Thursday, February 14, 2008

Semi-Good Theology From Stephen Colbert?

Stephen Colbert, host of the Colbert Report, is an outrageous satirically-sharp late-night comedian. He coined the term "truthiness," which is perfect when discussing the kind of truth that's involved in politics. Most people think he's actually parodying Bill O'Reilly, it's very funny indeed.

The other night, he sat down with Phillip Zimbardo, author of The Lucifer Effect, who has an "alternate" take on how things went down between God and Lucifer. Colbert schools Zimbardo with a theology similar to that of many in the Christian church. However, just when you want to applaud Colbert for doing so, he promptly finishes with an ironic expletive, which I totally confess to cracking up over. Most cussing doesn't really offend me (there are a select few words that make me wince), but for my friends with "virgin ears," I wanted to give you fair warning. The video bleeps it out. Inappropriate or not, it still made me laugh. :)

I always find "theological" discussions in unexpected forums, especially on national television and on a "secular" comedy show, to be of interest. It's a unique window into the perceptions of outsiders (really, just the kind of people most church folks never take the time to know in real life or listen to their perspectives). Plus, Colbert counters this guy pretty well. So, I thought I'd share....

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

thats pretty funny stuff. I cannot tell if Colbert is telling what he knows or if it is him and his writers mocking Christians. Either way it was amuzing.

God bless,
Anthony

Tia Lynn said...

Yeah, satire is a double-edged sword in that sense. By BEING satirical you show everyone else’s face but your own. So, it is hard to decipher what’s genuine and what’s not, but I tend to think that Colbert believes in this instance, based on other interviews he’s given when he’s not his “alter-ego.” In real life he is a practicing catholic and DOES teach Sunday school. So, I do think that part is genuine.

Anonymous said...

Just one more example of why your views are lukewarm. Why would you even promote this garbage? Do us all a favor and leave the world behind already....

Anonymous said...

I love how people who are so ready to point the finger at others are unloving cowards (anonymous). What angers me the most about some “mainstream” Christians is their lack of love and their love of judgment? They tend to forget that God does not desire anyone to perish but all to come to him. Then when someone dislikes them for being callous, they chalk it up to being persecuted. Let me set the record straight, unless you are persecuted for the name of Jesus, and not for your rotten attitudes, then you can cry foul.

Anonymous said...

Anon, I seem to remember Jesus loving the world so much that He died for it and he talked with all sorts of people that didn't "measure up." I'm glad he didn't "leave it behind."

Surely you are not equating a three minute video clip concerning "the world's" view of God with being "of the world," are you? Why wouldn't we want to have insight to truths and mistruth people hold to? Shouldn’t we understand the dynamics of people in respects to their view of God, so we know better how to communicate with them? I think you need to lighten up.

Tia Lynn, that was funny! I know you warned about Colbert cussing, but I didn’t see it coming. ROFL!! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

LOL! I gotta give it up for Colbert, good theology and very funny! That really made me laugh out loud.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, that made me LOL!

Tia Lynn, I definitely think Colbert gets it.

DeeAnn said...

Happy Birthday!

DeeAnn said...

BTW...That little social experiment is just one more reason why I homeschool. If college kids are so easily corruptable, then second-graders are even more so. There's also the reason of Because God Told Me To. I wouldn't want to be disobedient, would I?

Tia Lynn said...

Thanks Deann... I have til the 23rd before i turn the big 2-5!!

Hey sister, I am all for homeschooling, it's a valid choice, just don't expect me to do it when I have kids. :)

DeeAnn said...

I said the same thing.