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| Seinfeld Theology: Ephesians 4:22-29 |
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Seinfeld, "the show about nothing", actually has a very common theme through all the episodes. This common theme is what Paul calls the "old nature". In each episode Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer each follow what Paul calls "deceitful lust", selfishly seeking whats they want, regardless of the other character. Laughs ensue as we the viewers find that as each seeks their own selfish desire they screw up the others in there own pursuit of selfish gain. One of my most favorite episodes is when George realizes that what he's doing isn't working. The choices he is making are all wrong, and he decides from here forward to do "The Opposite". It's an incredible parallel to Ephesians 4:22-29, which instructs Christians to actively put away their old way of living and making choices and enter into a new way of life:
4:22 Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, 4:23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 4:24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 4:25 Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
4:26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 4:27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. 4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.
After coming to this epiphany that everything he has ever done is wrong, George begins this exact process of choosing not to make the choices he used to make, but instead to choose "The Opposite". Similarly Ephesians tells us that the way we made our decisions before Christ was inherently faulty (Eph 4:17-18), we are told to renew our minds, actively putting off our old way of doing things and putting on a new way (Eph 4:22-24).
George begins this new way of living by going up to an attractive women named Victoria and introducing himself. Instead of trying to create a false image of who he is, he simply tells her "My name is George. I'm unemployed and I live with my parents". To his shocking surprise she show interest. Similarly, Paul instructs the church to "Put away falsehood", shop lying, stop trying to create an "image", be yourself.
Next there is a classic scene where George is cut off in traffic. If you have ever seen Seinfeld you can only imagine what would have normally happened, "choice" words would have normally come out of his mouth, and he would have nursed his anger seeking revenge for the rest of the episode. Instead he calms Victoria down saying "Take it easy. Take it easy. It's not the end of the world". George's actions parallel Paul's words "Let no evil talk come out of your mouth" (Eph 4:29), and "Do not let the sun go down on your anger".
The show quickly cuts to George and Victoria in the movie theatre. Two annoying young men yell out loud during the movie while kicking the seats in front of them. Georges normal response would have been to move away from them, or some other response that would have reduced any confrontation. But instead he openly rebukes them "Shut your traps and stop kicking the seats! We're trying to watch the movie! And if I have to tell you again, we're gonna take it outside and I'm gonna show you what it's like! You understand me? Now, shut your mouths or I'll shut'em for ya, and if you think I'm kidding, just try me. Try me. Because I would love it!". The young men instantly quiet and the rest of the theatre cheers for George. This is exactly what Paul means when he says "Be angry but do not sin" (Eph 4:26). We need to be angry when someone is wronged, and we should channel that energy into rectifying the situation.
The scene then cuts to George and Victoria in the car, George is taking her home, and it's clear from her voice and what she says that she is inviting him up to spend the night. Georges response is "I don't think we should. We really don't know each other very well". The truth is that they really don't know each other that well, and until he has entered into a marriage covenant with her, having sex would be wrong and would be a form of stealing (1 Thes 4:6). This is very similar to Paul's exhortation "Let the thief no longer steal" (Eph 4:28).
Finally George get an interview with the New York Yankees. He continues being completely honest and open about himself to the surprise of the interviewer Mr. Cushman, just as Paul says "putting away falsehood". Mr. Cushman then introduces George to Mr. Steinbrenner. Where George would have usually become a people pleaser and told Mr. Steinbrenner what he wanted to hear, instead George let's it all out saying: "Well, I wish I could say the same, but I must say, with all due respect, I find it very hard to see the logic behind some of the moves you have made with this fine organization. In the past twenty years you have caused myself, and the city of New York, a good deal of distress, as we have watched you take our beloved Yankees and reduced them to a laughing stock, all for the glorification of your massive ego!". To which Mr. Steinbrenner replies "Hire this man!". George fulfills Pauls admonishment "let every one speak the truth with his neighbor" (Eph 4:25). We are not to butter people up, telling them what they want to hear, but instead we ought to point out areas where they are wrong or that need to change, always in a loving manner. This sort of "tough love" is desperately needed.
This has got to be my favorite Seinfeld episode of all time. We could learn a lot from George, seeking to put away our old way of living (worrying about image, avoiding conflict, taking from people, being careless with words, etc..) and living a new life (honesty, passion, our words being a gift to others). |
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Kathy |
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May 15, 2007 at 7:20pm |
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| There's an entire Bible Study series based on The Andy Griffith Show. Maybe you could market "The Gospel According to Seinfeld!" :) |
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Sue |
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May 16, 2007 at 12:35am |
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Cary, This is a great blog! I loved it :)
My husband loves this show and tapes the re-runs every single night. Plus I bought him the series DVD's for Christmas one year.
My favorite episode is the one where George lost his glasses. I laughed so hard, I cried. It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen on television. Have you seen that episode? |  |
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karl |
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May 19, 2007 at 4:42pm |
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| :) Thanks. That was great. |
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| Cary. Bravo. That was a great biblical parallel to what has to be the best episode. |
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| This is actually the thesis for my English Lit class through Liberty University. That is absolutely HI-larious! Just so you know, we got a 97, my outline stunk.... haha. I really enjoyed this read... |
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Billy |
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April 21, 2008 at 8:57pm |
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| Great study on a great Seinfeld episode |
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