Bible is coming to the BBC

There is one thing that even the most ardent atheist will agree on. The Bible has been a central book for European culture. Even those who don't believe its words know that the images and stories of the Bible have shaped Western civilization for thousands of years. Now, the BBC is ready to acknowledge the importance with a television miniseries set for release in 2009.

The international co-production, to be broadcast in 2009, will combine drama and computer-generated imagery.
The BBC plans to hire a well-known actor, whose identity has yet to be disclosed, to narrate the series.
According to the corporation, each episode will concentrate on the humanity, "miraculous experiences" and epic encounters in the Bible's stories.

Of course, there is no way to know how close to the Bible the Beeb will stay. Some past works have been faithful to scripture, and others have gone far afield in the name of "poetic license". Here is hoping they have learned from the "Passion of the Christ" and will try to stick to the Biblical narrative.