The Bible Series: Fact, Artistic Licence and the Joy of Learning

John and I really enjoyed the first episode of the History Channel's series called The Bible. In the spirit of the Bereans who examined the Scriptures daily to see what was true (Acts 17:10-11), I decided to verify what was fact, what was artistic license and in the process ingrain more Biblical literacy into my soul.

A personal note on artistic license; I don't take offense to it as long as the main theme is not violated. For the sake of time or possibly money or resources, sometimes artistic license is used to get to the theme quicker as rolling out every detail visually might take too long and lose the viewer. This series also doesn't proclaim to be Biblically detailed, but is an adaptation, that is, it is the film maker's take on a story; it is adapted to the audience. So for Biblical accuracy and literacy, we can all do our homework and become more Biblically literate where we have questions. Our interpretations may fail, but the Bible's do not.

I am so grateful that this series has been made and any comment I make is an addition and clarification, not as a judge, for I take the caution of Jesus seriously that I am to use right judgments (John 7:24), and the measure of judgment I use will be used on me (Matthew 7:2). I am also cautioned in the book of James in his book that mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). That being said, here's what I learned after doing my homework.

These are my observations only and as a non-scholar, I hope they help you see that you too can learn directly from Scripture without the blessing of those whom you value to know more about the Bible. These historians and scholars are human also; while they deserve the respect and consideration at times for their study, neither are they ultimate authorities on the Bible as a whole. The Bible is its own authority; the more we know it, the more we learn. And the more we learn, the more we learn what we don't know and so the cycle keeps us students of the Word of God.

1. Noah's retelling of the Creation Story: Artistic License/Possibility. Two-minute link in the words of the film makers: Mark Burnett & Roma Downey on opening scene with Noah. The Creation story is historically attributed to Moses whom many scholars believe wrote Genesis. My take: I loved this interpretation where father Noah reminds his family who God is, who they are and why they are doing what they are doing.

2. The Biblical text's first addressing of Abraham and Sarah as "Abraham" and "Sarah": Artistic License/Fiction. When God first called Abraham, he was called Abram and his wife was called Sarai (Genesis 11:29). Their names were changed in Genesis chapter 17, verse 5 and verse 15.

3. Sarah still attractive at age 90: Fact. In Genesis 17:17, Sarah laughs when she finds out she is to be pregnant at age 90. A few chapters later in Genesis 20:2, Abraham asks Sarah to lie to King Abimelech of Gerar about being his wife. She was attractive enough for the king to have taken her into his collection of women/wives (Genesis 20:3). Abraham had done this one other time in Genesis 12:10-20 with and Egyptian Pharoah.

4. The Three Visitors to Abraham travel on to Sodom and Gomorrah and Abraham goes with them: Fact. The three visitors (Genesis 18:2) to Abraham and Sarah journey on to Sodom and Gomorrah with Abraham (Genesis 18:16). Abraham stays back speaking with the Lord in Genesis 18:22, while the others go towards the city. From the three visitors to Abraham and Sarah we see that there were two angels who entered the city of Sodom and Gomorrah while Abraham was speaking to the Lord (Genesis 19:1).

5. FYI-Theophanies: Many Scholars believe that Christ Himself appeared in the Old Testament many times. I have no reason to doubt this, and it lends credence to the fact that without the Old Testament, the New Testament does not make sense. God started History and He will continue it because He is the author of it, though for a while evil exists.

6. The two angels strike the men outside Lot's doorway blind: Fact. Genesis 19:11.

7. The two angels kill the people of the city as Lot's family flees: Artistic License/Unclear. There is no account of this in the story found in Genesis 19:1-29.

8. Lot's family's escape was the same night the visitor's came: Artistic license/Fiction. The Biblical text says that the escape was the next morning (Genesis 19:15).

9. Moses was 80 and Aaron was 83 when they spoke to Pharoah asking him to let God's people go: Fact. Exodus 7:7.My take: They looked to be around 60 years old to me, but I am going with the notion that because people lived longer back then, that they looked younger longer.

10. God led the people of Israel out of Egypt with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night: No Mention of this Fact. Exodus 13:21.

11. Moses parted the waters within minutes or possibly a few hours, though it was hard to tell from the film: Artistic License. It took Moses all night to part the Red Sea according to Exodus 14:21.

12. Moses and the people crossed the Red Sea in mud: Artistic License/Fiction. In this case, the Biblical text is clear that the people crossed on dry land in Exodus 14:22, then it is repeated again in Exodus 14: 29.

13. The waters were a wall of water on the left and right of the people: Fact. Exodus 14:22 & 29.

14. Pharoah didn't die with his army in the Red Sea: Unclear. The Biblical text accounts for the fact that all of Pharoah's men died, but there is no clear mention of him perishing in the story found in Exodus 14:21-29. My take: I will admit that my first instinct was that I thought that Pharoah died as well when the Red Sea closed up. In looking up the text, I understand the story better.

15. There were two men who scouted Jericho, not twelve: Fact. My take: My first thought in this scene was that there were twelve who went in. Again, doing my homework I was reminded that twelve men spied the land when Moses commanded one man from each of the twelve tribes scout the promised land before they were to enter. This story is found in Numbers 13:1-15. Joshua sent two men, which is found in Joshua 2:1.

I am sure there is a lot I missed, but what I got was immeasurable! How wonderful it is to have the Biblical text available for verification, edification for us who seek to follow Christ and that we may share it with others joyfully! May God always bless the reading and teaching of His Word, and may we do it humbly and with right judgment, always using His gifts according to I Corinthians 13, in Agape love towards all men.