Really, it ought to be enough for a Bible-believer to know that Roma Downey was involved with the TV series Touched by an Angel, but since that isn't enough either, maybe the Berean Call's comment will open some eyes.
TBC: We have received numerous inquiries regarding "The
Bible mini-series" which the History Channel is broadcasting. Following
are our comments.]
This mini-series is but one more program designed to discredit the
authority and sufficiency of Scripture.
It gets worse if you examine the background of those making this Bible
mini-series. Roma Downey and her husband Mark Burnett say they believe in the
Bible, but it's clear that they will put their own spin on it. Downey was one
of the stars of
Touched by an Angel, with her co-star being
Della Reese, who founded her own "New Thought" church (Christian
Science, Religious Science, Unity, and other mind science cults). They are both
new-agers to the core. Downey was interviewed by a Hollywood publication, which
furnished this information:
"Roma also attends the University of Santa Monica, a private graduate
school founded by New Age spiritual and self-help guru John-Roger, and will
graduate with a master's degree in spiritual psychology in June.
"'As someone who has been on a spiritual journey for many
years, it seems a natural extension of that work,' says the lady still seen in
Hallmark Channel reruns as angel Monica. She notes, 'The skills I'm learning
will ultimately qualify me to be a therapist' - not that she has plans to start
a practice anytime soon. 'It's really so interesting to learn about human
behavior'" (http://becksmithhollywood.com/?p=1879).
Not surprisingly, there is already a "Bible 30-Day Experience
Church Kit that "includes everything you need to launch a sermon
series and outreach campaign based on The Bible miniseries." course for
churches available in conjunction with this series. We've received reports from
readers of The Berean Call that their pastors have announced new studies
based upon this material.
Downey's producer, husband Burnett, states, "By telling these emotionally
connected, big stories, hopefully millions of people will reopen their
Bibles."
It would truly be wonderful if people would reopen their Bibles
and move away from reading about or seeing a documentary on the Bible and would
instead read the Bible itself to see what it says. May the Lord deliver us from
the deception of men.
The first show aired this past Sunday. How did it fare?
It has received some well deserved flak for depicting the angels
at Sodom as "Ninjas." Several news sources have commented on this. It
is instructive, however, to read comments of the viewers. For example:
[Comment from a reader]: "My son and I watched it. Just about fell out of
my chair when an angel was depicted as a ninja. We both said....'What were they
thinking?'"
[Now from a defender]: "Really? Did you just assume and
think he was a Ninja because the actor playing him was of Asian Descent? He
behaved more like a Roman Gladiator in his sword work and movements, but maybe
you didn't notice that. Ninjas also carry Katanas, however this guy carried
Roman style swords and used them as such."
The Bible distinctly says that the angels struck the men of
Sodom with blindness. They had no need for swords. Nevertheless, this is what
Downey and Burnett's movie portrayed. This departure from the Scriptures
doesn't leave us with an expectation that the later episodes will improve.
