I’m not a fan of playing “devil’s advocate” or arguing for argument’s sake. I believe hypotheticals are for teaching and preparedness, not relationship building. Opinions are just that – opinions. We all have them. Some are worth sharing and discussing. Some may even be worth debating. But, they are still just opinions.

Scripture, however, has stood the test of time. The Bible is actually a source of historical study, evidence, and accuracy, as well as faith building and encouraging. When it comes to adapting a Biblical account for entertainment, scrutiny for accuracy is at an all-time high. Or, at least, it should be. So I am dumbfounded that no one is talking about or commenting on the vast departure from the text that the new Daniel movie has made.

As a creative, and a story teller, I absolutely understand creative license and creative expression. And as a long-time believer and reader of the Bible, I also understand that we can gain new and specific insights from the Word at different times in our lives and during different readings of it. However, God’s word does not change during any of that. God’s word stays consistent and grounded.

Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever”.
Psalm 119:89: “Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens”.
Matthew 24:35: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”.

The book of Daniel tells us that Daniel and his 3 friends all face severe tests of their faith, leading them into life-threatening situations and deep reliance on God for their safety. God shows up in each circumstance and protects them. They are separate circumstances. Unique to each situation and each person or group. They are not the same.

The book of Daniel also tells us that Daniel was separated from his friends very early on; right after he shared the dream and its interpretation with the king (Daniel, not all four of them). And then a statue was erected. And then the 3 friends stood instead of bowing to the idol.

**movie spoiler alert coming up**

Nowhere in the Bible does it hint, intimate, or suggest that the 4 friends designed, procured materials for, and BUILT the statue themselves, at the king’s behest.

And nowhere in the Bible does it hint, intimate, or suggest that Daniel sat by, at the right hand of the king, and watched as his friends were escorted into the furnace.

What?

If I hadn’t been with a group of people that I brought together for the viewing of this movie, I would’ve walked out of the theatre. I was THAT uncomfortable with what I was watching.

This is where artistic license goes too far. And this is where Biblical scrutiny should require better accountability. And maybe this is part my own opinion. But God is clear on His stance on the creation of idols since he included it in the official Ten Commandments:

Exodus 20:4-5 “Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,”

Now, an argument could be made that they weren’t fashioning it for themselves or the people of Israel, but that would be splitting hairs. This flies in the face of God’s Word to the point of mockery and disrespect, not to mention defiant disobedience. Part of the amazing and powerful example of the 4 friends is their devout reliance on and adherence to God and His Word.

Yet, this movie departs from the text and rewrites its own narrative; steeping the 4 in compromise and calling it faith. And the rewrite itself once more flies in the face of God’s Word which reminds us:

Deutetonomy 4:2: You must not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it, so that you may keep the commands of the Lord your God I am giving you.

Proverbs 30:5-6: Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Don’t add to His words, or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.

Revelation 22:18-19: I testify to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book.

Is the movie’s tagline “faith under pressure”? Yes. Did it depict that? Yes. Would I recommend this movie? No. God’s Word is powerful and poignant all on its own. It doesn’t need a combined storyline rewrite to make its point  or encourage our reliance on and our walk with Him. And the movie wrongly depicts events!

The makers of this movie had an amazing opportunity to shine a light on God’s love and provision, and man’s ability to walk in faith amidst the trials and pressures. I believe they fell drastically short once they rewrote the narrative and changed the events. They compromised, and in the end, showed a lack of integrity in the Christian community to champion God’s Word as it is written.

The rest of my opinions about the movie are irrelevant because they are simply my opinions. Some good. Some, meh. But irrelevant in the greater conversation about God’s Word. God doesn’t need my defense – He’s got it all in hand. I’m honored to partner with Him in shining a light on His Word and pray that my words help others seek a better understanding of His Word and Him.

#loveonpurpose and #LiveYourFaithBoldly – even when it goes againt what everyone else is saying.