Freely Given

In the Good Place


Listen Later

We are taking a quick interlude to talk about the theological themes within the show "The Good Place." This is something that Gretchen and Katie chat about often, and decided to actually record one of these conversations. This is a comedy show about the after-life, and in that, they are grappling with the problem of sin, and how to deal with it with both justice and mercy. 

The characters in the show are Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason, (and of course, the "angel" Michael). The show begins when Eleanor dies, and arrives at "The Good Place." Michael greets her and shows her around, and praises all of the good things she did during her life. We soon find out that there's been a mistake. Eleanor was not the person Michael described. She's a horrible sinner who was mistakenly sent to "The Good Place" and only she knows this.

Overwhelmed with guilt for being given an afterlife she did not deserve, and surrounded by people better than her, she goes through different stages to try to cover for, or atone for her sin, but she can't seem to be good, no matter how hard she tries.

This guilt begins to torture her as she feels trapped and watches "The Good Place" crumble around her because of her sin.

This is a lighthearted and yet deep conversation of what happenes when you try to deal with sin without a savior, and also the harm that is done to other people when we attempt to justify ourselves.

Support the work of 1517 (like this show!)

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Freely GivenBy 1517 Podcasts

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

147 ratings


More shows like Freely Given

View all
Issues, Etc. by Lutheran Public Radio

Issues, Etc.

1,863 Listeners

White Horse Inn by Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Bob Hiller, Walter R. Strickland II

White Horse Inn

2,184 Listeners

Thinking Fellows by 1517 Podcasts

Thinking Fellows

837 Listeners

30 Minutes In The New Testament by 1517 Podcasts

30 Minutes In The New Testament

754 Listeners

40 Minutes In The Old Testament by 1517 Podcasts

40 Minutes In The Old Testament

1,023 Listeners

Theocast by Jon Moffitt & Justin Perdue

Theocast

911 Listeners

Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey by Blaze Podcast Network

Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey

20,989 Listeners

Banned Books by 1517 Podcasts

Banned Books

244 Listeners

Family Style Theology by 1517 Podcasts

Family Style Theology

23 Listeners

1517 Blogcast by 1517 Podcasts

1517 Blogcast

75 Listeners

The Soul of Christianity by 1517 Podcasts

The Soul of Christianity

95 Listeners

Christianity On Trial by 1517 Podcasts

Christianity On Trial

79 Listeners

The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble

The Bible Recap

35,788 Listeners

Christian History Almanac by 1517 Podcasts

Christian History Almanac

429 Listeners

For You Radio by 1517 Podcasts

For You Radio

76 Listeners

Talks with Dad Rod by 1517

Talks with Dad Rod

79 Listeners

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever by Lutheran Public Radio

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever

854 Listeners

Hidden Streams by 1517 Podcasts

Hidden Streams

243 Listeners

Outlaw God by 1517 Podcasts

Outlaw God

246 Listeners

Unveiling Mercy by 1517 Podcasts

Unveiling Mercy

118 Listeners

A Field Guide to the Bible by 1517 Podcasts

A Field Guide to the Bible

94 Listeners

Outside Ourselves by 1517 Podcasts

Outside Ourselves

77 Listeners

Preaching The Text by 1517 Podcasts

Preaching The Text

68 Listeners

Tough Texts by 1517. Podcasts

Tough Texts

95 Listeners

Faith and Reason Exchange by 1517 Podcasts

Faith and Reason Exchange

110 Listeners