Anyone bothered by 'A.D. the Bible Continues'?

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max_von_bingen

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After watching all episodes of ‘A.D. the Bible Continues’ thus far, it seems . . .
Pros: choosing actors from all ethnic groups is wonderful, I got used to it right away, shows that Christianity is for all the people of earth. The series has lots of terrific actors!
Cons: seems like Roman, and Sanhedrin, politics take center stage – with the rapid growth of the early Church and the power of the Holy Spirit pushed to the wings. Anyone else feel this way? (Reminded me of my youth: When I first started teaching ‘CCD’ I quickly learned that you do not need to ‘dramatize’ the faith. It’s the most powerful drama to begin with.)
max von bingen
:rolleyes:
 
I agree, and I was kind of surprised that they would show the Blessed Mother in anger, losing her temper and slapping walls. I just can’t see her that way. :confused:
 
book_and_bead said:
I agree, and I was kind of surprised that they would show the Blessed Mother in anger, losing her temper and slapping walls. I just can’t see her that way. :confused:
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Jesus got angry, why not Mary? Anger is not a sin but in certain instances, i.e.violence.
 
book_and_bead said:
I agree, and I was kind of surprised that they would show the Blessed Mother in anger, losing her temper and slapping walls. I just can’t see her that way. :confused:
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I don’t even watch those kinds of shows anymore as they seem to always have some kind of nonsense in it. I end up more disappointed than entertained. God Bless, Memaw
 
I watched about five minutes. That is all I could take.

Bad acting, bad writing (the script, not the original source material), bad and cheesy special effects.
 
I decided not to watch it when it was described as "A cross between House of Cards and Game of Thrones."

The gratuitous violence in the first series caused me to stop watching that.
 
I’ve been bothered by not only the violence but the inaccuracies, Piilate did not execute the soldiers that witnessed Jesus’ Ressurection for one. They had a daughter of Peter following him to Jerusalem. After the Holy Spirit descended they spoke in tongues but didn’t appear to be preaching much. The Bible tells us several thousand were converted that day!

Now they have Peter and Saul in face to face confrontations, and a Peter burning the empty Christian camp so Paul wouldn’t vandalize it? All kinds of intrigue between Pilate and Claudia, Caiphas and his wife, I could go on an on while the central story of the Apostles seem to take backstage.

I’m very disappointed in this series although I’m watching it to see how they handle Paul’s conversion, but definitely not happy with the series. Last week they showed the Christians eating the bread and drinking the wine. But not a Consecration. Oh, and Mary Magdalene forced to work in Pilates palace when Ceasar was visiting? Mary is portrayed as a much older woman and not seen very much. And each episode drags. Maybe the last episodes will be better. I hope.
 
I think it is an ok show and have watched about half the episodes. I also agree that it does seem to be more a dramatization of “The Acts of Pilate and Caiaphas” than “The Acts of the Apostles.” Certainly a lot of poetic license being taken but I think most of it has been at least plausible.

Dan
 
I agree I wish they focus more on the early church. Yet when they do show Peter and the other Apostles they are doing great job. Did you notice how the show portraits Mary as someone you can turn to for advice. And keeps reminding that Peter is their leader. Also the last episode when they were having communion Peter said we do this to remain one in Jesus. I feel the show sides with Catholic teachings. Yet I do admit I hate how they Focus on Pontis pilot and Caiaphas. Specially how they portrait Caiaphas as a good man who is trying to protect God’s law while in reailty he was jealous and only wanted to protect his position.

In general the show lacks a lot about the faith itself but I guess that how they got NBC to run it. I’m looking forward to Paul’s conversion next Sunday.
 
I, too, wish they would do more preaching and less Roman-province political tug of war.

But in the current environment, what would we expect?

Weak writing seems to be a plague on current TV anyhow.

ITASM, the death of Stephen was an excellent time for some plot development (this being the first death since our LORD and therefore a turning faith point). But nothing was said beyond some screaming around the surprisingly bloodless wrapped body.

The networks need better writers.

ICXC NIKA
 
coachdennis said:
Just because something is religious themed does not mean we have to flock to it like lemmings to the sea. We need to be critical viewers and realize when something is not that good and demand better quality.

Does Manfredi have a part time job doing PR for NBC? 🤷
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well - its true that quality is important. We used to boycott most movies - they are mostly **** and support the community social pressures that are anti-Christian and anti-family by and large … voting with our $$s…

Then we realized that was only speaking to half of the equation … if you want better, Christian and family friendly movies and shows - you need to support those endeavors with your hard earned cash.

It is fundamentally true that producing shows, movies, etc. takes resources - investment - money. Quality does not just happen… one way to get higher quality is to support fledgling enterprise - operating on a shoe string …

If shows like this are not seen as economically viable and profitable enterprises - investors will continue to throw their $$s at the tripe that Hollywood places in your neighborhood theaters and TV screens. If the subject matter is not of interest to a sizable number of people - as evidenced by viewership - you will not get Christian themed shows … Opening weekend for movies is key.

Its economics - pure and simple… Thus - if you withhold your support and hold out for the highest excellence in writers, production and acting … be prepared to either invest millions of your own personal wealth, time and talents in creating this excellent production - or be prepared to wait forever for that reality to happen …

I say support these effort and try to encourage ever greater quality … It is clear that just supporting them will result in ever increasing quality because the “market” for this genre will become more evident … I can see that already happening - though some people are trying to subvert that by secularizing some Christian themed shows …into quasi Christian themes
 
YADA said:
well - its true that quality is important. We used to boycott most movies - they are mostly **** and support the community social pressures that are anti-Christian and anti-family by and large … voting with our $$s…

Then we realized that was only speaking to half of the equation … if you want better, Christian and family friendly movies and shows - you need to support those endeavors with your hard earned cash.

