Monday, March 18, 2013
331 - Christians Shoot at Can't-Miss TV
Spirituality
Column #331
March 19, 2013
Current in Carmel – Westfield – Noblesville – Fishers – Zionsville
March 19, 2013
Current in Carmel – Westfield – Noblesville – Fishers – Zionsville
Christians Shoot at Can’t-Miss TV
By
Bob Walters
Early in the project, The Bible
miniseries producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey – both life-long Christian
believers and successful secular entertainment figures – sought advice from noted
pastor and author Rick Warren, who offered:
- Tell the Story. The Bible is a love story, not a documentary;
take some chances.
- Let the story stand. The Bible explains and defends itself; don’t worry
about building that into your production.
- Pray “Use me.” Ask God to use you to tell His story.
The day before The Bible premiered on March 3, Warren sat with the producers March 2 in a live online
preview and equipping session for pastors and teachers, and opined that 1950s-1960s
era Bible mega movies and even the vaunted but decades-old “Jesus Film” are occasionally
“wooden” in their use of direct scriptural dialogue. Warren was enthusiastic about freshening the
Bible’s “movie” images.
Listening to Downey and Burnett,
it’s obvious that their hearts are sincerely with Christ. Extensive video previews focused heavily on
New Testament Jesus stories and I have to tell you, the beauty and emotion of
the new video repeatedly had me near tears.
I challenge any believer not to choke up when Jesus lovingly calls tax
collector Matthew to be a disciple or tenderly saves and forgives Mary
Magdalene.
The first episode March 3 surveyed Genesis
(Creation, Noah, Abraham, etc.) and Exodus (Moses). I noticed it was powerfully done, a lot was
left out, and some obvious story license had been taken. But the love story is intense and intact, and
I was gratified – thrilled, really – that The
Bible was suddenly the hottest topic in the country.
It’s what we pray for as Christians,
isn’t it, to share God’s word and to have our increasingly lost culture gain
familiarity with and enthusiasm for exploring the Bible? Well, here is a great chance. The major secular news and entertainment media
raved about The Bible’s story,
fabulous production, and high ratings. Yet
I was astonished at concurrent social media slams and snarks from Christian
quarters: this story was omitted; that angel was embellished; “TV” can’t get
anything right, etc.
Whoa, folks! I am reminded of the learned and faithful
Apollos, the oft-mentioned associate of the Apostle Paul. When Aquila and Priscilla perceived rough
spots in Apollos’ enthusiastic preaching, they didn’t berate his faith; they
taught and encouraged him. So I have
this message for Pharisaical Christian critics who are unlovingly posing and arrogantly
promoting their superior Bible expertise: Stop it.
Instead, love the opportunity The Bible provides to explain “the way of God more adequately” (Acts
18:26). And relax. Like Warren said, the Bible can defend
itself.
Walters
(rlwcom@aol.com) figures the rapture can’t be too close
because Christians are still so far apart.
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