Grey's Anatomy, is a drama fallowing the lives of multiple doctors in Seattle Grace Hospital. In the latest episode, Christina is struggling with a decision of whether to choose love over career. Christina is currently a resident under surgeon Teddy Altman, who is in love with her boyfriend. Dr. Altman decides she must leave the hospital to get over Owen, Christina’s boyfriend. In a moment of panic Christina tells Teddy that she can have Owen if it means she’ll stay at the hospital. Along with other interesting twists the episode ends, yet again, with a catch.
There are many conflicting ideas in this drama that are attempting to answer what truly the human purpose is. Christine feels that her purpose lies in career and the feeling of accomplishing something meaningful, while other characters feel that love is what matters, finding the one you love. Grey’s Anatomy, though fictional, is an excellent picture of present day ideals and morals. The human purpose depends on the human. Purpose is different for each individual, and everyone’s idea of purpose is right. This idea can cause many issues, and create conflict, as seen in the episode. As Christians, the human purpose is to glorify God, not to please your desires.
Throughout Grey’s Anatomy many life altering decisions are being made. This is what keeps the show interesting. Many of the character’s decisions are poor, and the viewers can see the results of those decisions. Evil disguises itself in many forms. Evil can be very tricky and deceptive causing people to stumble, as we can see in Grey’s Anatomy. The empire’s affect can be seen throughout this show. Desires are met while trust and relationships are broken. Evil works through the disguise of the empire and thought that we should have what we want no matter what. Evil wants to isolate and meet desires keeping one unsatisfied and alone. This can be seen throughout the show in many characters.
Grey’s Anatomy is a thrilling show full of scandal, twists, and suspense, and though it may be enjoyable one must realize that the life styles displayed in the show are destructive and not Kingdom oriented. God intended us to be in healthy community.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you agree with Christine’s decision to fallow her career even if it means breaking the trust of someone who loves her?
- How might a Christian go about this hard decision of choosing career over family or relationship?
In what ways does the system of the hospital (the setting for the show) influence characters? For example, does the show ever explore how health insurance plays a role in the American health care system? These kinds of questions might be interesting to explore in the context of Grey's Anatomy.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we need to be a bit careful when discussing desires. In many Christian conversations, desire is seen as inherently evil; however, as we've discussed in class, desire is part of what it is to be a creature who loves (and, in so doing, images God). So it's more a matter of what we are desiring. And that's where all kinds of things can get mixed up for us (as you've noted above).
I think that a Christian would ultimately choose the relationship over their career, because (I may be wrong) the Empire wants us to choose our job, and become really successful. That way, we can pay for all the stuff the Empire wants us to buy. Now the Kingdom would probably want us to choose family and relationships, because our family is a gift, and relationships can offer much more spiritual satisfaction than material posessions can.
ReplyDeleteSo a Christian should realize these discrepancies and choose according to what they think will spiritually benefit themselves would do. I also do not think the ever popular phrase "What would Jesus Do?" has ever led someone astray in a situation such as this.