I am unsure if I agree with you or not on the issue if the Flander’s can be considered ‘good Christian role models’. I understand that you are concerned with the Flander’s ambushing Homer when he decides not to go to church. I disagree with your judgment of the Flander’s motives in going after Homer. However I believe that they are not showing a lack of acceptance, but instead are concerned with his salvation and show that they genuinely care, rather than them trying to get church numbers up. In fact, there are a few Christian churches that actually in force missionary work and going into the community such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Seeing as Christianity owes it’s entire existence to missionary work (Paul’s missionary work to the Gentiles far surpassed anything the Judean church did), the argument of the Flander’s missionary measures must be considered a norm in the Christian faith. I was just wondering what you meant by ‘keeping their church’s numbers up’? Are you referring to more money in coffers or more souls saved? Or something else?
However, in support of your argument that Ned Flanders can be considered a bad Christian, one must look to the episode A Star is Born Again (Season 14, Episode 13). During the episode, Ned meets and has pre-marital sex with a movie star (after Maude dies). In the Bible, pre-marital sex is condemned throughout both the Old and New Testament. Hebrews Chapter 13 says: “Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery” and Matthew Chapter 5 notes Jesus preachings on adultery and lustful acts. Here, you could find an example of Flander’s acting against his usual ‘Okaly, Dokaly’ daily Christian routine.
Lastly, I would like to challenge your post-script message regarding Ned being home during the fire at the Simpson’s house… he may have attended another service on that Sunday.
Very stimulating post!
- Kathleen
A Star is Born Again (Season 14, Episode 13). Please begin around 17 minutes.
