To DVR or not to DVR, Is that the question?

As I am sure that you have no doubt have at least heard of the mini series on the History channel called the Bible, right?  Well, this has been billed as the most epic Christian event in modern history (drama added).  It was pushed on Facebook, and almost any "Christian" website out there.  It was supposed to be a very big deal.  It was also advertised to Christianity as being scripturally accurate.  Many supposed bible scholars were consulted and the direction and production were done by proclaimed Christian celebs.  So I set the DVR to record on Sunday nights from 7 PM CST to 9 PM CST.

As I watched, I have to admit I was doing so with a bit of skepticism.  After the first episode was complete, my wife and I had a very strong conversation.  We both have our BA's in Bible.  We both grew up in church and we both have a love for the Word of God.  We also hold the Word in high esteem.  So, what I am about to share, I do so with a desire for the truth to be told.  I believe the intent was good, but I was always told that "the way to Hell is paved with good intentions". 

I understand there is no way to get the WHOLE Bible into a tv series.  I also understand that SOME dramatic license would be taken.  With that in mind let me enlighten you to some, not all, of the content that was missed or misrepresented. 

Noah and the Ark: Gen 6-9
The only thing I really didn't agree with was that there was a deck for Noah to step out on.  The Ark represented in the show really played of what most of us grew up thinking it looked like.  the Bible in Genesis 6 describes the details of the building of the Ark.  There is no description of a deck or upper area to walk out of onto a deck.

Abram/Abraham: Gen. 11-25
From what we read in the story of Abraham in scripture we see first that his name was Abram and God changed it when He made the covenant with him, as well as Sarah was originally Sarai.  I noticed that Lot's wife was a very vocal woman and pretty much told Lot what to do.  The only time Lot's wife is really mentioned is when they were fleeing Sodom and she looked back and was turned to a pillar of salt.  I found it odd that in all the times God spoke to Abraham it was audible except when He told him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.  This next detail to me was very laughable.  In the show they had Sarah realizing that Abraham had not taken a lamb for the sacrifice and went running after them, as if they just went over the hill to sacrifice.  The Bible tells that they traveled 3 days to Mt. Moriah and a they had at least one servant with them.  Sarah would not have made it as old as she was running for 3 days to find them.  There is so much more to the characters in this story.

Moses and the Exodus:  The book of Exodus
From Genesis 26-50 we read the story of Isaac, his sons Jacob and Esau, the formation of the tribes of Israel and the how the Israelite's ended up in Egypt.  The book of Exodus Begins the story of Moses.  Moses after being found in the basket by Pharaoh's daughter would have been treated like a son of Pharaoh.  What they left out was that he was nursed by his biological mother and would have learned all about his ancestry.  When he fled into the wilderness, he got married and had kids before he came to the burning bush.  When he came back to free the people of God, God used him to bring the 10 plagues.  the last of which was the most important and the least detail was given about it.  They were given detailed instructions on how to perform the passover ritual.  That, however, was left out.

As they left Egypt the Bible tells us that the Egyptians gave the Hebrews all manner of gold, silver, fine clothing, etc.  That God caused them to look favorably on the Hebrews.  God gave them everything they would need to make the journey, so they made their way to the Red Sea.  Because people find it hard to believe that as the Red Sea was split and the Hebrews walked on dry ground across, they show made it as though it wasn't.  The Bible clearly tells us that His people walked to the other side on dry ground, so there wouldn't have been all that water flying about.  The show also had Pharaoh staying back while only his men chased them.  The Bible says that Pharaoh lead the charge and was killed along side His men.  The Bible also says that it took Egypt 100's of years to recoup all that was lost.  The years in the wilderness, the building of the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant, the giving of the Ten Commandments, and many other fascinating details of the exodus are found in the second book of the Bible.

If you are like me, you want the whole story.  Not just a few details.  take time to read these stories for yourself.

Stay tuned for Part 2...