Truth, Justice, and the Hypocritical Way
I'm hardpressed to see how anyone could take this show and its supposed lessons seriously, just as I'm sure the families that do love it wonder how anyone couldn't. But how do even they explain stuff like this?
"Back to School"
In his secret identity, Bibleman vehemently tells the villain people don't want Bibleman, they want God and His Word. So...why is this show even made, if people don't want Bibleman? Why not just video record Bible studies and release those, and have a traveling sermon lecture? Imagine how many action figures and computer games that'd sell!
“Six Lies of the Fibbler”
Bibleman shows that he has the power to repel the villains he fights by invoking the name of Jesus Christ. He never, ever uses that ability again, not even later in the same episode. What sense does that make?
“Defeating the Shadow of Doubt”
The Bible says that if a wise man sees trouble coming, he avoids it. Yet when he’s in a dark basement and finds a suspicious box that’s already made one girl doubt her faith in God, Bibleman opens it right there and becomes a victim of the doubt weapon too. Guess the needs of the script are stronger than the teachings of God.
“The Incredible Force of Joy”
In this episode, which is extremely confusing and sloppy without bringing theology into it, Bibleman spies on and takes biological samples of a boy without his knowledge. How inspiring.
“The Fiendish Works of Dr. Fear”
Bibleman donates $10000 to an anti-drug campaign, and then starts the round of applause for this gift himself. ‘Nuff said.
"Conquering the Wrath of Rage"
This one's a gold mine. In a riveting scene, Bibleman and his brand new sidekick are outside the entrance to the bad guy's hideout, and Bibleman, paragon of virtue and model of living in God's way, tells his sidekick who has no weapons, armor or experience, to go in first. And after they enter the evil lair, they stand around for a while, listen to the villain explain his plan they pretty much already knew, and leave. Best of all, there's a bit where Bibleman and his sidekick hide in the bushes and spy on a bunch of ten-year-old boys. I'm supposed to let this guy teach my kids what to believe about something bigger than themselves?
“Breaking the Bonds of Disobedience”
We’re introduced to Biblegirl, who joins the team, gets her own nifty armor and everything, but NO WEAPONS. What were they thinking? Was she intended to cheerlead the boys? Did she have to earn them because she's a woman?
“Lead Us Not Into Temptation”
This one seriously makes no sense at all. Bibleman basically says that after you become a Christian, you have to avoid the people you knew before you converted or they’ll lead you back into sin (I love how Biblegirl flies off the handle when the other sidekick gave one of his old friends some computer help. Yeah, he‘s headed straight back to Sin City). Yet, the girl they help learn this lesson makes one of her old friends convert, so they can still be friends. Notice how Bibleman never tries that, even after the villains stop representing sins.
"Jesur Our Savior"
My favorite Bibleman moment. Our hero goes off to battle the most evil and powerful villain he's ever faced, all alone. And with no reason whatsoever for leaving his sidekicks behind, just because they wanted to do a cliffhanger episode. They only made three other episodes all about the value of teamwork and fellowship, after all. And doesn't the Bible say to turn the other cheek? When Bibleman is getting sassed out by a bunch of unruly townspeople when he says that beating the villain is up to God, not him, he gets up and leaves. Also great: if you watch closely in the last fight, there's a part where Bibleman is knocking the villain's shots away...toward his own sidekick. That's some "hero worth following" you got there, Pamplin.
"A Light in the Darkness"
And here we meet Bibleman's longest-used (and definitely lamest) enemy to date, the Wacky Protestor. What the heck does that name mean? That protesting, that not following the flock like a blind sheep isn't what God wants? And come to think of it, isn't Evangelism a PROTESTant religion? So isn't that a weird name for a guy who's supposed to represent its antithesis?
What's not to love?