DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Final Word on “The Bible” (After Last Night)
LENT DAY 34 of 40, © NaimaLett.com/blog
© The Bible Miniseries, The History Channel
I love the Bible.
I read it daily and preach it weekly.
I’ve dedicated my life to sharing God’s Word, serving Him and pouring into His people.
I love Hollywood.
I live and work here every week.
As a professional actor and producer, I’ve developed beautiful relationships.
The Bible and Hollywood
Because I love the Bible and Hollywood, I get so excited when the two come together.
Apparently, I’m not the only one. In 2004, Mel Gibson spent $30 million to make The Passion of the Christ, and worldwide audiences turned out to the tune of $611 million+. Slam Dunk.
In 2008, despite unfavorable critic reviews of its production value, Christian audiences pushed the $500,000 low-budgeted, faith-based film Fireproof (with its 1200 volunteer cast & crew) to become the highest grossing independent film of the year making over $33 million at the box office and another $28 million in DVD sales. Home Run.
At the beginning of the month, the History Channel started airing its $22 million budgeted, 10-part original miniseries, The Bible, and the first episode became the “highest-rated scripted drama on cable so far this year” with 13.1 million viewers. Touch Down…. I think?
I posted the History Channel Takes Heat on “The Bible” about the creative license in retelling the Biblical stories, and how The Bible jumped from the frying pan into the fire in Bible, Beyoncé and Bates Motel about controversial casting. Today, I post my final word on this series. I’m done.
Final Word
I have desperately wanted to like this series and support the producers, a couple who has been vocal about their Catholic faith. I know how badly Christian filmmakers need the ratings and 13.1 million viewers, and how we all need to stick together and help one another. I even encouraged you to hang in there despite the Biblical discrepancies. But last night was enough.
Taking creative license is one thing. Re-writing the Bible, so that its original message is skewed, is another.
For example, the series portrays Jesus meeting Peter and telling him that the two of them will “change the world” as if it’s all about them. This is totally different from the actual account recorded in Luke 5:1-11 where Peter recognizes that Jesus is Lord and falls at Jesus’ feet in the midst of Peter’s partners, James & John. It’s not all about Jesus and Peter changing the world. Jesus is calling all of His disciples.
Scene after scene of re-writing the Biblical text continues. By the time we get to the Last Supper and the series makes it look like Jesus, with His godly powers, makes Judas go betray Him (completely ignoring the Biblical text that Judas has been a dishonest thief the entire time and decided of his own accord to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver), I’m done. Are we really going to make it seem like Judas is a victim? Like he had no will?
Why?
I keep asking, “Why?” Why re-write the Bible? I acknowledge that I was exhausted last night, having taught and ministered at worship conference for 3 days, gotten home at midnight, then preached Sunday service. Still, I can recognize Biblical error, even through exhaustion. Where’s our fear of God?
We, who teach God’s Word, are held to a greater accountability (James 3:1). We must constantly be on our faces asking God to purify His message before we speak it, portray it, dramatize it, share it. I am praying for my brothers and sisters who thought it not robbery to change so much of God’s Word and portray it as truth.
Lord, please forgive us, help us do right by You and Your Word, and somehow, please redeem this effort and be glorified, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
What’s your take, Fam?
Naima
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Naima,
I was done at the previews. Hollywood has never portrayed Jesus accurately and according to the Biblical description. Many people think this is a color issue but it is a fundamental truth issue. You have to begin with that. Most depictions of Jesus are of a passive teacher. Jesus was a real revolutionary challenging the worldly powers of his time. If we aspire to live like and be more like Jesus we have to embrace that to enjoy the freedom and liberty that living holy truly brings. Enough said for now.
Hi Charlita,
Wonderful to hear from you, Lady.
I think that each culture portrays Jesus in its own image. So, it’s not just a Hollywood misrepresentation. Hollywood has done OK with some films and not OK with others. I’ve seen films where Jesus is European. I’ve seen films where Jesus is African. It’s all over the map.
What disturbs me more than the ethnic portrayal of Jesus is the total disregard for the Biblical text as it is written. This particular series is just making stuff up. And there’s no reason to because everything that is needed is right there in the text.
I appreciate you reading and taking the time to share your thoughts.
I hope you and your beautiful family are well!
Lots of love your way, Naima
Dearest Naima,
I was so excited to read your amazing blog! My hubbie and I were really looking forward to seeing the Bible Series…even after seeing the previews which gave us pause, we decided to give it a try. The costumes, the scenery, the sounds all lent an air of authenticity and was beautifully presented. However, after about twenty minutes into the first episode, we turned it off in disgust. There were so many blatant misrepresentations that we could tell where the rest of the series was going….downhill.
