The Simpsons and Theology (?)

So as my theological mind and spiritual heart and soul grow, already existing in larger quantity and quality within my being is a ridiculously large fortress of knowledge involving the Simpsons, which I have no shame of at all. The fun by-product of these two streams of dominant thought in my brain are the occasional overlaps that delight me. I must admit, this current episode is brought on by my impending acceptance to write a Senior Thesis on the Kingdom of God in Luke-Acts.

This morning, during lunch, I was watching some Simpsons online, as I do just about everyday here (it's the only TV I watch--an episode or two of that a day and that's it). I settled on Missionary: Impossible, from season 11, a part of the Golden Age. Basically, Homer makes a phony pledge to end their pledge-drive that interrupts a show he likes; when he hides from the PBS bounty hunters in Lovejoy's church, the Reverend sends him to the South Pacific to do missionary work with island people. (Go here for more info or here for the episode.)

Among the many delights and laughs in the episode, Homer tells them to stop building a well, chapel, or immunization center and instead go for some "razzle-dazzle". After the casino he starts causes drunkenness, violence, and debauchery, Homer reverts back to the Christian mission his predecessors had started there and starts building the chapel. The conversation goes something like this:

Ach: Why are you... building chapel?
Homer: Cuz you're all terrible sinners.
Ach: Since when?
Homer: Since I got here. Now grab a stone, or go to hell.

Don't worry, I'm not gonna paint Homer as a hell-fire-and-brimstone preacher. But I loved the way Homer's simple, plain way of dealing with problems that are often quite complex or dense clarifies the Christian mission.

Jesus teaches, centrally, in the Gospel, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near [or at hand]." It is our mission and call to build up and make the Kingdom of God more visible and present here on earth in anticipation of the fullness of the Kingdom in salvation.

In Homer's situation, he realizes that extreme attraction to fun things on earth--gambling, drinking, socializing with the opposite sex--can cause dire problems when they get out of control. There is a great contrast in the episode between the half-finished chapel of a few stones and the fancy casino Homer oversees building of with several tables, a bar, and a fancy buffet. The debauchery of what that all represents exists in a well constructed building that is tended to carefully. Meanwhile, the chapel sits in disarray, unfinished.

Homer realizes that he has led them all down a dreary, troublesome path, so he shifts his attention and leadership back to building up the chapel, the powerful symbol of morality and right worship (wholesome, righteous worship of God rather than misdirected pride in worshiping earthly things). Homer quite plainly tells them, "Grab a stone, or go to hell."

It's not quite that black and white on that island or in life. However, here the simplified situation helps elucidate a basic choice in life: dedicate great time and focus on more fleeting enjoyments or work constructively to build God's Kingdom. It's not always an absolute either or choice, but in this case, the natives have strayed too far down the path to one side of the continuum. Some moderation must be found in which we seek happiness and more importantly joy--that which makes us profoundly peaceful and happy, a.k.a. our vocation. There is a balance where we can moderately enjoy the more light-hearted thrills of society and also think, act, work, and live for God's Kingdom.

Thank you, Homer for your many words of wisdom. Now it's up to us: will you grab a stone to build the Kingdom or go to hell?