Posted on 12/04/2006 7:52:47 PM PST by Pyro7480
'The Nativity Story' Movie Problematic for Catholics, "Unsuitable" for Young Children
By John-Henry Westen
NEW YORK, December 4, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A review of New Line Cinema's The Nativity story by Fr. Angelo Mary Geiger of the Franciscans of the Immaculate in the United States, points out that the film, which opened December 1, misinterprets scripture from a Catholic perspective.
While Fr. Geiger admits that he found the film is "in general, to be a pious and reverential presentation of the Christmas mystery." He adds however, that "not only does the movie get the Virgin Birth wrong, it thoroughly Protestantizes its portrayal of Our Lady."
In Isaiah 7:14 the Bible predicts the coming of the Messiah saying: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel." Fr. Geiger, in an video blog post, explains that the Catholic Church has taught for over 2000 years that the referenced Scripture showed that Mary would not only conceive the child miraculously, but would give birth to the child miraculously - keeping her physical virginity intact during the birth.
The film, he suggests, in portraying a natural, painful birth of Christ, thus denies the truth of the virginal and miraculous birth of Christ, which, he notes, the Fathers of the Church compared to light passing through glass without breaking it. Fr. Geiger quoted the fourth century St. Augustine on the matter saying. "That same power which brought the body of the young man through closed doors, brought the body of the infant forth from the inviolate womb of the mother."
Fr. Geiger contrasts The Nativity Story with The Passion of the Christ, noting that with the latter, Catholics and Protestants could agree to support it. He suggests, however, that the latter is "a virtual coup against Catholic Mariology".
The characterization of Mary further debases her as Fr. Geiger relates in his review. "Mary in The Nativity lacks depth and stature, and becomes the subject of a treatment on teenage psychology."
Beyond the non-miraculous birth, the biggest let-down for Catholics comes from Director Catherine Hardwicke's own words. Hardwicke explains her rationale in an interview: "We wanted her [Mary] to feel accessible to a young teenager, so she wouldn't seem so far away from their life that it had no meaning for them. I wanted them to see Mary as a girl, as a teenager at first, not perfectly pious from the very first moment. So you see Mary going through stuff with her parents where they say, 'You're going to marry this guy, and these are the rules you have to follow.' Her father is telling her that she's not to have sex with Joseph for a year-and Joseph is standing right there."
Comments Fr. Geiger, "it is rather disconcerting to see Our Blessed Mother portrayed with 'attitude;' asserting herself in a rather anachronistic rebellion against an arranged marriage, choosing her words carefully with her parents, and posing meaningful silences toward those who do not understand her."
Fr. Geiger adds that the film also contains "an overly graphic scene of St. Elizabeth giving birth," which is "just not suitable, in my opinion, for young children to view."
Despite its flaws Fr. Geiger, after viewing the film, also has some good things to say about it. "Today, one must commend any sincere attempt to put Christ back into Christmas, and this film is certainly one of them," he says. "The Nativity Story in no way compares to the masterpiece which is The Passion of the Christ, but it is at least sincere, untainted by cynicism, and a worthy effort by Hollywood to end the prejudice against Christianity in the public square."
And, in addition to a good portrait of St. Joseph, the film offers "at least one cinematic and spiritual triumph" in portraying the Visitation of Mary to St. Elizabeth. "Although the Magnificat is relegated to a kind of epilogue at the movie's end, the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth is otherwise faithful to the scriptures and quite poignant. In a separate scene, the two women experience the concurrent movement of their children in utero and share deeply in each other's joy. I can't think of another piece of celluloid that illustrates the dignity of the unborn child better than this."
See Fr. Geiger's full review here:
http://airmaria.com/
No, I go directly to the source. No middle men.
Let's take a jaunt down memory lane. ;-)
While I think you can make the case that Roman Catholicism became the de facto state religion with Constantine opening the council of Nicea, (determining who could attend and paying to have them there) the moment I believe that Roman Catholicism became the state religion was when Ambrose excommunicated Theodosius for conducting reprisals against the citizens of Thessalonica, who had murdered a barbarian army commander. Theodosius was only readmitted after doing public pennance. It was after this that the legal code began to be used to eliminate the role of the pagans.
Ambrose is an interesting study because so much happened during the time he was Bishop of Milan (373-97). He came from the ruling class and was transformed from being a layman, not baptized, into a bishop within 8 days. He is also the bishop that baptized Augustine
He insisted that the phrase "consubstantial with the father" be inserted AND HE WASN'T EVEN A CHRISTIAN!
He arranged and paid for those he wanted to attend.
Not really a glorious moment in our history. A select group of Christians were being used for the political purpose of unifying a pagan emperor's kingdom.
And, btw, as is often pointed out Ginger Rogers was a much better tap dancer than Fred Astair simply because she did the same steps only in heels.
I would fear for Harley's very soul if he made such a blasphemous error. Thankfully, I know Harley has read and understood the Bible and God's admonition not to pray to anyone other than the Triune God of creation.
He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god. They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? 20 He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?" -- Isaiah 44:15-20"Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
Sure that's why the council of Nicea was stacked by those opposed to Arianism.
Indeed because it wasn't some show orchestrated by Constantine but a Council convened by the church.
Protestant propaganda is laughable when one actually does the reaserch.
I'm sure there's a handful of impressionable 13 year old who'd buy this nonsense at some 'bible study' but the facts are Constantine never made any tate religions, wasn't baptised till his deathbed, and held arian views up till then. He deffered to the church to do what it liked, and the 'great contribution' he made? He made a big speech that folks shouldn't resort to violence over religious differences.
The fact that you'd fear for his soul is alone worth a prayer.
I gather you were there to observe Constantine personally?
. . . given the emphatic nature of your comment . . . Oh, right, knee-jerk SOP.
it's called history. you should try it.
beats random conjecture and rumors every time.
Harley crabby?
Nawwwwwwww. It's against his religion.
Or was that a doctrine of his faith.
I forget.
Because Mary is a type of the Church.
= = =
Only "a type" of the church?
Perhaps you could explain why there's such a persistent impression that for sooooo many folks of such persuasions,
she constitutes the sum total of the church and certainly all the parts and aspects they care to pay attention to and make a fuss over.
Perhaps you noticed . . . none of the apologists for nonsense treated that post of mine (11,574) like anything other than a hot potato to be left totally alone! LOL.
I guess we could call it SELECTIVE PERCEPTION!
Or Selective Rationalization.
personally I don't know a single Orthodox person or hierarch who does not believe in the bodily Assumption of the Theotokos into heaven after her death.
= = =
Sorry Kolo, but I'm shocked at the nonsense that the more TRADITIONAL AND TRADITION BOUND sects come up with. That's just incredible. Hard to fathom. Except that I'm keenly aware of the heart of man as well as group forces.
At least 2-3 times folks tried to tie Christ back to his "family obligations" vis a vis Mary, particularly.
EACH AND EVERY TIME RECORDED HE ESSENTIALLY GENTLY REBUKED THE WHOLE IDEA AND INSTEAD DIRECTED PEOPLE TO HEARING AND DOING THE WILL OF THE FATHER.
Clearly, millions of people have been exceedingly misled on that score.
I prefer my histories as distortion free as possible.
considering 1 corinthians 15 (not to mention oh i dunno the ten commandments, and the clear context of the situation)understanding this to be a ban on the world father is at best illogical
then try looking at actual artifacts rather than silly stories passed around at bible camp which have never had any historical basis
personally i view your posts generally as uninformed rambling and repeating of baseless accusations and a cry for attention not as potatoes.
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