It is fundamentally true that producing shows, movies, etc. takes resources - investment - money. Quality does not just happen… one way to get higher quality is to support fledgling enterprise - operating on a shoe string …

If shows like this are not seen as economically viable and profitable enterprises - investors will continue to throw their $$s at the tripe that Hollywood places in your neighborhood theaters and TV screens. If the subject matter is not of interest to a sizable number of people - as evidenced by viewership - you will not get Christian themed shows … Opening weekend for movies is key.

Its economics - pure and simple… Thus - if you withhold your support and hold out for the highest excellence in writers, production and acting … be prepared to either invest millions of your own personal wealth, time and talents in creating this excellent production - or be prepared to wait forever for that reality to happen …

I say support these effort and try to encourage ever greater quality … It is clear that just supporting them will result in ever increasing quality because the “market” for this genre will become more evident … I can see that already happening - though some people are trying to subvert that by secularizing some Christian themed shows …into quasi Christian themes
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In theory, I agree with you …I have a background in theatre and writing so I know how difficult to develop a fan base and what it means to work on a limited budget and constraints.

But as consumers, we put our money down to support work in movies and theatres and through TV ratings. For spending our hard earned money and our time we should support and demand work that is the highest quality. In every genre of entertainment some things are successful and others are bombs. We can and should encourage Catholic artists and Christian artists, but should not accept their work if it is not the highest quality they can create.
 
coachdennis said:
Just because something is religious themed does not mean we have to flock to it like lemmings to the sea. We need to be critical viewers and realize when something is not that good and demand better quality.

Does Manfredi have a part time job doing PR for NBC? 🤷
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We already do, considring what’s out there AD seem pretty good so far! When did poeple ever stop criticizing and demanding a better quality??? Em… NEVER! Even The Passion of the Christ which I consider a masterpiece was not spared!

If you read my previous post you’d see that I did and do have objections on the AD show but I still think it brings so much more to others.

A lot of poeple criticized the Bible searies, I admit I had my own objections yet I absolutely loved it. It came out just as I was struggling with my faith and though it wasn’t the reason to bring me home, actually I didn’t like watching it then, it still had a huge positive affect on my faith after I returned. I heard other poeple say that the series got them to research the faith and come home.

But what works for me doesn’t have to work for you. You can criticize it but you can’t not admit that it helps in the new evangelization.
 
SuS33 said:
We already do, considring what’s out there AD seem pretty good so far! When did poeple ever stop criticizing and demanding a better quality??? Em… NEVER! Even The Passion of the Christ which I consider a masterpiece was not spared!

If you read my previous post you’d see that I did and do have objections on the AD show but I still think it brings so much more to others.

A lot of poeple criticized the Bible searies, I admit I had my own objections yet I absolutely loved it. It came out just as I was struggling with my faith and though it wasn’t the reason to bring me home, actually I didn’t like watching it then, it still had a huge positive affect on my faith after I returned. I heard other poeple say that the series got them to research the faith and come home.

But what works for me doesn’t have to work for you. You can criticize it but you can’t not admit that it helps in the new evangelization.
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Sincerely, I am glad truly glad that the Bible TV series had such a powerful effect on your spiritual growth.

I will not deny your experience and I will hope you will respect my experience: No one, I repeat, no one that I know in my parish or family has mentioned the series AD once. They talk about other TV shows or current movies, but not this one. A couple of people at work watched the first episode and were not impressed or moved by it – and they were practicing Catholics.

That is the beauty of art and entertainment, some speak to others and and some leave some cold. So if you want to insist that it helps in the new evangelization-- whatever, sure I’ll agree with the right to your opinion. I still don’t like the show nor would I recommend it.

God bless
 
coachdennis said:
Sincerely, I am glad truly glad that the Bible TV series had such a powerful effect on your spiritual growth.

I will not deny your experience and I will hope you will respect my experience: No one, I repeat, no one that I know in my parish or family has mentioned the series AD once. They talk about other TV shows or current movies, but not this one. A couple of people at work watched the first episode and were not impressed or moved by it – and they were practicing Catholics.

That is the beauty of art and entertainment, some speak to others and and some leave some cold. So if you want to insist that it helps in the new evangelization-- whatever, sure I’ll agree with the right to your opinion. I still don’t like the show nor would I recommend it.

God bless
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No, you do not have to like it. That is what I said in my post. Some people will and others wont. It’s a matter of tast. But in general there isn’t anything out there that satisfies everyone. That’s what I’m trying to say too. And yes I do respect your opinion.
 
pcronin said:
Jesus got angry, why not Mary? Anger is not a sin but in certain instances, i.e.violence.
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True, and good point about Jesus’ anger. I just had a hard time wrapping my head around it. But then again, if someone had said to me several years ago that I would become a devout Catholic I would have dismissed them as a few beads shy of a rosary. Now here I am! 🙂
 
I watched the first 2 episodes, but I had to go to my neighbor’s house because my family wanted to watch The Last Man on Earth.
I didn’t want to keep imposing on my neighbor.
Maybe when it comes out on Netflix. I thought it was better than some Christian Bible shows I have seen.
 
I have finally caught up with the episodes, and yes, I agree with the others in this thread about the poetic license used to develop the political turmoil of the time. The thing is, presenting that drama and the shouting between Peter and Saul, kept me in awe over the whole Church thing. I mean, really, there is no way mere men could have convinced all those early christians to have held fast to a conspiracy. The Romans were brutally intense about snuffing out talk of a Kingdom for the Jews. No mercy. It had to be the Spirit which led these people to hold fast. I actually appreciate the brutality and political posturing for that reason.
 
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