An Espresso Shot: A Review of NBC's "Book of Daniel"
John Martin offers analysis of NBC's upcoming new series, "Book of Daniel." Check it out here at Martin's Musings.
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 12/29/2005 09:45:00 AM
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7 Comments:
Thanks for the link, David. Ardel Caneday, Professor at Northwestern College, has a thought-provokingn post on this. I think he is probably right, American Christians do not receive different forms of persecution well...
Here's an excerpt from his post:
Wildmon may well be right. The program may be Christian-bashing. Yet, is this the best and right approach that Christians should take in response to a TV program? Whenever Christians adopt responses to Christian-bashing, such as Wildmon's reported response, I have to ask some rather important questions. What else should a Christian expect from a thoroughly secular media? Why do America's Christians behave and speak as if opposition, harassment, and persecution, whether thinly veiled or overtly hostile, is not what we should expect from the world? Did not our Lord Jesus Christ prepare us for persecution? Did Jesus not say, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you" (John 15:18-19; ESV)?
Big to do about it over at buzz machine too. I've chimed in a bit.
My take is that whether this show airs or not will not change how people perceive Christians.
There are already numerous examples of how we're made to look like goofs. One person said Robert Duvall makes it seem like you have to have a few screws loose to devote yourself to prayer as his character in "The Apostle". What are we to expect from Hollywood?
I agree with you both and think we should not expect any more than we are getting. I also agree that we do not recieve persecution (and I use that term VERY loosely) well.
If you do a search on my blog, the term "boycott" will reveal to you that I am no fan. I do not think trying to strong arm or muscle our way out of persecution or "bad press" is the proper response.
On the other hand, I think it is important that Christians be informed and then what they do with their dollars or time is between them and God.
I believe our job is to make sure people are aware of the issues in the culture so that they can use their God-given brains to respond properly (hopefully!).
If Christians expect to be treated respectfully, not only are we going to be sorely disappointed as we've seen from experience, but as you rightly pointed out, Jesus said we wouldn't be. Did we think He was lying when He said that? Nevertheless, it's hard not to respond either in-kind or defensively...neither is necessarily Christ-honoring.
David:
Thank you for the link and I pray that God brings you safely home to Kentucky.
For the record, I want your readers to know that I have not signed the petition nor advocated the American Family Association's boycott. It was used as an example as to the controversy that was present with the television show before it aired. My television's remote control will suffice.
My primary thrust of the post is to make readers aware of an upcoming television show with so-called "Christian themes" written by a non-Christian. Much like the Da Vinci Code, Christians will be approached by nonbelievers with questions that originate through watching the "Book of Daniel". In that light, the television show will present a ministry opportunity for Christians.
The second point of my post was made at the end. If network television were sincere in promoting wholesome, Christian programming, then hire Christian writers. I don't expect it to happen, but NBC ignores the obvious solution for other motives.
I saw the promo last night for the first time. Yikes.
They have no desire to make Christian programming, unless of course it brought with it buckets of money. The writers care not about sacrilege; they are going to try and make it as 'funny' as they can to keep working, even if it means trivializing Jesus as a sarcastic funny guy.
I like what David said--we do not receive persecution very well. In posting at buzzmachine, some tried to shoot down my legitimate points about the many theistic evidences and proofs for Christianity. Sometimes my first reaction is to snap back. But that is exactly what people are looking for to validate their feelings and stance on Christianity. It gives them the OK to not believe.
Carry a spear with love. Right? I like what John said too. Who knows perhaps it will bring forth opportunities to spread the gospel. The real one.
Thanks for the clarification, John. It was clear to me in your post that you were not taking a position regarding the boycott idea. I think you did what I advocated in my earlier comment of making sure that others were aware of what is going on. That is why I thought it important to encourage readers here to read your post.
It is worth repeating how imperative it is that we are aware of what is going on in the world and our own societies and cultures and to make sure we see it clearly for what it is. We need to call it what it is and be able to analyze what is going on in the background, so to speak. We must be able to see what motivates actions, policies, etc. In short, we need to understand the worldview motivations. That is certainly the goal of this blog.
Yikes is right! Unless the season finale ends in the characters confessing and repenting of their sins, those that watched this program will have done far worse than simply wasting 1/2hrs of their lives. This of course, aside from the idea that Jesus stands in this guys living room regularly. Lets be honest, this bold and edgy show sounds as positive as Married with Children.
Indeed, we do need to be prepared to discuss with those who comment on the show or have questions. More importantly we are commanded to stand firm and signing a petition is our minimalist act of obedience. Remember in 2003 the homosexual, Episcopalian priest, Robinson, who was ordained by majority vote? Below is a direct quote to CNN regading the event you may want to read. Remember, many did and do disagree with Robinson's appointment, nonetheless in occured. Truly, all steps great or small lead to somewhere. Just like the showing and viewing of this show.
Church spokesman Daniel England called Robinson's approval "an important step for the church.
In his grace an mercy,
K.
Side note: David is one heck of a fooseball challenger.
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