LOST is a multi-layered show. The idea of being lost has a literal layer (so, there was this plane crash . . . ) but it also has a metaphorical layer. Each of the main characters on the show have lost their way. Locke and Jack both have lost their identity walking in the shadows of their fathers. Kate grew up with daddy issues as well and her and Sawyer are linked together by their killings of vengeance. Hurley lost who he was after finding the winning lottery numbers. Sayid seems to wrestle with the desire to be good and the necessity of being evil. Jin wrestled with the same thing as Sayid and seems to have come out as a good guy but now his wife seems to be filling the role of evil by necessity. Much of the show has been about these characters finding redemption.
But, redemption seems to be a dead end at this point. I can't get my head around there being any hope for deliverance. Those who had been lost returned home only to find out that home wasn't what they were looking for. So, now they have returned back to the island. So, if home isn't deliverance then what is? To this point, the only character that I know of that has found redemption was Charlie and he died sacrificially. (Interestingly enough, sacrificial death worked for Charlie but it doesn't seem like it has for Locke).
If redemption is found on the island, then what does that mean for the "others"? Unless there is a way for the "others" and the "losties" to live together then I don't see hope for deliverance. And, what part does the Dharma initiative play? We have three groups of people who have all at times seemed evil and at others innocent. I can see one (maybe two) groups being found to be good, but not all three. How could three groups of innocent people be so diametrically opposed to one another? As I watch LOST I gotta think redemption is going to have to come from someone or something other than the characters involved.
It may seem like I am putting way too much thought into a TV show (but then again, it is not just a TV show :)). However, I think art (and I count LOST as pop-art) is a reflection of real life. Here is the thing. As confusing and grey as all the characters and groups of people in LOST are, I think it is an accurate reflection of reality. I mean, as we look at world affairs how do we determine who the good players are and who the bad players are? Like the different groups in LOST the different nations have hints of innocence and evil. The reason for this is the humanity that makes up these different nations. As I look at the world, I am convinced that if we are to hope for redemption it will have to come from someone or something other than the characters involved.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Where are the attacks on Easter . . . oh, there it is.
So, I was thinking earlier this week that this year has seen a drought in books and news stories attacking Easter. You know, books or stories on the Gospel of Judas or the James Ossuary. It seems that every year around this time someone is looking to capitalize on Easter from a secular perspective (of course, there are plenty of Christian books that do the same but you would expect that). I am not so much bothered by the books themselves nor am I threatened by them. I know there are people that have differing viewpoints. The timing of their release is what bothers me. I understand it, it is just either annoying or obnoxious.
In terms of this trend, this year has seemed eerily quiet.
Then I ran across a book by Bart Ehrman just this week in Barnes and Noble. The title caught my eye (and of course it was on a display table because of Easter). The book is called Jesus Interrupted. I picked it up just long enough to roll my eyes (again, not because of the subject or perspective but because of the timing).
Well, Bart was on Colbert last night. Colbert, for those of you who don't know, has taught Sunday School at his church (Catholic if my memory serves me correctly. and, correct me if I am wrong). Anyway, here is the video:
Ben Witherington has a good review/critique of the book (long) that can be found here and here.
In terms of this trend, this year has seemed eerily quiet.
Then I ran across a book by Bart Ehrman just this week in Barnes and Noble. The title caught my eye (and of course it was on a display table because of Easter). The book is called Jesus Interrupted. I picked it up just long enough to roll my eyes (again, not because of the subject or perspective but because of the timing).
Well, Bart was on Colbert last night. Colbert, for those of you who don't know, has taught Sunday School at his church (Catholic if my memory serves me correctly. and, correct me if I am wrong). Anyway, here is the video:
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Bart Ehrman | ||||
| ||||
Ben Witherington has a good review/critique of the book (long) that can be found here and here.