Here is a dialog from the TV series M*A*S*H (1972-1983) that, essentially, misrepresents the Bible and what Jesus says to, as was often done in that show, make fun of Christians in a subtle way while promoting certain political and/or social and/or humanistic views.
Hawkeye: War isn't Hell. War is war, and Hell is Hell. And of the two, war is a lot worse.
Father Mulcahy: How do you figure that, Hawkeye?
Hawkeye: Easy, Father. Tell me. Who goes to Hell?
Father Mulcahy: Um, sinners, I believe.
Hawkeye: Exactly. There are no innocent bystanders in Hell, but war is chock full of them - little kids, cripples, old ladies. In fact, except for a few of the brass, almost everybody involved is an innocent bystander.
Notice how Father Mulcahy does not really know (making him look stupid) as he gives an incorrect (but partially correct and deceptive) answer. The correct answer is "
sinners who do not repent" since "
all have sinned". Jesus also talks about "
innocent bystanders" (e.g., the tower of Siloam in Luke 13:4-5).
Discuss: Is it appropriate for a pastor to use this dialog in a sermon without pointing out the inaccuracies or misleading parts? Does doing so rise to the level of outright deception on the part of the pastor? Would it constitute "
idle words" which, if not "
accounted for" rise to the level of the "
unpardonable sin"?
Note: MASH is an
acronym for
Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.
