Choosing a Side: The Hollywood Bible or the Holy Bible

I know what some of you were thinking when you saw The Bible mini-series on the History Channel: “Our God…and His Holy Word are being presented to an eager audience (of millions).  What an amazing opportunity to spread the gospel. Surely, eyes will see, ears will hear, and hearts will turn!”   And yet, I see no cause to rejoice.  This series is not the great revival we are all praying for.  It is a ravenous wolf cloaked in wool. 

As millions of eager viewers keep up with the weekly episodes, eyes will see a god void of his holy character, just nature, and majesty… being depicted as arbitrary, absent, and apathetic toward his people.  Ears will hear of a god that has been reduced to a secondary character in a man-centered plot.  And hearts will be turned to men who have been named heroes, stories that have been twisted to neglect reverence and truth, and so far away from Our God…and His Holy Word. This should grieve the heart of Christ’s church.  This should cause us to stand up for the truth of God.  It should lead us to rebuke those who bear false witness against our Lord with cunningly devised fables and CGI graven images, who take up the Lord’s name (and the title “The Bible”) in vain! This shameless heresy should spark the great revival we are all praying for.

But instead, I have read the promotions from AIG, ChristianPost, and Christianitytoday. I have read the blogs, articles, posts, and comments by “fellow Christians” who have acknowledged the series’ tendency toward “minor discrepancies”, “subtle script variations”, and the “omission of truth” within their curiously glowing reviews. I guess they figure all scripture is given by inspiration of God…except when special effects and colorful add-ins make it better. I guess we shouldn’t expect anything more from Hollywood. I guess it mostly sticks to the story, so it’s okay.  I guess the salt has lost it’s savor. So, let’s just pop some popcorn and enjoy the show. What can it hurt?

I can’t help but wonder:

Who will the Lord hold accountable for the lost souls who will never seek the true unadulterated Word of God after being presented with the fictional one?  Who will the Lord hold accountable for the confusion brought upon children and new believers who watched those “minor discrepancies” with eager eyes?  

Is it those - who claimed they were “called” to write, script, and produce the film?  Who acted out fictitious scenes and spoke the words contrary to scripture, without even a fundamental understanding of the character they portrayed? Who were in charge of sound, lighting, and special effects? Who openly promote the series in their church or business?

Or is it you and I- who know better and say nothing? Who have been redeemed by the mercy of God, but are unwilling to get a splinter by going against the grain?  Who have turned a blind eye to the slander of God?  Who just want to watch the live-action bible in HD with the rest of the world…while the devil applauds our cowardice?

We must remember the breadth of this deception. Satan twisted scripture to temp Christ in the desert, and he has used the same tactic to suit the itching ears of this modern age. Be not ignorant of the devil’s devices.  If we don’t stand against him, we stand with him in this evil work.

The bible is not a fictional tale, open to interpretation. It is not an entertaining novel open to creative license. It is the infallible living word of our Almighty Father.  It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. It reveals to us God’s character, God’s power, God’s mercy, and God’s plan for us.  It is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We are to desire it as food, hide it in our hearts, use it as a weapon in warfare, and delight in it. We will, in the end, be judged by it.  Nothing is to be added to or taken from it.  This warning has been blatantly ignored by the creators of The Bible mini-series.  Let us not be so foolish.

The bible was never meant to be entertainment….especially at the expense of truth.

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” – 2 Peter 1:16-21

If you have watched any or all of the mini-series, think carefully on what your eyes have seen and your ears have heard.

Search the scriptures.

Compare notes.

Choose a side.

 

 

Be Not Ignorant, The Bible Mini-series Review

Episode 1: Beginings An Honest Review

 

Letting Go of Easter

We know the world loves holidays.  We also know we, as Christ's followers, are NOT to love what the world loves….so what about Easter?

Well, despite common beliefs, the term Easter does NOT mean “Jesus is risen”, “Resurrection”, or “He lives” (I know, I was surprised too).  Easter is actually a name. .  . of a fertility goddess.  

