I was awake at 1:30 a.m. last night and thought I’d get caught up on my recorded shows. In addition to watching the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special, I watched my normal Marvel: Agents of Shield.
This was a unique episode in that it included someone who, as the show described it, worked with the youth of their church, i.e. a youth worker. The town she was from was described as a “church” community. That in itself is not a bad description, but this “church” community reminded me of the Salem Witch trials than a reflection of the biblical koinonia or fellowship.
The episode goes like this
– A woman named Hannah (played by Laura Seay) believes she kills a group of co-workers in a work related accident and is somehow cursed by God with “telekinetic powers” to hurt others.
– She is driven to near madness, filled with the ideas that God is punishing her, by allowing “demons” to taunt her, for killing her co-workers in a accident. This theme runs throughout the show.
– There is a significant conversation with one of the S.H.I.E.L.D “agents”, Skye (played by Chloe Bennet), and Hannah. Hannah asks Skye if she believes in God and and Skye says no. Skye shares the reason she does not believe is because the Nuns spoke of only God’s judgment and wrath (because that is all Nuns do right? Note: I grew Catholic and do not remember any Nun speaking that way.)
Skye remembered one Nun though who shared a Scripture that described God as Love and she liked that a lot more.
I won’t share any spoilers as to what is really going on in this episode but you can watch the full episode HERE or read the full synopsis HERE .
Now, I am not picking on the show. I love the show, I just hate being reminded that their are communities of “believers” that preach the Wrath of God over the Love of God. Scripture tells me
“So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 1;12-13and “For their heart was not steadfast toward Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant. But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them; And often He restrained His anger And did not arouse all His wrath. Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passes and does not return.…”Psalm 78:37-39
Sure, this show is not all about a youth worker or how a youth worker handles her youth, but, how many youth workers work in toxic environments that leave them powerless, guilt ridden, and ineffective to reach young adults like Skye? What if the “church community had rallied behind her (Hannah), supported her (instead of throwing eggs at her house) and empowered her to overcome her mistakes? First of all their would be no show. I get it. But, episodes like this only mirror a church culture that no one wants to be a part of, especially this current generation of young people.
In the end, God is Love, and on that Skye and I can agree.
Did you watch the episode? What did you think about Hannah and Skye’s conversation?