RESPONDING
TO THE BIBLE CRITICS
- 1)
Don’t Panic. Some Have.
One elderly couple was shocked upon viewing
the Peter Jenning's NBC program called "The Search for Jesus"
according to Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries. The special
shook this couples belief about the historic Jesus to their core.
- 2)
Read the Bible story in question for yourself.
What does scripture say compared to what was said
in the film or documentary? If it's not biblical you can disregard it. If
you want further information on resources to solidify what the Bible and
conservative scholars/archaeologists believe please contact (Email)
this ministry.
- 3)
Examine the background of those making the claims
(actors, writers, interviewees). If you do not have
internet access the best place to get information is from a local library/seminary
where you can rent books by the author in question. With web access you
can visit Amazon.com, read reviews of the interviewee's book, purchase less
expensive copies of the book or visit their respective web site to view
their comments. Remember that just because Jesus or some other bible figure
is mentioned on the program or within their book or article does not
mean that the interviewee is a Conservative, Bible believing scholar.
Just because an interviewee is on the faculty of a Seminary does not necessarily
mean they are biblical in their perspective nor have all the answers historically.
- 4)
Do the Documentary Producers have an agenda? Are
the same guests on with regularity? With
many programs there seems to be a desire to invite the same guests back
to reiterate their views. This is certainly the perogative of the filmmakers
but I do believe that only those that share the filmmakers particular view
are invited back. John Dominic Crossan, Carole Fontaine, Rabbi David Wolpe
and Daniel Smith-Christopher are such guests and they regularly appear on
the History Channel or A&E. These guests and many others interviewees
are not evangelical Christians (John Dominic Cossan claims to be a Christian
of which I have my doubts) nor Jewish literalists (Wolpe) but they are portrayed
as prominent scholars. I have no doubts about their credentials but I do
have major problems with only one side (the secular/critical side) presented
concerning bible events and characters.
- 5)
Did the Film
or Documentary present both sides of the topic equally?
This is a major problem with many of these programs. There are atleast 65
critical/secular scholars (see
my list) to 8-10 conservative Bible believing scholars
interviewed on The Learning Channel, A&E, Discovery Channel etc;. Of
those interviewed, I can only think of a few that have been asked back for
interview #2.
- 6)
Listen and analyze the Narration. What is being
said? A common technique within these programs are phrases such
as "Most Scholars believe" or "Many Scholars believe."
Who are these scholars? Rarely are they mentioned but only referred to in
passing commentary. This a linguistic technique to bring about the assumption
that all views have been expressed within the program and they are supported
by trustworthy scholars. Are they trustworthy when only one side has been
presented within the program? Have all views been expressed?
- 7)
45 minutes and 10 minutes. Typically
these documentaries use "teasers" as a means to keep you interested
throughout the inevitable commercials. Like old movie serials, teasers keep
you coming back for the next segment of the program. Teasers are fashioned
into questions. Examples could include: Did Jesus rise from the dead? How
could Joshua have conquered Jericho? What was Joseph's technicolor coat?
Is there evidence that King Herod killed thousands of babies around the
time of Jesus' birth? These teasers typically last through 2/3 of the program
and near the end of the program (the last ten minutes), there is an all
out attack against the Bible's credibility. The only documentary that I
can recall that was blatantly brutal toward the Bible from beginning to
end was The Discovery Channel's "Noah's Ark: The True Story" and
it was a killer. Yes a killer if you don't know the facts on the other side
of the issue that supports the Bible.
- 8)
Exposing Satirical Abuse:
Another reason I started this series of presentations
was to expose the idea that satire is harmless. The animated series' "The
Simpson's", "The Family Guy" and "South Park" lash
out with regular verbal attacks against the Bible. These animated series'
have expressed ideas such as the view that God is Evil, the Bible is the
worlds greatest sleeping pill, God is my favorite fictional character, or
develop an entire episode (The Simpson's) where the Bible stories are mythologized.
