We Need Jack Bauer

It was brought to my attention by Bobby that I haven't even MENTIONED 24 on this blog yet! That is purely an oversight, as my blood runs loyal to Jack Bauer and his world-saving ways. To remedy this problem, I'd like to present the following quote that I found in an article by Peter Suderman for National Review (www.nationalreview.com/comment/suderman200601230849.asp). This isn't one of those Chuck Norris/Jack Bauer homages, but rather, a commentary on the nature of 24. I particularly enjoyed the following quote (perhaps because it's true):

"Kiefer Sutherland plays Bauer, CTU’s toughest counterterrorist hombre, as an Americanized, cowboy version of James
Bond: more brutal, more determined, more prone to extreme measures. Bauer is the sort of guy who, even after more
than a year in hiding, still answers an innocuous knock on the door with a Glock held behind his back. Supervisors,
bureaucracy, and regulations are merely obstacles to be bulldozed. He doesn’t just ignore the rulebook; he shreds it,
incinerates the scraps, and blows up the building the incinerator is in on the way out."

Yes, friends, with phrases like "Somebody get me a hacksaw" and "After I'm through with you, you're gonna wish you felt this good," Jack, at first take, appears to be heartless and bloodthirsty. But a simple analysis on his psyche would uncover a deep loyalty to family (namely his daughter) and, not so subtly, his country. The motivation for everything he does is truth and justice. Sure, he goes about things differently than the norm, but he achieves his objectives. He gets the job done.

The question arises: How, with this "I don't play by the rules" mentality, would Jack Bauer be received in the church? If, in the quote above, you replaced "Supervisors, bureaucracy, and regulations" with "Elders, bylaws, and religious traditions," how would the church respond to such upheaval? A challenge to pharisaical thinking, an extreme makeover for lathargic liturgy, someone who will stand up and YELL, "We're losing them...we need to go, NOW!" Where are those who will sacrifice for the kingdoms sake? Who will figuratively hold their breath and run out into this nerve-gas infested world to save those who don't know they are dying? And who will challenge religious heirarchy to bring relevance and compassion into the church, the Bride of Christ?

I say we need more people like Jack Bauer.