Easter (also known as Eostre, Ishtar, Astarte, Venus, Aphrodite, or Ashtoreth) was a self-declared sun goddess (in the times of Nimrod- a few generations from Noah) who created an entire pagan religion focused on the ritual worship of fertility. She married her own son, dreamed up a colorful story about being born of the moon by a giant egg dropped in to the Euphrates river, dubbed herself the “Queen of Heaven”, ordained her children to be demi-gods, and started a great majority of the Babylonian religions and pagan holidays (including Christmas) that are still celebrated today.  In honor of the “Queen of Heaven” the spring season was dedicated to the celebration of new life and fertility. This time was marked by ritual practices using symbols such as eggs, birds, and bunnies (now known as Easter) and a time of fasting and mourning for her son Tammuz (now known as Lent).  

The Babylonians, Canaanites, Greeks, and Romans each knew her by a different name and tagged on their own creative additions to her story to suit the politics of their day.  When God’s own chosen people worshipped this pagan deity, they evoked the righteous wrath of their Creator: “ The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger.” –Jeremiah 7:18

When the Roman church hi-jacked the spring season and carefully tied it to Passover, titling Jesus’ resurrection as Easter Sunday, they officially declared Easter a holiday (or holy-day). Through the years (and Hallmark’s clever marketing strategies) the line has been blurred. History has been rewritten. The wrath of God has been forgotten.

But, be not ignorant, brethren:  If a hot cross bun for the queen provoked God to anger then (and He is unchanging and eternal) I think we know how He feels about Ishtar egg hunts on church lawns or pagan baskets full of trinkets from Lifeway stores.

The title “Easter” is irrelevant to Christ’s victorious resurrection. In fact it is outright blasphemy to tie the two together at all.  Easter belongs to the the devil. It always has.

Put the chocolate bunnies away.

Let's celebrate Christ’s victory! (and we don’t have to wait until spring).

 "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." - 2 Corinthians 6:2

For more info on the origin of Easter:

Should Christians Celebrate Easter?

The Truth of Easter

For more info on Christ’s victory:

The Gospel according to John

 

Episode 1: Beginnings - An Honest Review

Did You Watch The History Channel's "The Bible"? Are you wondering if the god portrayed in this mini-series is really the God of the Holy Bible? Well, let's compare notes:

 

This is what you watched on the History Channel:

I’m God. I just made a world. I made some people too. I thought I told them not to eat that fruit. Hmm…they killed each other with a rock. Guess I’ll just drown everybody. But, I’ll save this Scottish guy and his family. Oh no, the boat is leaking…who designed this thing anyway? Hey look, Abraham is on a mountain, I’ll make him a bunch of promises and see if he bites. Oh, good…he conned his nephew in to tagging along. Oops! Guess I should have given them more land. Well, Lot will figure it out. Uh-oh. That Sodom place is getting a little wild. I should send my ninja angels to deceive Lot and kill a bunch of innocent city dwellers. Brimstone. Brimstone. Fire. Explosion. Hmm…Lot’s wife looked back, I think I’ll turn her in to salt. I never liked her anyway. Back to Abraham. He has two sons. I’ll tell him to sacrifice one of them for no good reason at all…but, then I’ll change my mind. Well, I guess that backfired. Now Isaac is mad and running back to Mommy. Well, I’ll just send a famine and abandon everyone for 400 years and see how that works out. Oh, no. Now they are slaves and they forgot about me. Well, I’ll just tell that runaway murderer who doesn’t know anything about me to go set his people free…to clear his conscience. Then he can get revenge on his old nemesis and everyone wins. Go, Moses. Go set your people free. I’ll be with you. Plagues. Plagues. Plagues. Death Angel. Hmm…Pharaoh is finally letting Moses and Moses’ people free. Moses is such a hero! All 100 of Moses’ people are safe and free of bondage...and they took their two camels and a goat. I wonder where they’re going to go now. What? Moses’ people are trapped against the Red Sea and Pharaoh is in pursuit? No biggie. Moses will get them across. He has a stick. Whew. That was a close call with the water and the torches and the chariots and all. Wish I could have helped some. Well, here are some laws. The end.

These are some of the questions you might have after viewing such chaos:

Who is God? How did He create the world? Why did He create us? He cleansed the earth because Cain killed Abel? Who are they? Why did he save this Scottish guy(Noah) and his family? Who is Abraham? Why did God promise him all that stuff? What did Lot have to do with any of it? Why was Sodom so bad? God doesn’t like cities? What happened to Lot’s wife? Do angels really know Judo? Why would he ask Abraham to sacrifice his son and then change his mind? What about the other kid? How did everyone end up in slavery in Egypt? Why was Moses raised by the pharaoh’s daughter? How did Moses know what to do? Where to go? What to say? Why did the death angel kill all the first born? How did Moses part the waters with that stick? What were they supposed to do once they got across the water? What did any of this have to do with God?

