to hospital, nursing home to nursing home, funeral home to funeral home to sit, counsel, and console those in need? That would make boring TV!

The Preachers of L.A. may be good entertainment for some, but as for me, I think there are more important things that warrant my attention than watching that show! But, who am I? They are on TV and they are the preachers of L. A! I’m not on TV; I’m just one of the preachers of Covington, GA!