Why Christians Should Watch the Big Bang Theory
Sarah Blair 10/11/12 Final Draft Lipscomb Seminar Why Christians Should Watch “The Big Bang Theory” The Big Bang Theory is a show about adult nerds who happen to be prodigies at science. In every episode something enviably goes wrong, or a conflict arises. Five main characters makeup the core cast in the Big Bang Theory. These characters are Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter, Howard Wolowitz, Rajesh Koothrappali, and Penny. The dynamics and interactions between these characters are what helped this show win an Emmy, GoldenGlobe, and consistently attract 16 million weekly viewers.
The first season aired in 2007 and has been signed to keep producing seasons through 2014. Because of the Big Bang Theory’s large following, Christians should watch the show because it will help them understand specific social groups through humor and grow a greater understanding of how Christians are perceived in the secular world. For a Christian it is important to see how outcasts are treated. Sheldon, with all of his quirkiness, tends to be socially awkward. People within Sheldon’s group of friends are usually accepting, but the rest of the world does not seem to know how to handle him.
Sheldon and his friends fit within the mold of nerds and often time’s people find it hard to relate with them because they are different from the rest of the world. This show brings to life the reality that certain groups of people might not always get along. But that no matter what social affiliation a person may belong to, Christians should seek out a relationship because Jesus called them to be all things to all people. If Christians are only interacting with people who it is easy to talk with, then they are avoiding what God has called them to do.
In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Paul writes, “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law, so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law, so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. ”(Bible). Here Paul talks about being all things to all people. A Christian should read this and use it as an example of how they should live their life. That is why the Big Bang Theory is a good show for Christians to watch. The Big Bang Theory helps Christians understand nerdy people and how to connect with them, so that when they come across someone who exhibits those personality traits they will know how to be “all things” to them. In the beginning of each episode evolution is mentioned.
No matter what, the show always has a prevailing message of evolution and a disbelief in God. The way evolution is mentioned is through the discussions on science and Big Bang Theory’s theme song. Here are the lyrics to the song called The Big Bang Theory by the Barenaked Ladies, “Our whole universe was in a hot dense state, then nearly fourteen billion years ago expansion started. Wait…? The Earth began to cool, the autotrophs began to drool,? Neanderthals developed tools,? We built a wall (we built the pyramids),? Math, science, history, unraveling the mysteries,?
That all started with the big bang! ” (Lyrics To Barenaked Ladies). A Christian can see the evident message of evolution and the theory of the big bang in how the producers chose the theme song. Another obvious scientific significance that the show is conveying is the name of the show, the Big Bang Theory. The name of the show serves to attract interest and to focus in on the main themes. For the show, the Big Bang Theory, the title attracts interest because believing in the theory of the big bang has become one of the most popular views of creation.
The Big Bang Theory’s title focuses on the how the shows emphasizes the theory of the big bang and the disbelief in God through any and all means of scientific methods. Christians usually do not believe in evolution, to be more specific, macroevolution. An example of Macroevolution would be a fish evolving into a land animal. Many Christians do not believe that this can happen, but do believe in microevolution. Microevolution can be seen through how there are many types of dog breeds. Dogs vary in size and traits, but at the same time their all still considered dogs.
This is the type of evolution used to describe varying trait differences in dog breeds. Even Christians, who do believe in the theory of the big bang, see God as the source of life behind everything. As a whole, Christians tend not believe in the most commonly thought of term “evolution” which often times is referring to macroevolution. This whole view of evolution is what the show and its creators are forcing on their viewers. Another reason why Christians should not watch this show is because God is the one who made everything and the show does not support this form of creation.
In Genesis 1:1 the Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”(Bible). Here the Bible says that God made everything and not evolution. If Christians believe in God then they should also believe that He created the world. Star Trek, Star Wars, World of Warcraft, comic books, religion, relationships, jobs etc. are just a few of the many topics that this show derives humor from. In one episode Sheldon lets Amy Farrah Fowler, the girl he has been seeing, go on a date with another man. After a short while Sheldon becomes paranoid by what he just allow to happen.