But in all fairness, I applaud the producers’ willingness to tackle such a monumental project that can still have an impact on the world. Believe it or not, all of the controversies are provoking Believers and Non-Believers alike to pull out their dusty, old Bibles and search out the Scriptures for themselves.
And remember to pray for the producers. I understand the temptation as a writer and producer to “embellish” the story a little for dramatic impact. A few members at my church asked me to produce the annual Christmas production last year. I decided that instead of creating the traditional play that I would produce instead a Christmas film. As I began to write, the Holy Spirit kept reminding me of my Pastor’s love for the Word of God. I could hear my Pastor’s voice ringing in my ears saying, “Sometimes, the entertainment element of a production overshadows the Message of Christ; rendering the Biblical account entirely inaccurate for the sake of entertainment. It must be Biblically-based…” So, when I produced my first film last year entitled, “The Betrothal” about the story of the Birth of Christ, I searched out the Scriptures line by line to develop the story. I realized my Pastor was right… I didn’t need to embellish it; everything I needed God already provided; the dialogue in most cases was already there. So was the action, the location and my cast list.
The Bible is God’s plan for redemption of man. It is the greatest story ever told. The most powerful story you will ever repeat. It needs no embellishment. Thank God I had a Pastor who mentored me through the process. Who do Downey/Burnett have? Please pray that God would send them mentors to encourage them, correct and guide them. Great article, Naima!!
Thanks so much Jasmine for your thoughtful response and for sharing your own journey. I really appreciate it.
As I mentioned above, and as you pointed out, I am praying for the producers and creators of content such as what we’re witnessing. And yes, I do pray that the Lord is still able to be glorified in this project, even if it’s simply leading folks to pull out our Bibles and read the Scriptures anew.
What you hear in my post and pure disappointment that this project could’ve been one that replicated what was already in the Scriptures, not just causing us to go to the Bible to see how far off they veered. You know?!
Congratulations on your first feature film. I can’t wait to see the next and the next and the next. Go forth! You’re so creative.
Lots of love and support your way!
Naima
Well I finished watching the BIBLE last nite…keeping in mind what you all said, BUT when I started critiquing and criticizing it my hubby stopped me mid sentence and said: “it is what it is, we know the truth, we have the Bible in front of us, lets just pray the prayer that GOD will intervene where He needs to intervene.”
And you know he is right. All who watched will take away WHAT they want to take away from it. Just like the sermons we hear on Sunday, people will take from the sermons on Sunday and twist them to where it makes them feel good. And if it doesn’t make them feel good then they get critical and get that DNA (does not apply) attitude and they tend to stop clapping, saying AMEN, or fidgeting in their seats with their phones or IPADS til church is over!!
Same as what we were doing during the presidential convention: every time a debate happened (we had 3 right), well each time they criticized how the president didn’t measure up to the standards he set in 2008, and how he DIDN’T keep his campaign promises….But what about the opponent? He couldn’t answer ANY of the questions about HOW he would handle the different issues (jobs,taxes,budget, Afghanistan) than the sitting president, he just said he would do it ‘differently’,he couldn’t even give us a ‘taste’ of what he had in mind…..that is why he lost. They really thought the American public was stupid and would just follow……
So my prayer, our prayer is simple. Naima you said it already: Dear Lord, Forgive us AND help us to do right by you AND Your Word AND Please redeem this EFFORT AND be Glorified!! In Jesus Name AMEN!!
Thanks, Sondra.
Your husband is correct. It is what it is.
But here’s where I differ. It is what it is, and I have a responsibility to say something about it. As a person called to speak God’s Word in the earth, I am highly offended that our family of faith had such little regard for God’s Word that they felt it was acceptable to rewrite the Bible.
I think it’s a tragedy to let dishonesty stand. The producers called this series “The Bible” and they are representing it as such. It is not. I continue to pray for them and us.
It did not have to be this way. It is.
They could’ve chosen to present truth. They didn’t.
We deal with it. But not quietly.
I didn’t watch the last episode. I tried. It made me too angry. It’s very dangerous territory to me when we begin to twist the truth. So, I watched something else and had a wonderful, restful Easter evening after a very beautiful Easter day in which God was glorified. I voted with my viewership and my dollars, and my vote for this is no.
Thanks for your thoughts, always. I appreciate it.