TV Angel Shows

In spite of its terrible theology, Touched By An Angel is a guilty pleasure.

I always felt that, even if they got a lot wrong, they at least tried to be respectful and, occasionally, they got some things...not "right", necessarily, but not heretically wrong.

I always liked the fact that any time Andrew took someone to Hell (yes, the show skipped a few steps in that process), he always came back very shaken and grieving for them.

Highway to Heaven, I watched, because, let's be honest. Who doesn't like Michael Landon. But that said, the show was awful, both as a show, and theologically.

There was also a little known spinoff of Happy Days, back around 1979, called Down To Earth, about an angel. Like Highway to Heaven, he was a guy who got killed and was somehow turned into an angel. He was also more of a magic genie than an angel. Awful show.

 

OK. I got a couple of details wrong. It has been forty years, after all.

The show was on ABC and was called Out Of The Blue, not Down To Earth.

Looking it up, Ransom, the angel, appeared on both Happy Days and Mork and Mindy, so I'm not sure which show that makes it a spin off of.

Yes. I think it only happened twice, but it did happen.

I don't, but thanks.

 

There are now about 500 scripted TV shows made every year, yet try to name a few over the decades with angels. Just as well, I'm not a fan of them and Touched by an Angel was offensive.

 

I can't speak for @Shoostie but to me, if a show cannot be theologically sound then it has no business being put on the air if it directly has to do with theology as Touched By An Angel most definitely did. It is for this same reason that I get immensely frustrated when I hear people talk about how wonderful "The Shack" was. It was not wonderful, it was and is a theological tragedy.

 

Okay I'm going to play the odd man out here... I remember a lot of these programs and there is one on now called God Friended Me... Now you are telling me it is theologically unsound?... Is it theologically unsound to show kindness to one another?... TV is rampant with laughing, that goes on in stupid sitcoms... Change the channel and you can watch endless carnage?... All this in the guise of entertainment?... I remember TV programs that use to be family shows and instilled family values... How we should treat one another and look over one another's faults... Brethren I have been on this board a long time and this board does not show that to me... If this board is a microcosm of the church, then we are in a lot of trouble... We are touched by angels everyday, don't you read your Bible?... Brother Glen

Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

 

Not we individually but we collectively?... If it were possible for our eyes to be open to see the spiritual world what would we see?... Brother Glen

2 Kings 6:15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

6:16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

 

What did you find offensive? I know a lot of the theology was bad, but I always felt they tried to be respectful.

 

I didn't ask you to agree with me. I asked you to help me.

 

I think popular culture presents biblical truths erroneously. I remember visiting the Getty museum and looking at all the "art" depicting biblical events poorly. A young John writing his inspired letters, rather than someone quite aged.

It used to be (before the 1960's) that the movie industry treated believers with respect, now they are portrayed as dupes and Pastors as charlatans.

I think the post Christian era is upon us.

 

SBC's Baptist Press: Angel Show Touched Hurting Hollywood

"TV veteran whose producing credits include The Facts of Life and other family oriented shows, ....[says] there wouldn't have been a Touched By An Angel if there hadn't been Baptists named Williamson."

"'My father was a Baptist. He was born in 1901 and attended the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville...His father and mother were both dedicated Baptist Sunday School teachers back in the 1800s....their commitment to their faith found its way into the heart of somebody who was able to share that faith with the world'."

"[Touched] was a show that depicted people of faith [as] good people, not hypocritical nutcases....the series was not meant as a proselytizing tool....[but] always drove home...that each person is important to the Heavenly Father."

"a committed Christian, Martha Williamson was afforded the weekly opportunity of presenting the viewing public with a spiritually themed drama. Just as importantly, she and her dedicated crew were able to witness to the Hollywood community."

"'I can tell you of many instances when an actor would come to the show during a difficult time...immediately after the loss of a loved one, in the middle of a divorce, or during a time when they were dealing with an addiction...and they would find themselves completely embraced by a remarkable group of people, a crew that just loved them....One actor who came as an atheist left a believer."

"'[stars Della Reese, Roma Downey, and John Dye] always proclaimed their faith and always acknowledged God as the source of their strength,' the producer said."

 

I will not say I find the shows offensive, but they do bother me. I really can't explain it at all. My mother who is 90 and has been a Christian for many years has never and will not even talk about watching a movie with someone portraying Christ. She says she just feels that it is wrong for her to watch.

I think we all have certain areas that bother us but if a show or movie gets someone to thinking about their salvation then I am all for it. My main concern is that I want a real Christian/believer to do the portrayal and not someone who is openly a sinner.

Does this make any sense at all. LOL...