Present Time: Episode 1: The Adventure Begins

A strange old man sends our young hero Josh Walker a special laptop computer with more than your run of the mill Radio Shack extras. This mobile unit operates on the Word, and we're not talking Microsoft here; we're talking famous Bible characters who jump into the present with tried and true lessons and parables to share. In the first show, Josh 'downloads' Goliath, and hot on the giants heels, we meet David, who professes he didn't kill Goliath, he just flung the stone--God made it hit the mark. Hmmmm. Wasn't it Flip Wilson who used to say, "The Devil made me do it?", and we all laughed? With excellent production values and amiable actors, the idea of bringing Bible villains and heroes to a young adult audience is commendable, but I still have serious reservations with the translation of the message to today's youth. The parallels between Josh and David (Josh has problems with a school bully) are the same problems lots of kids are dealing with today, but one wonders if the "God's will" analogy isn't a green light to start throwing stones. Recommended, with some reservations, for Bible discussion groups and strong Christian collections. (N. Plympton)