CBS: “LIVING BIBLICALLY” NEW SITCOM SET TO MOCK CHRISTIANITY
republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
It
seems with every new television season a show that mocks Jesus Christ
and the Christian faith gets a pilot. This season it is the CBS show
‘Living Biblically’ – a comedic take on the real life quest of a journalist
to live his life “according to the Bible” for one year. From the
preview scenes alone, it seems obvious that this show has no intention
of representing the Bible accurately or bringing any actual serious
discussion about the Christian faith. Instead it seeks cheap laughs and
gags all the while mocking The Lord God.
Here is the trailer:
And the official synopsis:
“Chip Curry is a modern
day man at a crossroads in his life, who decides to live strictly in
accordance with the Bible. A film critic for a New York Newspaper and a
soon-to-be father, Chip wants to be a better man following the loss of
his best friend. He decides to put his slightly obsessive temperament to
use and start living his life 100% by the Bible to find direction. His
smart, pregnant wife, Leslie, while both skeptical and entertained by
her husband’s new passion, supports him completely. Knowing he’ll need
some practical advice, Chip forms a “God Squad” with Father Gene, a
Catholic Priest who helps Chip translate the rules of the Bible to a
modern world; and Father Gene’s best friend, easygoing Rabbi Gil
Ableman, who respects Chip’s chutzpah and is glad to serve as a sounding
board when they meet at their local bar.
At Chip’s newspaper, he
finds support from his no-nonsense boss, Ms. Meadows, who knows Chip’s
self-penned story will sell newspapers, and his co-worker and friend,
Vince, who is quick with a reality check and likes to wind Chip up for
his own amusement. As he begins his sincere spiritual journey toward a
more moral life with the help of his wife and friends, Chip wonders if
he’ll be able to take a page – or every page – out of the Good Book, and
if the effect will be of Biblical proportions.” (source).
From
the preview clips alone, the show seems intent on turning the lead
character Chip into a walking, breathing negative Christian stereotype.
He is judgmental, hyper-critical and even violent, because “the Bible
says so.” This attempt to highlight the view of the Old Testament
revealing a God who is harsh, violent and lacking compassion is a common
argument for critics of the Christian faith. Living Biblically
seeks to make this argument in a more subversive manner by having its
lead act out these negative traits all in the name of seeking to live a
righteous, holy “Biblical lifestyle.” When Chip seeks counsel from a
Roman Catholic priest and tells him of his plan, the priest laughs in
his face – clearly mocking the fact that anyone would take the Bible
literally.
“People need to start talking about religion again,” producer Patrick Walsh said.
“I don’t buy the idea that we live in a ‘godless society.’ Eighty-four
percent of the world aligns themselves with religion, and 9 out of 10
people believe in God, yet religion is never discussed because everyone
is too scared to offend. In talking about it, you can erase so many
misconceptions about it on either side.” (source).
The
result is repeated scenarios where the Word of God can be ridiculed and
mocked. The Bible is clear: God’s name is not to be taken in vain. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7). Beginning And End covered similar sitcoms like “GCB” (based on the novel Good Christian B—-) which was filled with negative Christian stereotypes and NBC’s ‘The New Normal, which devoted an entire episode to mocking Jesus Christ and the Bible.
The Danger – Mockery Can Lead To Hatred Of God
“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.” – Ecclesiastes 10:12-13.
In
addition to being a blatant sin, the mockery of God can move a person
deeper into resentment and hatred of The Lord. This type of attack was
carried out in a more scathing, direct way by MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell – who has made several rants attempting to rip the Christian faith for its hypocrisy and “evil.” Here is one example:
In our article “MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell Attacks The Bible – A Christian Response”
we noted that while critics love to point out the punishments in the
Old Testament, they conveniently ignore the numerous provisions to
provide atonement – or a “covering” of sins of the people. The main task
of the Levite priests in the temple was to ensure that they followed
the Bible to make sacrifices to atone for the sins of the nation and
individuals – allowing the punishment for the sin to be temporarily
placed on the sacrificial animal:
Those who try to paint
the God of The Old Testament as angry, harsh and violent, always seem to
neglect this. But God made it clear that forgiveness was readily
available to those who sin:
“For
the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon
the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that
maketh an atonement for the soul.” – Leviticus 17:11.
In
order for there to be forgiveness, blood had to shed. And God gave
specific instructions on the sacrifices of animals by the appointed
priests to make atonement for the sins of the people. Here is one
example:
And thou shalt cause a
bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and
Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.
And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation. And thou shalt take of the blood of the
bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and
pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.
And
thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul
that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon
them, and burn them upon the altar. But the flesh of the bullock, and
his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it
is a sin offering. – Exodus 29:10-14.
The
shed blood of the bull was a substitute atonement. Yes, in order for
forgiveness, something had to die and blood was shed. This too may seem
harsh but sin is a messy, ugly business. And God being perfectly just,
must see that justice is served. But rather than putting His own
children to death, God provided a substitute sacrifice to atone and
“cover” the sins of the people.
show does not mention atonement or forgiveness through the Messiah –
but it is sure to show the religious men drinking up at the bar.
So how often were these sacrifices to be done? Every day: “Now
this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the
first year day by day continually. The one lamb thou shalt offer in the
morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at [evening]:” (Exodus 29:38-39).
There
were also sacrifices for the Sabbath day, the start of a new month and
for the feast days of the Jewish religion found in the Old Testament.
All these sacrifices providing covering for the numerous sins of the
people. All this was a demonstration of God’s mercy which He revealed
Himself, even in the days of that oh-so harsh Mosaic law. Here is God,
in that same Old Testament, describing Himself to humanity:
“The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression..” – Numbers 14:18.
Who
is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the
transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger
for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will
have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt
cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. – Micah 7:18-19.
God Proved His Mercy Through Jesus Christ
The ultimate proof of God’s love and mercy is Jesus Christ. By allowing His own Son to be sacrificed and take the punishment of all people
God put our souls above who He loved the most. This despite all of our
sin, mockery and hatred toward Him. As believers, it is critical that we
share the Gospel of free forgiveness of sin
through faith in Jesus Christ. Hollywood has gone out of its way to
distort, mock and argue against the Bible and the Christian faith. Stand
for truth and share it with a world that needs it so desperately.