The 1980's was not much a of television-watching decade for me, as I was working full time and trying to finish a degree in statistics part time. So I virtually never saw the series Highway to Heaven then. And I had never been particularly interested in it when it was on in syndication, even though I am admirer of Michael Landon and his productions that he said himself were meant to draw emotions, not just entertain. So for some reason I have had an urge to watch what is available of that show, and are many episodes on youtube.
Surely there is no chance humans could portray "angels" as they really are, and as to what they do, it's nothing but speculation based more on accumulated myths than scripture. But even so, I have found this show a good human nature study by viewing human nature from an angelic-- superhuman, or promoted human-- perspective. Of course, it must have been known as much for the interaction, often comical, between the angel Jonathan, and his mortal assistant, Mark, as for its looks at human goodness, evil, and tragedy. I don't think there's really much reason to pick the show apart and end up saying it must be evil itself to show angels and consider "The Boss" as they can't be.
Just a couple of nights ago I watched "We Have Forever," a 2-parter in which Jonathan is angered at The Boss because he just witnessed his earthly widow's death and thought he could be going 'back to heaven' to be with her again [I haven't yet seen an ep with an explanation of why he is on earth doing these 'assignments', though programming guides say he is 'on probation' as a heavenly angel]. I was able to figure out what was happening in the rest of the episode, though I couldn't leave it without seeing how it's verified. But now I don't think I can watch that one again, knowing how it ends. It seems to be like the ultimate of the series.
In the 90's, when my mom was still around, I did catch some glimpses of Touched by an Angel, a show that she watched, but I never thought much of what I saw. And there have been a few other angel shows over the years and decades. One I remember seeing a time or 2 was a comedy that starred Danny Thomas; but being a comedy it was probably on the level of Mr. Ed or I Dream of Jeanie. On the other hand, angels are sometimes the subjects of contemporary Christian music or drama. But as I said at the beginning here, there is surely no way we can portray angels or their activities without unjustified credulity.
Should there be TV shows about angels?
Should we refuse to watch such shows?
Are there risks in portraying angels as having human traits and feelings [Highway to Heaven]?
Is it wrong to build on beliefs about angels based on scriptural 'hints'-- such as when Jesus said their [children's] angels always see the face of the Father, or in Hebrews where it says many who have helped strangers have helped angels unaware?
Surely there is no chance humans could portray "angels" as they really are, and as to what they do, it's nothing but speculation based more on accumulated myths than scripture. But even so, I have found this show a good human nature study by viewing human nature from an angelic-- superhuman, or promoted human-- perspective. Of course, it must have been known as much for the interaction, often comical, between the angel Jonathan, and his mortal assistant, Mark, as for its looks at human goodness, evil, and tragedy. I don't think there's really much reason to pick the show apart and end up saying it must be evil itself to show angels and consider "The Boss" as they can't be.
Just a couple of nights ago I watched "We Have Forever," a 2-parter in which Jonathan is angered at The Boss because he just witnessed his earthly widow's death and thought he could be going 'back to heaven' to be with her again [I haven't yet seen an ep with an explanation of why he is on earth doing these 'assignments', though programming guides say he is 'on probation' as a heavenly angel]. I was able to figure out what was happening in the rest of the episode, though I couldn't leave it without seeing how it's verified. But now I don't think I can watch that one again, knowing how it ends. It seems to be like the ultimate of the series.
In the 90's, when my mom was still around, I did catch some glimpses of Touched by an Angel, a show that she watched, but I never thought much of what I saw. And there have been a few other angel shows over the years and decades. One I remember seeing a time or 2 was a comedy that starred Danny Thomas; but being a comedy it was probably on the level of Mr. Ed or I Dream of Jeanie. On the other hand, angels are sometimes the subjects of contemporary Christian music or drama. But as I said at the beginning here, there is surely no way we can portray angels or their activities without unjustified credulity.
Should there be TV shows about angels?
Should we refuse to watch such shows?
Are there risks in portraying angels as having human traits and feelings [Highway to Heaven]?
Is it wrong to build on beliefs about angels based on scriptural 'hints'-- such as when Jesus said their [children's] angels always see the face of the Father, or in Hebrews where it says many who have helped strangers have helped angels unaware?
