Posted on 01/05/2006 6:35:02 PM PST by WKB
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--PBS’ “Walking the Bible” miniseries tracing the paths of Moses, Isaac, Jacob and the Israelites through the modern-day Middle East was met with mixed assessments by a couple of Southern Baptist theologians.
The three-hour series, based on The New York Times best-seller by Bruce Feiler, was filmed in five countries across four war zones and is crafted from 200 hours of high-definition digital video footage of historic sites such as Mt. Ararat and the Salt Sea.
Walking the Bible first aired Jan. 4, and the following two parts will air Jan. 11 and 18 at 8 p.m. local time on PBS stations nationwide.
Gary P. Arbino, associate professor of archeology and Old Testament interpretation chair at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif., said Walking the Bible “assumes the general historicity of the Genesis narratives and largely avoids the sensationalism that often marks this television genre.”
“Episode One presents beautiful HiFi vistas of the lands and cultures of Turkey and Israel. These illustrate the deeper, more personal point of the program,” Arbino told Baptist Press. “Throughout the hour, Bruce Feiler shifts from a desire for science-based belief to more faith-based. He gains a connection to the lands of the Bible that compels him to examine his own relationship with God. Although one might quibble with details, a program that addresses Bible context and a relationship to God is welcome.”
But Thomas White, director of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Center for Leadership Development in Fort Worth, Texas, and an adjunct professor of Baptist history, noted in comments provided to Baptist Press:
“‘Walking the Bible’ approaches the Old Testament stories by visiting the land from which they originated and drawing connections to modern man. The show’s focus on the Bible solely from man’s perspective -- containing stories man developed -- contradicts the Bible as God’s revelation. The host, Bruce Feiler, comes across as a doubter who asks other ‘experts’ if they believe the stories of the Old Testament really happened. The ‘experts’ conclude that some parts of them may be true, but say one cannot know how much of each story is really true.
“The Bible, correctly understood, is God’s revelation explaining the purpose of life and the way of salvation,” White continued. “‘Walking the Bible’ fails to make necessary connections between the Old and New Testaments and omits the Bible’s claims to be the Word of God to man and not man’s created stories about God.
“I fear that ‘Walking the Bible’ in future shows will attempt to draw ecumenical conclusions by not recognizing the basic difference between the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faiths,” White said. “These religions may have a common land in their heritage, but their positions on the person of Jesus Christ [are] vastly different. True Christianity believes Jesus is the only way for salvation; Judaism and Islam do not.”
Baptist Ping
Has anyone seen it?
I haven't. Didn't even know it was around until
read this. I do not watch secular shows about
the Things of God. They only serve to increase
my blood pressure level.
You said what I was thinking,
so I'll just bump your comment. ;o)
Do you have BP problems?
Only when I "watch secular shows about
the Things of God."
I don't like them one bit.
Only when I "watch secular shows about
the Things of God."
It'll happen every time.
"It'll happen every time."
I knew that. ;o)
This appears to be just another media attempt to delute the historical accuracy of the Genesis record. I can almost assure you that there is an agenda behind this show just as with most other "documentaries" regarding the Bible and trying to portray it as a creation from the mind of men rather than a revelation from God. Spend the time you might waste watching this series reading the Bible for yourself and you will come away much better informed.
"Spend the time you might waste watching this series reading the Bible for yourself and you will come away much better informed."
That, my FRiend, is VERY sound advice.
Bump!
Thank you and bump.
Mine, too. Secular shows about the Things of God never will grace my tv, either.
I watched this last night. The videography was very good, but the script was sappy, designed for very young Sunday School kids at best. There was nothing offensive about it but then one wouldn't want to offend the first graders this was clearly written for.
Oh come on Southern Baptist....come up with a new book called The Purpose Driven Walk." And then do a bulk-sale for discussion groups. LOL!
Someone mentioned to me long ago that we can watch or read things that do not entirely agree with us by using "Christian eyes and ears" to get out of it what there is that is edifying, and simply ignoring the rest. A show like that certainly isn't going to weaken or challenge my faith. What raises my blood pressure, though, is when I think of all the seekers out there watching it who are going to be fooled.
Please forgive me if I've made any gaffes; this is my first post as a brand new FReeper. I didn't even lurk long before joining. Can someone please explain what "bump" and "ping" mean? Thanks!
Television and PBS, yeah that's where I go to learn about the Bible.
</sarcasm>
jw
Any time a reply is posted the article goes back to the top of the list. By posting the reply "bump" or BTT (bump to the top)it is merely kicking the article back to the top of the page without making any specific comment.
bump
I saw it and they took info from the Q'uran too. There were "biblical historians" who stated that no one knows how much of the "stories" are true. I won't watch it again.
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