Observations
If you were the producer of this series, how would you take the following three verses (Acts 8:1-3) and expand it into a full episode?
Acts 8:1 Saul was in full agreement with Stephen’s murder.
At that time, the church in Jerusalem began to be subjected to vicious harassment. Everyone except the apostles was scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 Some pious men buried Stephen and deeply grieved over him. 3 Saul began to wreak havoc against the church. Entering one house after another, he would drag off both men and women and throw them into prison. (CEB)
A bit difficult? I’d think so. But the producers of this series had no difficulty because they’ve set up plenty of political conflicts and intrigues that to advance these side plots (having nothing to do with the text of Acts) can take up a lot of time.
The episode ends with Saul receiving the letter from the high priest authorizing him to do whatever is necessary. This, I assume, is a reference to Acts 9:1-2. In the text of Acts, this letter is actually to the synagogues in Damascus. Saul had already been persecuting in the region of Judea without any need for a letter. In the program, he engages in full-blown persecution in Jerusalem and against the “camp” only after he receives the letter.
Looking at the preview for next week, it looks like the series will be returning to the remainder of Acts chapter 8 and the stories involving Philip.
The women are nearly invisible in this episode. Mary Magdalene makes a brief appearance to tell Peter to start leading. Leah is present but she has no significant words to say or actions to take. At best she seems to be relegated to a messenger status in this episode. Claudia appears only briefly and her words seem to make little difference in the actions of those around her.
The central element driving this episode is an attempted coup against Caiaphas, led by his own father-in-law. There is certainly historical basis for Annas acting as kingmaker (or high-priest maker, in this instance). The problem is that everything else in this episode acts as supporting cast to this primary plotline.
The B-plot is Saul. Saul made a brief appearance in the previous episode at the stoning of Stephen. In the current episode viewers are given much more of what he is like and what motivates him. About the only thing taken from the Bible in this episode is about Saul. But even here a huge amount of material is fabricated. Could they have happened? Perhaps. But in my opinion, unlikely. This plotline, too, exists to support the Caiaphas plotline.
Halfway through the series, what started out as potentially promising, at least to my mind has entered the gutter. The way in which it treats the text of the Bible and fills it in with imagined narratives harkens back to the original The Bible series; i.e., pretty much bad to terrible in its execution of the material. As with the original series, this series increasingly is focusing on creating drama and tension unnecessarily, and by doing so ignores what is implied by the title of the series: that it is something about what is in the Bible.
I give this episode 3 out of 10.
Synopsis
Upper Room, a few apostles with Stephen’s body, preparing it for burial. Procession through Jerusalem. Stephen’s mother accuses Peter’s politics of causing her son’s death. “Where is this Messiah now?” she asks. Other apostles wonder why Peter doesn’t ask God for Stephen to be raised back to life. Stephen is buried.
Saul of Tarsus comes to the Christian “camp. He warns them to stop blaspheming by their preaching of Jesus. The apostles ask Saul to explain to them what is so wrong with their proclamation. Saul claims Jesus is a false prophet. He claims the Sanhedrin has declared it and is supported by the Old Testament prophets.
End segment 1
Jerusalem. Annas walking, speaking with his son Jonathan (Leah’s brother). Annas is not happy with how Caiaphas has been handling the politics with Rome and wants Jonathan to challenge him.
Leah and Caiaphas discussing a dinner party for Purim in which all her relatives will be present. Herod Antipas and Herodias have invited themselves to the dinner. Herod and Herodias approach Jerusalem on horseback and see the Christian camp. They wonder why anyone would leave all they knew and had to live apart in a camp.
Dinner. Discussion of recent events. Annas introduces the subject. Jonathan interjects. Caiaphas defends his actions. Herod is concerned. Discontent and anger is continuing to grow. Herod mentions the Christian camp. They wonder when it will stop. Caiaphas is annoyed. He asks what they want done. Caiaphas wonders aloud if they want him to slaughter the Christians in their tents. There is no objection. Annas suggests that what the Jews need is a strong high priest who will lead. Jonathan adds that the high priest should be in command and not led by the whims of the Roman governor. The tide is turning against Caiaphas. Herod doesn’t care for either Caiaphas or Jonathan, but he will have to back one of them.
Back at the Christian camp. Saul tries to convince the Christians to turn away from Jesus by giving examples of false prophets who led the people to ruin. Peter arrives and confronts Saul. Peter claims that the only way to the Father is through Jesus (John 14). Saul’s language confounds the crowd. Peter asks Saul to explain himself in simple terms. The simple explanation is this: that anyone who oppose the Temple will be destroyed by it.
Annas, Jonathan, and Joseph discuss a change in the high priest. Joseph isn’t sure he could get the Sanhedrin behind the family of Annas after what Caiaphas (Annas’ son-in-law) has done. After much persuasion Joseph appears reluctantly convinced.
Saul argues from Deuteronomy that a Messiah couldn’t be crucified and cursed. Peter counters that Jesus was resurrected. Saul doesn’t believe Jesus could have been resurrected. Saul argues that Jerusalem rejected Jesus. Peter counters this was in fulfillment of Isaiah. One of the Christians gets angry to the point where he threatens Saul. Saul backs off noting that reason isn’t going to persuade the Christians. He promises that he will be back.
