Nearly 70 years ago, Edward R. Murrow famously defined television as being much more than merely wires and lights in a box: “This instrument can teach it can illuminate; yes, and even it can inspire,” he said in a famous 1958 address to the Radio-Television News Directors of Association.
The spirit of Murrow’s vision for the medium was reflected in the conversation held this week at Bel Air Church, which hosted a dinner and screening event for an episode of the Amazon Prime Video series “House of David.” The Biblical-themed series revolves around the story of David and Goliath and the fall of King Saul hails from indie studio the Wonder Project and Amazon MGM Studios.
“House of David” bowed Feb. 17 on Prime Video. The show to date has garnered an audience of more than 22 million viewers, which validates Prime Video’s push to add more shows that directly touch on faith and spirituality issues. The goal is to help expand the boundaries of faith-related programs beyond the traditional stereotype that such shows are G-rated treacle. “House of David” mixes sword-and-sandal costume drama with considerable action and a large cast of supporting characters.
“It was a tremendous reminder that this is indeed something that’s important to a lot of people,” said Brooke Zaugg, executive director of the nonprofit Faith and Media Initiative that advocates for more nuanced portrayals of people of faith in TV and film.
The screening was introduced by Martyn Ford — the towering actor who plays Goliath. Wonder Project founder Jon Erwin, who is the creator, writer and director of “House of David,” greeted the crowd of a few hundred people who gathered March 24 in the church’s sanctuary. Erwin, who could not attend because he was on location shooting, explained his overarching goal with “House of David” and other properties in development at Wonder Project.
“House of David,” which runs eight episodes, is deeply rooted in Bible stories. But it is first and foremost meant to entertain a general audience, and hopefully encourage some viewers to dive deeper into Biblical texts.
“The whole point is to make an entertaining TV series — but it’s not Scripture,” Erwin told the crowd via video. “What we do is like a gigantic billboard pointing to the Bible.” The fact that such a show can reach a broad global audience via platforms such as Prime Video is significant. “It really is a profound moment in our industry,” Erwin said.
After the screening of Episode 1, the leader of Bel Air Church, the Rev. Dr. Drew Sams, gave the glory to Erwin and Co. “I think that was the best sermon that’s ever been preached in this sanctuary,” Sams said of the episode. “And I preach more in this sanctuary than anybody else.”
Pastor Chad Veach and Rabbi Steve Leder, of Los Angeles’ Wilshire Boulevard Temple, echoed Sams’ praise of the show’s handling of the Biblical material. Lines from Scripture are used to great effect but not to the distraction of the narrative. For Veach, it’s a refeshing experience. “Because so much of Scripture has been cheapened in storytelling and becomes a caricature of the actual power of God’s word,” he said.
Traci Blackwell, head of targeted content for Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, reaffirmed that “House of David” has been embraced by a large and global audience. At a time of great disruption and division, stories that revolve around themes of morality, ethics, equality, human rights and freedoms are more vital than ever, she argued.
“I just think the culture needs this,” Blackwell told the crowd. “We need this, particularly during this time, I think people are looking for hopeful stories. I think they’re looking for stories about God in a way that they don’t feel preached to but understood and seen. And this is a really big attempt on our part to see them, so I just think it’s incredibly important that we tell these stories.”
Blackwell and other panelists agreed that engaging storytelling is key to helping an increasingly secular culture in the U.S. have greater understanding of modern spirituality and faith practices. Blackwell was unapologetic about being on a “mission” to help viewers understand the teachings of Christianity outside of the context of today’s messy partisan politics.
“I personally feel like for the last few years, our faith practice has been a bit co-opted by particularly by politics. The messaging about who God is, who Jesus is and what he stands for is getting really twisted, and messaging about him being a God of love is getting twisted,” Blackwell said. “Part of why I feel like it’s important to do these stories is to reset and remind people who God really truly is and what he’s about. And he’s a God of love, and he’s a God who loves everybody.”
To accomplish that larger goal, however, “House of David” has to connect with viewers as entertainment. It can’t be seen as homework.
“At the end of the day, we need them to do well. This is a business right here. We have to deliver results,” Blackwell said. “I’m on a whole other plane. I need to deliver results, for sure, but I am here to change lives, and I’m here to save them.”
(Pictured: Pastor Chad Veach, the Rev. Dr. Drew Sams, Prime Video’s Traci Blackwell and Brooke Zaugg of Faith and Media Initiative)
