The Wisdom of Sheperd Book

Most people have a strong opinion on Joss Whedon the creator of Buffy the Vampire slayer. They tend to love or hate his stories, dialog and habit of killing of lead charectors you've grown to care about. I happen to love his writing. I was tempted to go back to buying comic books just to read him and Babylon 5 creator J Michael Strazynski tell their stories. Fortunately for my bank account I have thus far resisted. Joss wrote a short lived TV series that aired on fox a few years back. It was badly promoted, bounced around the schedule and the serial episodes were shown out of order. The show was canceled before the first season finished and like many people I think this was a tragedy.

Firefly told the story of a freighter crew just trying to get by. You had failed revolutionaries, fugitives, "Companions", Men for higher and a preacher. That preacher Shepard Book was a wise man played by Ron Glass. What follows is some of The Shepards wisdom. I put in notes where needed.

When The Captain is being held and tortured by a mob boss

"Shepherd, doesn't the Bible have some pretty specific things to say about killing people?"
"Very specific. It is, however, rather fuzzy on the subject of kneecaps." - Zoe and Shepherd Book

"I believe there is a power greater than men, a power that heals." Shepherd Book

My Favorite

It's not about making sense. It's about believing in something. And letting that belief be real enough to change your life. It's about faith. You don't fix faith, River. It fixes you.

If I'm honest I have to admit to times in my life when my faith didn't make sense, but it has changed... I think for the better.

And If my captain (Pastor?) is ever being held by a crazed mafioso..... I'll go for the knees :)