TBC Notes | thebereancall.org

T. A. McMahon

The Gift of Lies for Christmas: The Spurious Journey to Bethlehem

Journey to Bethlehem isa feature film released in November of 2023 about the lives of Joseph and Mary and the birth of Jesus. There's little doubt that it will be a box-office success this Christmas season and well beyond. It has all one could ask for in the realm of entertainment: music, compelling lyrics, choreography, humor, drama, good guys and bad guys, beautiful actors and actresses, Holy Land production scenery, and mostly Bible characters and content. It has impressive support from the Christian Contemporary Music community, especially those popular among young adults. Positive reviews from secular websites and testimonies among those involved in the production assure viewers during their interviews that this only came about through God's involvement and His answers to their prayers. Interviews with children are compelling in their enthusiasm for the movie. It is definitely a first-class production and there's nothing to dislike about Journey to Bethlehem—unless of course you have a love for God's truth and recognize the problems with altering God's Word with contributions from humanity (Proverbs:30:6; Revelation:22:18-19).

Simply put, if what's presented is not of the Holy Spirit and true to the Scriptures, then it's not of God. Therefore, it's not true. If it's not true, then it is a lie. Everything presented in Journey to Bethlehem is a lie. None of the characters or their stories are true to Scripture. Again, is it entertaining? Yes! Is it a lie? Absolutely!

Lord, our hearts’ cry is that You will open the hearts and minds of those who are seduced by the power of the film medium and draw them back to Your truth. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John:17:17).

T. A. McMahon

Executive Director