(5 out of 5)

Mythbusters is a perfect show for fathers and sons (aged 9-adult). My daughters who are nine and under don't seem as interested as we are in the whole thing – and our youngest son (two years old) is mostly into doing body slams from the top of the headboard on our bed . The hosts of Mythbusters have good humor, have fun, know how to use their brain and are focused on busting myths and/or proving facts. This show does for science what Harry Potter did for kids reading literature: makes it interesting.

Critical thinking skills and paying attention to detail are big components in this show. The show teaches viewers about "control" groups and "experimental" groups while making "hypothesis," about what will happen in certain tests. Then the tests are actually executed to find results. This show is probably more educational than most science classes, and a lot more fun. Home School parents should have all five seasons on disc – because cable television is mostly crap – and this show is on the Discovery channel.

Then, after parents watch individual episodes with their kids they should do some of their own myth-busting about spiritual issues. Hypothesize about whether mankind is really depraved or basically good. Make observations by reading CNN online and googling "corruption in the local church." Then they should take a concordance and read what the word of God says about sin, sinners, those who have sinned, and those who are fallen, wicked, and evil. Once the myth of humans being "basically good" is busted, then move on to the idea of "grace." Hypothesize about whether we earn grace or whether grace is bestowed on us regardless of our "will," "desire," or "exertion." Start by having them do case studies on Noah, Joseph, Abraham, Moses, & Paul. Have them use Strong's Concordance to look up the Hebrew and Greek word for "grace," and "favor." Do the same myth-busting regarding whether Jesus was just a man, whether we can be "saved by works," and whether we are really called to do world missions.

Part of us thinking critically requires us busting various spiritual "myths." Does God want us to all be healed? Then why do we all die? Does God want anybody to have to "suffer," in this life? Then why does God allow so much suffering and what about Job and innocent suffering? Does God want us all to be rich? Then what about Jesus and Paul? Can we become sinless? Then why did we need Jesus to die for us? These are just a few of the "countless," myths that many Christians espouse on a regular basis.

Do your kids a favor. Let them watch Mythbusters. And, when they ask you why God allows bad things to happen to good people – be ready for a little investigation into the word of God. And remember, the answer is not as simple as: "Because he gave people free-will."

~Pastor Ben