tv

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We’re still family

I don't like family sitcoms, so I long avoided Modern Family. But the show catches the way family can be both loathsome and life-giving.

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Faith in 2-D

It's the golden era of TV, and many shows explore moral and psychological issues with great nuance. Why not take religion as seriously?

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Emerging as adults

Our culture tells young adults to resist adulthood with all their might. New Girl portrays characters who want something more.

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Rev.

Created by Tom Hollander and James Wood

I feared that Rev. would reprise the saccharine sweetness of The Vicar of Dibley. Episode one set me straight.

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Sherlock

Created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss

Theologians have long posited an omniscient God. The British TV show Sherlock delights us with an omniscient human being.

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Game of Thrones

Created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss

It seems like all anyone wants to talk about is power. And the best show on television about power is Game of Thrones.

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Downton Abbey

Created by Julian Fellowes

“I’ve been telling everyone who’ll listen how great Downton Abbey is,” I said in a sermon that was technically about evangelism. I was illustrating St. Augustine’s point that when people love, say, a great actor they tell others about him—and so how much more should we tell others about the gospel. A week later I learned how (un)successful that point had been. “I’ve watched every episode,” a parish­ioner said. “Now what was it you were trying to say about that show?”