History Channel Bible series

[Borealis]

My wife and I greatly enjoyed the series. We’ve got it DVRed, and we’ll be watching it again soon. We may even buy the DVDs. I would love to see a more complete adaptation of the salvation narrative, but all in all it was well done. The most disappointing things to me were the exclusions, even though I knew it was necessary. Joseph, most of Judges, Elijah (I so wanted to see him), and Jonah, were sorely missed. The opening narration by Noah of the creation was excellent. I was also disappointed that Abraham, Peter and Paul all started out with their new names, instead of having them changed during the story.

Still, for what it did portray, I had no objections to it. They even included Peter’s declaration of Jesus’ divinity (Matt 16). Sweet!

 

[GEddie]

The problem is, for every 15 misrepresentations of the bible, there is one that although off, very strongly presents the Jesus of our faith. For instance, the calling of Matthew was very well done as an adaptation of the bible for the screen. Also I liked the pharisee who seemed to be following Jesus around making known their view very precisely. Was that Paul?

peace
steve

I think it was him, yes.

ICXC NIKA

 

[rotlex]

I was really looking forward to this series, and was hoping it would be something to watch maybe once a year, with the family, say as we do Jesus of Nazareth and The 10 Commandments. What the “History” channel gave us, in my opinion at least, is a bad action flick that skips major stories, focuses almost solely on glorified violence, and isn’t acted all that well. I was really hoping for something my kids could safely watch along with my wife and I.

 

[PaulVF]

I believe that some of us here are criticising the series because it does not hold to a strict view of Catholicism. However it was never meant to do so! I would rather have someone who knows nothing of Christianity watch the series and gain some insights on the basics of our beliefs without forcing any particular viewpoint or denomination upon them. Then allow the Holy Spirit to show them the path that they should follow.

 

[bazer]

I agree it is a starting point…that is great…The Holy Spirit will work if welcomed. To glaze over Jesus’s command to eat his flesh and drink his blood, a core Catholic and the original church’s position…by Catholic producers is my criticism.

 

[Bookcat]

While there were some well done scenes from a production point of view…and some great sets and costumes --and some moving scenes — but yes there are various “changes” in what actually happened in the Bible (something that rather annoys my wife and I to say the least…)

I know they say it is “based” on the Bible —so I can understand a certain “artistic liberty” --but I wanted to less “changes” in what actually was portrayed). So not a series I am planning to “recommend” personally. Over emphasis on violence …more could be said but I will leave it there…

(I have yet to see the last one --but I imagine it will be more changes alas…some of lesser weight and some of greater…we are not eager to finish…)

 

[crazzeto]

Has anyone looked into this series? I am not a fan of the History Channel, but my question is due to conflicting information. I highly respect Father Serpa’s (name removed by moderator)ut and he outright stated that due to the History Channel affiliation that he would not watch and would rather recommend the Catholicism series by Father Barron. However, on our local Catholic Radio station, the hosts looked into the series and stated that they believe the creators, Roma Downey and Mark Burnett (forgive the spelling if incorrect) are Catholics and that Mrs. Downey’s older brother is a Catholic Priest and they recommended the series.

Any thoughts on it’s faithfulness to Catholic teaching before I decide if it is worth watching?

I’m not 100% sure on the faith affiliation of the creators, I thought at one point I heard mixed on Catholic one something else. But I can’t stand by that, it’s just something I ‘heard’.

I can however comment on the quality of the series, and I can say it is very high generally speaking. One must be willing to accept they’re essentially trying to ‘tell the story of the bible’ (salvation history) over 10 hours on a made for TV miniseries. Stuff gets skipped, and you can expect biblically inaccuracies wordings and presentation from time to time.

