No one would mistake Ned Flanders, the goofy next-door neighbor in “The Simpsons,” for a polished televangelist like Joel Osteen. But over the past two decades the zealous cartoon character has become one of the best-known evangelicals on America’s small screen. With Americans spending exponentially more time on their sofas watching television than in pews listening to sermons, this is no insignificant matter.
In the inevitably intertwined world of religion and commerce, it’s only natural that the man portrayed as “Blessed Ned of Springfield” on the cover of Christianity Today magazine should have his own “new testament.” And so he does. “Flanders’ Book of Faith,” by “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening, is a slim, illustrated entry in the show’s “Library of Wisdom” series.
For years, the TV show’s writers, fiercely protective of their reputation for irreverence, denied that they were in any way sympathetic toward sincere belief, as embodied by the Flanders character. But releasing the book under Mr. Groening’s name puts an imprimatur on that kind-to-religion interpretation, long held in younger evangelical circles.
Great article. I have used Ned in many sermons, and have always loved the guy. I think Pinsky makes a great point when he says that this character has influenced many people’s views of evangelicals in general. Despite being very clear in his social conservatism and his belief in the uniqueness of Christ, Ned consistently comes across as a fundamentally decent person who (humourously) embodies a self-sacrificing way of life. I’m sure it’s given at least a few folks pause in their blanket negative assessments of evangelicals.
I just loved how the Simpsons movie portrayed Flanders’ relationship with Bart too, acting as a kind of surrogate father in place of Homer’s lazy neglect. He came across as a genuinely loving fella while at the same time trying not to disrespect Homer’s place in Bart’s life. I also appreciate the skewering the Simpsons give to mainline protestantism’s wishy-washiness in the form of Rev. Lovejoy.
In light of so many tired caricatures of Christians (particularly evangelicals) in pop culture, I really give Matt Groening credit for trying to portray us in a good light, even if he may not agree with us. God bless Ned!
Stephen+
I am often amazed by the Simpsons. For a show that is obviously devoted to pushing the envelope in irreverent skewering of traditional culture, there is often a decency and good will just below the punch line. Ned is a perfect example. The marriage of Homer and Marge is another. In spite of the obvious flaws of each, their commitment to each other, and to the family, is staggering given the context.
Two of my favorite episodes were devoted to that theme, with H and M each being strongly tempted to have an affair which would answer all the “unmet needs†in their lives. Both examples came solidly on the side of marriage, fidelity, and commitment being far more fulfilling than anything temptation could offer. I think the show is actually one of the more “conservative-value†friendly shows I have seen recently.
It’s often rude, sometimes crude, frequently amazing.