DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
History Channel Takes Heat on “The Bible”
LENT DAY 17 of 40, © NaimaLett.com/blog
© History Channel, The Bible miniseries
Did you watch The Bible miniseries last night?
The History Channel aired the first 2 hours of its 10-hour series of selected stories from Genesis through Revelation produced by husband and wife – Mark Barnett (Producer of Survivor, Celebrity Apprentice, Shark Tank and The Voice) and Roma Downey (Star of Touched by an Angel, and portrays Mary, the mother of Jesus). The couple decided to produce the series 4 years ago and spent almost 6 months of 2012 filming it in Morocco.
My apologies, Fam. I haven’t seen it yet, as Kevin and I spent time with friends last night. But I recorded it and look forward to seeing what all the controversy is about.
Folks are Hot
My survey of reviews this morning yielded the following consensus: Folks are hot! Which is a little confusing because the cinematic footage looks great… not the old-fashioned Wisemen-in-bathrobes Christian drama variety. The History Channel spent millions.
But money isn’t the issue this time. It’s the content. It’s rubbing people the wrong way – from the journalist/children’s book author/mommy who is disappointed that the content seems too graphic to share with her four kids to The Hollywood Reporter critic who asks, “Who is this for?”
THR summarizes, “The Bible (series) never seems to figure out how to present itself… Sometimes it stays true to scripture, but then does things like adds angels with ninja skills to spice things up. That’s one thing the Bible itself really doesn’t need — it’s a complex and lyrical work full of prophesies and call-backs and a sense of being one, organic, intertwined story. Unfortunately, The Bible (series) is fractious and overwrought. Others are sure to pick apart the deviations from the sacred text… In the end, this is the most well-known and popular book in the history of humanity for a reason — it’s exciting and interesting and full of hope. The Bible (series) is unfortunately none of these.”
Ouch, right?! Something tells me it’s probably not “that” bad, but I’ll have to catch up next Sunday and get back to you.
Don’t Mess With the Bible
I think what the History Channel is learning is that folks don’t want you messing with their Bible. Most dissenters seem to complain that the creators take unnecessary artistic licenses with the Biblical stories. One review noted that at least the series was upfront with its intentions and “begins with this get-out-of-jail-free disclaimer: ‘This program is an adaptation of Bible stories that changed our world. It endeavors to stay true to the spirit of the book.'”
In a recent interview, Mark and Roma explain that they assembled a team of faith leaders, scholars and theologians to help them portray the series “in the true spirit that the sacred text was written”. They assert, “We’ve told the stories of the Bible in a way to grab the viewers’ attention and draw them in wanting to know more about the Bible.”
I guess my question is, Can we tell the stories in a way to grab our audience’s attention AND stay true to the Biblical text?
To Add or Not to Add
Look I get it. I’ve had the awesome privilege of traveling the world creating and performing one-woman plays about biblical women for over a decade. When writing monologues for Eve, Jezebel, Leah & Rachel, Tamar (David’s daughter) & Tamar (Judah’s daughter-in-law), Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, Esther, Hannah, Sarah, the Woman at the Well, Mary & Martha, Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of Jesus (to name a few), I have often had to creatively fill in gaps while doing my best to stay true to the Biblical text.
Some might accuse me of ‘adding’ to the story, though I have been more than willing to explain (on numerous occasions) how I’ve done the work of a theologian to exegete the text and portray an interpretation that squares with solid, Biblical doctrine. Even before I was ever called a preacher, I took seriously my role as a communicator of God’s Word through drama and studied the text with the same intent of a preacher called to unpack God’s Word.
That being said, what I’ve done my best to avoid is changing dialogue or words that are given verbatim in the Biblical text. If a conversation is written i.e. Mary and Gabriel, why then try to make it up? If a conversation is not written i.e. Leah & Rachel, I’d ask, “What could this have sounded like” based on the facts that are given in the text? Does that make sense?
I think folks are angry at some of The Bible series that outright changes dialogue and events that are crystal clear in the Bible. I saw the trailer for Jesus walking on the water and was surprised that in the film, Jesus calls for Peter instead of Peter asking Jesus, and all of Peter’s language is omitted including “Lord, save me.” That story and dialogue is crystal clear in Matthew 14. I don’t know why the writers felt the need to change it. I get why folks are hot!
I Still Think We Should Watch
Fam, I still think we ought to watch the series. Here’s why:
1) So that we can be a part of the conversation. There have been commercials and big billboards advertising The Bible around the LaLa for over a month. Not just Christians are tuning in. I like being part of the discussion, which means I’ll be watching the episodes.
2) We are called to examine the Scriptures and know the Truth. Acts 17:10-12 recounts when Paul and Silas go to the synagogues in Berea, and the Berean Jews are called noble because “they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.”
The Bereans examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. We can learn from them. No way do we sit passively on the sidelines waiting for producers to tell us what is true. We examine the Scriptures to see if what the film portrays is true. And if it’s not, we know where it deviates and where it is faithful. Feel me? But I do the same thing with all ‘historical’ films, many of which deviate from some of the actual events.
