Wisecracking vegetables in the number...
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Wisecracking vegetables in the number-one-selling children's video in America, Veggie Tales, are reinterpreting the Old Testament story of Esther. Populated by moralizing computer-animated vegetables, Veggie Tales has generated 28.5 million tapes since 1993. The parable of the Good Samaritan is recast with vegetables that wear shoes on their heads as enemies of those that wear pots on their heads. Instead of David and Goliath, an asparagus fights a gigantic pickle. In one video, Nebby K. Nezzer builds a 90-foot chocolate bunny everyone must worship. Silly songs such as "The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps" are included in the fare. Although the series is based on sacred texts, the popularity of the videos rests largely on their irreverence.
While children will certainly become more familiar with biblical stories, it is uncertain as to how much impact these videos will have on their faith and morality. They are more entertaining than convincing. In our text, the crowds were amazed, not at the beauty or cleverness of Jesus' words, but at his authority, which even demonic spirits had to obey.
While children will certainly become more familiar with biblical stories, it is uncertain as to how much impact these videos will have on their faith and morality. They are more entertaining than convincing. In our text, the crowds were amazed, not at the beauty or cleverness of Jesus' words, but at his authority, which even demonic spirits had to obey.
