Just some food for thought....If I were the Devil, how could I do the most damage...I say one way is to present a version of the Bible, that while appearing to be true in most cases, leaves out the most important parts.
I recall a speech about what would a town look like if Satan took it over, it went something like this:
“All of the bars and pool halls would be closed, pornography banished, pristine streets and sidewalks would be occupied by tidy pedestrians who smiled at each other. There would be no swearing. The kids would answer “Yes, sir,” “No, ma’am,” and the churches would be full on Sunday ... where Christ is not preached.”
I am always leery of secular attempts to discuss the Bible.
Who should discuss the Bible?
Put the word churches in quotes (”churches”) and you are on to sumthin gator.
That is a fallacious argument.
In his letter to the Phillipians, Paul says:
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”
The plain and simple fact is that homosexuality is not the end all and be all sin of the Bible. It is not the main focus of the Bible and it is disheartening to see Christians as fixated on homosexual acts as homosexuals.
The majority, and in fact probably vast majority, of Americans today could not name more than two stories from the Bible. If this show gets even 1% of its viewers, or 100,000 people to pick up the Bible and see what else is in it, then Mark Burnett and Roma Downey have planted more seeds of the gospel than most evangelists.
We snipe and argue and complain and grouse about the fact that the Gospel isn’t presented in the perfect way rather than rejoice, like Paul, that it is presented at all.
I'm reminded of the parable of the sower. Not all seed produces a harvest, but that shouldn't stop the sowers. Some do, some wither and die. I pray this one isn't a weed.
Still, maybe if people see the movie, they will want to read the book. God works in mysterious ways, but overall I agree with your sentiment.
Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
Good point however there are many young folks who haven’t darkened the doorway of a church and while I’m a believer in raw gospel I can also appreciate the effort to plant a seed.
The Jackie Chan kung-fu by the Asian angel was a little over the top... :)