Have you watched it yet?
What do you think?
Naima
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I watched the movie last night and I can understand why people were upset. There were times when it was definitely “cheesy,” like when the Angels were fighting in Sodom. I was upset that they omitted a lot important text and dialogue. To be honest, I actually got a little bored and turned it off with about thirty minutes remaining.
As a student of the bible, you realize that almost every single word has a meaning, so yes, if there is a scene of Abraham getting ready to sacrifice Isaac and the part where Abraham says to his servants “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you,” is omitted, then I feel like half of the meaning is taken away because in this example, the text shows that Abraham had that much faith in God to know that He had already promised him descendants through Isaac. This is just an example.
Also, I would have liked the actor who played Moses to talk with some sort of a speech impairment (I mean, this is the History Channel, so why not paint the characters as they actually were?)
There were a lot of good things about the movie like the cinematography, and the scenery, but the storyline was choppy and unorganized and I wonder if someone who didn’t know the bible would have been confused as to what was going on at any given moment.
I understand that there isn’t enough time to show EVERYTHING, so I had to pray for grace where grace was needed. I also understand that this is Hollywood, so…
I will watch next week’s installment. I feel that it is important to support this movie because what would that say to the heads of the networks if it seems as though Christian-based films don’t get as much viewership as other films? The networks took a leap, and the producers did the best they could and if they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, then I definitely want to support their efforts!
Thanks so much Teka for sharing your thoughts.
The point that you’re making about accuracy seems to be the hot button for most folks that were a little perplexed at the episode last night. Again and again, I kept hearing, “Why would they choose to change that?” or “Why would they leave that out?”
In your example, if you’re going to include the Abraham/Isaac sacrifice, why choose to change the dialogue? I don’t know…. The best I can think is that the creators/producers are not the ones who paid for the film. The person with the money has the last say, so maybe they got a lot of push back from the network executives??? Of course, that is speculation. I’m trying to come up with excuses like everybody else. LOL!
So, we will continue watching. And I think it’s good that we keep the dialogue going so that in the future, as we produce and others in the family produce, we know how important it is to people that we stay as close to the Biblical text as possible.
Thanks again! And thanks for hanging in there for 1.5 hours. :=)
I watched, “The Bible,” last night and immediately knew that to undertake such an endeavor there would be many challenges since it is only a 10 hour presentation. Who can present such an everlasting text in 10 hours?????? So yes, to view the beginning of creation through the eyes of Noah, as a reflective commentary to why God chose to destroy the very world that He so wonderfully created, took a moment to adjust to, but I appreciated why Noah would have such a profound reflection. So I sat back and said, “okay so this is how this presentation will flow.”
As I watched it, I thought that what the directors were doing was not so different from the published commentaries particular theological scholars write on the many books of the Bible. When reading some scholars they investigate and uncover the rudimentary beams that both form the various civilizations that are found within the biblical texts. They give background, and they add information to help students and readers understand more fully the who, what, where, why and how of everything that surrounds the text. So this type of information gives enlightenment to the bible and to the scholar student. However there are other biblical scholars who forge a very different approach. You will find such a different approach when you are a seminarian student. Be a student in an Old Testament class where the professor unfolds that there is no true evidence to confirm that the parting of the Red Sea and the crossing of it actually took place. As a student, once you comprehend that everyone in seminary does not take the bible as an actual faith text, then you work to keep your faith boldly intact while having to also pass such classes.
I was more curious to see what bible stories would be included and how such inclusions and omissions would affect the telling of the bible as text. I also wanted to witness how aware the directors and producers would be in utilizing all of God’s people in telling the story. In 2013 if I saw an all Caucasian cast, I would have had a problem. I still would have watched it, but I would have had a problem, although I would have also concluded that the directors and producers took a particular stance that I did not agree with. However that was not the case and for some that element alone was quite offensive.
I registered the various liberties taken, like Sarah running to see if Issac was indeed sacrificed…. “Hmm….” But with each biblical story I remembered that the directors wanted to be true to the spirit of the Bible story, the Word of God as oppose to capturing every exact detail of the story. I wanted to see all ten plagues, as seen in “The Ten Commandments,” but I had to settle…..
As I watch the series I am more interested in the meaning each biblical story selected will have on those who are not followers of Christ, but one day could be…… Such a vehicle can be the seed or water that gives life to the salvation message of Jesus Christ which is embedded in the word of God, the Bible. This can be a tool to get one to actually read it, believe it and to live it. However one may need a “pointer” to point one in the direction toward the Word of God or a translator to help begin reading the Word of God. “The Bible” series is a huge undertaking that hasn’t been done in such a long, long time and this series may be a “type” of translator for those seeking answers to questions about life, purpose, communion, eternity, and love. Particularly that agape love that can only be experienced with God the Father, through Jesus Christ, the Son under the power of the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that “The Bible” series can be a type of pointer that points one in the salvation direction. Then God gets the glory and that really is the most important element in all of this, that God truly get the glory………….
Thanks Naima for the chance to share my initial thoughts……….