Here are the answers:

The god of the Hollywood Bible is NOT the God of the Holy Bible.

(Genesis 1) The God of the Holy Bible is NOT arbitrary, absent, or powerless. He is unchanging. He is everlasting. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last...the Great I AM. He created the Heavens and the earth and everything in, on, and under, and around it with his omnipotent power. There is no limit to his power. It is beyond our human comprehension.

(Genesis 2) He created us to fellowship with him. Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden in sinless perfection, enjoying spiritual fellowship with God.

(Genesis 3) Eve was deceived by the serpent (Satan, who began as God’s most beautiful and powerful cherubim, but was cast out of Heaven for his wicked rebellion) and she and Adam ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Because sin had entered the world, and the wages of sin are death, the spirit of mankind died. That meant the spiritual fellowship they had enjoyed with God was no more. They had transferred their loyalty to “their father, the liar” (the devil) and taken all of mankind with them. God covered their shame with clothes of skin….providing a picture for them that blood (the death of the animal to obtain the skin) was required in payment for sin. The fig leaves (their own works) would not suffice. He was grieved by their sin, and in his perfect holiness, could not condone it, but even so, God is merciful. And as He justly cast them from the garden and revealed the curse they had earned, He also made a promise of redemption: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” This promise was fulfilled in Christ’s victory at the cross.

(Genesis 4) Cain and Abel were the first offspring on earth. They were also the first to be born at enmity with God, conceived in sin, and bearing the curse earned by their parents. Cain acted out his sinful nature with anger, pride, arrogance, and eventually violence. He rejected God’s standard of blood and demanded His approval (we’re a sinful, complacent country who has no reverence for you- but, you better bless us anyway! – sound familiar?). God is unchanging and warned Cain that the bending would have to be on his back, not God’s. Cain rejected God, killed his brother in a jealous rage, and then arrogantly denied responsibility. This was the first manifestation of our new nature in action. It isn’t pretty, is it?

(Genesis 5) Wickedness, selfishness, anger, violence, perversion, deceit, callousness, greed, and envy flourished in the hearts of men through the generations. The Bible tells us of one man, who is called to build a boat (in the desert). Why Noah? The Bible says “Noah had found grace in the eyes of the Lord. He was a just man, was perfect in all his generations, and walked with God.” This is something really amazing…. Here are the meanings of the names given to each man in the lineage from Adam to Noah:

Adam - Man
Seth - Appointed
Enosh – Mortal
Kenan – Sorrow
Mahalalel – The blessed God
Jared – Shall come down
Enoch – Teaching
Methuselah – His death shall bring
Lamech – Despairing
Noah – Comfort and rest

Now, in chronological order: Man appointed mortal sorrow, (but) the blessed God shall come down teaching. His death shall bring despairing comfort and rest. This was fulfilled in Christ’s victory on the cross.

(Genesis 6) Noah lived in a time of corruption and depravity, and yet, he walked with God. He faithfully took 100 years to carefully craft the ark to God’s exact specifications.

(Genesis 7) His wife, his three sons, and their wives were the ONLY people on board the ark when the door was closed. And therefore, the ONLY people to survive the flood.

(Genesis 8) When they unloaded over a year later, God commanded Noah and his son’s to be fruitful and multiply to fill the earth.

(Genesis 9)Ham’s descendants were fruitful in Africa and Asia. Shem’s descendants were fruitful in Persia and Arabia. And Ham’s descendants were fruitful in Europe. And that, my friend…is where you and I came from.

Through the unavoidable sin nature of Noah’s descendants, the world was once again filled with wickedness and rebellion. The people had created new gods to worship and it was time for God to act on his promise. (Ps. Time is a physical property and God is a spiritual being. So, God is not governed by time, but outside of it….so, our perception of time is ours only. God is eternal and everlasting).

(Genesis 12) The Lord called a man named Abram (9 generations from Shem) and commanded him to “get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee.” He was promised that he would be made in to a great nation. Abram was the first patriarch of this great nation…God’s chosen people (Israel).

