Dr. House goes biblical
Posted by Ryan on March 22nd, 2006
Okay it’s probably time that I ‘fessed up to my man-crush on Dr. House, M.D.. The quick and pointed wit, candid demeanor and devil-may-care attitude absolutely warms my cold, cold heart. We borrowed the season one DVD’s from my mother–in-law and have watched a couple episodes each night this week. The man is genius, insightful, philosophical…. I better stop before this turns into a Brokeback Mountain post..
Anyhow, Last night, Dr. House and his crack team of brilliant young physicians took on the case of a nun who has having extremely severe allergic reactions to… something. After the obligatory stigmata references, they began attempting different treatments that at one point had this nun so sick she finally confessed to desiring death.
Enter handsome young doctor who almost went into the seminary instead of med school. In one of the touching violin/piano music moments, he tells the struggling nun his favorite scripture:
1 Peter 1:7 - That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing• of Jesus Christ.
And once again in sundry ways and divers places I am introduced to a scripture that never made it to scripture mastery in seminary. (and by “never made it”, I mean, “I probably wasn’t paying attention the day we were supposed to memorize it. After all, when you have 6:00 am seminary, you’re lucky if your eyes ever open back up between the opening and closing prayers”)
So it’s basically my new favorite scripture for the week or month or whenever I hear a new favorite. This is not because I think I am experiencing any major trials of my faith. In fact, life is pretty good right now. Which makes me start to wonder… why am I not getting some more trials? Is it just not my season? Am I just sooooooo faithful that no trials are necessary? Am I sooooooo unfaithful the Lord doesn’t want to fracture my “house of cards” testimony with anything more than a slight breeze?
Any thoughts? (And don’t hesitate to criticize or attack my personal righteousness if it is appropriate within the context of your comment. I won’t care.)
I like House a lot. It’s a good “mystery” show without being exposed to graphic depictions of rape/murder/ the usual slew of law/police programming.
Comment # 1 left by Ben S. on March 22nd, 2006
agreed.. although we noticed that in the earliest episodes, they did more of the “CSI” stuff (computer generated depictions of the trauma, graphic surgeries and symptoms) but in the later episodes they seemed to have dropped that aspect and focused on the more cerebral aspect of the show. Dr. House has been funny since the beginning though.
Comment # 2 left by Ryan on March 22nd, 2006
I hate to say it Ryan, but with your second to last paragraph, I think I see a trial coming.
Be careful what you ask for.
Comment # 3 left by Eric on March 22nd, 2006
Actually Ryan, based on your second to last paragraph I would not be surprised that a trial is in the works!
Be careful what you ‘ask’ for.
Comment # 4 left by Eric on March 22nd, 2006
Be careful what you ‘ask’ for.
I realize that you are throwing this cliche out somewhat tongue-in-cheek but it got me thinking… should I not be asking for trials?
That is, if I was a weight-lifter and I went to gym, would I not ask for the heavier weights to encourage my growth? Why then shouldn’t I ask the Lord for more faith challenging experiences? Did the scripture not say that a trial of my faith was more precious than gold?
I ask for blessings of prosperity (i.e., gold) all the time. It seems only proper then to request a good old-fashioned challenge from the Lord.
Comment # 5 left by Ryan on March 22nd, 2006
Go right ahead.
I have heard it said the President Kimball did the same thing.
Comment # 6 left by Eric on March 23rd, 2006
should I not be asking for trials?
“lead us not into testing…”
Just my $.02.
Comment # 7 left by Mogget on March 23rd, 2006
moggett… do you have that scripture?
Comment # 8 left by Ryan on March 23rd, 2006
It’s the sixth petition of the Lord’s Prayer, in Matt 6:13
Comment # 9 left by Mogget on March 23rd, 2006
I thought you might be referencing that.
I take exception to the suggestion of the footnote that temptation is synonymous with testing. As we see in the very next line the qualifier “but deliver us from evil”. A pretty clear denotion that temptation finds its roots in evil whereas testing is merely a form of opposition (of which there must needs be in all things)
Comment # 10 left by Ryan on March 23rd, 2006
As you like. Might want to read up on 1st century thought on the matter before making a final decision, though. That translation is the preferred translation in the standand professional lexicon, and they might have some good reasons.
Comment # 11 left by Mogget on March 23rd, 2006
That translation is the preferred translation…
If that’s an argument in support of the translation, it is of little validity
…they might have some good reasons
and you?
Comment # 12 left by Ryan on March 23rd, 2006