On Christians, This Is Us, and Our Response

When I first started watching This Is Us, I posed a question to my Facebook friends asking for their thoughts about the show. Not “Do you like it or not” because, hello, most everyone who watched it loved it. Rather, I was asking about the merits of Christians watching it. After all, the show started off with a bit of nudity, sex outside of marriage, swearing, and drunkenness…and that was just the first episode.

At the same time, there have been many pros to the series– a realistic light shed on adoption, foster care, racial issues, sibling bond, marriage relationship, parenting, and more. There have also been important storylines about attending support groups and psychotherapy for issues such as obesity and difficulty with weight loss, alcohol addiction, trauma, miscarriage, grief and loss, and more.

What I have heard from many personal friends and Christian leaders I follow is that this show tastefully depicts the realities of life. The good, the bad, and the ugly. While I certainly believe that not all of the content is necessary to make their point (including some of the politics), I also see the many benefits of this show. A friend said, “No, it’s Christian, but it’s also not cynical. And that is refreshing.” I agree.

As an adoptive mother, that particular story line wrecks my heart. It also provides important insight. I find This Is Us to be a complex show – one that has so many sub-plots that everyone who watches is sure to find one that resonates with their own life. The show crosses a lot of cultural barriers, and has been well received by a diverse and devoted group of fans. This show touches us all deeply, emotionally. I have seen every episode, and cried during each one.

Oh, and thankfully, there has been no other nudity since the first episode. So if you turned it off specifically for that reason, maybe go ahead and try it again. Of course, if the Holy Spirit convicts you that it’s not the show for you – honor that. But that doesn’t mean no Christian should watch the show. I’ll keep watching it.  I’ll keep loving it. I’ll keep getting wrecked. So, if you start watching the show, make sure you have your tissues handy. Oh, and for the love, if you have an ancient crockpot – please Throw. It. Out.  And definitely do not take it to a young newly wed couple. Please and thank-you.