Jesus Looks Good on TV
Hear that long sigh? That's me watching Jim Wallis on The Daily Show. Watching and sighing with contentment as a Christian finally made Jesus look good on television. Wallis was plugging his new book, and he handled Jon Stewart's sarcasm well. He even handled the questions about Jews and heaven well. It was such a relief not to see Jerry Falwell, Al Mohler, or Jesse Jackson representing Jesus.
Wallis scored points immediately by suggesting that Jesus' agenda probably wouldn't have included capital gains tax cuts and the occupation of Iraq. He said we needed to broaden the definition of moral values to include poverty, just war, and the environment. He was a breath of fresh air. Speaking of which, he's on Fresh Air on NPR tomorrow. The last Christian I heard on Fresh Air was Tim LaHaye, so this is definitely an improvement.
The most interesting comment of the night was Wallis saying to Jon Stewart that the Hebrew prophets used humor and truth-telling much like Stewart does on The Daily Show. Jon Stewart, prophet? Why not? He makes more sense than most pastors I've heard.
Amen! Jon Stewart is definitely a prophet. He speaks the truth against the powers that be and in my mind that's enough to call him a prophet.
Posted by: ryan | January 19, 2005 at 12:53 AM
Thanks for posting that; I was able to catch the late West Coast broadcast. It was a good show. I liked how inclusive he with respect to including people of all faiths and no faith. His early conversion story was pretty funny.
Posted by: Resident Atheist | January 19, 2005 at 01:49 AM
I don't have cable, of course (or much of anything on broadcast, just enough to watch the Simpsons... that felt like bragging). I don't supppose somebody taped it and would send me a copy, eh?
Posted by: marty | January 19, 2005 at 08:30 AM
I agree. Great show and Jon was very charming with Jim. So much nicer than seeing Jabba the Falwell on tv.
Posted by: Streak | January 19, 2005 at 08:52 AM
John Stewart certainly would get along with Amos better than Tim LaHaye, if that's any sort of prophet credentialing.
Posted by: julie | January 19, 2005 at 08:55 AM
I wish I'd seen that! I was even home! I love the Daily Show and forget to watch it all the time. I'm a bad 30 year old.
I'm glad we are finally getting progressive Christians (who aren't Spong, Jackson, or Sharpton) noticed by the media. I wish they'd have James Forbes on more things. He could really tell them what's what.
Posted by: Scott Jones | January 19, 2005 at 09:52 AM
I'm a prophet too! Heck let's all be prophets!
I wish I could have seen the show. One day I will get cable and "Teevo" and then I won't miss anything. Who really needs a prophet when you have "Teevo". Just Type in "Jesus coming back" and you can catch it on instant reply. That way your sure not to be left out on things like the rapture and God spreading his wrath through natural disasters and such.
PEACE, love, and a "just" war
Eddie
Posted by: eddie | January 19, 2005 at 10:03 AM
Yeah, Wallis was very good last night. I agree, Greg, finally a Christian on TV that doesn't make the rest of us look like right wing nuts.
Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Powell | January 19, 2005 at 10:52 AM
i don't know.. I kinda liked the whole wing nut persona...
Posted by: natalie | January 19, 2005 at 11:37 AM
Just Kidding.
Posted by: natalie | January 19, 2005 at 11:38 AM
Marty and anyone else who didn't catch the segment: The Comedy Central
web site has a clip of Jon Stewart's interview with Wallis.
Posted by: Kevin | January 23, 2005 at 09:42 PM
I'm writing a paper on Jeremiah right now and it just occurred to me, Jon Stewart IS a prophet. Good show.
Posted by: Sam888 | March 09, 2008 at 04:25 PM