The idea here is to tell the story, in a way appealing to the modern audience. I think on this note, the producers achieved a massive hit. Nothing in it offends faith and morals. Stylistic considerations:

1. The OT is generally well done and has a feel like they tried to preserve the period by and large. This isn’t as true of the NT where to me the feel was more gladiator than say, passion of the Christ. In fact a few times I suspected they really wanted to cast Russel Crow as St. Peter. For me it came off as slightly silly, but I understand it.
2. Seriously, satan doesn’t look like Obama.
3. I was not as satisfied with the episode that delt with the nativity and much of Christ’s early ministry. Much had to do with style, but the one big stand out is cutting the voice of God at the baptism of Christ. Basically he’s dunked, next thing you know your in the desert ready for the temptations. I think there’s more theology there that should have been included (even briefly).
4. I respect all priests greatly, but in this case I have an opposing view about the history channel (though I agree it’s garbage generally speaking). I think it’s coup to have something like this on there. I think this will help the evangalization purpose of the series.

 

[Denimguy]

Catholic producers

As I have stated in a previous thread, Roma was raised Catholic and that was all she claimed in the interview with Catholic Answers. She likely does not practice the faith as she was married 2 times previous to this marriage and she and Mark were married by her former co-star on Touched by an Angel, Della Reese. Not trying to fall into detraction but these facts likely do have some bearing on the series being what it is.
That being said I belive that the series is a good starting point to generate questions regarding Christianity as does my Baptist co-worker. Unfortunately, to those who have read and studied the Bible it may seem kind of thin.

 

[Gorgias]

I belive that the series is a good starting point to generate questions regarding Christianity as does my Baptist co-worker. Unfortunately, to those who have read and studied the Bible it may seem kind of thin.

Yep… by the time I got to the end of the series, this was the conclusion I’d reached, too. I have to admit, though – the final episode seemed quite ‘Catholic’, as it were, what with the references to stations of the cross! Also, the “Mother, behold your son” was a nice touch – not an exact quote, but it helps counter the accusations that we Catholics sometimes get (namely, that Jesus himself didn’t even respect Mary as much as we Catholics do, calling her ‘woman’ all the time… )!

 

[crazzeto]

As I have stated in a previous thread, Roma was raised Catholic and that was all she claimed in the interview with Catholic Answers. She likely does not practice the faith as she was married 2 times previous to this marriage and she and Mark were married by her former co-star on Touched by an Angel, Della Reese. Not trying to fall into detraction but these facts likely do have some bearing on the series being what it is.
That being said I belive that the series is a good starting point to generate questions regarding Christianity as does my Baptist co-worker. Unfortunately, to those who have read and studied the Bible it may seem kind of thin.

Its supposed to be thin, you hit the nail on the head I think with regards to it being designed to raise questions. And if indeed that is the case, then the series is first and foremost an evangilization tool. In this sense it would almost be better to think of it as an invitation to the culture at large to question its assumptions about what Christianity is and who Christ was.

In this context, thin is exactly what you want.

 

[Arebella]

Compared to the majority of the immoral **** that is available on TV these days, I thought it was very well done and quite refreshing.

 

[Consigliere]

I thought this raised an interesting question.

It would appear that Jesus was buried and wrapped in linen. The Bible series (as well as what I would presume to just be a proper cleaning) would indicate Jesus may have been wiped down and cleaned before being wrapped in linen.

Wouldn’t this negate any Shroud of Turin evidence of blood or at least what is presented to us as potentially being the burial linens of Christ?

 

[bazer]

They would have been in a rush to get him buried, with all the acquiring of his body before Pilot and moving him they would be rushing to finish by sunset and the Sabbath. he likely was still very bloody. My opinion of course, but it makes sense.

 

[crazzeto]

I thought this raised an interesting question.

It would appear that Jesus was buried and wrapped in linen. The Bible series (as well as what I would presume to just be a proper cleaning) would indicate Jesus may have been wiped down and cleaned before being wrapped in linen.

Wouldn’t this negate any Shroud of Turin evidence of blood or at least what is presented to us as potentially being the burial linens of Christ?

I don’t believe so, personally.

 

[Borealis]

I did like that the Eucharistic meal was portrayed during the Acts, where Paul breaks up a mass conducted by Ananias, the same one who would baptize him later on.

 

[crazzeto]

I did like that the Eucharistic meal was portrayed during the Acts, where Paul breaks up a mass conducted by Ananias, the same one who would baptize him later on.

I don’t remember that, are you referring to when he meets St. Luke Later on? Or did I miss something? Incidently I though Paul could have been played more strongly, but thats just me.