In March of 2000, NBC aired an animated sitcom titled "God, the Devil and Bob." The series was based on God (voiced by James Garner -- who did a fabulous job, by the way) and the Devil making a bet over the fate of the world. God wants to wipe humanity off the face of the planet and start all over, but figures that he's "not that kind of God." So the Devil gets to choose one person who God and the Devil will test. Will he or she choose to work with God to make the world a better place? Or will the Devil will win and God will annihilate humanity? It was sort of a mixture of the Noah, Job and Jonah stories -- very Old Testament with a lot of humor thrown in.
I saw the first episode and was hooked. I thought the show was an excellent tool for discussions about the issue of evil in the world and what role humanity plays in addressing that evil, as well as our responsibility to make the world a better place -- you know, as in "thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven" that we proclaim when we say the Apostles' Creed.
Every week I made sure that I was sitting in front of the TV or was recording the show -- in 2000 we were still recording shows on some type of tape -- so that I wouldn't miss an episode. And then, after four episodes, it stopped. It was just gone. I don't remember an explanation at the time, but later I learned that poor ratings and religious activists had doomed it.
It's understandable because God was a little irreverent in the series, often seen consuming a beer. But I thought, come on! This isn't meant to be an actual portrayal of God! It was a cartoon. But regardless, although 12 episodes had been filmed, only four were aired in the United States. It was well received in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Latin America -- where, apparently, they have a sense of humor.
This fall a new show aired on CBS titled "God Friended Me." Labeled a comedy-drama, it banks on a demographic familiar with Facebook's "friend" trend and today's means of communication. The son of an Episcopal priest, an outspoken atheist with his own podcast, is sent a friend request by God, which leads him on journey after journey each week "friending" others whom God suggests -- all with the express purpose of helping these friends. The weekly problems are resolved far too simply, but the underlying story of a young man and his struggle with his faith -- or lack of it -- grounds the series. And although it doesn't push the extremes as did "God, the Devil and Bob" it does weave somewhat edgy topics into the margins of its stories, such as mothers abandoning children, lesbian relationships, overcoming anger and grief, and of course love, which is always edgy.
When the word "God" appears in the title of a film or TV show, it can be a lightening rod. Ordinarily there will be some cute or sentimental angle aimed at the general public in a way that doesn't really lead to thinking about God. What I liked about "God, the Devil and Bob" -- and I like about "God Friended Me" -- is the opportunity to really give thought to what you think about your faith. Some feel threatened by the thought of questioning their faith, or exploring a new way of seeing God acting in the world. But I believe that prayerfully examining one's faith can be the means to strengthen it -- and particularly strengthen your relationship with God. It is in conversation that we build relationships here on earth -- asking questions and listening carefully to responses, learning more deeply about the other. I believe that it is the same with God. Prayerful conversation with God, and with others about God, can lead to a stronger commitment to what it is that we do believe rather than relying on a shallow faith that can shatter if questioned.
I'll keep watching "God Friended Me." I'm wondering what the writers are going to come up with each week, but even more, I wonder if what appear to be messages from God really will be. And since I purchased the whole 12 episode set of "God, the Devil and Bob," I think I'll also pull that out and see the last few episodes and see where that series was going. Nothing that writers come up with here on earth can approach the imagination of God -- and I wonder what God thinks of our meager attempts.
The Rev. Leslie Belden is a minister of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), currently serving as the temporary stated clerk of the Presbytery of Arkansas. Contact her at LeslieBeld@aol.com.
NAN Religion on 02/02/2019