Includes bibliographical references (pages 241-263) and index.

Introduction: Turning us on -- The pilot episode: what is TV? -- Becoming TV literate: formal analysis -- Becoming TV literate: process and practice -- The telos of TV -- A very brief history of the church and TV -- Channeling theology: TV and God's wider presence -- Ethics: is there anything good on TV? -- Conclusion: The season finale: to be continued.

Since its inception, television has captured the cultural imagination. Outside of work and sleep, it is now the primary preoccupation of most Americans. Individuals consume upward of five hours of TV daily, even more when taking into account viewing done online and on mobile devices. TV is so ingrained in the fabric of everyday life that it can't help but function as one of the primary means through which we make sense of our lives and the world. This book shows that television--as a technology, a narrative art form, a commodity, and a portal for our ritual lives--confronts viewers theologically. Whether its content is explicitly spiritual or not, TV routinely invites (and sometimes demands) theological reflection. This book articulates something of the presence and activity of God in the golden age of TV and forges an appropriate response to an ever-changing cultural form. It constructs a theology of television that allows for both celebration and critique, helping Christians more fully understand and appreciate the power and meaning of TV. A supplemental website provides additional resources, conversations, and close readings of TV programs.