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"The Simpsons is one of the most subtle pieces of propaganda
around in the cause of sense, humility and virtue. Mark Pinsky manages
to decipher the code without deadening the humour, which is quite an
achievement."
The Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Wales
"What a fun book--with serious purpose. Pinsky has taken a pop
culture icon and, through the eyes of faith, made an incisive and loving
critique of our culture. I didn't know that Bart Simpson had so much
to teach us. Far out!"
Will Willimon, Dean of the Chapel, Duke University
"I've never been much of a TV watcher. It's against my religion,
as they used to say. But now Mark Pinsky's The Gospel According to
The Simpsons has made me at least a partial convert. I was blind
but now I see that in The Simpsons anyway, there is goodness
galore-intelligence, hilarious writing, insight, telling social criticism
and commentary, and plenty of helpful hints for spiritually challenged
people like me. Thanks to Pinsky and The Simpsons my conscience
has been caught, my train of thought has finally left the station, and
I've been thoroughly delighted without feeling guilty about it. Now
when The Simpsons are on I'm on the front row. I've even learned
how to use the remote."
Robert L. Short, author of The Gospel According
to Peanuts, The Parables of Peanuts, and Short Meditations on
the Bible and Peanuts
"O Little Town of Springfield! Mark Pinsky provides an excellent
exploration
of the spiritual dimension of the most openly religious town on television."
Frederica Mathewes-Green, columnist for Beliefnet.com
and author of The Illumined
Heart: The Ancient Christian Path of Transformation.
"This is a brilliant, witty, readable book-which every Simpsons
lover will want to read, every parent should read, and
every Christian needs to read immediately."
Theodore Baehr, chairman of the Christian Film &
Television Commission and publisher of MovieguideTM
"Bristling with humor and laced with keen observations, The
Gospel According to The Simpsons explores the fabric of faith and
spirituality in one of the most popular television shows worldwide.
Mark Pinsky's survey is framed in Judeo-Christian theological context
and will convince even ardent skeptics that this animated series-iconoclastic,
controversial, and critically acclaimed-is a significant popular cultural
representation of the variety of American attitudes toward God and religion."
William Romanowski, author of Pop Culture Wars:
Religion and the Role of Entertainment in American Life and Eyes
Wide Open: Looking for God in Popular Culture
"As a political and social Christian conservative and a Neanderthal
in terms of pop culture, this is not the kind of book I would generally
read nor endorse. However, what started as a chore became a major delight.
I loved this book! Mark Pinsky makes me think and laugh. Read it! You'll
be glad."
Steve Brown, professor at Reformed Theological Seminary
in Orlando, teacher on the Key Life radio program, and author
of several books, including Follow The Wind and Approaching
God.
"The Simpsons is the stealth Sunday School of prime-time
TV. Mark Pinsky tells all in this wise and zesty book. My 16-year-old
couldn't put it down, and neither will you."
Mark Silk, The Greenberg Center for the Study of Religion
in Public Life, Trinity College
"Mark Pinsky has written a wonderfully helpful book that every
congregational leader ought to read. At one moment, it contains humorous
accounts from The Simpsons that will lift the reader's soul with
mirth. At the next, it provides the "aha" that comes from
an insightful cultural analysis about the knotty relationship between
the American family and popular religion. His book will bring many rich
returns."
Robert Parham, executive director, Baptist Center
for Ethics
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