THE BIBLE: Full Review
The message of God’s Word comes alive in a superb, inspiring miniseries.
Should You Watch It?
Yes. THE BIBLE brings a sweeping portion of Scripture to the screen, from Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samson, David, Daniel, and the prophets to Jesus Christ and the preaching of the apostles. It keeps the spiritual and emotional integrity of the biblical accounts while making history feel immediate and alive.
The series clearly presents God’s covenant with His people, the importance of faith, and God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. The final four hours especially focus on the Gospel, repentance, forgiveness, and the spreading of Christ’s message.
Some details are omitted because of time, and some teachings are abridged or paraphrased for dramatic effect and clarity. The violence can be intense, and some sexual sin is implied, so younger children may not be ready. For teenagers and adults, however, this is an exciting and uplifting choice.
Practical answer: watch it with your family if your teenagers can handle the content.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESTHE BIBLE begins with Noah recounting the creation story to his family aboard the Ark. From there, the ten-hour miniseries follows God’s covenant people through the stories of Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samson, David, Solomon, Daniel, and the nation of Israel.
The final episodes turn to the birth and ministry of Jesus Christ, followed by the preaching of His apostles. Across the whole story, faith is tested, God’s promises endure, and the message of salvation comes into focus.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a superb, tremendously exciting miniseries. THE BIBLE successfully weaves together a large and significant portion of Scripture while preserving its historical, spiritual, and emotional integrity.
The production makes biblical history come alive, and the final four hours clearly and powerfully present the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The series also handles the stories of faith, trial, protection, repentance, and forgiveness in an inspiring way.
Some CGI of Jerusalem is weaker than other portions of the series. The fast pace also means that details are left out, while some teachings are abridged or paraphrased for dramatic purposes and clarity. Even so, the producers do a tremendous job adapting such an expansive story.
The Worldview
THE BIBLE presents a strongly Christian, biblical worldview. It exalts faith in God, God’s covenant promises, forgiveness, repentance, love, grace, and God’s protection and presence. Jesus is lifted up as both God and Man, and the final two episodes clearly preach the Gospel.
The series shows people being tested in their faith and emphasizes that God remains with His people. It also presents the consequences of disobedience, immorality, persecution, and a lack of faith. Some additions are made for dramatic purposes and clarity, and the biblical teachings are sometimes abridged or paraphrased. As the source review notes, no television series can replace the inspired written Word of God.
At the center is God’s promise to remain with His people and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Scripture says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian, biblical worldview, with the Gospel preached consistently in the final two episodes, Jesus is lifted up as both God and Man, forgiveness, repentance, and trust in God are extolled, and the presence of faith, love, grace, and God’s protection and presence, in our lives are clearly demonstrated, plus a transvestite man is seen in Sodom and some additions are made for dramatic purposes and clarity, with some more objectionable perhaps than others; no foul language; heavy battle violence includes people being stabbed with swords with some blood splatter (but not in a gratuitous way), Pharaoh’s soldiers throw babies into the river, people drown outside of the Ark, Cain kills his brother Abel with a giant boulder in a brief scene, people get stabbed with swords with some blood splatter, Samson crushes soldiers skulls with a jawbone, David cuts off the head of Goliath and holds it in the air, Saul commits suicide by stabbing himself, man and young boys get throats slit, King Herod has young boys killed, it is implied that John the Baptist’s head is cut off and viewers are shown the shadow of his severed head, the scourging and crucifixion of Jesus is intense, Stephen stoned to death, and Christians are violently rounded up, John is shown tied up and vomiting up some poison; some sexual situations include implied fornication and adultery, Sarah prompts Abraham to sleep with Hagar and Abraham reluctantly agrees, we see Abraham leave Hagar’s tent, a transvestite man is seen in Sodom, a woman is caught in adultery but nothing shown, prostitutes are seen kissing men, Samson is seduced and betrayed by Delilah, ; upper male nudity, some female cleavage, Hagar’s upper back is seen briefly, a very brief flashback to Adam and Eve who are naked, though very little skin is seen, Bathsheba is seen bathing on a roof from the back; alcohol use and the people of Sodom are clearly drunk; no smoking or drug use; and, several characters show a lack of faith in God and they are reprimanded, villains crucify Jesus and persecute the apostles but God and Jesus have the final word, and some people indulge in immorality, but they are destroyed.
Talk About It
Four questions for the couch, the commute, or the couple bingeing it together.
The series shows God’s covenant promises being tested across generations. What does it look like to trust God when His promises seem difficult to believe?
Genesis 15:1–6 · Hebrews 11:1Several characters are confronted with their sin and its consequences. How are repentance and forgiveness different from simply feeling sorry?
Psalm 51:1–4 · 2 Corinthians 7:10The story moves toward Jesus’ death and resurrection and the preaching of the Gospel. Why is the resurrection central to Christian hope?
1 Corinthians 15:3–4, 17–19The apostles continue proclaiming Christ despite persecution. What helps believers remain faithful when following Jesus becomes costly?
Acts 4:18–20 · Hebrews 12:1–3The Final Word
THE BIBLE is a superb and inspiring presentation of God’s covenant, Christ’s Gospel, and the faith of His people. Its intense violence and implied sexual sin make it unsuitable for the youngest children, but teenagers and adults can find much to discuss and cherish. WORTH WATCHING.
