From the creators of
Extreme Home Makeover, Jeff Foxworthy gives us a game show unlike any other -- because its subject matter is the Bible. Like Sunday school Bible quiz time for adults,
American Bible Challenge pits teams of Christians against each other to see who knows more about the Bible. The show features your typical quiz show format and also includes interactive games that test the contestants' knowledge of the Old and New Testament.
What's the prize? $25,000, with an ultimate prize of $100,000 -- but before you get upset about it, the prize doesn't go to the contestants but rather to the charity of their choice.
Catholic News Agency reported this week that, according to consulting producer Maria Dunbar, the show will highlight the “compelling back stories” of the competitors, who are on the show “to play for a reason” and are motivated by a charity that has special meaning to them.
So far it seems the show has gotten mixed reviews.
The Washington Post describes the show as "as dull as it sounds," while
New York Daily News says that even those with just a little Bible knowledge will be "unable to resist playing along and matching answers with the teams on the screen."
The show premiered tonight at 8pm on the Game Show Network, but if you missed it, go over to
Huffington Post to see a quick video and take the Bible quiz designed by the show. I got 16 out of 17 right in 1:56.
What do you think about American Bible Challenge? Is it something you would watch? Want to try out for the show? What was your score on the Bible quiz?
True
Comments (11)
God's Holy Word being broadcast to a Godless nation?
What a concept!
From the trailer video on the Huffington Post site: "Now for the first time the world's most popular book comes alive!" Foxworthy calls the games they play a battle of "Biblical proportions." (Both false).
Maybe the people in charge of marketing have some bad theology (or they just don't care) but I like the concept of the show. I doubt I'll tune in but I like the idea of people playing for charity, I guess. I'd rather see us watch less TV and read the Bible more but if this is something that helps us make that jump, cool. There are a lot of good things to see in this. And hey, snippits of scripture being on TV in a clear way, sure... that's cool.
I can't help but think how funny it'd be if Chick-Fil-A sponsored this show right now.
Also, the quiz is incorrect. There are two questions that have false answers which could actually be argued as true. Maybe I could get hired by this show...
@TheGreatBout@xanga - Which questions? I just got them all right, and I didn't notice any incorrect answers.
Do you really feel it's appropriate to take our CREATOR's words...& clump them into a shallow, pointless game show, that no doubt will lack any forthrightness ?
Hmmm...do ya think ?
(Wonder what HE think's on this one...)
@SheilaJoyce - compare it to the bible. gameshow has wide reach and far better version management. literature requires multitude writers which may rephrase prose to be more accurate in their opinion but be less conducive to meaning.
orthodoxy resting on a monolyth like a game show, and machines, would at least keep the facts straight. unlike trusting in scribes to translate.
here is the really crucial thing to question. what bias will be maintained by the show? will people be quizzed on mere facts (there is a ton of lineage in the bible) or also the inconsistencies? will it try to reinforce orthodoxy (kinda like catholicism, but without the corruption), our now inundated secular civility (moderate americans), partisan punditry (republican interests) ?
just to repeat, what christian church or proto-church (like republicans/megachurches) will the show cater to?as long as they deal with chronology they are okay, but if they delve into meaning/interpretation... could be bad.
@SheilaJoyce - seeing as the show has already aired and you have yet to see it, yet feel qualified to judge, your credibility is somewhat lacking.
having watched the show i will enlighten you and educate you that while the questions asked are probably on about a teen camp level of knowledge. raising money to feed the homeless and encouraging the public to read and know God's Word is hardly shallow or pointless. thank you for the shallow and pointless negativity though.
I'd be great at this show. Questions are way too easy.
@ProudToBeAChristianFruitcake@xanga - There was one about populars sayings and one of the possible answers was "a little bird told me" or something. That could be argued as a correct answer due to Ecclesiastes 10:20. The other question was who knew about Jesus' birth first and the correct answer is, of course, Mary. But, there could be argument for a chronological vs. narrative order of revelation which would make the wise men the first to know, that is, if they arrived quickly after the birth. However, most would argue they arrived a good time later. I'm just saying there's room for argument ;)
@TheGreatBout@xanga - the test must change then, because I don't remember either. The only question I had about Jesus and His birth, the answer was Bethlehem.
@TheGreatBout@xanga - I thoght immediately of the problem you then highlighted. The post sadi "teams of Christians" which means that contestants will be vetted. This means that as you said, some answer could be argued as the opposite of way the official answer is. Without non-Christians, heretics or sceptics being allowed to play for charity, the whole show is restricted and becomes just another attempt at preaching a particular intrepretation of theology, not doubt evangelicl protestantism. I'd be interested in the slant made on evolution and Biggus Bangus.
Too much fluff and not enough questions. It needs to be more focused on Bible knowledge and less on red neck jokes.