Theology of Swine Flu

Now I'm just a statistic. A little more than a week ago, with a fever running over 102, I went to the doctor and was told that I had the dreaded swine flu. Not to worry, no cloven hooves appeared and my desire to eat bacon is no stronger than it was before (which is, admittedly, disturbingly strong). Nevertheless, I noticed on Thursday (my first day back to class in a week) that many of my classmates were missing, doubtless also victims of H1N1 (which my father refers to as "hinie"). As I reflect on some comments my professor made regarding the flu, I can't help but restate and expand upon what the swine flu reminds us of.

We live in a broken world. From the moment that Adam and Eve decided their plan was better than God's, we have suffered. The pain of childbirth, the sweat required to gain fruit from the land and even the microbial assault that keeps us on the couch for a week are all as a result of sin. The world is broken and so are we...we need someone who can put all of our shattered pieces back together.

We never know what tomorrow will bring. In our culture, the illusion of control is strong. We manage meetings on Blackberrys, schedule our family dinners and plan our vacations to maximize our relaxation. But the control that we take for granted every day is just an illusion. We never know when the flu can interrupt our plans, just as we never know when a car accident or heart attack can take one that we love, or leave our loved ones without us. We spend a lot of time imagining that we're guaranteed tomorrow, but we do not know the plans of the Lord, and it is arrogance to think that we, in our finite fallenness, have the control.

So, if the swine flu taught me anything, it has reminded me that I'm a lot weaker than I would like to think. My self-reliance crumbles in the face of a microscopic virus, and I am reminded of the words of Paul in II Corinthians 12:

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Why I Hate the Peacock

I'll just come right out and say it- network television as it stands now is horrible. I realize this is a well-worn soapbox for me at this point, but I can't help myself. I'm tired of mindless, sanitized drivel mixed in with reality tv trash. I want to be moved by television- it should make me laugh, make me cry...make me feel something. But it's all market research and being all things to all people now.

NBC, once the network of networks, announced today that it is cancelling the critically acclaimed drama Southland after delaying the second season premiere. You've heard me talk about this show on here before; it's a tough and interesting crime drama with unique characters in real situations. Certainly the first seven episodes were bumpy, juggling a large cast and complex, dark subject matter on a non-cable network isn't easy. But it is one of the few shows that had promise, one of the few shows I was looking forward to this year.

It's just the latest in a long-developing pattern for NBC. From the cancellation of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip a few years back, a show that was the best thing NBC had in years, to their tireless promotion of the over-hyped and seriously unfunny 30 Rock, to the overrunning of ER into jump-the-shark oblivion, NBC consistently shows they couldn't spot talent if it walked right up and bit them in the focus group. Shows like The Office continue to do well, but for how long? The marriage of main characters and resolution to so many story lines leaves one wondering where else the show can go. Meanwhile, NBC clings to worthless shows like Heroes despite a ratings plunge, pitches a ridiculous Trauma, and Conan loses every night to someone with an audience 9 years older than his own.

I realize I am probably skewering some sacred cows for some people, but seriously...have you watched these shows? They're junk food, all of them. I realize 30 Rock just won a 3rd Emmy, but that seems to be more of a testament to the intellect of the Emmy voters than the quality of the show. Tracy Morgan isn't funny...he's just Tracy Morgan. Alec Baldwin is talented, but does not shine in this role. Tina Fey has never been funny...ever. The situational comedy is one exaggerated plot twist after another, each more unbelievable and banally ridiculous than the last.

Southland was cancelled because NBC executives felt that the show was too dark and gritty for network television- never mind that shows like House and ER have excelled in this area, telling the story of raw human experience with emotion and authentic realism. John Wells, the producer of such NBC hits as ER, The West Wing and Third Watch, had this to say:

“I’m disappointed that NBC no longer has the time periods available to support the kind of critically acclaimed series that was for so many years a hallmark of their success. We remain extremely proud of ‘Southland,’ and are actively looking for another home for the series.”

Until NBC realizes that cheap does not equal good, art like Southland and Studio 60 will continue to be cast aside in favor of shows that insult our intellegence. So the next time you are channel surfing, skip the Peacock...there's nothing there for you. Maybe one day NBC will get the message.

Sources:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33234601

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/nbc-cancels-well-regarded-southland/