There is a TV show called _Walker, Texas Ranger_, that I used to find really boring when I lived in the US. When I went up to my Grandmother's on the weekend when I lived there, she used to like to watch that. She liked to see Chuck Norrises karate kicks.

The show came on here in Indonesia. The plot lines are a bit more interesting, but I saw something that bothered me- another subtle jab at Christianity.

Walker was going up to Oklahoma to find the man who killed his father- a man he had thought was dead. He pretended to want to buy illegal fire arms. The man who killed Walker's father's business partner or boss came out of 'First Christian Church' carrying a Bible. This man was involved with the Klan or Arian Nations, and they had him go to 'First Christian Church.'

My guess is that this is probably another jab at Christians in general. The people who made the film might have used 'First Christian Church' as a generic name.

I don't see a lot of RM church names in TV programs. How does it feel to have a hypocritical gun-runner portrayed as a Bible-carrying atender of a Christian church? Later in the show, he tried to kill Walker.

I turned off the show half-way through, so I don't know what happened. My guess is that Walker got the bad guys. He probably kicked a few of them in the head.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

Answers

Link,

I wouldn't be too concerned by what you saw on "Walker". There may have indeed been a bit of a "slight" against churches in general in that episode (something the TV Media is well-known for), but I don't think there was anything specific against RM churches. A lot of churches these days are calling themselves the ------ (fill in the blank)or First Christian Church, but have no Restoration ties. The name has become popular, especially with your typical store-front Charismatic groups.

I did see the episode you spoke of (being originally from Texas, I think there is a law that says I have to watch the show...Ha!) and as I recall I saw little of the RM's teachings represented in that church's staged services. You should have finished watching it, as it had a lot to say about the evils of Racism - and considering how one that recently accessed this Forum accused all Texans of being Racist & anti-Semitic; it was quite refreshing to see. And he did indeed kick some head and "glutious maximus" at the end.

Typically, "Walker" isn't a bad show. Some of the story lines have gotten a bit wierd lately, but they usually deal with a lot of Front Page Headline type of storylines - without making social comments against the "evils" of guns or Karate - unlike a lot of other programs on TV that turn my stomach because of the "Social Gospel" they subliminally preach.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

Another reason I wouldn't immediately tie "Walker" to church- or Christian-bashing:

The main co-star (don't remember his name) -- the black guy -- is a Christian, and outspoken about it and well-known in the industry for it, as I have read. He's got a significant part in the "Left Behind" movie, because he wanted to be involved in spreading the gospel thru film. He porbably wouldn't let much Christian-bashing happen on the show.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

Well, I doubt that actor has all that much power. I didn't see a church service on that episode, but the First Christian Church building looked more like a RM building than a Charismatic storefront. It was one of those traditional church buildings, white, with a big steeple. My guess is that the author did meanit as a generic title.

At the beginning of the episode, Walker was talking to a killer in prison who wanted his forgiveness. This killer said a few Biblically incorrect, religious sounding things. But he asked Walker for his forgiveness. Walker said only God can forgive you. Sounds like a cop-out to me. Sounds like Walker didn't want to forgive the guy.

It would be interesting to see a show written by Christians where the religious stuff was Biblical, and where the hero forgave people and did what was right.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

Link,

You're right in the idea that it would be nice to see a TV show written by Christians, promoting Christian ideals - but don't hold you're breath waiting for it; it would never sell in the States. The sponsers rule what goes on the screen and Christianity is "too narrow" to sell cars, laundry soap, dog food, etc.

If you really want to see Christianity on the TV, turn it off and watch your reflection on the screen - that's as close as it will ever get.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

I have heard that Chuck Norris and his wife have become Christians. Apparently he recently spoke about it at some sort of entertainer's function which was televised.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2001