In contrast, ABC s recent special The Miracle Maker exemplified network TV at its best. And Campus Crusade for Christ s evangelistic Jesus film has reached an estimated 3.3 billion people in 566 languages, leading countless individuals around the world to a saving knowledge of God s Son. Jesus means no harm. It s just trying to entertain. In doing so, however, it takes liberties that make for a tight story but communicate incomplete, occasionally misleading doctrine.
Some scenes are brilliant.
Others feel abridged and watered down. A handful will leave Christians righteously indignant. It may be unrealistic to expect Hollywood to represent the Lord with absolute integrity, but the fact remains that few viewers will pause long enough to consider the source, or page through the Bible to verify the accuracy of prime-time theology. This article appeared in the May 2000 issue of Plugged In magazine. Focus on the Family.