The Gospel according to the Simpsons

The Archbishop of Canterbury has declared himself a believer in the positive value of the Simpsons for contemporary evangelism.

The Gospel According to The Simpsons - Mark Pinsky
Westminster John Knox Press

So what is it about?
The book explores how religious and spiritual themes are present and/or can be interpreted in the life of the Simpsons.

Who is it for?
It is a book for anyone with an interest in engaging questions of faith, religion and spirituality with expressions of popular culture. If you are a Simpsons fan you will enjoy it; if you are an open-minded Christian you will enjoy it; if you are both you will love it. If you are none of these then don’t bother. The book is a goldmine for leaders wishing to explore faith in a creative way.

Does it do what it says on the label?
‘Divine imagery’, ‘Prayer’, ‘Heaven, Hell and the Devil’, ‘Moral Dilemmas’ and ‘The Bible’ are just some of the chapter headings. The book raises a whole range of issues and questions through the everyday life of the Simpsons. It encourages people to remove their blinkers and see God at work in the messiness of life and through imperfect people ~ just like us!

Enjoy or endure?
This is an enjoyable read. However, although plenty of explanation is included, it presupposes a working knowledge of the Simpsons and their world. Simpsons fans will get the most from it.

Any other comments?
The book is written from a North American cultural perspective and assumes the reader is familiar with that. Despite its title The Gospel according to The Simpsons is a serious engagement with a popular cultural expression. Mark Pinsky’s scholarship is evident but very accessible.

Church of England and the Simpsons

Are you there, God? It's me, Homer Simpson.

The Church of England will arm congregations with a secret weapon in the war to win impressionable hearts and minds: a little book titled Mixing It Up With The Simpsons.
According to the Sunday Telegraph, the Church will also encourage clergy to screen episodes that deal with "key Christian themes such as punishment, love and the Second Coming."
Forgive the heathen interjection but ... what the hell?

As Rev. John Pritchard, the Bishop of Oxford, told the paper: "Jesus was a great storyteller – as are the creators of The Simpsons – and the power of a good story lies in meeting people where they are, making them laugh and then giving them something to think about afterwards."
Maybe he's right. Because now I am thinking about a few things.

Such as the time Homer said, "I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman." Or the episode in which Bart asked, "Aren't we forgetting the true meaning of (Christmas)? You know, the birth of Santa." Or the one in which Barney exclaimed, "Jesus must be spinning in his grave!"

The point is that mining the profane for the sacred is an exercise that's usually fraught with danger. Usually, but not when it comes to The Simpsons.

Consider: Can the show be interpreted as a postmodern parable filled with biblical allusions and thinly disguised messages? Can it be interpreted as a subversive demolition of religious hypocrisy?

The answer, of course, is both. Or neither. Or one. Or the other. And that is the heavenly genius of Matt Groening's creation: The Simpsons is a richly textured blank slate.

It remains whatever you want it to be.
So the long-running relationship between two unlikely bedfellows – a cartoon and religion – continues to spawn believers.

In 1998, theologian David Landry claimed The Simpsons provided the most realistic portrayal of faith in a fictional television show. In 2001, through some divine coincidence, Christian Century and Christianity Today ran simultaneous cover stories about the show. Also that year, religion writer Mark Pinsky published The Gospel According to The Simpsons, which highlighted the show's rough-hewn moral hub.

In 2002, academic Kris Jozajtis said The Simpsons was particularly adept at raising ethical dilemmas relevant to young people. In an unrelated study around this time, sociologist John Heeren found that 69 per cent of all episodes made some reference to religion.

Soon, the show was debated in study groups. Storylines infiltrated sermons. And character behaviour was dutifully analyzed: What lessons did Bart learn after selling his soul? How did Ned Flanders' faith strengthen after the death of his wife? Why did Homer once dream he was King Solomon?

Mixing It Up With The Simpsons, written by Owen Smith, a youth worker with the Church of England, includes various show-inspired activity ideas. (One suggestion to test youthful temptation: place a tray of doughnuts in the church with a "Do Not Touch" sign. D'oh!)

From the Church's perspective, enlisting Springfield's dysfunctional clan to ride shotgun with the Almighty makes perfect sense, especially since Sunday attendance figures for young people (under 16) dropped by more than 20,000 between 2000 to 2005.

For The Simpsons, meanwhile, a new kingdom of fans couldn't possibly hurt, what with its highly anticipated movie arriving in theatres next month. So, Lord, shall we score this a win-win and ignore the bizarre incongruity?

I guess Rev. Lovejoy was right when he said, "Let me just remind you that the Church is changing to meet the needs of today's young Christians!"