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Jodi Magness

Who Wants An Apocalypse? – The Story of God (Ep. 2)

ExplosionIn his poem ?Fire and Ice,? Robert Frost offers?a brief discussion about how the end of the world will occur. In the end, he seems content with either fire or ice, but the end of planet earth is a topic many people discuss and debate today:?How?s it going to happen?? Who?s going to set the pieces in motion? Are we going to be around to see it happen with our own eyes?? In tonight?s second episode of The Story of God with Morgan Freeman (National Geographic Channel, 9P/8C), he takes a closer look at what faith has to say about the end of days. The findings are worth taking a look at for yourself.

While Freeman takes trips in the episode to Mexico (Aztec), India (Buddhist), Jerusalem (Jewish), and New York City (Islam?and a fascinating discussion with a gentleman who was part of the group that would later become Al Qaeda), the episode has a significant focus on the Christian belief of how the world will meet its demise.? Freeman talks with Jodi Magness, a professor at UNC, as she takes him to Qumran and shows him where the Dead Sea Scrolls were located.? The location is pretty breathtaking, as the caves built into the rock formations offer a glimpse of where the Battle of Armageddon would supposedly take place. The folks who occupied the caves?known as the Essenes?believed the impending war would bring them redemption lasting for eternity. They got their battle, all right?but it was with the Romans, who dropped by for a visit in 68 AD and destroyed the sect.

This concept of war has always been part of the canon of Christianity?all it takes is a quick read of the book of Revelation.? With all its symbolism and heavenly preparations for God to usher in a new heaven and new earth, a major focal point has involved the 13th chapter of the book.? It includes a massive beast rising out of the sea, a second beast giving orders to worship the first beast, and the imposition of a mark on all people?the number 666. Horror movie directors love it and devoted followers of Jesus today are scared to have it anywhere in their sight, whether it be on a license plate or their number of Facebook friends.

Morgan Freeman and Kim Haines-Eitzen
ROME – Morgan Freeman examines ancient documents with Cornell University Professor of Ancient Mediterranean Religions Kim Haines-Eitzen at the Biblioteca Casanatense in Rome, Italy.?? (photo credit: National Geographic Channels/Seth Nejame)

Freeman visits the Biblioteca Casanatense in Rome, a centuries-old library filled with ancient texts, for a discussion with Cornell professor Kim Haines-Eitzen. She shows him some writings and talks about who Revelation 13 may be referring to (hint: it didn?t involve any political candidates in America during the 21st century). Using numerology, the writings seem to show the Antichrist was Emperor Nero, a wild ruler from Rome in the first century who persecuted Christians intensely, killing them or using them as human torches. There was even speculation the number in the Bible was actually 616, not 666. But nevertheless, people of that time supposedly knew exactly who the text was talking about?and lived their lives appropriately.

If there is one point the second episode of The Story of God with Morgan Freeman seeks to make, it?s that the end of days allows people an opportunity to renew their lives. ?He references Hurricane Katrina?s visit to New Orleans in 2004 and talks to people who started their lives over as a result?particularly in the Ninth Ward.? The apocalypse may not happen today, tomorrow, or even five years from now, but it provides us the opportunity for introspection and a chance to be renewed as we consider God and are reminded that He?s ultimately in control of the winds, waves, and the end of the world.?

The Offerings of Death: The Story of God with Morgan Freeman (Ep. 1)

CemeteryWhat happens when we die is the greatest question we ask ourselves, according to Morgan Freeman, Academy Award-winning actor. As a result, he decided to go on a global adventure to determine the answer for himself.? That journey comprises the first episode of ?The Story of God with Morgan Freeman,? airing Sunday night on the National Geographic Channel (9P/8C).? His discoveries are intriguing and will give the viewer something to consider after the show has ended.

(It?s important to keep in mind that the series covers multiple religions and their similarities, so if you come in expecting to hear from one viewpoint only, you?ll be disappointed.)

The show begins with Freeman and David Bennett in a church, staring at a stained glass window of Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 8. Bennett recounts an experience of falling off a ship and somehow surviving under the water for 15-18 minutes. As many people have shared who have undergone near-death experiences, he saw a light (or fragments of a light) before coming back to life.? He agrees the light was God, but admits that he doesn?t ?subscribe to just one religious belief anymore.? Freeman then starts his journey, visiting Egypt and the pyramids, Mexico City and the Aztec ruins, Jerusalem and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and India?s Ganges River before returning to the States.

Are there similarities? Yes?people experience grief, want to remember their dead ancestors and, at the same time, want to be remembered for generations. Consider why we put names on tombstones and visit them with our living relatives.? Are there differences?? Of course?everything from spells (Egypt) to ritualistic sacrifice (Aztecs) to getting out of the circle of reincarnation (Hindu).

Freeman adds a scientific element to the discussion when the concept of a soul is brought up?can such a thing be replicated?? He goes to New York and visits Bina 48, an animatronic head (think of Richard Nixon?s Head in the TV series ?Futurama?) that is being programmed with the feelings, memories, and emotions of a living person so future relatives can interact and communicate with it.? This, to me, was intriguing?who wouldn?t want to share their life experiences in ways other than letters, pictures, and Facebook posts?

Jerusalem - The Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Jerusalem – The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

The visit to Jerusalem was fascinating?especially the burial tombs?and if you listen closely, Freeman?s guide Jodi Magness shares the entire Gospel for viewers to contemplate. Christianity differs from the other faiths mentioned because Jesus? sacrifice and resurrection brings people not only hope, but eternal life if they ask him to forgive their sins and claim him as forgiver and leader (see Romans 10:9-10).

I thought the episode, co-produced by James Younger and Lori McCready, was well-executed, with excellent production values and interesting content.? Striking visuals, acceptable CGI, and an ?Amazing Race?-ish feel served to help the cause. In addition, there was time to contemplate what was being shown with pauses between sections.

Freeman is searching for what he believes and concludes the episode with his thinking at the moment?in this case, regardless of belief, we can all become eternal. The point, regardless of whether the viewer believes his conclusion or not, is that death is something we?re going to have to deal with at some point. After Adam and Eve?s lapse of good judgement in the Garden of Eve, dying is a 100% certainty in this life (with Enoch, Elijah, and Jesus as exceptions). The question for us is simply how we treat it?as a scary proposition that could bring eternal destruction or a portal to joy and eternal life.