I truly don't like writing about negative things. Really. But what is a writer to do when yet another bottom-feeder-slimy-content-anything-for-money 'reality' show comes out and takes television to lower and more tasteless depths?
I know what you're thinking...which one is he talking about? You're right - so many to choose from for sure - but the morally putrid and plot decayed spew I'm talking about is called Moment of Truth.
This 'game show' takes contestants, leashes them to a lie detector machine, and asks them intensely personal and potentially devastating questions essentially designed to wreak havoc and destruction to all that is seemingly decent in their lives. Of course friends and family members are in the audience watching as the drama of stupidity unfolds and people throw themselves and others under the cash bus.
On second thought, that didn't sound too negative - did it?
What gets me most is the essential premise behind Moment of Truth, which makes the pursuit of money the highest goal in life - even if you have to nuke your relational world.
Oh I'll admit the show is fairly compelling...but so is the scene of an accident, so I wouldn't personally justify this excuse for a reality show with the flag of 'compelling entertainment.'
OK so we've established how I feel about this show - but what we haven't cleared up is why I would bring it up in the first place (other than the fact that I loath and despise Moment of Truth, but I think I mentioned that already).
The idea behind this show wasn't invented in 2007 by Fox. Nor was it invented in the 1950's by the producers of a show called To Tell the Truth. The concept of someone asking another person penetrating and potentially damning questions when hooked to a lie detector started when Jesus Christ walked the earth. In fact, much of His life was a walking Moment of Truth scenario where He would throw out inquiries to people knowing whether or not they were telling the truth, because He is God.
Of course when Jesus did that, it wasn't so people could win money or destroy their lives. Just the opposite actually. His questions were about leading people away from the idolatry of this world and saving their eternal lives.
So I have a challenge for you: do you want to be a contestant on the Bible's version of Moment of Truth? The only person you're competing with is yourself, and the rewards of truthful answers are far more than all the cash in the world.
Ready? Here's how to play. Read each of Jesus' two questions below, and think long and hard about how you would answer. Only God knows if you're telling the truth, but I promise this may be one of the most 'compelling' things you've done in a while.
Question #1
'Who do you say I am?' (Mark 8:27)
This is the question Jesus asked his disciples. At the time, people had all sorts of opinions about Jesus - everything from a demon possessed lunatic to the Savior of the world. Jesus knows that how a person answers this question will set the tone for every other area of life. Continue >>
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