Tim Minear of Drive and Todd Holland of Wonderfalls and Malcolm in the Middle have landed a pilot for the original series Miracle Man (unrelated to the famous comic book character) on ABC, after an intense bidding war between ABC and FOX.

The series will focus on failed televangelist who soon learns God is using him to perform miracles in the lives of others as well as his own.

Typically, premises centering around specific faiths don’t last too long. Just look at Revelations and Joan of Aracadia.

 NBC had similarly high hopes for Revelations, an End of Days mini-series starring Bill Pullman, Natascha McElhone and Tobin Bell. The mini-series was supposed to be the spring board to a massive ongoing series which never came. Even proven success stories like Joan of Arcadia, which garned Emmy nominations and even the Humanitas Prize, lasted only two seasons.

However, there seems to be a minor resurgance in projects which take a different, less traditional approach to faith. TNT’s mature late-night Holly Hunter drama Saving Grace focuses on a down-and-out cop who receives visits from a “last chance angel”, along with a death row convict.

What interests me is Tim Minear’s presence. One of the most recognizable alums of Firefly and Angel, Minear also worked on the ill-fated Drive, which Fox cancelled after only four episodes. Much of Joss Whedon’s work on Angel contained a cynical agnostic view on religion, further highlighted by the existential struggles of the titular characters. Whedon himself, I believe, once referred to God as the “Sky Bully.” Though I don’t know exactly what Minear believes spiritually, its because of this background that I believe Miracle Man won’t be a cut-and-dry faith flick like some of the previous series.

No word on when the series will air, though the duo did receive a put pilot commitment from ABC. Minear is set to write and Holland to direct, with both receiving executive producer credits.