End of segment 2
Saul and Gamaliel at the Temple. Saul asks why the Christians want to destroy the Temple and Jerusalem. Gamaliel tells Saul to stop concerning himself with the Christians but to seek to understand better the scriptures. Saul doesn’t understand why the Christians would want to replace the old ways with a new way. He has to stop them.
Jonathan and Annas are seen leaving an audience with Herod. Caiaphas sees. He enters to have an audience with Herod. Herod wants to know what Caiaphas is going to do with the Christians. Caiaphas thinks the Christians will soon tire and go away. Herod suggests that the Christian movement will turn into a revolt, and then a Roman response. Herod wants Caiaphas to do something, and as long as he deals with the Christians, Herod’s support is with Caiaphas if the news of the attempt to overthrow him reaches Pilate.
Leah speaks with Joseph in passing. She tells him that she knows he is part of a conspiracy to remove Caiaphas, but that they won’t succeed. She threatens Joseph. He tells her that the tide is turning and if she doesn’t see it, she will drown in it.
Saul attempts to seek an audience with Caiaphas. He is rebuffed, but encounters Leah. Leah takes Saul to see Caiaphas. Saul wants authority to act on Caiaphas’ behalf to remove the Christians permanently from existence and memory. The Christians offend Saul. They are against everything that Judaism stands for: the Temple, the institutions, the order and way of life. The Christians, who themselves are supposed to be Jews, are against what it means to be Jewish.
End of segment 3
Back at the Christian camp. Peter is building a brick structure. Speaks with Mary Magdalene. She tells him to stop bottling up his emotions and grief about Stephen. Be like the women who openly grieve.
Saul wants authority and some guards to do what it takes to destroy the Christians’ popularity. He believes this is their strength. Caiaphas tells Saul to recruit his own men and Caiaphas will pay for it.
Peter talks to the people about the stone on which Christ’s church will be built. Jesus is the foundation. The people are the church. He exhorts the people to set aside fear of persecution and return to Jerusalem to preach. They go to Jerusalem and preach that the true message of truth must be reclaimed from the priestly families and their Roman masters.
Saul marches on. Under the authority of the high priest, he confronts the apostles. He doesn’t take them, but arrests all who are listening for participating in blasphemy. Saul’s intent is to instill fear into people for associating with the apostles. Saul speaks with Gamaliel. Saul reports his actions and states that the problem has been solved by isolating the apostles and turning the supporters against them. Gamaliel observes that Saul has created a new problem. They look and see crowds heading out of Jerusalem to listen to the apostles. Peter seems pleased, but John and Mary are concerned. They think the hammer of the Temple will come down hard and soon.
Annas comes to Caiaphas and informs him that his attempt to solve the Christian problem has failed. Annas asks Caiaphas to step down. Caiaphas will not. He relates all the problems Annas created during his tenure as high priest. Caiaphas will have Pilate make the determination as to who should be high priest.
End segment 4.
At Pilate’s court, Caiaphas, Jonathan, and Annas wait for his decision. Pilate walks with Claudia. Claudia suggests backing Caiaphas. Pilate wonders if her reason is her “friendship” with Leah.
Pilate enters and takes out a small statuette from a box. It is Minerva, goddess of wisdom. He offers a prayer to Minerva asking for wisdom. But receives no response. Pilate confronts Caiaphas with a number of rumors about improprieties and possible treachery. Caiaphas denies all of it. Pilate will not waste time trying to figure out truth from fiction. He will have Tiberius – a coin – make the decision. The coin is flipped. Jonathan is condemned for his treachery. Pilate’s expectation of the office of the high priest – to follow orders and maintain order – not to be liked. Pilate flips another coin – heads mean Caiaphas stays as high priest. Pilate lets the coin fall to the floor and asks Caiaphas to get it. Caiaphas picks it up and says, “Head.” He stays. The other two are dismissed. Caiaphas observes the coin: it is heads on both sides.
Leah comes to Joseph. He is ordered removed from the Sanhedrin and ordered to leave Jerusalem, or face charges of treason. He observes that all this began with her scheming against Jesus, and that this will eventually come back to bite her.
Saul comes to Caiaphas. Reasoning has failed. Trying to turn supporters against the apostles has failed. Caiaphas seals a letter with wax. It authorizes Saul with the full backing of the high priest to rid the world of the followers of Jesus. “Do whatever is necessary… Whatever is necessary.”
End segment 5
Saul speaks to a group of men. He tells them that the Christians are trying to bring down the Temple. They disregard the Sanhedrin’s proclamations against them. The group has had enough. Saul unveils a cache of weapons. He whips them into a frenzy. They will make the Christians leave or be killed. The mob enters buildings and homes where Christians are known to reside. They are beaten and taken away. As this is going on, Cornelius appears and observes.
Saul and mob exit Jerusalem and approach the camp. Peter orders everyone to take what they can and flee. A few key apostles will remain and return to Jerusalem. Saul orders everything destroyed. Peter is still in camp as the flames go up all around him. Peter leads Saul toward the edge of camp where flammable oils have been poured. Peter crosses over and then lights a wall of flames blocking Saul’s pursuit.
End episode 6
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