The Gospel is Missing in "The Bible."

We don't have cable TV, so I haven't been able to watch the History Channel's "The Bible." I know a lot of people are excited about it.  I was pleased to hear that there were a lot of people tuned in.  That tells us that there are at least a lot of people still interested in the Bible.

I read two reviews of it from fellow Lutheran pastors.  They have some good things to say about it especially the portrayal of the creation.  But they also point out it's most glaring problem:  The Gospel is Missing!  (This is not surprising when you consider some of the advisors.)

The producers completely overlooked the first promise of salvation given to Adam and Eve when God said that one of their children would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3.15).  They also overlooked God's covenant with Abraham in which He promised that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him.  This promise, in particular, is very important for understanding who Jesus is in the New Testament.

This is the problem that I addressed in the previous post.  Humans love the Law and foolishly think they are keeping it.  So when they read the Bible almost always gravitate to its "dos" and "don'ts."  But God's emphasis in the Bible (if you pay attention), is that no human can keep the Law and therefore need the salvation that only He gives.

My advice to all is to enjoy the special effects on TV, but to read it for yourself and pay close attention to both the teaching of Law and Gospel.