I must say that I think the show is well-written, well-casted, and definitely enjoyable. Nothing compares to the original stories, of course, but this is certainly one of the best renditions I have encountered. Even so, my admiration of the work is stunted by a few depictions of the character of Sherlock which appear to be entirely inconsistent with Doyle's portrayal, though I suppose they align with the dominating worldviews of our time. One of these came across in a suddenly and passionately critical yet almost discreet comment in Sherlock's best man speech in "The Sign of Three." (Don't worry. I won't spoil the story.) After describing some differences between himself and Watson, Sherlock notes wildly, "And contrast is, after all, God's own plan to enhance the beauty of his creation. Or it would be if God were not a ludicrous fantasy designed to provide a career opportunity for the family idiot."¹
I hope you were as shocked as I was to discover this quote, whether you watched the episode or read it for the first time here. Its use is understandable. Why would any secular writer portray a detective who is, supposedly, the most brilliant individual in all the world (save for his brother) as a theist of any sort when today's intellectual standard is an uncompromising adherence to atheism? Let me phrase this more simply: It makes sense that a modernized Sherlock would fit with the reigning worldviews of today, namely, that God is nothing more than an invention of the human mind meant to satisfy a thirst for purpose.
However, the quote is inexcusably wrong on two accounts. First of all, despite its connection with the favorite worldview of today, it does not fit with the characterization of Mr. Holmes in Doyle's writings. In fact, to me, it seems as though Sherlock's theology in the original narratives is pretty sound. Take this quote from Holmes himself in "A Case of Identity," for instance: "Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere commonplaces of existence."² Or this one, from "The Naval Treaty": "There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion...It can be built up as an exact science by the reasoner. Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are really necessary for our existence in the first instance. But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its colour are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers."³ I'll leave the explanation of these quotes to your own capacity for reasoning. However, I will note that they, at the very least, contradict the idea that Sherlock Holmes thought of God as merely a "ludicrous fantasy."
Secondly, even if this quote was taken directly from the lips of Doyle's detective, it would still be drastically inaccurate. Why? Because God is not just for the "family idiot." God is for everybody. For the intellectual who embraces logic and the power of human reasoning for discovering truth, He is the best answer to the universal questions of humankind. For the simple heart that longs not for complicated creeds but for simple goodness, He is everything that one could ask for. For the easygoing individual who merely wants a happy life, He provides the most inexplicable joy and the most solid purpose. For the lonely, impoverished widow, He is True Love and Faithful Providence. For the child, He is a Father. For the weak, He is strong. For the successful, He is meaning. For everyone, He is everything. And we all stand before Him equally, each desperately needing Him to be who He is.
So what does this mean for you, my reader? It means that God is for you too. What are you needing today? For what does your desperate soul hunger? Is there a thirst that nothing seems to quench? Take it to God. He is the answer. He is the One who fills us completely.
My dear friend, turn to Him. Like Sherlock Holmes, look at the flowers. See how He cares for them and wonder at His perfect care for you (Matthew 6:28-30). He is exactly what you need: the answer to your questions, the cleansing for your broken soul. Go take a look.
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." —Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV, 1984)
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¹ Sherlock Season 3, Episode 2 (2014).
² The Complete Sherlock Holmes, p. 174. Barnes & Noble, Inc. (2009).
³ Ibid., pp. 425-6.
