"The Bible" mini series

Today I received numerous e-mails expressing differing opinions on the
History Channels "The Bible" 10 part series.

The battle lines are drawn.
50% are 100% supportive.
50% are 100% attacking.

I watched part #1 with my wife and found that it provoked a great deal of discussion.
Michele's biggest complaint was that the story line moved so quickly that she had a hard time processing what was going on.
And I think she is correct, the story line is pretty jerky.
This is not such a big deal for people well grounded in the Old Testament stories but for those that have only heard them once or twice, they will struggle to keep up.

So the question is, "What were the producers attempting to accomplish?"

Obviously the producers were not attempting to do a verse by verse study of the Old Testament.

My observation is that the producers were attempting to paint with very broad strokes -- an overview of Bible highlights.  Face it, tackling the whole Bible in 10 parts (including a LOT of commercials) is going to require a LOT of material falling onto the cutting room floor due to time constraints.

So the question still remains, "What were the producers attempting to accomplish?"  

It appeared to me that the producers were attempting to challenge todays generation to consider the possibility that Bible characters and stories were real people being cared for by the Almighty God that was aware of and engaged in the day to day affairs of His people.

I appreciated the producers attempts to accurately portray Bible characters as real people with character flaws and spiritual struggles.

Bottom Line:
Whether you agree or disagree, there is a unquestionable opportunity for each of us to use this mini series as a catalyst for discussions about God and His love with people that would normally have little or no interest in God's Word.

A couple more thoughts:
I noticed in part #1 there were areas of "creative liberties".
The story lines in the Bible are perfectly complete as written.

However, when they are transferred onto film, it requires some imagination to fill in the blanks.  For instance, when the angels are dragging Lot and his family out of Sodom, there is no doubt that it was a matter of great urgency because the wrath of God was about to fall.  However, when you film their expulsion out of Sodom, do you make it look like a couple angels are dragging an uncooperative family out of town for a stroll or do you take "creative liberties" and add some action scenes to show the terrible evil of those living in the cities?

Which brings me to my final point:
 "It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret" Ephesians 5:12

How do you accurately film the evil of Sodom and come out with a movie children can watch?

Weigh that question against the next Bible verse.

"Now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."  Philippians 4:8

Finally, the Apostle Paul weighed in on this topic in Philippians 1:17-18:

"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."
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice"