Disappointment with A.D. Miniseries

The TV miniseries, A.D - The Bible Continues, on NBC has been disappointing in some ways. Granted, the acting is very good. The plot is intriguing. But after painfully enduring recent Hollywood release "Noah" and it's departure from scripture, I had hoped that A.D. would remain true to the Bible. I believe you can use creative license and still stay true to scripture. Sadly, it hasn't happened. Here are three departures from the Bible in A.D. that bother me. 

The Character of Peter

Prior to encountering Jesus on the shores of Galilee, Peter was an impetuous fisherman known for speaking before thinking. However, the book of Acts depicts Peter having been changed from the inside out through Jesus' teachings and the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet in A.D. we see Peter again and again confronting Saul face to face in some sort of pre-heavyweight title fight stare down.

In one scene, Peter sets up a petroleum filled trench to light afire as Saul and his cronies come for the Christians in their impromptu camp. As Peter ignites the gas/oil mixture he shouts, "Now we'll see whose flame burns the brightest!" That's totally out of character for the new Holy-Spirit filled Peter.  This is the man who wrote, "love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing because to this you were called..." (1 Peter 3:8b-9)

Peter was bold and courageous preaching to thousands publicly, in the temple courts, and before the Sanhedrin. Yet when confronted by the authorities, he remained meek and passive. 

Camp of Christians not Biblical

The camp of Christians set up outside Jerusalem supposedly by Peter and the other apostles is not found in the Bible. In fact, quite the opposite is shown in the book of Acts. From Acts 2 we see Jews who had come from "every nation under heaven" (2:5) present, being baptized (2:38) and logically returning back home after Pentecost. They didn't stay in a Christian compound worried about the Jews finding them. The Christians who lived in Jerusalem met daily in the temple courts and from house to house (5:42). Again, we don't see everyone huddling up together in a camp, but rather boldly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead (4:2).

Omissions of Powerful Conversions

Nothing inherently wrong here, just disappointed in what has been omitted from A.D. The creative license to weave the conflict between Christians, Jews, and Zealots may be entertaining, but to do so at the cost of leaving out powerful conversions, is disheartening. 

Peter's sermon (Acts 2) and subsequent baptisms of 3,000 people was only hinted to. 2,000 more people came to Christ at Solomon's Porch (4:4). The Samaritan's came to Christ after the church in Jerusalem was persecuted and scattered (8:1). Philip was instrumental in preaching in Samaria (8:5,6). And while the scene involving Simon the Sorcerer was given a lot of airtime, it should be noted that Simon wanted to buy the powers of Peter and John, not Simon. Peter and John could give the Holy Spirit by placing their hands on people. Simon sought to buy this power and was rebuked for wanting to do so. 

I'm anxious to see how A.D. will treat Philip and the Ethiopian as well as the conversion of Saul. I would not discourage anyone from watching A.D., but watch it with your Bible open.