Thanks so much, Dr. Kat, for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. Very insightful!
I agree, it’s a massive undertaking to attempt to narrow down the crux of the Bible into 10 hours. The creators had to be very selective, and I’m sure that even more ended up on the editing floor because 10 hours is really a lot less than that when we factor in commercials.
Great point too, in regards to likening the exercise to what the commentators do. And yes, you are so right when it comes to scholarly thought and the different approaches to the Bible within our higher educational institutions. That’s a whole ‘nother adventure! :=) Have mercy!
I understand creative license and I appreciate the diversity, but I think what concerned me most is “Why change dialogue and words that are verbatim in the text?” If we’re going to spend $22 million, 4 years creating, and 6 months filming, why create a derivative that’s “close” to the real thing instead of the real thing? Since we’re going to put forth the time and resources and hire 400 cast, crew and extras, we may as well make the film as Biblical and accurate as possible, right? Why are we going for the “spirit” of the text instead of just using the text?
All I could come up with is that since the creators weren’t footing the bill, they didn’t have final editing rights. The History Channel did. So, maybe, the executives had things edited to make the film more culturally tolerable i.e. Sodom and Gomorrah. Or maybe, they took on the attitude of many films that are “Based on a true story” but are not actually the true story. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll meet them some day soon and get a chance to ask. We’re all in the LaLa.
I do hope that what you’ve summarized does indeed occur: that the film (since it’s out there now) will become a pointer to the Bible, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit. I will join my prayer with yours that God is glorified, seeing as the creators of the film are indeed His children too and they did have good intentions when they started down this path 4 years ago.
Again, I really appreciate you taking the time, my sister. The way you wrestle with the issues and share your refreshing thoughts are always more than appreciated!
Sending hugs and warm weather your way!
First I just want to thank you for having such a blog. I do not BLOG because I really do not have the time to do so. And if there is opportunity on occasion to do so, my participation in blogging must be truly meaningful. I am grateful that I am logged in to your blog posts, because I can at least get the chance to read them, even if I do not have the opportunity to respond regularly. Yet when I can respond because of the topic, I do so because the conversation is meaningful, spiritual and always points us in the direction of Jesus. That alone is worth a moment to stop, meditate, reflect and then respond. So thank you Naima for such an opportunity.
Just a few thoughts. You are so correct, it is really not a 10 hour presentation, because of the commerical support needed to run it in the first place. So there is even more at stake…… Yes why change the script when the script is there to be shared? Why re-invent the wheel, when the wheel is already there ready to be placed on the vehicle?????????
The only thing I continually wrestle with when I am involved in creating a Christian religious project, whether it be a liturgical dance, a choreo-drama (story told through liturgical dance), a Christian play, a lesson, is the following:
I try to get my assignment from the Holy Spirit as clearly understood as I can. I ask myself questions: “Did I hear it correctly?” “Do I understand what the assignment is and how I am to go about completing this assignment?” “What will I need to successfully complete this assignment and if I do not have what I need do I have enough faith to know that God will supply all of my needs according to His rishes in glory?” And my prayer request is always the same: “Lord, help me through the battles and challenges and lessons I am to learn while I am doing this project in Your name.”
Once the project is complete and it is ready to be revealed to the public, then my only concerning question to the Lord is the following one, “Lord, did I get it right, according to your instructions?” I can only speak for myself but there must be a time to evaluate if what I have done is truly “acceptable” to Jesus and it represents the gospel truthfully. So in essence such reflective moments and conversations between a Christian artist and the Trinity are personal and ever flowing. I must be in the position to hear, receive and learn so I am ready for the next upcoming assignment. Because in this walk, there will always be another assignment that follows. “Lord, have mercy!” I can only pray that other Christian artists, preachers, teachers, laypersons, scholars etc. desire for such an evaluation process to transpire between themselves and the Trinity. For this fulfills the Great Commission of Christ to go into all the world and preach the gospel! Even if we end up preaching to our very selves, it is all worth it in the end……………….. God is truly astounding in being GOD!!!!!!! Love you and thank you for being so obedient. Love to Kevin……….
Dr. Kat,
You’re such a gem! I love the way you approach each assignment you receive. Asking the “right” questions is 1/2 the battle! What you’ve laid out for all of us is a clear way to work creatively while making sure that what we’re creating is pleasing to our Creator! Priceless!
I also appreciate your discussion of the Christian artist and the Trinity. It is exhilarating for children of God to understand that we are in a beautiful conversation with God the Father, Son and Spirit. I wonder how we’d approach our creative projects differently if we fully understood the wisdom that is available to us, if only we ask and listen.
I join my prayers with yours that our artists, preachers, teachers, scholars, and laity will desire that rich evaluation process between ourselves and our Triune God. I hope we’re preaching to more than ourselves! LOL! But as long as the Word goes forth, Amen, my sister!
Thanks again for taking the time to share such insight and truth. I know you’re mad busy on the East Coast! Our readers are so appreciative. I know I am.
Can’t wait for your books! :=) Lots of love you to you and Bro. Curtis!