ABC TV’s Lost, the network’s anchor show on Thursday nights, is now in its fourth season. Since its inception, people have been noticing spiritual connections on the show. A few weeks ago, Matt Hill wrote a piece for Hollywood Jesus comparing the show with God and our relationship to Him. Back in May of 2007, Maurice Broaddus wrote a review of the show, pointing out that the survivors on the island have been given “their chance at redemption—if they want it.” Is there an intentional connection with Christianity?
It must be recognized that even though C. S. Lewis might in fact be a big influence on what Lost is all about, he most assuredly is not the only influence. The first three seasons of Lost were greatly influenced by Steven King’s book The Stand. This has been confirmed by the writers themselves. According to the Wikipedia article on The Stand, the “outcome [at the end of Steven King’s book] is unspecified but would leave an opening for a sequel.” Lost Season 4 seems to start where The Stand left off, providing the sequel Steven King never wrote.
So where is Lost going? Will fauns and talking beavers suddenly come out of the jungle and help John Locke decide what to do? Will Father Christmas come and offer Jack and Kate magic objects to help them get home? Will we find a secret room with a Magician who has found the secret Atlantis dust?
I must admit that I do not know where Lost is going. Probably no one (even those who write “spoilers” on web sites like Thefuselage.com) except the writers know. The writers have said from the beginning that they know where they are going with the show, although even they admit they don’t know all the details. That is what all mystery writers do, and what J. J. Abrams and his co-writers are so great at—keeping the reader (or, in this case, viewer) guessing. The viewer is led down “rabbit trails,” through twists and turns. Just when you think you have a glimpse of what is going to happen, the view completely changes.
There are some things about the show that we do know. A good share of those come directly from the writers themselves through statements they have made; other “facts” about the show come through observation. The latter are not as reliable, because we could be misinterpreting what is happening. It must be remembered that what the writers who wrote the show say is likely more reliable than any speculations made by those who have only watched the show.
March 6th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Hey guys! I really enjoyed this article. I am a retired missionary living in Brazil without benefit of Cable TV. I only get to watch LOST on DVD AFTER the season. But I do find them about the most entertaining and intriging show on TV. Many of the caracters like Hurley,Kate and Jack are just lovable! They remind me so much of some people who I have known in my long life. And YES it is good to know that God is in control, but we still have responsabilities. Knowing the first makes doing the second so much easier! Thanks, Lottie
March 6th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Hey I could not read the funny words, so I think you lost my previous comment. Thanks for the article. I enjoyed it and I enjoy LOST and love many of the characters like Jack, Kate and Hurley. They remind me of some missionaries I have known in my life. (I am an old retired one, myself.) As soon as the new season is released in DVD I too will be watching and enjoying it.
Lottie
March 6th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Thank you for your comments, Lottie. You CAN watch LOST episodes on the internet the day after they run on ABC in the United States. http://dynamic.abc.go.com/streaming/landing
March 26th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
The ABC site says that the LOST episodes are not available to watch online outside of the US. We download them from I-tunes for $1.99 the day after they air.
March 26th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Thanks for the information, Suzie. I was unaware of that. It makes sense, though. By the way, because of the writers strike, we have to wait until April 24 to see more new episodes. So you won’t be able to download more until April 25, I assume.
March 27th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Narnia can be very misleading to Christians… there is no “good” magic in the Bible. The only source of magic in this world is from Satan. My conclusion is magic should have no place in a true biblical Christian’s life.
March 27th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Hey guys…great article. I am the head coach/pastor of a church plant in Peoria, IL, The Grove Church. I used themes from LOST as a great Easter series.
WEEK 1 - The Crash. The crash leveled the playing field for everyone. Regardless of their background, they were now all in the same situation. Equally lost…equally in need of rescue. Humanity had a crash. It is in Genesis 3. As a result, we are all equally lost, and equally in need of rescue.
Hey guys…great article. I am the head coach/pastor of a church plant in Peoria, IL, The Grove Church. I used themes from LOST as a great Easter series.
WEEK 1 - The Crash. The crash leveled the playing field for everyone. Regardless of their background, they were now all in the same situation. Equally lost…equally in need of rescue. Humanity had a crash. It is in Genesis 3. As a result, we are all equally lost, and equally in need of rescue.
WEEK 2 - The Realities. Their realities changed as a result of the crash. They were dealing with things they never planned to deal with. 1. The crash resulted in injury and death. 2. There were many things about their circumstances that were mysterious and difficult to understand. 3. There were others on the island to sought to deceive them and harm them. 4. They tried to effect their own rescue. 5. All of their efforts failed. They needed outside help. Our realities are much the same.
WEEK 3 (EASTER)- The Rescue. When rescue was finally presented, a voice told them that to accept the rescue would be a huge mistake. They now had to make a choice. Would they opt for rescue, or trust the voice of an enemy?
WEEK 4 - The Return. This Sunday we will look at Jack’s declaration that they have to “Go Back”. That is the ultimate purpose for all of us who have been rescued. We must go back for those still lost.
It’s been a great series, and I love the show. I’m sure I’ll use it for another series before it comes to an end.
March 27th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Thank you for your comment, Jeff. You do realize that Narnia is make-believe, don’t you?
“Magic” can have various meanings, and I think “biblical Christians” would be able to discern the difference. 
The King James version of the Bible does not ever use the word “magic” — only “magicians” — and only in the Old Testament. These were those who studied the stars, which was not forbidden. The Wise Men in the book of Matthew were “Magi” — oriental men of science who studied, among other things, the stars. The distinction between Astronomy and Astrology did not exist until very recently. The wise men are not exactly condemned for using their knowledge of the stars to find the Christ, are they? The study of the stars can be done for good or evil purposes.
Modern translations of the Bible do use the term “magic” as you intend it. Lewis does not use the term that way when he talks of “deep magic” and “deeper magic.” (For an excellent article on the subject see The Deeper Magic — scroll about half way down the page to “The Stone Table.” ) The use of magical powers by the White Witch and Digory’s uncle are another matter, and shown as negatives in the books.