Here’s today’s dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

Silence of the critics.  From The Wrap: NBC’s “Hannibal” adaptation will occupy the Thursdays at 10 p.m. time slot, starting April 4…The series, which has received a 13-episode order from the network, will feature Lecter and his protege, FBI agent Will Graham, in the beginning stages of their relationship.

Comment: So, NBC’s Hannibal joins Showtime’s Dexter, Fox’s The Following and CW’s Cult  on the gruesome and, unfortunately, growing  list of TV shows featuring serial killers as lead characters. Throw in CBS’ serial killer-obsessed Criminal Minds (which original star Mandy Patinkin wisely quit) and other shows of its ilk and you get a bloody picture of how far the medium of television has fallen.  Does anybody really believe such programming can be beneficial for society?

TV writers, producers and programmers have such a fantastic God-given opportunity to put positive ideas into the culture — to promote compassion, empathy, honesty, personal responsibility and forgiveness. Is this stuff really the legacy they want to leave?

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11