While some watch sports or cooking shows, I am slightly obsessed with well-written comedies. So much so, that my friends threw me a shower that was themed Saturday Night Live. There was a “Mom Jeans” skit and more Chris Farley impersonations than one could imagine. My utmost respect & admiration is given to comedic writers. Laughter is the sweet fruit of the highest form of happiness and these literary geniuses bare this in a simple sentence. Ha! Just like that, that stressful work memory is now silenced by the sound of one’s own glee.
As Proverbs 17:22 teaches, “A cheerful heart is good medicine”. Studies have pointed to the healing power of laughter time and time again. A few belly laughs naturally open the floodgates of oxytocin in the brain. This hormone (found in both genders) not only fills one with love and joy, but it is also a bonding agent in relationships. Sharing a good laugh biologically binds us together. Chuckling is a day at the spa for your psyche, i.e. it’s a natural de-stress tool -and it’s way cheaper than therapy!
So if you are seeking some R&R from your vocational ministry, I would like to share with you one of my greatest loves. While the church realm can be a tense place to serve, it can also be quite humorous, and nothing makes that more apparent than the shows below. They each serve up some freshly diced chuckles and some pippin’ hot theology. And if you’re like me, you have an appetite for both.
With this list, please know I am not suggesting the following:
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The theology presented in these shows is 100% sound.
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These shows should be watched by your students. Although, they are full of quality clips for sermons or lessons.
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Binge watching all 5 of these shows before school returns should be a goal. #challengeaccepted
All of these can either be streamed on Hulu or Netflix. Along with the links to the show’s page, I have added some of their main theological themes. Feel free to add any that I missed in the comment section.
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Spiritual disciplines
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Christology (the study of Jesus Christ)
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Pneumatology (the study of the work of the Holy Spirit)
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Communal living
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The cloud of witnesses of our faith
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Vocational calling
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Forgiveness/Mercy
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Justice
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Theodicy (the problem of evil)
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The separation of Church and state #giveuntoceaser
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God’s Sovereignty
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Soteriology (the study of salvation)
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Grace (God’s unmerited favor)
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Works righteousness (Can grace be earned?)
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Vocational calling
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Immortal Souls
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The religious pluralism of our culture
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Vocational calling
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The Domestic Church
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Stewardship
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Grace
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Eschatology (the end of days)
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Our fallen nature/Sin (The destruction that can be done with the misused power of religion is quite sad in this show.)
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Forgiveness/Mercy
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Is this finally a Protestant example?! (yes.)
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Although this show is laugh-till-you-hurt-good, one specific episode puts it on this list. It is the first season’s fifth episode, called “Godfellas”. This hilariously portrays a praise band forming and the lead trying out for altar boy. Holy Moly! Talk about funny!