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Phil Vischer is back with new DVD series for Christian kids, but is this something your family should buy? Can these videos really teach kids about the Bible? Keep reading my review to find out more.
Our regular readers will know that I’ve had mixed opinions about Veggie Tales. On one level I loved them for their kid-safe entertainment value. On another level I’ve always wished they would point kids more to Jesus and the Bible. Apparently Phil Vischer (the creator of Veggie Tales) had some of the same conflict in his heart. Check out our interview with Phil Vischer to learn more.
His new project is different in many ways but has similar goals. Phil wants to help media saturated kids learn about God. “What’s in the Bible?” is a new DVD series being published by Tyndale House. They were kind enough to send me a free copy to review. Here are my thoughts on the new “What’s in the Bible?” DVD series from Phil Vischer. For more information be sure to check out their official website.
Great Big Audacious Goal
Can these DVDs fulfill their potential? One thing I’ve always loved about Phil Vischer is his ambitious dreams. “What’s in the Bible?” may be the most impressive to date. This series aims to bring back Biblical literacy to a generation of kids overloaded by technology. When complete, these DVDs will provide children a comprehensive overview of the Bible. After watching the sample disc, I think he might be able to make it happen.
Excellent Presentation
Will kids enjoy these videos? When working with children, you know that presentation matters. I was very impressed with the creativity and professionalism of these videos. At fist I wondered if puppets would have the same appeal as digital animation, but “What’s in the Bible?” proves that puppets are still a relevant genre of kids entertainment. I love the characters, the humor, and the creative variety.
Excellent Content
Will these videos teach Bible background? I was most impressed with how this series was able to communicate important information about the Bible. Tricky concepts like the canon of scripture were handled with accuracy and in a kid friendly language. “What’s in the Bible?” does a great job of defining new words and concepts for children. This series will be a powerful tool for helping kids understand the Bible and what it’s all about.
Suggested Use
Who will use these videos? This resource will find a ready place in our family DVD collection. The entertainment value will keep children interested for multiple viewings. I could imagine families watching them together and grown-ups learning just as much as their kids. Some churches might find it useful in a smaller group setting, but the depth of content really requires multiple viewings for full effect. “What’s in the Bible?” would be a powerful tool for families who are becoming more serious about family devotions. This DVD series might also find a niche among home-school families as a supplement to their Bible curriculum.
Some Concerns
My main concern is about the depth of content in each video. Maybe I have internalized the low expectations of our culture, but I suspect that a few of our more media-saturated kids would sniff out the educational purpose behind these videos. That is not a flaw in the videos, but a reality of the generation God is calling us to serve.
My second concern was with some of the character voices. There were points were I could not follow the dialog. Some of this was the funny voices and some was likely due to the early stage of production. I expect they will have those issues resolved before the final product is available in March 2010.
Watch My Video Review
In just over two minutes I explain what I like about these videos and some ways I would recommend using it. Watch it here or check out my What’s in the Bible review on YouTube.
What’s in the Bible DVD Preview
Some Related Articles Then check out our review of the Veggie Tales DVD library or read my thoughts on using Veggie Tales in church.
Related posts:
- Interview With Phil Vischer – Creator Of “VeggieTales” and Christian Media Pioneer
- Book Review: A Bible Alphabet by Alison Brown
- Creation Review (Preschool Bible Lesson)
- Book Review: Truth and Grace Memory Book (Edited by Thomas K. Ascol)
- Book Review: Tell Me About Heaven
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I have watched Part 1: In the Beginning, and I was extremely disappointed to find that Phil Vischer promoted an old earth point of view (progressive creation) as well as the Big Bang. The way the host “Buck Denver” handled the age of the earth issue (he ran away and hid). As Christians, we should not run away and hide when it comes to these issues, but approach them face-to-face. We need to teach the truth, and “What’s -not- in the Bible” will simply not do it.
Instead I would learn more about this issue at http://www.answersingenesis.org.
