A new miniseries entitled The Bible will be shown on the History Channel in March 2013. This miniseries was produced by former Touched By An Angel actress Roma Downey and her husband, Mark Burnett. Unfortunately, and as much as I would like to be genuinely excited about this upcoming program, I have concerns about what message this miniseries might convey. Roma Downey, although a lovely and talented actress, is a devout Roman Catholic with New Age type views. Her close friendship with fellow Touched actress Della Reese resulted in New Thought minister Della Reese performing the marriage ceremony for Roma Downey and her husband, Mark Burnett. (You can learn more about Della Reese's New Thought/New Age beliefs here.) The Wall Street Journal also reported on Dec 16, 2012 that "Word of Faith" pastor Joel Osteen worked closely with the producers on this film, as well as megachurch pastor Rick Warren and TD Jakes, another Word of Faith/prosperity preacher. (You can review the Board of Advisors for the Bible miniseries here.) With this is mind, I'm thinking there will be some serious theological weaknesses in the final product. From the Wall Street Journal article titled 'The Voice' Creator Mark Burnett Hears a Higher Calling:
In recent years (Producer Mark) Burnett and (his wife, actress Roma) Downey have become friends with celebrity televangelist Joel Osteen, who preaches at a church in Houston that is home to the largest congregation in the U.S. Mr. Osteen is advising Mr. Burnett on the show.
"He's been to [our church] several times and we come over to their house for dinner and things like that," Mr. Osteen said.Trailer for the upcoming miniseries:
Additional Resources
Theological Errors of the History Channel's Bible Miniseries, Part 1
Rick Warren Lays Out The Theology of The History Channel Miniseries, The Bible
Roma Downey on Being Catholic
The History Channel’s Bible Miniseries Mishandling of God’s Word
T.D. Jakes Working The Crowd
Touched By An Angel, But Which Kind?
The Bible Miniseries Board of Advisors
Dr. John MacArthur Names Joel Osteen a "Mouthpiece For Satan"
Pastor Justin Peters Biblically Exposes the Word of Faith "Prosperity Gospel"
Joel Osteen Not Sure If Jesus Christ Is the Only Way to Heaven
Joel Osteen's New Age Teaching and Worldview