Issues, Etc. The Netflix Series “Stranger Things” – Pr. Ted Giese, 12/19/25 (3532)
Dec 19, 2025
Pastor Ted Giese from Mount Olive Lutheran Church shares his insights on the cultural phenomenon of Stranger Things. He delves into the show's nostalgic 1980s charm and its blend of Spielbergian adventure and Stephen King horror. Ted highlights Christian symbolism, ethical concerns regarding human experimentation, and the portrayal of LGBTQ themes. He also speculates on the fate of the character Vecna, pondering potential narrative conclusions. Giese’s unique perspective ties together theology and modern storytelling in a thought-provoking discussion.
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Nostalgia+Genre Mashup Drives Appeal
- Stranger Things blends 1980s nostalgia, Spielberg/King tropes, and Dungeons & Dragons to drive its appeal.
- The show's long run lets child actors age into adult, changing tone and audience expectations.
Catch Up Before Starting Season Five
- If you're new to the series, start from earlier seasons because Season 5 assumes deep prior knowledge.
- Ted Giese recommends catching up to understand character histories and complex plot threads.
Christian Motifs Recast As Horror
- The show borrows Christian motifs (church settings, the number 12, eschatological longing) but often inverts them into horror tropes.
- This inversion frames secular apocalyptic villains where Christian hope would traditionally place Christ.