The Bible

A new television series was recently aired on the History Channel, called the Bible. It shows the procession on mankind through the word of God, highlighting the most important factors of it. The series is based on the notion of using the spirit of the Bible. because we all now that letter kills (the law only showed our weaknesses to uphold it and thereby condemning us all), but the [Holy] spirit gives life (as the spirit and name Jesus Christ brings you it, as he purchased or redeemer all believers by his death and sacrifice). Read 2 Corinthians 3:6-8 for more details. Now the series has spectacular views in it, along with some great special effect such the opening scene with Noah on the Ark, the destruction of Sodom and the later scene with God parting the Red Sea (and not the Reed Sea as unbelievers often have reported in the past). It's truthful in many of the things it depicts though it has some violence and briefly mentions or alludes to a sexual act completed (and some implied ones towards Rahab the harlot) by one of the series and Bible characters (Abraham). Yet there are some things within the show that are highlighted, but not properly depicted. When the two angels and God appear in human form (though the Trinitarians once erroneously claimed that these were the appearances of the father, son and Holy Spirit), and later visit Lot, they have the angels blinding and then physically fighting the men of Sodom. While this makes for good swordsmanship and entertainment, it's not altogether true. Also it shows Lot and wife fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah on their own account. The scriptures only mention that the angels simply blinded the men and then dragged Lot and his family out of there. See Genesis 19:1-38 for all the proper details of this story.

Now the idea of the series is to bring the Bible to a generation unaware and uneducated of it's value is a good and noble idea, the details of stories in it are spectacular enough without changing the facts to make the action and violence seem greater. For instance the series could of shown Samson killing a thousand Philistines with a jaw bone of a donkey, and then out great thirst calling upon the Lord for water, which sprung up like fountain

from the bone as answer to that prayer. Not one of Judges or their mighty acts were shown in the series from the book of Judges, but Joshua the son of Nun who led Israel into the Promised Land was mentioned but only briefly.

The History Channel reported that the premiere of The Bible attracted 14.8 million viewers. The first two-hour installment already aired last Sunday, and four more episodes of the miniseries will be broadcast each Sunday night in March. The fact is that I am grateful for the Bible series, as it tried to play out on mainstream television but these networks (ABC, NBC, and CBS among others) all refused to air it. I know that many people will never read the Bible for the spectacular stories that are found in it, but would gladly watch a movie of it. However, like in an Hollywood or book turned movie, read the book afterwards to gain better insight or perspective after viewing the movie, as the book is almost always better, more interesting and more true than the movie version. Indeed, we find that Bible itself records the same notion. "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11) This was said in reference to the teaching and preaching of the Apostle Paul, they verified his words to see whether they Biblically based and not his own.