I recently “discovered” this series and wrote my review @ http://www.hankinsfamily.com/2010/10/dvd-review-and-our-first-giveaway.html
I didn’t appreciate some of the humor (references to underpants), but the rest of the content seemed accurate and helpful. I’m not sure how much of the content of DVD 1 discussed the Big Bang theory as I did not see it. Is it something that can serve as a catalyst for discussion with children that some very well-intentioned people believe differently and the effect that those beliefs have on the rest of Scripture?
Dear Phil Vischer and Company,
I agree with Brenda and Michelle S. I purchased the first three “What’s in the Bible?” videos for our church library. However, after we viewed the first one, we removed it. I believe in the six day creation as clearly stated in the Holy Scriptures. Genesis 1 and 2 clearly states this and it is backed up by Exodus 20:8-11 which I will quote here: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”
This passage clearly is speaking of a six day work week. I know of no one who works for six million years and rests during the 7th million. This is very clear! God is all-knowing and He knew sinful people would try to minimize His greatness and His power. Therefore He reinforced in Exodus that which He had clearly stated in Genesis so that there could be no mistake, -unless we choose to make the mistake on purpose! I also teach verbal inspiration to my children, my Sunday School Class; I believe the Bible is God-breathed. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” And 2 Peter 1:21 states, “Prophesy never had it origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
The Bible is the “Holy Scripture” because God the Holy Spirit gave to His chosen writers the thoughts that they expressed and the words that they wrote (verbal inspiration). Therefore, the Bible is God’s own Word and truth without error (inerrancy).
I would suggest the you redo “What’s In The Bible? 1 – In the Biginning”. The “Holy Scripture” is Truth! This CD does not tell the complete Truth! It says that lies also might be true! And this is created to teach children the Truth of “What’s in the Bible?” I implore you to rethink what you have done here. Thank you for listening.
Tammy Liebmann
Michelle S,
That link only addresses the “joke” about the Big Bang. I didn’t care for the joke either, but found it only a minor distraction.
The Big Bang was the reference to the fact that it’s “okay’ to believe millions of years.
I suggest this link: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab/why-christians-shouldnt-accept-millions
BRENDA,
I AGREE!!! I am on hold right now because I am returning the 3-set DVD pack I ordered from Whats In the Bible. I would NOT show this to my primary Sunday school class with such a statement in it.
I only can pray that other Christians will see this for the damaging statement that it is and return theirs. That is the only thing that will get attention .. a loss of revenue.
Personally, I think this is going to be an excellent resource for teaching the Bible to children. Be sure to check out the curriculum that they’re developing to accompany shortened versions of the videos: http://childrensministryandculture.wordpress.com/2010/02/13/review-whats-in-the-bible-episodes-1-and-2/#comment-23124
Very disturbing to hear the character state, “Some people think the Big Bang happened about 6,000 years ago. Other people think the Big Bang happened millions of years ago…”
Excuse me? Isn’t the title, “What’s in the Bible?”
I certainly don’t remember anything from Genesis about the “Big Bang”. How detrimental to condition these children, to have them primed and ready for the theory of Evolution once they enter school. There IS no basis for the Big Bang Theory, OUTSIDE of evolution. Phil just tossed Creation out on its head. I am very alarmed by what is happening.
Lisa, you should check out Phil’s blog – he talks more about this issue: http://www.philvischer.com/?p=215
I can’t believe I’m not seeing this comment anywhere, but I’m taking issue with Phil saying we don’t know what God meant by the word “day” in te first two chapters of Genesis. Am I the only childrens’ director that has this as a direct conflict with my teaching?
Thanks for the review Tony. How familiar are you with the Awana Sparks materials? Their goal is to run through the Bible in three years and my initial thought was that this DVD series might be a good compliment for families with that age child. I’m eager to see the DVD myself and how it can be used to support families raising their children to know Jesus.
I only know a little about AWANA. We helped with the program about 10 years back in one church, but I was with the older kids or helping with games. A lot of the material seemed targeted for middle or upper elementary, but my 1st grader loved it too.