Too much time on screens can provide something of a health-hazard. Physically, emotionally, even arguably spiritually.
A huge number of column inches over recent days have been devoted to the perils of the screen-based online world for young people especially, following the release of Netflix’s Adolescence. Meanwhile, YouGov data released in March revealed that in the last year, the median Briton has only read or listened to three books. A staggering 40% of the public had not read or listened to a single book in that time. This perhaps becomes less surprising if you consider that in England, 18% of adults aged 16 to 65 – so 6.6 million people – have “very poor literacy skills”. If you were looking to increase Biblical literacy, you wouldn’t start from here.
For many young people, those with dyslexia, or just those whose attention span feels shorter in an increasingly screen-based world, being faced with the thick spine and tiny-seeming text of a traditional Bible can seem intimidating. Apps can help, alternate versions too, and many of us will fondly remember the Good News Bibles of our youth. But in our very visually-focused society, film-makers are increasingly finding the vision (and the funding) to turn to Biblical narratives for inspiration.
In cinemas near you, released a few episodes at a time throughout April, is the latest instalment of The Chosen, now on its fifth series. Blockbuster production values combine with a character-driven narrative to make the gospels come alive.
Yes, there are some extra-Biblical flourishes, but as a visual aid to reignite interest in someone who is flagging, this calibre of storytelling is hard to beat. And people are turning up for it – on opening weekend it placed third on the US charts, taking $11 million. It will be available on Amazon Prime in June and then free on The Chosen app from September.
From April there is King of Kings, a beautifully animated rendition of Charles Dicken’s The Life of Our Lord, with an incredibly starry cast that includes Kenneth Branagh, Urma Thurman, Mark Hamill as Herod and Oscar Isaac as Jesus.
Later this year another animated film – this time a musical (likely to be popular with fans of Disney!) on the story of David will be released. Its PR team have promised “the Biblical authenticity of The Prince of Egypt and the musical chops of Moana and Tangled ”. That is going to take some living up to…
Having said that...
There is a caveat here – our editor’s review of Amazon Prime’s House of David was headlined ‘House of Dullness’! And however faithful – and fun – a TV show or film is, it cannot replace time spent studying Scripture.
Visual depictions can support our study, help fire our imaginations and pique our interest when it might be flagging, but they cannot replace the Bible. Biblical tales have always been told in myriad ways – from the oral tradition of storytelling that we can see even in the Bible itself, to the stained-glass windows in chapels and cathedrals. There have always been a range of mediums available to help spread the gospel and share the good news of Jesus.
In a world tempted to demonise screens, the reality is that they are just another tool that God has given us – one that can be used for good or for ill. We will need His wisdom in discerning which stained glass or screen is helpful to move on from quickly – and which to meditate on.
