This DVD series, produced by Living the Questions, claims that “kidnapped by the Christian Right, discarded by the Secular Left, Jesus needs saving.” This 12-session series repackages Jesus with a Christian progressive viewpoint. Let me say from the outset that I struggled to review this series. The primary reason was because it does not present orthodox Christianity. In many ways, this DVD series was a criticism of mainstream evangelical Christian thought – going so far as to suggest that “the way we see and think about Jesus needs saving.”
Each video begins a couple of young hip people who make claims that suggest that what you learned about Jesus needs reworking. The tone and comments come across as insulting to the average viewer. If you don’t already accept the Christian left presentation that is about to made, these young people make you seem to think that you are wrong for what you have believed for so long. It is like they want to tell you: “You’ve been wrong your entire life. Let us show you what you really need to believe.” I exaggerate perhaps, but the entire series reinforces this problem.
Another difficulty with this series is the fact that because there are so many different viewpoints being presented, the series does not seem to be a cohesive learning experience. The viewer is exposed to such a wide spectrum of theological thought, that you experience what could best be expressed as a “melting pot” theology. Just look at the people who contribute to this series:
Diana Butler-Bass
Marcus Borg
Rita Nakashima Brock
Walter Brueggemann
Ron Buford
Minerva G. Carcaño
John B. Cobb Jr.
John Dominic Crossan
Yvette Flunder
Matthew Fox
Lloyd Geering
Hans Küng
Pat McMahon
Brian McLaren
Robin Meyers
Bill Nelson
Stephen Patterson
Rebecca Ann Parker
Helen Prejean
Tex Sample
Bernard Brandon Scott
Dave Tomlinson
Emilie Townes
Winnie Varghese
The series contains the following titles:
1. Jesus Through the Ages
2. Who Was Jesus?
3. What Can We Know About Jesus (and How)?
4. The World Into Which Jesus Was Born?
5. Jesus’ Birth: Incarnation
6. Teachings of Jesus: Wisdom Tradition
7. Jesus’ Program: The Kingdom of God
8. Jesus’ Ministry of Compassion
9. Who Killed Jesus?
10. The Atonement
11. The Resurrection of Christ
12. Why Jesus Is Worth Saving
Each session last approximately 30 minutes. They were designed for Bible study or Sunday School groups. While I thought that some segments were informative, I would not recommend this series for churches. The primary reason is that this “melting pot theology” does not present a consistent theological perspective with this to teach a doctrinal series.
This book was reviewed for Speakeasy.
Twitter tags: #SpeakeasyLTQSavingJesus
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.
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