(Genesis 13) Abram was a wealthy man. His flocks of cattle were numerous. And he had many workers, herdsman, and trained servants to manage and protect his possessions. God blessed his nephew Lot with abundance as well. When they dwelt together, the herdsman quarreled over grazing territories. Abram was a wise diplomat and a selfless patriarch. He approached Lot with this altruistic offer,“ Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.” Lot lifted his eyes to survey the land, chose the more lush abundant land (the eastern cities of the plain), and foolishly pitched his tent toward Sodom. After Lot’s departure, God told Abram to lift his eyes and survey the land. Then He promised him everything his eyes could see…to him and to his seed after him (keep in mind, Abraham didn’t have any children yet).

(Genesis 14) When war broke out and Lot was captured, Abram took his 300 trained servants and slaughtered the enemy and rescued his nephew. Lot returned to Sodom…only this time he resided within the city and sat at the city wall (playing with fire).

(Genesis 15) Since Abraham obeyed God’s command to leave his country and kindred, he then asks God about His promise to bless his seed (considering he was 75 years old and had no heir). God confirms his promise and cuts a covenant with Abraham, and with his seed (God’s chosen people). But, instead of a gentleman’s handshake like you would expect, Abraham slept through it (God put Abraham in a deep sleep). God performed both halves of the agreement. Which means this covenant was a one-sided, unconditional, guaranteed promise from God. Abraham (or his descendants – Israel) couldn’t break the covenant if they tried. This was a picture of our salvation. A one-sided redemption that was paid for in full by Christ’s victory on the cross.

(Genesis 16) Abram’s wife Sarai was beautiful. So beautiful, in fact, that Abram asked her to lie about her relation to him, so dignitaries would not kill him and take her for their own bride. Sin nature. But, despite her outward beauty, she was a perpetual skeptic. She doubted God’s promise of decedents to Abram and convinced him to create a legal heir (through the cultural law of the time) through her handmaiden (which backfired when God followed through on His promise). Years later, Abram reverently welcomed a pre-incarnate Christ (Jesus is God….God is everlasting. I know it’s hard to wrap our minds around, but Jesus was Jesus before the manger) and two angels to his camp. He asked Sarai to prepare a meal for them to display respect and hospitality. During their visit, the Lord promised Sarai a son. (ever the skeptic) She laughed in disbelief and is confronted for her doubt. God makes his promise clear(and then delivers on it the next year).

(Genesis 18) As the two lesser visitors depart, the Lord remains with Abram (who recieves the title “friend of God”). The Lord reveals to Abram the fate of the cities of the plain (5 in total). He declares the sins of these cities to be very grievous and severely offensive to God. Abram knew God had the divine right to destroy evil, and yet, concerned for his nephew Lot, he petitioned for mercy. He asked that the righteous not be destroyed with the wicked. The Lord was willing to spare the cities for the sake of a few righteous people, but He knew there were not even 10 righteous among them(out of 5 cities!). For Abram’s sake, God sent his angels to save Lot and his family from the impending destruction.

(Genesis 19) When the angels reach Sodom they are greeted by Lot himself, who rose up from his post at the city gate and greeted the visitors. When they state their intention to stay that evening in the streets, Lot beckons them home with him and treats them to a meal with his family. Before bedtime the citizens of Sodom attack Lot’s home and demand access to his visitors, making violent and perverse threats against the men (displaying the sinful culture within these wicked cities). The angels respond by blinding the attackers and revealing the fate of the city to Lot. He is told to hastily fetch any brethren he has. But, when Lot tells his sons-in-laws (legally betrothed to his daughters) that God intends to destroy the city, they reject his warning with apathy. The next morning Lot, his wife, and their two daughters hesitate and linger in the city (unwilling to exchange the familiar corruption for the unknown).  They are eventually physically taken by the hand and ushered out by the angels (and the mercy of God).  Lot's wife turns back in nostalgia and longing for what she is losing.  She is turned to salt.  Once Lot and his daughters are out of the city, the angel warns Lot to remove himself completely from the plain and escape to the mountains. Lot instead asks for refuge in Zoar, describing it as “just a little city” and asks God to overlook it in His wrath. Although Zoar was scheduled for destruction, (it’s citizens as depraved as the 4 others) it is spared for Lot’s sake.  Lot ultimately determines that he “fears to dwell in Zoar” and carries on to the mountains where the results of raising his family in a morally depraved culture become evident. The wicked decisions of his daughters result in the birth of the Moabites and Ammonites (future enemies of Israel).

