‘The Story of God’ Returns — But Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story of Christ

Last updated on: February 6, 2017 at 4:35 pm by Kate O'Hare

‘The Story of God’ Returns — But Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story of Christ 2017-02-06T16:35:20-08:00 Kate O'Hare

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When comparing religious beliefs, it’s necessary to tell the whole truth. As it returns tonight, Monday, Jan. 16, National Geographic Channel’s “The Story of God” just doesn’t do that.

“The Chosen One,” the opening episode of season two of the popular series, takes host and producer Morgan Freeman on his familiar trip around the world to examine a variety of belief systems. He talks to an American boy believed to be the reincarnation of a Buddhist holy man, a Christian missionary who suffered torture and imprisonment in North Korea, and a Native American leader and religious figure.

He also discusses Sikh, Hindu and Muslim beliefs. In particular, he slides from a discussion of the sacrifice of Christ straight into a conversation about the grandson of Mohammed, Husayn ibn Ali, revered by Shi’ite Muslims.

In general, Freeman in “The Story of God” remains visibly partial to Buddhist and Native American beliefs, and always leans toward a positive portrayal of Islam, following the familiar “religion of peace” trope.

But one fact remains unstated throughout the entire program.

Jesus didn’t claim to be a Chosen One of God. He claimed to BE God.

Mohammed didn’t claim that (nor did his grandson), nor do any Hindu or Buddhist figures (not even Buddha), nor did Abraham nor Moses, nor do Native American leaders.

To go through an entire hour about people who claim to be vitally connected to God and not state the central claim of Christian belief — that Christ was the Son of God, consubstantial with the Father — not only diminishes Christianity, but it’s fundamentally dishonest.

Freeman does manage to slide in a slap at Catholic popes and the selling of indulgences, but he leaves out the very core of the Faith.

The show’s an attractive travelogue, and Freeman talks to interesting, sincere people, but if you’re not going to tell the truth about one faith, then you’ve lost credibility to talk authoritatively about the subject in general.

Image: Courtesy National Geographic Channel

Don’t miss a thing: head over to my other home at Family Theater Productions; also like the Patheos Catholic FB page to see what my colleagues have to say.

Previous Post

January 14, 2017

'Silence': British Catholic Timothy Stanley Disputes Bishop Barron's Take

Next Post

January 18, 2017 'The Young Pope': What's Pius XIII's Vision for the Church? (VIDEO)

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category books breaking news digital media Faith practice food interview jane the virgin media movies music NFL Pope Francis Showbiz 101 social media sports technology television Uncategorized video

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz