History Channel’s “The Bible” Keeps Conservatives (Mostly) Happy and Jesus White

History Channel’s “The Bible” Keeps Conservatives (Mostly) Happy and Jesus White March 5, 2013

Where have I seen this before? Moses realizing his calling, leading his people, parting the Red Sea (only this time with CGI assistance); Samson, falling for Delilah; King David, marching as to war; Jesus (yet another fine-looking white guy), breathless, sexy, mouthing his beatitudes before suffering on the cross; and much, much more. Admittedly, I had not seen Noah (portrayed here by an actor with a fine Scottish brogue) deliver some of the key Creation verses from Genesis on film before, but that prologue was a nice touch for what was, and is, to come. 
Yes, it’s time for another generation to take its stab at filming the biblical epics. This time it comes in full ten-hour miniseries form and with rather apocalyptic hopes placed on its success. 
The Bible debuted on The History Channel last night (right before The Vikings, another full-blown historical epic miniseries – the little bit I happened to see of it featured some torrid sex scenes). Reality TV producer Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice) credits his wife Roma Downey (formerly of Touched by an Angel, here playing Mary, mother of Jesus, in the film) with inspiring the idea for the film. 
“Momentarily, I think he thought I’d lost my mind,” Downey recalled. “He went out on his bicycle and he prayed on it and he came back and said, ‘You know what, I think it’s a good idea. I think we should do it together.’ We shook hands and haven’t looked back.” 
“It really is family programming,” Burnett said. “It’s for young. It’s for old. And equally importantly it’s for teenagers.”
This miniseries comes with a bevy of scholarly and popular cultural authorities attesting to its authenticity. In particular, the miniseries seeks to avoid the debacle of the medieval anti-Semitism rife throughout The Passion by treading carefully through the Old Testament material. Rick Warren and Joel Osteen provide testimonials and urge viewers to organize all-church viewings and discuss the film using the ready-made study guides and other supplemental material.
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