(Genesis 21) A year later, Abram was miraculously given his promised seed through Sarai (his almost 100 year old supposedly barren wife) and they had a son named Isaac (which means laughter-a clever play on the skepticism they showed). God also changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah (the definition of these new names define the promises of God in advance).

(Genesis 22) When Isaac was grown (somewhere between 25-30) God tells Abraham to take Isaac, his only son, whom he loves (the first time the word Love comes up in the Bible) to Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice. Knowing that God had promised many nations through Isaac, he faithfully obeys, figuring God would work the details out (and He does). So, with two of his servants, Abraham and Isaac embark on a 3 day journey to the hills of Moriah. At the base of the mountain, Abraham tells his two servants to wait there, so he and Isaac can go up to worship God and promises they will (both) return to them afterward. This statement declares Abraham’s faith in God to preserve Isaac against all logic (God had promised Abraham a great nation through his son Isaac…and God always delivers on his promises). On the trek up, Isaac asks about the absence of the sacrifice. Abraham reassures him by saying, “The Lord will provide himself a lamb.” And sure enough, before Abraham takes his son’s life, God stops him and provides a replacement sacrifice in the form of a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham named that site “Jehovah Jireh”, which means “the Lord who provides.” Abraham obeyed in faith. This event was a foreshadowing of another Father who offered his Only Son, Whom He Loved to be sacrificed on that same mountain range two thousand years later. It was a picture of what was to be fulfilled in Christ’s victory on the cross.

(Genesis 23-50) God blessed Abraham’s son Isaac and uses him to reveal a picture of Christ as the bridegroom and the church as His bride. God blesses Isaac’s son Jacob (who’s name is changed to “Israel”) and uses him to reveal a picture of sanctification and the struggle of the flesh. God blesses Jacob’s son Joseph and uses him to reveal a picture of Christ…falsely accused, and yet glorified and in a position of judgment…and ultimately mercy. God blesses Joseph’s sons Manasseh and Ephraim and uses them to reveal a picture of adoption through salvation and a Christian’s position as a legal heir beside Christ.

Joseph uses his clout with the Pharaoh to move his father’s (Jacob) entire family (about 75 people) in to Egypt to endure a famine. The reigning Pharaoh allows them to move in to the land of Goshen and live peaceably. God blesses the little family unit and they multiply and flourish…and become a great nation (sound familiar?). On Joseph’s death bed he prophecies that God will bring them out of that land and lead them to the land promised to Abraham. He also commands that when they go, they are to take his body with them to bury it in the “promised land”.

(Exodus 1) The Israelites did not know it would be 400 years before they would journey out of Egypt (although that prophecy was in the original covenant with Abraham), but when a new Pharaoh assumes the throne, “who knew not Joseph”, he becomes intimidated by the their growing numbers and fears a revolt, so the Israelites are made slaves to the Egyptians and are used for the construction of their pagan towers, tombs, and structures. When that doesn’t slow them down, the Pharaoh orders the killing of Israelite baby boys.

(Exodus 2) A woman named Jachobed hides her baby away in the reeds of the Nile river. When he is discovered by the Pharaoh’s daughter, she keeps him and raises him as her own, naming him Moses (which means “drawn out” –of the water). Through the courageous acts of Moses’ sister Miriam, Jachobed is allowed to nurse him and teach him about God before he is weaned and sent back to grow up under the Pharaoh. When Moses is 40 years old, he acts in rage at the injustices he sees between the Egyptians and Israelites. He kills a slave master, hides the body, and runs away in fear. He lives in the desert for 40 years, where he marries, has children, and works as a shepherd for his father-in-law.

(Exodus 3) One day while tending to his father-in-law’s sheep at Mt. Horeb, he sees a bush that is on fire, but is not consumed (a picture of mercy). When he goes in to take a closer look, the Lord calls his name. Moses sheepishly answers, “Here I am.” God commands that he remove his shoes for he is standing on Holy ground, announcing himself as the God of “your father, and of Abraham and Isaac”. Moses puts his face to the ground in reverence and fear. God tells him that he has heard the cries of His people in Egypt and he is going to send Moses back to lead them out of bondage. Moses claims he is unworthy, incapable, and even ineloquent.

