Reflections
December 20, 2009
December 20, 2009
Theologian, Frederick Buechner writes that before news can be good or bad it is simply news. According to the dictionary, news is previously unknown information. Originally news came to us in bits and pieces, traveling by whatever means available, then being dispersed by those in the community with credibility and once. From a town crier to a news paper then a telegraph, and finally a telephone, the news of the day sort of eased its way into our lives. In this day and age we are so enthralled with news that at any given moment one can turn on the TV or power up the internet and find more news and information than can possibly be absorbed. Whether it is good or bad is less relevant than the fact that anything one might want to know is available at anytime.
Jon Stewart is the host of The Daily Show. A popular talk and commentary program which reports current events with a marked comedic twist. Though the program offers disclaimers and Mr. Stewart touts the program as fake news, according to research, a growing segment of individuals eighteen to forty-nine cite this program as their main source for news. What this seems to be importing is that either a growing part to the viewing audience prefers entertainment over hard news, or more disturbing, there are people who would prefer manufactured as opposed to actual data.
In the Bible, the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are called gospels. The term according to scholars means good news. In each case, the writer brings their particular understanding of the goodness of God in Jesus. Mark is believed the earliest writing and John the last. Though the stories are different, written from the perspective of the authors, they are not manufactured and certainly not fake.
We hear news, view or read it, take it in, then factor the value we ascribe to it. Especially in Advent, we need to tell and retell the news of our faith. Mark, in the opening of his gospel shares the most important aspect of the reporting. Mark has no birth narrative, he begins with John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness. The power of their story is not John but his message which has two key elements. The first is don't focus on John, he is just the messenger. Hear the message that God calls us to a relationship of dynamic change. Secondly, the more powerful message is found in Jesus. We tell and retell the story not because we are slow or hard of hearing, but because in the repetition, the news becomes richer and a full blessing in ways unknown before.
Jon Stewart is the host of The Daily Show. A popular talk and commentary program which reports current events with a marked comedic twist. Though the program offers disclaimers and Mr. Stewart touts the program as fake news, according to research, a growing segment of individuals eighteen to forty-nine cite this program as their main source for news. What this seems to be importing is that either a growing part to the viewing audience prefers entertainment over hard news, or more disturbing, there are people who would prefer manufactured as opposed to actual data.
In the Bible, the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are called gospels. The term according to scholars means good news. In each case, the writer brings their particular understanding of the goodness of God in Jesus. Mark is believed the earliest writing and John the last. Though the stories are different, written from the perspective of the authors, they are not manufactured and certainly not fake.
We hear news, view or read it, take it in, then factor the value we ascribe to it. Especially in Advent, we need to tell and retell the news of our faith. Mark, in the opening of his gospel shares the most important aspect of the reporting. Mark has no birth narrative, he begins with John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness. The power of their story is not John but his message which has two key elements. The first is don't focus on John, he is just the messenger. Hear the message that God calls us to a relationship of dynamic change. Secondly, the more powerful message is found in Jesus. We tell and retell the story not because we are slow or hard of hearing, but because in the repetition, the news becomes richer and a full blessing in ways unknown before.
Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601
