Print 
PDF
Fox will premiere its new show, "Lucifer," this coming Monday night---in prime time--9 PM, 8- Central.
Fox affiliated stations, not Fox News Channel or Fox Business Channel. Same ownership.
They say it's a new take on an old story.
In the story, Lucifer Morningstar is bored with being the supreme ruler of Hell, feels abused by his "Father in Heaven" and retires to the City of Angels---Los Angeles---where he eventually joins the LAPD to help fight crime.
Actor Tom Ellis, who plays Lucifer, is in real life the son of a pastor.
His pastor dad says he's good with his son playing the role. In fact, "exited about it."
Not everyone is excited, nor should they be.
In fact, I wouldn't mention the show because I feel it blasphemes God, but we want to inform parents and grandparents who likely would not watch it to be sure their kids and grand kids don't watch it.
It is dangerously deceptive and anti-biblical. Particularly to young minds.
Len Wiseman, producer of the show, tells TV Guide, "Lucifer is fascinated by crimes and why people are motivated to do what they do. It's a study for him where he just wants to see why humans are doing what they're doing."
He says, "Lucifer isn't so much evil as he is mischievous, carnal, and brutally honest about what he wants."
In fact in the story line, Lucifer cannot tell a lie.
Lucifer becomes a friend of a LAPD detective named Chole Decker, and through his relationship with her joins in the process of solving crimes---learning a lot about people, while actually developing empathy for them.
Executive producer Joe Henderson says, "Lucifer is about exploring humanity and desires---there is no pretense."
TV Guide says in the first episode you meet "Lucifer as a self identifying victim---somebody who thinks he's been abused by God since the beginning of time."
Lucifer gets a surprise visit from Amenadiel, another angelic creature with a message to Lucifer from God---'Go back to Hell immediately'."
During the conversation, Lucifer refers to himself as a "mere pawn," one who is only filling a role of an "inherently evil" antagonist in a play written and directed by "dear ol' Dad," referring to God.
Henderson and Wiseman agree that Los Angeles is the natural setting for "Lucifer" since "LA is a place based on desires and passion, bad and good. It's the perfect playground for him."
The Daily Beast loves the show but says Fox may be taking a chance by putting it on the air.
They define it as "Satan roaming around the streets of Los Angeles like he's Justin Bieber...catching the interested stares from both girls and boys at the bars, and getting in trouble with the law, the ladies, and the Lord, all at the same time."
The Daily Beast says, "Lucifer tells the story of Satan in a way you have never heard it before."
However, they point out, because the show depicts Satan as a good guy, which will cause concern among Christians, the producers may make Satan too good and turn off the audience that wants to see him more evil.
They say several Christian conservative groups have expressed disappointment with Fox, including One Million Moms and the American Family Association (AFA) who have spearheaded campaigns against the show.
Clearly Fox is not listening to the One Million Moms or anyone else who objects.
The Beast says, "Fox likely isn't listening to the faith based noise since marketing this show to Christians would be rather fruitless."
TV Guide says, "The actors, though, are enjoying the ride and not too concerned with the perception that they're delighting in the celebration of dark forces. In fact, Ellis' father, sister and uncle are all pastors, and they're all supportive."
Ellis, who plays Lucifer, says, "I grew up with the very human side of Christianity--peace, love, understanding of everybody, which I think is quite cool."
He says, "They're all super excited I'm doing it. It's not some big theological debate. It's fun. Everyone feels a they have a certain perception of the devil, and they're using it to tell a story."
"If there's a message to be taken away," Ellis says, " it's that instead of shuttling responsibility for our own behavior to some mysterious force, we should take a look at ourselves and our own actions."
And that "message" pretty well defines the biblical description of the danger in dealing with the devil.
Half truths.
It is true that biblical teaching instructs us to take personal responsibility, however, it is God's Holy Spirit who convicts us and shows us the way---not Satan.
Paul recognized the deceptive nature of Satan and wrote to the Christians in Corinth: "But I fear; lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (II Corinth. 11: 3). He continues in verses 14 and 15: "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light, therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."
John wrote, speaking of the devil, he "Does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him...for he is a liar and the father of lies" ( Jn. 8:44).
In fact when Jesus taught us how to pray, He included in His model prayer..."But deliver us from evil, or the evil one..."
The prophet Daniel (8:25) described the spirit of Satan: " Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But shall be broken without human means."
And will ultimately be cast into the eternal lake of fire.
In the meantime some thoughts regarding Fox's Lucifer:
- Fox can be glad they chose God, the Bible and Christianity to mock rather than Allah, the Koran and Mohammad. The Christian response is considerably different than an Islamic response would be.
- You can call or email Fox, however, tens of thousands of women associated with One Thousand Moms have already done that. They were ignored. You may also email or write to them telling them you strongly object to this TV show.
- I strongly urge you to be sure your family and circle of friends, including friends at church, are aware of what it is about. Be sure your children and/or grandchildren do not watch it. From all I have seen and read it will be funny, compelling and highly deceptive to the uninformed.
- Pray. Specifically pray that this program will be a financial disaster due to low numbers of viewers and will be pulled from airing for lack of ratings.
Be Informed. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful.