Reflecting on "The Book of Daniel"

On January 6th NBC aired its controversial new drama, The Book of Daniel. Having already created a firestorm prior to its first airing among numerous evangelical Christian groups, the show certainly lived up to its outrageous depiction of a "typical Christian family."

For those of you unfamiliar with the program, The Book of Daniel follows the life and foibles of Rev. Daniel Webster, an Episcopalian priest played by Aidan Quinn. The Rev. Webster is accompanied by a cast of characters that include a homosexual son, a drug-dealing daughter, another son who revels in sexual promiscuity, a brother-in-law who absconds with millions in church funds, as well as an occasional visit from Jesus himself.

Typical of Hollywood, the issue of homosexual behavior is overtly affirmed going so far as to include the oft quoted and erroneous argument that "it is genetic" from Daniel's wife. Of course any suggestion that homosexuality may be immoral much less harmful is dismissed as unenlightened, archaic thinking not indicative of people "living in the 21st century" according to Reverend himself. At one point the Rev. Webster even mentions the fact that "we" (the Episcopal Church) have an openly gay Bishop in New Hampshire as a supporting argument intended to affirm his son's homosexual lifestyle - a real life reference to Bishop Gene Robinson.

It is not surprising to learn that the show's creator, Jack Kenny is also gay. Kenny described himself, in an interview with Beliefnet.com, as being "in Catholic recovery." The article goes on to describe Kenny as being "interested in Buddhist teachings about reincarnation, and isn't sure exactly how he defines God and/or Jesus." Kenny adds that "I'm not making fun of Jesus. I never want to poke fun at religion or at Jesus. These characters are very spiritual people. They believe in God, they believe in Christ as their savior, and I think that's wonderful."

I am willing to believe that Mr. Kenny is being sincere in this statement and herein lies my real concern. I am not particularly concerned by portrayals of Christians that are negative or even seek to ridicule. Isn't this to be expected from those who remain in active rebellion against God as we once were? Aren't we to love our enemies, understanding that it is only by God's grace that we posses any understanding of truth much less new life in Christ? Aren't we even called to "count it all joy" when we share in the sufferings of Christ? What I think is more troubling is the possibility that such a negative view of religion in general and Christianity in particular may indeed have some real basis, either real or perceived, from which these negative stereotypes and perceptions are derived.

Is it really so outrageous for non-believers to portray a Christian minister as being openly affirming of homosexual behavior when we see homosexual Bishops appointed in the Episcopal Church or read of the United Church of Christ endorsing same-sex marriage. There are countless examples of public capitulation to liberal theology and private compromise on historical Christian teaching pertaining to sexual morality and the sanctity of marriage.

Is it really so outrageous for professing Christian teens to be portrayed as living hedonistic lives in comfortable conformity to the world, living out their "faith" in purely individualistic and emotive terms disconnected from any biblical authority or historical doctrine? Recently sociologists Christian Smith and Melinda Lunquist Denton at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted the most comprehensive study to date on teenagers and religion. The research revealed in overwhelming terms that today's teens who claim to be Christian hold, in many cases, beliefs that are not even remotely Christian prompting the researchers to describe them as Moralistic Therapeutic Deists. The researchers summarized that "it was our distinct sense that for many of the teens we interviewed, our interview was the first time that any adult had ever asked them what they believed and how it mattered in their life." What ever happened to bringing 'our children up in the training and instruction of the Lord?'

The facts are that all of the research reveals that there is very little difference in the behavior of self-described American Christian teens than non-Christians, especially when it comes to sexual activity. I would add that their behavior differs little because their thinking differs less.

Is it really so outrageous to portray Christians as living hypocritical lives when so much of so-called Christian television is dominated by preachers promoting Jesus merely as a means to worldly success and financial prosperity? Even many unbelievers reject that nonsense regarding it as logically incompatible with the teachings of Christ. What is the unbelieving world to think when it sees so many professing Christians living in the grip of consumerism, materialism, and careerism? Or big name athletes who publicly profess to be Christian and then are arrested on narcotics violations. Now we hear that Ralph Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition is closely associated with convicted Republican lobbyist, Jack Abramoff and may in fact be guilty of unethical if not illegal activity himself. Of course who can forget the devastating Catholic Church child sex abuse scandal? And of course there seem to be dozens of localized scandals that manifest routinely as a result of sexual impropriety and financial malfeasance. I can think of several stories this past year just in my own community.

Granted these are the worst of circumstances and do not represent the main of faithful Christians in America. In addition, the media is not inclined to show the great good that goes on every day in communities across this nation by means of the Church. Nonetheless, because we bear the scrutiny of the world we are to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves knowing that we bear witness to the Truth.

Do I think The Book of Daniel is a "good" show? Certainly not, the program is so over-the-top in its portrayal of family dysfunction as "normal" that it is ludicrous and worse, its theology of universalism is heretical and I am not in any way defending it. However, I do not want to contribute to the success of the show by fueling a controversy that the media inevitably loves to exploit. Instead I am going to reflect upon the conditions that have produced and foster such a negative view of religion and Christianity in particular in our culture. I am going to ask the Lord to search me and reveal that within me that is displeasing to Him. Does my life bear witness to the love of Christ or do I contribute to any false pretensions that keep people from knowing God? I would add that the Church of Jesus Christ might be better served by similar reflection - testing our attitudes, values, behavior and beliefs against Holy Scripture and where we find ourselves living or thinking in contradiction to God's Word: repent and renew our minds in accordance with Scripture. The world may still ridicule us but they will do so because it is the Gospel that offends and not Christians.