(Exodus 4) God becomes angry with Moses and outlines what is to take place. He tells Moses that his brother Aaron will accompany him to act as spokesman, he equips him with wonders to reveal, and warns him that the Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened and will not let God’s people go except by a mighty hand. God tells Moses to do as he is told and God will worry about the mighty hand. So, Moses returns to Egypt and stands before the Pharaoh with his brother Aaron, demanding the release of God’s people so they may go in to the desert and worship Him.

(Exodus 5-10) When the Pharaoh refuses, God brings plagues upon the people of Egypt. Each plague representing an idol (of false god) of their culture (a painful irony for the Egyptians). The Pharaoh shows temporary remorse after each plague, but never true repentance. After the 9^th plague, God tells Moses to prepare for Passover.

(Exodus 12) He reveals the last plague which is to be the death of the first born (both animals and people). He gives specific instructions to the Israelites: Choose a lamb without spot or blemish (one for each household) on the 10^thday of the first month and slaughtered it three days later. The blood was to be drained in a basin and splattered on the door posts and lintels. The meat was to be roasted by fire and eaten the evening of the 14^th. The people were to have their shoes on, their bags packed, and eat with haste, burning any meat that was not consumed. This was to be known as Passover and was commanded to be commemorated “forever”. The Israelites that obeyed these commands (and any Egyptian visitors that were in the homes covered in the blood) were spared as God “passed over” their homes in judgment. The blood on the door represents the blood of Christ that covers a sinner from due judgment. This was a picture of Christ’s victory on the cross.

(Exodus 14) That night, when the Pharaoh’s first born son is found dead (along with the first born of every Egyptian family and animal), Moses is summoned (the same night) and told to take the Israelites out of Egypt to go serve the Lord. Since everyone was ready to go (all 2-3 million of them…along with their thousands of cattle, abundant herds, belongings, a mixed multitude that tagged along, and the treasures of Egypt as restitution -promised to them by God), they began their exodus (which means “going out”).

God’s presence (His Glory) acted as a shadow of protection (a pillar of cloud by day) and a guiding light (a pillar of fire by night) as He lead them out of Egypt and through the desert. When Pharaoh’s heart hardened (as foretold by God at the burning bush) he rallied 600 chariots and pursued the Israelites through the desert. God lead His people to a geographical dead end (not to create doubt and panic, but to gain glory through miraculous redemption). As the Pharaoh’s army caught up to them at the edge of the Red Sea, God (the pillar of fire) moved between Pharaoh’s army and His people and remained there for a night. During which time, He sent a supernatural wind to divide the waters of the Red Sea, making a dry path for the Israelites to cross on. When they reached the other side, God (the pillar of fire) moved out of the way and the Egyptians pursued them between the walls of water. Once the majority of the army was within the path, God caused the chariot wheels to fall off and commands Moses to stretch his hand out over the sea again. When Moses obeys, the waters collapse on Pharaoh’s army and “there remained not so much as one” that had entered the water. Those who survived, returned in shame (and a proper fear of God) to tell the tale (and people are still trembling 40 years later when Moses’ successor sends spies in to the land of Jericho). When the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the shore of the Red Sea, the Israelites broke out in to praises to God through songs lead by Miriam and Moses.

(Exodus 15-Numbers 19) The Lord lead His people in to the wilderness and they quickly lost faith. Murmuring began against Moses about the lack of food and water. God commanded Moses to strike a rock with his staff and enough fresh water poured forth for the millions of thirsty travelers and their animals. This is a picture of a sacrifice…the striking…or death of an animal to bring forth living water (blood for cleansing from sin). After much more murmuring and 40 years in the desert offering ritual sacrifice for their sins, Moses becomes frustrated and impatient with the Israelites and their perpetual unbelief. When the people once again require water, God brings them back to the rock. This time God commands Moses only to speak to the rock. The depiction Moses was supposed to reveal through his obedience was a picture prophecy of our redeemer, “the rock” (Jesus) and our access (through faith, not works) to forgiveness. Christ was struck (crucified)once and now all have access to the living water made available through Christ’s victory at the cross.

(Numbers 20) But instead, Moses struck the rock with his staff- in a rage (sin nature).  God considered this sin so treacherous that He forbade Moses from entering the promised land (after 80 years of leadership). Wondering what Moses did that was so bad?

The same thing the Roma Downey and Mark Burnett did when they presented a series called “The Bible”, but edited out the True, Glorious, Powerful, Living Word of God.

