History Channel is certainly showing viewers another aspect of the Holy Bible with its gratuitous violence. Sunday night’s episode of “The Bible” was no exception as the third installment, out of a five-part miniseries, was appropriately titled “Hope.” Subscribers of Bright House Networks in Tampa Bay watched the biblical series on channel 25. The first hour was depressing and violent throughout. It begun with the Babylonians invading the Jewish homeland, and driving them back out to Babylon.
The one savoir in this story is Daniel and his three friends: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. During a prayer service to Nebuchadnezzar and his golden statue, Daniel’s friends are the only ones refusing to literally bow down to the king. They are miraculous spared from a fiery death.
Later on the Jews are now under a different ruler, Cyrus, king of Persia. Daniel defies his order of not praying. Once again another miracle happens for him in the lion's den. After Cyrus witnessed Daniel being alive, the king later allowed the Jews to go back to Israel. Daniel states at the end he saw in his dream the coming of a messiah.
Five-hundred years later in Nazareth, Galilee starts off the second and final hour of “The Bible.” This is the beginning of the New Testament and the story of Jesus. Not nearly as violent as the first part, it began with the virgin conception of Jesus, his birth, being baptized by John the Baptist, and meeting Peter the fisherman to begin changing the world.
There were two scenes in particular that truly stood out. The first was Joseph, Mary and Jesus, as a young child, returning to Nazareth. As they approach the town there is a hillside filled with crucifixion crosses and nailed bodies. Mary tries to shield her son from the horrible sight. He looks on with mere fascination.
In the next memorable scene takes place 25 years later when Jesus is an adult. This is the one that has the internet buzzing with the actor portraying Satan. Jesus spends 40 days in the desert and encounters Satan who tempts him. One of his temptations was to simply follow him and all his desires would come true. It is here you see Jesus in a dream sequence with two life paths. The first showed him crowned as King of Judea with Pontius Pilate kissing his feet, followed by brief flashes of his true calling in life leading to crucifixion. Jesus then immediately informs Satan he would not accept his offer.
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