This episode is basically a lesson in judging others. It's a bit of a typical Hollywood trope to have a pastor that shuns their own child for some sin, but the lesson is still there, and certainly we tend to judge those close to us sometimes the harshest of all. Michael Landon pointing out to the father that he would do for strangers what he won't do for his own daughter is a good moment. I found it a bit unrealistic that the mother wouldn't tell her father the real reason she wanted them to take in her daughter, the reason given was pretty silly... but that's kind of what you have to do sometimes to drive a plot forward. Ultimately, as in all Highway to Heaven episodes, everyone makes up at the end and the pastor finds that his daughter wasn't the terrible person he had judged her to be.
5 Reviews
What You Preach
rwzimdpa9 December 2019
The Rev. Stearns preaches that the listening members of his congregation should ask themselves what can they do to help. Their answers, however, should be put into practice by good deeds. His daughter, whom he has shunned, committed an unacceptable sin 9 years ago. Is the pastor capable of forgiveness in her time of need and help both his daughter and granddaughter?
Horrible theology
cpa-7245025 February 2020
Confused Episode
butcher-574-37439315 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I'm torn on this particular episode, on the one hand the message about forgiveness and not being quick to judge is very important (albeit we can judge, just be careful how you do it) and as relevant as ever. But then there are other aspects that completely contradict the Bible.
Certain aspects I usually ignore because this show isn't blatantly Christian, it just leans that way. For example, angels were never angels at one time, they are a different type of creation to us and do not take a permanent physical form here to help people, (angels can and do take physical form occasionally though, they mostly operate from the unseen realm though.)
The job of helping people and leading them to God and the right path falls on Christians actually, albeit (and this episode has a pertinent example) many fall short of that responsibility. But I digress, I'll put those technicalities aside, as this is a work of fiction.
The problems arise when they are actually representing Christians and Christianity, I should say misrepresenting. There were so many odd moments throughout this episode, disturbing moments that if people take it to heart, will actually lead them sway from God imho, not good! The first moment is near the beginning when Jonathan lies to a landlady to get an apartment, not OK at all.
Later, the reverends daughter essentially says it was OK that she committed adultery because it felt right, subtlety implying it was God's will and Jonathan the angel more or less concurs...now of course, no child is a mistake, but what she did was horrible to that other family and make no mistake, there would've been negative consequences in real life to what and the man did in that act of betrayal.
Later the Reverend says we shouldn't judge an atheist, implying he will go to Heaven if he's good, a total contradiction to the Bible, where it says when talking about Jesus, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." There are other such issues, but it's late and I'm gonna leave it there.
I should add that the Reverend should've forgiven his daughter earlier, at least in his heart, but he did have a point, she was never sorry or repentant. What do you even do with that? Her behaviour went against everything they would've taught her and it goes against the Bible, it makes clear that no one who commits any sexual immorality will enter the Kingdom of Heaven
Now if you repent and receive Jesus, then absolutely there is forgiveness and you will go to Heaven for sure, but the unrepentant and unbelieving will not. It is not love to say otherwise, you don't tell someone playing on the edge of a cliff it's safe because it's the tolerant thing to do, you warn them, even if it disturbs what they were doing!
This episode grieved me, it really did, it's been a beautiful show so far and I remember it fondly from my youth, but I hope this is the last of the liberalising of the Word and morals that I come across in this show, I highly doubt it though with the way things have gone in the USA (and most of the West) the last several decades...still, this show is far better than most. It's just that it's so good and pure that when there are black spots, they are all the more obvious!
Certain aspects I usually ignore because this show isn't blatantly Christian, it just leans that way. For example, angels were never angels at one time, they are a different type of creation to us and do not take a permanent physical form here to help people, (angels can and do take physical form occasionally though, they mostly operate from the unseen realm though.)
The job of helping people and leading them to God and the right path falls on Christians actually, albeit (and this episode has a pertinent example) many fall short of that responsibility. But I digress, I'll put those technicalities aside, as this is a work of fiction.
The problems arise when they are actually representing Christians and Christianity, I should say misrepresenting. There were so many odd moments throughout this episode, disturbing moments that if people take it to heart, will actually lead them sway from God imho, not good! The first moment is near the beginning when Jonathan lies to a landlady to get an apartment, not OK at all.
Later, the reverends daughter essentially says it was OK that she committed adultery because it felt right, subtlety implying it was God's will and Jonathan the angel more or less concurs...now of course, no child is a mistake, but what she did was horrible to that other family and make no mistake, there would've been negative consequences in real life to what and the man did in that act of betrayal.
Later the Reverend says we shouldn't judge an atheist, implying he will go to Heaven if he's good, a total contradiction to the Bible, where it says when talking about Jesus, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." There are other such issues, but it's late and I'm gonna leave it there.
I should add that the Reverend should've forgiven his daughter earlier, at least in his heart, but he did have a point, she was never sorry or repentant. What do you even do with that? Her behaviour went against everything they would've taught her and it goes against the Bible, it makes clear that no one who commits any sexual immorality will enter the Kingdom of Heaven
Now if you repent and receive Jesus, then absolutely there is forgiveness and you will go to Heaven for sure, but the unrepentant and unbelieving will not. It is not love to say otherwise, you don't tell someone playing on the edge of a cliff it's safe because it's the tolerant thing to do, you warn them, even if it disturbs what they were doing!
This episode grieved me, it really did, it's been a beautiful show so far and I remember it fondly from my youth, but I hope this is the last of the liberalising of the Word and morals that I come across in this show, I highly doubt it though with the way things have gone in the USA (and most of the West) the last several decades...still, this show is far better than most. It's just that it's so good and pure that when there are black spots, they are all the more obvious!
This episode really annoys me
fahasha25 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
If you are watching the show as a Christian then this episode has real issues. Even from a secular stand point the daughter character's attitude about sleeping with a married man is horrible. Her view point was basically "I loved him so I wanted to sleep with him and have his baby despite him being married, I don't think it was wrong.". I wonder how his wife and other kids would feel about that.
Speaking on his family, he has the right to know he has another kid (despite him being a terrible husband).
As a Christian the pastors end speech was just terrible. The bible has plenty to say about forgiveness and judgement. Everyone has sinned and falls short of the glory of God. That why we need Jesus to be saved. People don't get to heaven by doing good things. Has this pastor even read the bible.
As a piece of entertainment this episode is probably higher then a 3, but when the primary emotion evoked from a cancer episode is annoyance, you get a 3.
Speaking on his family, he has the right to know he has another kid (despite him being a terrible husband).
As a Christian the pastors end speech was just terrible. The bible has plenty to say about forgiveness and judgement. Everyone has sinned and falls short of the glory of God. That why we need Jesus to be saved. People don't get to heaven by doing good things. Has this pastor even read the bible.
As a piece of entertainment this episode is probably higher then a 3, but when the primary emotion evoked from a cancer episode is annoyance, you get a 3.
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