The Great Commission Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		2.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

The Great Commission Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman July 3, 2020

Many, if not most, Bible scholars and Bible teachers would say that the prevailing message of the entire Bible points to salvation in Jesus Christ, dating back even to the beginnings of the Old Testament and its many memorable stories of God and His relationship with man that appear throughout it. But more than mere salvation, it is that the Bible calls for those who believe to make disciples of others which seems central to the greater message. Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 28, verses 18-20 says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Burk H. Parsons' The Great Commission, a five-part series on Blu-ray which is steeped in Christian doctrine, explores in detail the passage that conveys the Biblical command to carry out that work.

At the beginning of the program, Parsons says of The Great Commission: "[It is] one of the most significant and foundational commandments that we are given in Scripture." And so he proceeds to break it down in detail, offering a lengthy expository journey through the passage. It’s broken into five sections, each fit for capsule study for an individual or a small group. It's an insightful series, one presented more as if a lecture than a sermon, particularly considering that it takes place in a classroom-type setting rather than from the pulpit, though certainly Parsons' delivery is more in-line with a Sunday morning service. Technically, this is a stagnant presentation with only three or four basic camera angles. The scenery never changes. It's all about the message: no fluff, no spectacle, just Parsons' interpretation of The Great Commission.

The following segments comprise The Great Commission, named for several key phrases from the referenced passage from the Gospel of Matthew. Below is a summary of how Parsons dissects the Biblical content.

• They Worshipped Him (24:03): Parsons explores how the larger Gospel of Matthew shapes the idea of The Great Commission, the "general practice" of, as he says, doing as every Christian should do. He explores the earliest portion of the passage, including Jesus' interactions and relationship with the disciples and the disciples' acts of worship as such are described in scripture. He also covers the importance of the word that says while some disciples worshipped, others doubted. He wraps the message by claiming the interconnectedness of worship and the charge of The Great Commission.
• All Authority in Heaven and on Earth (23:38): In this piece Parsons discusses the "motives" of missions. He breaks down verse 18 in detail, beginning with Jesus' approach to the disciples as they both worshipped and doubted, the importance of assurance and confidence in doing the work of The Great Commission, God's sovereignty, the difficult notion of evangelism versus God's chosen elect, and more.
• Go Therefore and Make Disciples of All Nations (23:35): The upward focus of evangelism and mission, the grammar of "go," the precision of the term "disciples" in the verse, the modern church's "very poor job" at making disciples, and the necessity of giving all in the process of making disciples.
• Teaching Them to Observe All I Have Commanded (24:22): Considering the process of making disciples of those diverse peoples who live in the surrounding community, modern failings to truly share the Gospel even to churchgoers, the Gospel in the Old Testament, the processes of shepherding and teaching and the higher account to which teachers will be held, and the importance of faithfulness in carrying out The Great Commission.
• I Am With You Always (24:08): Christ's commitment to "always" be with those who walk with Him, though through the Spirit rather than the flesh; the role of the Holy Spirit in The Great Commission; and the early church as depicted in Acts chapter two as an example in faithfulness to follow.

The Great Commission Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Great Commission goes forth on Blu-ray with a 1080i, 1.78:1-framed transfer. The image is hardly noteworthy and is in fact problematic around the corners, even as it centrally looks quite acceptable. As to the latter first, the core elements are satisfyingly sharp. Parsons appears before his audience with well defined facial features and appreciable definition to his attire regardless of camera angle. The audience is likewise well defined as usually seen from the rear, and the small environment in which the series takes place reveals the wooden doors behind parsons, the bookshelves around him, the podium in front of him, and the title floor seen throughout the room as all pleasantly clear. Colors are very neutral but essential skin tones and the warm wooden panelling and tiles offer healthy contrast. The trouble comes in the form of frequently visible aliasing on various examples of attire in the gathered crowd listening to Parsons' delivery, and even on his striped necktie. Additionally, various stair stepped edges are commonplace out in the audience as well, and the least forgiving viewers will spot compression artifacts across the backgrounds. All told, though, for a presentation that is as straightforward as they come, it's hard to complain when the central focus is not seriously distracted by any of the major technical issues.

The Great Commission Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is practically no audio component beyond dialogue, and the LPCM 2.0 uncompressed soundtrack carries that single sound element well enough. Parsons' delivery is clear and intelligible through all five segments. It images well to the center area of the soundstage. There's no music and no supportive sounds. One might hear a Bible page being turned once or twice but that's about it. The track is basic but it handles the routine component as well as can be expected of a small production recorded in a rather small space. It just works: little is required of it and only what it can deliver is delivered.

The Great Commission Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Unfortunately, no supplemental content has been included. This release does not ship with DVD or digital copies and no slipcover is included. Do note that the product ships in a DVD-sized case which is made of a clear, rather than black, plastic.

The Great Commission Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Parsons' is a fascinating story. Obviously, his testimony is not told here, and he would almost assuredly argue that it doesn't matter within the context of this message, which was the basis for his dissertation. That's an interesting factoid that is vital to understand his passion for his teachings in The Great Commission and why this topic and this preacher may have been chosen for a rare Blu-ray release of this type. The teachings are vital for anyone maturing in their Christian faith or for anyone interested in one of the key central themes of the Christian religion. Parsons delivers with great knowledge and depth. Hopefully for those who find value here Ligonier Ministries will find fit to release more of Parsons' teachings on Blu-ray. The video and audio qualities are fine in context but won't win any technical awards. No extras are included. Recommended.