In response to last weekend’s outrageous claim by the Vatican newspaper that Homer and Bart Simpson are Catholic, I wanted to post two replies.%5B7%5D.jpg "lisa-homer-pi(e)")
Guest Blogger: Ellen from rejesus.co.uk
Conversations with Jesus: In this episode Jesus Meets Lisa Simpson at Springfield Elementary to talk over church politics, world faiths and what it’s like to meet Richard Gere.
Jesus Christ: Hi Lisa, good to meet you ‘in person’ as it were…
Lisa Simpson: And you, wow, I never thought I’d actually get to meet you.
Jesus: Why’s that Lisa?
Lisa: Well, I have the greatest respect for you but…
There is an awkward silence, finally Jesus decides to speak
Jesus: You ‘have the greatest respect for me but’…you didn’t think you’d ever meet me because in season 13 episode 6 (She of Little Faith) you stopped believing in me and became a Buddhist?
Lisa: I wouldn’t say I ‘became a Buddhist’, I mean, I still believe in you Jesus! It was more that I felt let down by the church — you could say I lost my faith in the church.
Jesus: You and so many others…
Lisa: But, I don’t think I have ever stopped believing in you.
Jesus: I know Lisa, that’s why I thought you’d appreciate the chat.
Lisa: So, what shall we talk about?
Jesus: What ever is on your mind…
There’s another pause, then Lisa gets out a list of things that she has wanted to talk to Jesus about…
Lisa: (Reading) Is it possible to be a Christian and not go to church? How does prayer work? What happens if you can’t forgive (Bart does my head in and I struggle with this)? Why do bad things happen to good people? Where were you for the 3 days between your death and resurrection? Do miracles still happen? How do dinosaurs fit into the Biblical story of Creation? What’s theology all about? Do pets go to heaven when they die? How do I find faith?
Jesus: Goodness me Lisa you really do have a lot of questions don’t you…
Lisa: I am not done yet… (Lisa starts to read again but Jesus interrupts)
Jesus: …I wonder if we might start with some basic principles and see how we get on.
Lisa: I don’t want basic principles I want you to tell me the answers.
Jesus: Well Lisa that is not going to happen.
Lisa: Why not?
Jesus: Because I am not in the business of telling people how they should go about finding their faith and you are more than capable of working out most of the answers to these questions yourself.* However, I am concerned that you should carry on developing your faith so I am going to give you some hints and hit you with some advice.
There’s a pause as Lisa thinks…
Lisa: Go for it.
Jesus: Well…you have been asking a lot of questions, which is a really important step toward faith, but you might like to consider some spiritual guidance.
Lisa: I am aren’t I? I am speaking to you…
Jesus: Yes, indeed. But, as I pointed out to Nicodemus “you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit. Humans give life to their children. Yet only God’s Spirit can change you into a child of God. Don’t be surprised when I say that you must be born from above. Only God’s Spirit gives new life.” (John 3:3-8) (see re:jesus for further info)
Lisa: Jesus, what does that mean?
Jesus: Lisa, I know that this answer is going to provoke a whole load more questions but I am going to give it a go anyway…
Lisa: OK
Jesus: Faith isn’t a moment, it is a journey and you are definitely travelling in the right direction. If you want to have a companion to guide you then the Holy Spirit is there for you. She is the perfect guide for any spiritual journey. Those questions you asked (and all those you have ready to ask, plus loads more you haven’t even thought up yet) WILL get answered — but all in good time. Each step toward faith will help you find the answers and you will enjoy discovering them all the more because you have found them out as part of a relationship and not because someone else has told you what to think.
Lisa: But, what if I’m not ready?
Jesus: I am here whenever you are ready.
Lisa: Really?
Jesus: Really.
Jesus: Now, I have a question for you…
Lisa: Yes, what is it?
Jesus: What was it like to meet Richard Gere?
Lisa: He’s not as tall in real life as he is in the films.
Jesus: Oh!
With that revelation Jesus hugged Lisa again and urged her to keep in touch. They carried on chatting as Lisa showed Jesus round her school and introduced him to Principle Skinner. After recess Lisa waved goodbye to Jesus at the school gates.
*Despite being only 8 years old Lisa is a member of MENSA with an IQ of 159!
Ken, I totally agree with you: This script is awesome!
ReplyDeleteEllen, you did a great job capturing the "sound" and feel of The Simpsons. I love this script! Too bad we couldn't get it animated by the actual team.
Great job giving it new pics, Ken. I too read it at the original site (re:jesus -- really cool also), but I really like how you've illustrated it here. Where's the teenage Lisa from? I don't remember that episode.
The Vatican newspaper was encouraging people to engage the show and think it through. Ellen, your script adds to that experience.
I have trouble using Jesus's name in comic terms. I think it belittle's the name of Christ. Where has the reverence gone when it comes to God and Jesus? Just my opinion and maybe a few others.
ReplyDeleteGary:
ReplyDeleteWho's using Jesus' name in comic terms? He's presented quite fairly in this script. I see no attempt to make fun of Jesus here.
The Simpsons is one of the most popular TV shows, now running for 20 years! You may not like it and that's fine. But please try to understand that many people do like it. And the irreverent things said on the show tend to be exactly the things believed in our culture. Ellen's script is a brilliant attempt to speak the gospel into the show. Fans will appreciate how well Ellen has presented Lisa true to character. They may be surprised at how cool Jesus is, but this Jesus speaks to their irreverent concerns.
The script comes from a UK website designed to share the gospel. Maybe checking it out will help you understand the evangelistic goal behind Ellen's script. It's a very neat website: http://www.rejesus.co.uk/
Personally, I think it shows great respect to Jesus by presenting him very realistically in this fictional situation.
Gary, Did you also object to Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia?
I agree with Ken that this is an outstanding piece fo work. As I read it I could hear the voices in my head...but a testament to the quality of the work is that you could remove "LISA" and substitute her with another charachter and it is still powerful. For that matter...you could use two real people in a skit and it is still powerful. I do not see how it belittles the name of Jesus in that it is not diminishing any essense of God or his message...it is culturally conveying it...say like in a parable....
ReplyDeleteOk on further reading I don't think it belittles the name of Jesus. I don't watch the Simpson's so I guess I have to look at it from a different angle. Why not use character's from the Bible in a conversation? Jesus and Nicodemus, Jesus and the rich young ruler? Jesus and whoever, you can still get your point across. Having said that Ellen does a wonderful job at getting her point across her way. G.
ReplyDeleteI like it. I like how Jesus did noit let Lisa force Him into giving her direct answers to questions she is best left to unravel as she grows in the faith.
ReplyDeleteTruly am grateful what you're doing here!
ReplyDeleteThanks Terry. Loved how you described the script as "culturally conveying it...say like in a parable." Exactly!
ReplyDeleteGary, great to see you being openminded and giving it a second shot. You may not like the Simpsons, and that's fine, but this is a good attempt of culturally conveying the message to those who are Simpsons fans. And that's actually the answer to your question about why use Lisa Simpson and Jesus. If it had been Jesus and Nicodemus - Part 2, I would've never found it! I was Googling for "Jesus" and "The Simpsons", just doing some research, and I happened upon this script. I'm sure others have found it that way too. Some have found it while searching a great evangelistic website called re:Jesus. I think you'd like it too.
Pat, that's what I liked about it too. No pressure, but clear guidance.
Anonymous, I really appreciate that encouragement. I hope to have another interesting post up by tomorrow.
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