How to Share Your Faith Using Reaper
Reaper (as in Grim Reaper), the new CW TV show has an unsettling plot line. The new series follows the life of Sam, whose soul has been sold to the devil. Sam has been unwittingly enlisted into Satan's ranks as a bounty hunter and tasked with tracking down souls who have escaped from hell and need to be recaptured and returned. While the shows premise sounds dark and demonic, it's becoming one of the Fall Season's shows of note. Like it or not, this new TV series is being watched and talked about. Why not use it to throw the door wide open for conversations about God and Satan, heaven and hell, and the afterlife?
The series, described as a cross between Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ghostbusters, revolves around Sam, who on his 21st birthday discovers that his parents sold his soul to the devil before he was born. Now that he's 21, the devil has enlisted him as a bounty hunter. Understandably, Sam's not too happy about this new stage of life, but he is also fascinated by the devil's ability to charm and flatter. Sounds like a TV show that Christians should be aware of and be prepared to discuss intelligently with their unreached friends.
Yet hell and the devil are topics that often make us uncomfortable as Christians. The famous Christian author C.S. Lewis once reflected that there are two great dangers with regard to the demonic - to think too much of it and to think too little of it. And since the popular culture is already engaging in its own conversation on these topics, try using Reaper as an opportunity to jump in and talk about some of these generally un-PC subjects - Satan, his demons and a place called hell.
So brush up on your theology by checking out some of these Biblical truths:
Hell is a real place.
For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. (2 Peter 2:4)
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)
Satan is a real enemy who disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and is known by many different names in the bible - names which reveal something about his nature and his mission.
"The God of this world" - Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4, NLT)
"The great enemy" - Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. (1 Peter 5:8-9, NLT)
"The accuser" - For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth - the one who accuses them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:10)
"A murderer and a liar" - He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
Perhaps you've noticed that more people will indicate that they believe in God and His angels, than acknowledge that they believe in Satan and his demons. Why is that? Maybe it has something to do with the whole 'power of positive thinking' thing or perhaps it's just the 'head in the sand' phenomenon. But if there is a personal force for good in the universe that many people call God, it shouldn't be so hard for people to acknowledge, as they look around at the evil that is evident in the world, that there is also a personal force for evil that the Bible calls Satan.
So look for ways to engage your friends in conversations about the spiritual realm using the TV show Reaper as a springboard. Here are some questions to help you get started:
- Ask your friends if they think Satan and hell are real life spiritual realities? Do they believe in the spiritual realm? Do they believe in God and angels? Share what you believe.
- What do you think of the way Satan is portrayed in Reaper? Do you think it has any similarities to what the Bible has to say about Satan and his demons?
- Does Satan have a smooth, inviting side? Is that part of how temptation works?
- Ask your friends if they died today, whether they know whether they would go to heaven or hell. Explain what the Bible has to say about salvation and the confidence we can have regarding Jesus work on the cross. (See 1 John 5:13) For help explaining this, check out the GOSPEL Journey.
While you may not find a TV spoof about Satan very humorous or entertaining, perhaps it will push you to do your research, be on your spiritual guard and give you opportunities to talk about the spiritual realm with your friends.
