The Gospel According to LostChris Seay,
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009
Disclaimer: I received this book as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program: BOOKsneeze
Lost is not just a television show. It has become a cultural icon – a massive story filled with mystery that has gathered millions of travelers. You don’t just watch Lost, you dialogue with the story, seeking theories and comparing yourself to characters. Lost is one of those formula breaking television programmes – an exploration of life, faith, history, science, philosophy, hope, and the basic questions of what it means to be human.
Chris Seay, lead pastor of Ecclesia Houston and co-founder of the Advent Conspiracy, in his new book, The Gospel According to Lost, explores these themes of mystery, faith and spirituality [Scott Erickson, artist in residence at Ecclesia Houston, painted the “icons” of characters from the series, for the book.]
This book is not a book of theories and speculation about Lost. (With the final season almost ready to start, that would be a foolish endeavour!) It’s a reflection on the religious and philosophical themes that permeate the show. Seay’s approach is to write a chapter on most of the main characters, reflecting on what they bring to the questions of faith. One of the downfalls of this approach is that invariably he misses someone’s favourite character: Charlie, Claire, Michael and Juliet are missing. The personal trouble I have with this approach is that it looses the sense of unifying whole to the story.
Seay avoids the all-too-common pitfall of forcing Gospel connections onto pop culture, choosing instead to begin appropriately with Lost’s storytelling and allowing it to lead into biblical illusions.
On the downside, Seay sometimes takes the easy road when reflecting on the characters – I think there are some deeper connections that could have been plumbed. But as an introduction to the connections between Lost and the gospel, it is a worthwhile read.
This is not a book designed to answer all your Lost questions, nor does it deal with the multiple philosophical and scientific questions raised, nor is it a season by season look at the show. Rather, it begins with the story and shows the connecting points with the gospel. Seay clearly watches Lost with a “faith-filter”, spotting God-moments along the way. The Gospel According to Lost is a good conversation-starter as the popular television series heads toward its final season.
5 comments:
People still watch Lost? It got a little too loopy for me.
I'm going to wait for the gospel according to HNIC or Monday Night Football.
It was getting a little loopy, but with this being the last season, it should (I hope) get wrapped it.
Maybe the lack of Gospel in HNIC?
I don't know, but it seems like HNIC would have a lot of potential.
Where else to do you see people walking on water these days (even if it is frozen)?
Can you imagine if someday down the road a Latino named Jesus started playing goal? We'd have Jesus saves right on tv.
Until then the Maple Leafs need a saviour to come in and lead them to the holy grail.
"The Gospel According To Lost" for me is a book that enhance one's excitement towards LOST.
I adore what Chris do with this new book of his.
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