A simple chuckle or grin should be the least of our reactions to this nonsense.
It seems to me that under the guise of "satire" many writers and performers
are expressing their true emotions about their religious upbringing rather
than just simply lending their talents to various programs. It is either
this conclusion or that the writers and performers are living in willful
ignorance of what the Bible truly says. The producers, writers and voice
talent assume that a biblically illiterate society will laugh along and
many do in ignorance.
- 9)
Re-Writing the Bible on Film: Within
the last 10-15 years there has been a concerted effort to try to re-write
Bible stories. NBC's "Noah's
Ark" consists of misplaced characters (a violent and promiscuous Lot
- Abraham's nephew), misplaced events (Noah pleading for Sodom's protection
and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah) and flood scene's in which Lot
and a small crew of river pirate's tried burn the Ark but were wiped out
by a waterspout (tornado) sent by God.
...Jesus has not escaped
this attempt at bad history either. Jesus is portrayed as a confused individual
struggling with his true identity. In
"Mary, Mother of Jesus" on NBC there are some confusing scenes
which involve Jesus in the Temple and during a brawl at the age of 12. Mary
and Joseph find Jesus in the Temple, scold the young man, and Jesus remarks
that he was surprised they didn't know he was in his Fathers house. Biblically,
that's an accurate portrayal, but the scene just prior to this is not. Jesus
is attacked by a local bully and he refuses to fight. After the brawl Jesus
asks a question to Mary, "Why do I see these things (not wanting to fight
because it solves nothing) but no one else does?" Either Jesus knew who
he was or he did not. Throughout the film, this identity crisis is a major
theme.
.... An hour into the film, Jesus is finally
ready for ministry, or is he? Mary convinces Jesus to go on his ministry
and be baptized by John. In the conversations between Jesus and Mary, Jesus
uses the term "we" as if Mary is an essential component to his success.
Shortly afterwards, Mary and Jesus are seen walking down a dirt road, and
Jesus makes the bizarre statement that he had not heard God's voice for
eighteen years. The last time Jesus had heard the voice was when he was
in the temple at the age of twelve, but the Bible makes it very clear that
Jesus walked in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). Jesus was not abandoned
by God nor left alone as the film suggests. NBC adds to the theme of uncertainty
by depicting Jesus as being fearful. In a night- time scene, Mary and Jesus
are walking near a campfire, and they pause to converse. Jesus, visibly
shaking and fearful repeatedly asks the question, "Is it right? Is it right?"
As Mary tries to convince him that the power that Jesus feels inside of
himself, post-baptism, is an acceptable thing to have and he should use
it as part of his mission (NBC, 1999). Clearly, this film has taken liberties
beyond what is scripturally acceptable.
...It is so vital that we know what scripture
truly says. If we dont know what the Bible says we will believe whatever
is put in front of us. Just because a film has Jesus, Noah or some other
biblical character within its script doesn't necessarily make the film biblically
accurate. Read your Bible. Know
what it says. It's that simple.
10) Research, Research, Research! Do
yourself a favor and research and listen carefully to what is being said
before you throw away your Bible. The History Channel, BBC/Amercia, The
National Geographic Channel, The Learning Channel, A&E, The Biography
Channel, NBC, CBS, The Comedy Central and TBS are making $$ off a biblically
illiterate public and are spreading doubt at the same time. Make your voice
heard on this issue. Email these organizations today and express your views
(see web feedback addresses below).
Feedback
Web Addresses
(copy
and paste)
www.historychannel.com/global/feedback/index.jsp?NetwCode=THC
http://www.discovery.com/utilities/about/contact.html
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/community/email.html
http://tbs.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/tbs.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php
http://www.biographychannel.com/global/feedback/index.jsp?NetwCode=BCH
http://www.nbc.com/footer/Contact_Us.shtml
http://www.viacom.com/
.......(CBS' "JESUS")
http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/southpark/27greatest/index.jhtml?_requestid=96294
2004