God declared that “the rock”(Jesus) would bring forth water through communion (and Christ's sacrifice). Moses brought forth water by force (and his own works of the flesh). When Moses misrepresented God to the people of Israel, he was guilty of slander.

His disobedience was an assault on the character of God......And so is the mini-series presented on the History Channel.

The god portrayed in this fictional mini-series is NOT the GOD of the HOLY BIBLE.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

For more about the heresy of The Bible Mini-series: Beloved, Be Not Ignorant

 

For a brief, but very thorough study: The Bible in 24 Hours

For a stiring sermon on the infallibility of God's Holy Word: Why I Choose to Believe the Bible

 

 

Beloved, Be Not Ignorant: The Bible Miniseries Review

 

 

This series is epic….it’s colorful, riveting, fast-paced, full of sex, violence, adventure, and LOTS of CGI….but, something is missing from the story….something big…something fundamental…. Still scratching your head?

It’s God.  I don’t mean the word “god”…that’s in there.  Or the idea of “a god”…that’s in there too.  I mean  THE One True God: Jehovah, Yahweh, Our Creator, The Great I Am...omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent author of the THE BIBLE.

I just watched the first episode of the deceptively titled “The Bible” miniseries.  In the introduction, I found this disclaimer: “This program is an adaptation of Bible stories. It endeavors to stay true to the spirit of the book”.  When I read that, I thought:  That is quite an endeavor considering the “spirit of the book” is God’s very character. His nature is revealed to us through His living word.  So, any failed endeavor twists the perception of who God is and instead reveals a totally different (false) god....bearing false witness to His character.   This is especially dangerous for viewers who passively accept the god presented, having no other reference point for comparison.   We must not forget that the devil prowls like a hungry lion seeking whom he may devour.  Ignorance leaves them vulnerable.  And so does our silence.

I watched this series with a very discerning eye, hoping to find a few points of error to reprove.   What unfolded in the first few minutes of the Scotsman’s (Noah) narrative was very revealing.

“The Bible” - miniseries:  Genesis 1-9
God made light, moon, stars, plants, animals… God made “us” (apparently it rained that day, because Adam was made from mud, rather than the dust of the earth). Adam and Eve ate the fruit (while Darth Sidious watched in the garden). Cain killed Abel. God saw too much evil in the human hearts, so he cleansed the earth. But, first he warned Noah and told him to build a boat (which he apparently built by himself, because the other family members on the little cruise were young children and his sheepish wife).  When Noah felt the waves stop rocking, he climbed up to the deck of the boat to check things out. There was a rainbow in the sky….and on we go to Abraham.

Overall, a little shallow. No mention of the consequences of sin on mankind (curse, separation, and death),  Satan’s deception, Cain’s arrogance, the perfection of Noah’s generations,  or the fallen state of man (meaning us).  Where was God?  But, overall…no worse than most children’s Bible Stories (unfortunately).

But, as the miniseries moves to Genesis, chapter 12 (The call of Abraham), something very grave begins to surface.   The plot is no longer a diluted version of the truth, but something else all together.   I was bewildered by the initial discrepancies: Why are they already named Abraham and Sarah (who look like they’re in their late 40’s)? Why does Lot’s wife have so much say in the decision making process?   I started to realize how serious the trailer was when it boasted “The story everyone knows…told like never before…”   Lot under his wife’s thumb, rebelling against Abram? Abram begging Lot to stay close to his camp so they can “stick together”? Abram depressed because of his nephew’s abandonment?  Abram using guilt to coerce Lot back to his camp? Sarai’s indignant refusal to help Lot because he chose his own way? Lot’s wife’s beckoning to Sodom because “the future is in the city”? Jesus “testing” the citizens of Sodom through deception to determine its fate?  No mention of homosexuality? Not even with the citizens at Lot's door? A ninja angel killing spree?  A narrow escape from the perils of CGI brimstone? No refuge in the city of Zoar? Abram’s witnessing the destruction of Sodom?  Isaac trotting off with Dad for his sacrifice at age 11? Sarah running after Abraham to save Isaac? Abraham asking his son for forgiveness?  Jesus on a mountain top in a little red riding hood cloak? This was CERTAINLY a story that had NEVER been told before…because IT’S NOT IN THE BIBLE!!