Sheldon then decides to crash Amy’s date to the movies. Awkwardly, Sheldon sits himself in between the couple and proceeds to tell Amy that he wants their relationship to become an official, exclusive thing. Amy agrees and her relationship with Sheldon then becomes official and exclusive (CBS). Humor like this is what the Big Bang Theory is built on. Often times, people go looking for a laugh in the wrong places. In the world today people’s actions have a direct correlation with their own motives. People tend to get a laugh at another persons expense.
But for Christians, it is not right to shame another person like this. However, God does have a sense of humor and He wants everyone to also be filled with joy and laughter. He simply wants the source of laughter to be wholesome. In Psalm 126:2 David wrote “then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them. ’”(Bible). Here David mentions laughter and joy when referring to a change in people. God wants everyone to experience humor and that is why Christians should watch the Big Bang Theory.
The Big Bang Theory is a good source of laughter that is light hearted and lifts ones spirits. Christians should not watch the Big Bang Theory for its evolution standpoint, but also for how it condones excessive drinking. In many episodes of the Big Bang Theory, characters drink in excess, which lead them to becoming drunk. The character Raj is a man who has a hard time talking in front of women. However, when he is intoxicated he can actually hold a conversation with women. But being drunk is not a good way to glorify God. To be specific, Christians are called to not become drunk.
The Bible says in Ephesians 5:18 “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,” (Bible). Through this scripture, a Christian can see how God does not want His children to become drunk. A person can argue that any form of alcohol is a sin, but the Bible only states that drunkenness is what is wrong. As a whole, if Christians are not strong enough to stop drinking before they become drunk, they should abstain from alcohol. Christians who do not approve of drunkenness should also not approve of this show.
The Big Bang Theory is filled with many things that are not glorifying God and none of them should be taken lightly. The last reason why Christians should watch the Big Bang Theory is because it paints an interesting light on Christianity. Christians are viewed many ways, and this show tends to showcase them in a negative manner. However, the Big Bang Theory does show truth in their view of Christianity. The Big Bang Theory sees Christians as uptight, close-minded, condemning, self-righteous, and hypocritical. A website called www. hetvcritic. org also views Christians very negatively, but they do feel as if the Big Bang Theory treated Christianity “inappropriately… (and that it) implied a level of pushiness and insensitivity”(TheTvCritic). The sad thing is that hypocrisy and other negative traits like this can be found in Christians. That is why it is important for Christians to understand how secular people view them. So that they can be how Christ wanted them to be. God never said that the world would love Christians and that life would be easy.
He did call Christians to stand up for what is right, but He did not call Christians to be so pervasive. God called everyone to love each other. In an episode Sheldon’s mother comes to visit and she takes everyone on a church tour with her. Sheldon’s mother is a so-called “devout” Christian(CBS). However, she bad mouths everyone and puts herself on a holier than thou pedestal. Many Christians who watched this episode were greatly offended, but Christians should rather use this secular view of Christianity as a learning tool and source of personal growth of how to not act in their own lives.
Christians need to remember Matthew 7:5 “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. ”(Bible). This verse is something all Christians need to remember, to keep them humble, loving, filled with grace, and gentleness. That is why watching shows like the Big Bang Theory are not always easy, or make Christians feel good, but are necessary in order to keep a realistic view of the world. Sexual immorality happens to be another common occurrence that the show is complacent on.
In many Big Bang Theory episodes, sexual topics are talked about or immoral intercourse happens. Many times this sexual act is referred to as coitus. Throughout the six seasons, two characters Leonard and Penny have had an interesting relationship where they have sex. Christians should not be in favor of this type of sexual interaction since Leonard and Penny are not married. In 1 Corinthians 6:18 the Bible says, “Flee from sexual immorality and all other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body,” (Bible).
Here a Christian can read that this type of behavior is not moral or uplifting to God. This is why Christians should not watch the Big Bang Theory because if they were to do so, they would be supporting such actions. These are all reasons why Christians should watch The Big Bang Theory. The choice of characters in their socially awkward nerdy lifestyles will cause Christians to think outside of themselves and grow in order to find ways to reach the outcasts. The humor will lighten their day and have them enjoy the simple things God has created. But most of all, Christians will be aware of how the world views them.
That if they are going to make a bigger impact in the world they need to truly love people for who they are and where they are at. Christians should give this show a chance; they might be surprised with what new thought they come away with.
