Underrated/Overrated - Pt. 2

3. Overrated – Peter (The Disciple) 

Another one with muddled statistics. 

Peter the Disciple has the perfect equation for being overrated, a high SSP with a high MSC.   He gets a 7.4 SWC since being part of the disciple crew, he did all that healing and stuff (maybe not stated explicitly – see Lk 9:1-2, Lk 9:10) and there is of course the “Walking on Water” bit, which with the ironic and iconic “The Denial,” gives Peter a staggering 10.0 SSP, while paradoxically giving him a 9.1 MSC (the “Get Behind Me Satan” clause included).   The contradiction between the much overlooked MSC and the SSP, places Peter the Disciple as one of the more overrated figures in the gospels. 

3. Underrated – Peter (The “Rock” Peter)

Paul is not the most gracious to this man, the church father – as we see in Acts and a later recounting in Galatians – but considering the circumstance, Peter did deserve the criticism.  However, what makes this Peter underrated, is the title that Jesus gives him – “The Rock,” that has been informally given to his contemporary Paul.  The infancy stage of the Church is dependent on Peter’s influence.  People tend to forget the influence such a prophetic title suggests. Peter The Rock, has a pretty high SWC (the beginning of Acts) at 9.2, and an inverse of appreciation with a rather humble 4.4 SSP.  (He does get some recognition for Pentecost.)

2. Overrated – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

An inexplicable 9.6 SPP will rate these three men as grossly overrated – and are hurt much in that they do not have their own book, nor are they mentioned in the New Testament.   They also have a controversial 8.8 SWC.  Many are in disagreement whether Walking in the Fire, gives more recognition to the three, the fourth man (probably Jesus), or even Nebacudnezzer.   What solidifies their title of being overrated is that they often overshadow Daniel, the main character of the book that made them famous. (Daniel would be an honorable mention in the underrated category.)

2. Underrated – Luke

This may be a debatable choice, as Luke does not have any traditional, objective statistics to rank him with the others.  But he did pen the two largest and arguably most extensive books in the New Testament, Luke is often misplaced for two reasons: one, his gospel is like the middle child.  Everyone loves Matthew for being the first one in line, Mark for being the shortest, and John for being the most philosophical, Luke is often forgotten… (ignores Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church).  Also, the fact that Luke and Acts are separated into their own books minimizes the great and epic scope of Luke’s writing.  Good one church fathers.  Dropped the ball on that one...   Ya idiots.

1. Overrated – Moses

Bold and controversial choice on many levels I know, and Moses is a statistical enigma. 

He wrote the first five, and what many believe to be, the “most important” books of the Old Testament.  He is mentioned 85 times in the New Testament.  He rates high with a 9.6 SWC – “The Exodus” alone would have sealed the deal, but all the things in the desert only pads the stats.  He does have an ambiguous 6.6 MSC – killing a dude, and the whole You Cannot Enter the Promised Land thing… meh.  And then he has the Hollywood Effect, which gives him a blatant and undisputed 10.0 SPP. 

So what do we do with all that?  Well, unfortunately for Moses there is a group that overrates him tremendously, placing him at number one: The Pharisees. 

1. Underrated – Elijah

Moses’ statistical counterpart. 

Although he may not have authored or been the main subject of any book, he does carry much significance in Kings.  He is also referenced an impressive 28 times in the New Testament.  And with Moses is one of the three seen in The Transfiguration – pretty big deal if you ask me.  Elijah is right there with Moses at a 9.1 SWC, (“The Widow,” “Battle With Baal,” “The Cave,” etc.).  And he does hold the advantage with a relatively low, 3.7 MSC (maybe his heart was slightly impure when he ate the widow’s food…) as well as not dying and being “Lifted Up to Heaven.”  However, despite all this, he has a quite modest 5.3 SPP with no Hollywood movie made about him.  At least not one that anyone remembers.  This makes him the most underrated figure in the Bible… Other than Jesus.