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.
  
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  ...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.
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  ...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.

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  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