No, I think it’s definitely a pretty heavy topic for something like Veggie Tales, and I don’t begrudge the creators for not approaching it.
I’m merely taking issue with the idea that teaching Bible stories is equal to teaching Christianity. There are some pretty fine differences, but it’s still an important thing to do for kids, and Veggie Tales succeeds admirably.
I’m merely taking issue with the idea that teaching Bible stories is equal to teaching Christianity. There are some pretty fine differences, but it’s still an important thing to do for kids, and Veggie Tales succeeds admirably.
I agree completely. I regard the Veggie Tales as what some people have called a proto-evangelium--that is, a sort of introduction to or a precursor of the Gospel, providing a moral and conceptual context in which the Gospel, once presented, can make some sense, and within which one can make an appropriate response.
The Veggie Tales provide the same sort of general service that Sunday schools and Bible Schools used to provide, before they became outlets for social engineering and political re-education--that is,they tell Bible Stories, which most kids enjoy hearing because they're often just cool stories--and learning some Biblical concepts of values like good and evil and and mercy and justice can't hurt--and can throw what Christ has to say about these things into sharper relief.
I have no problem with what the Veggie Tales guys are trying to do, and applaud them for what I assume is their good sense in avoiding presenting Jesus directly in their shows, or cartoons, or whatever one might call them. There are some things that simply should not be attempted, and they seem to know this. I haven't seen this "Easter Carol" segment that some other poster has written about, and can only hope that they haven't crossed that line.