Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Bible in a Minute

Props to Richard Wood for pointing me towards this:



But here's my question: what do you think is missing? There's an enormous amount of theology here - both in the choices of what to include, and in what to exclude. (And in (at least) one bizarre detail which I don't find in the Scriptures!)

I'm not asking you to post your own (well presented, rapped and captioned) videos - just your comments. If you had a minute to precis the Bible, what would have to be included?

Or have these guys just about got it right?

8 comments:

Ricky Carvel said...

Well, this is all chronology without any theology.

There's a distinct lack of God in there. Particularly a God of love. And the bible ends with the new Jerusalem and a very positive view of the future, not apocalypse.

Didn't actually spot the bizzare detail in there, but there were one or two lines I never quite figured out...

But then again, if I was to present the bible in a vaguely musical form, I'd tend towards an extended prog-rock epic with lots of instrumental breaks. So what do I know?

Marcus Green said...

The choice of chronology over understanding is a theological choice (even by default) - hence, lots of theology.

The ending - apocalypse "boom", not recreation & restoration & joy unspeakable is a very theological issue. (And one with which I would take extreme issue.)

The bizarre detail? I'm not saying, but it's numerical. It stood out like a sore thumb to me in being totally extra-biblical!

I love the creativity & the in-yer-faceness of it. I love the medium. And I await your prog rock epic eagerly, though I am nervous of those ten minute guitar solos...

Anybody else?

Ricky Carvel said...

I guess you're taking issue with either the "40 lashes" or "5 wounds" line.

I'm sure in both those instances that the numbers are way to small...

Marcus Green said...

40 lashes - hadn't registered, but you are right to pint it out.

5 wounds - such a non-Biblical line in a one minute presentation. Right or wrong, it is not in the text and therefore most definitely not in my one minute!

the_exile said...

I agree with Ricky - it's a fair summary of some important events on the time-line of the Bible (and also REALLY COOL!) but not what I hope I would say in my one minute. Love, hope, reconciliation, community, ... now where's my beat-boxing friend?

Anonymous said...

I'm with Ricky in terms of my prefered format...

The Bible meets Tommy, meets Meatloaf, meets Taizé.

I think I'll start scripting it during reading week...

I was upset to note there was no mention of the redemption of the world... how about stating where you'd expect, at the end: the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Marcus Green said...

Exile - I'm sure you have lots of beat boxing friends. After all, you are in upstate NY. Isn't that what everyone does for fun?

Markio - Tommy meets Meatloaf meets Taize? Goodness me, there are times I am so glad I don't have to go into your head.

Anonymous said...

I try to avoid going in there when possible...