These “script variations” are not subtle, harmless, or accidental.  The makers (and editors, consultants, producers, set directors, actors…) of this series have taken on the stewardship of God’s Holy Word and have foolishly presented us with a work of fiction.   All that time, talent, and money and they have created nothing more than a $22 million dollar wolf in sheep’s clothes.  Changing the Word of God to deny Adam’s accountability, Abraham’s dignity, Moses’ heritage, and God’s sovereignty, and then presenting it to the world as entertainment is a wicked work of the devil.  We cannot ignore this, chalk it up to Hollywood, or just “glean from the truthful parts”.  Not only are we not to have any fellowship with these unfruitful works of darkness, we are to reprove them.  That is, expose them! Question them. Demand an account for them:

So...........

“Why is there a lamb next to a tree (instead of a ram caught in the thicket by its horns)?

Why is Abraham depicted as emotional and weak (rather than a wise, wealthy patriarch)?
Why are Sarah and Abraham dressed in rags (rather than depicting the wealth and beauty they were known for)?

Why do the three visitors look like druids (and what happened to the three measures of meal)?

Why does Abraham ask the visitors if they travelled far (what’s a couple of angels like you doing in a place like this)?

Why wasn’t Lot at the city gate (or greeting the angels with a bow, or sharing a meal with them in his home)?

Why was Abraham angry and impatient with God when he was asked to sacrifice Isaac (rather than understanding the symbolism and trusting God by telling the men that he AND HIS SON will return after worshipping)?
How did 100+ year old Sarah catch up to her husband and son (a three day journey) by sprinting up a mountain side (which never actually happened, by the way)?

Why did Isaac reject his father's extended hand and instead run down to the safety of his mother's arms (who wasn't actually there in the true account)?

 

What happened to Isaac?
 And Jacob?
And Joseph?
Why doesn’t Moses know his heritage or remember his nursemaid (his mother) or siblings?

Why is their a rivalry between Moses and the Pharaoh’s heir (which is not mentioned in scripture)?
Why did the victim bury the body of the Egyptian (rather than Moses)?

Why was Moses pitching a tent in the dark (rather than tending to Jethro’s sheep on the backside of the desert near Mt. Horeb)?

Why didn’t God command Moses to take his shoes off when he stood on Holy ground?
Why did Moses ask God if he was real?
Why didn’t Moses show any hesitation about returning to Egypt?
Why didn’t God mention Aaron?
Why didn’t the people accept or believe him when he returned and called him “demented?”

Why did Moses demand that Pharaoh let Moses’ people go (rather than “Thus saith the Lord…”)?

Why is this whole interaction focused on the vengeful competitive temperaments of Moses and the Pharaoh (rather than God redeeming His people)?

Why does Moses go to see Pharaoh without Aaron (his appointed speaker)?

Why do they slit the throat of a lamb and allow the blood to spill out on to the street as people run up with wooden bowls to catch their share? (What about the basin? What about each household selecting a lamb and preparing it for meat)?

Why don’t the Israelites participate in the Passover meal?
Why do they act fearful and unprepared as the death angel passes through (rather than faithful and obedient)?
Why doesn’t Pharaoh summon Moses and Aaron until the next morning? Why do they hail Moses the hero (rather than giving glory to God)?

Why were they unprepared to travel (instead of having their shoes on and the bags packed)?
Why were their only about 100 of them (instead of 2-3 million)?

Where is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night? (WHERE IS GOD)?

Why does Moses smash his rod into the sea forming an instantaneous path (rather than allowing God to divide the waters by an eastern wind blowing all night long)?

Why was the Egyptian army charging a few paces behind Moses with no intervention from God (like making the chariot’s wheels fall off or a pillar of cloud)?

Why was there seemingly NO attempt to present biblical accuracy in a series entitled “The Bible”?

Why have 13 million viewers tuned in to a captivating fictional depiction of a story that was NEVER meant to be entertainment?

Christians, If you watched this and enjoyed it…If you did not find fault, error, or offense in the heresy showcased…if you can accept a 2^nd hand, lukewarm, or false version of God along with the world….you are in a dangerous place.  Don’t be fooled. READ YOUR BIBLE. FIND THE TRUTH. Reprove these unfruitful works of darkness.  

Read my review for answers about Episode 1: Beginings

Creation – Genesis 1    The Fall– Genesis 3   Cain& Abel – Genesis 1:4   God spares Noah– Genesis 6

For a brief, but very thorough study:  The Bible in 24 Hours

For a stiring sermon on the infallibility of God's Holy Word: Why I Choose to Believe the Bible