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/
Well, some of us do. It's very cramped, and every day or so there's this terrible windstorm that gets everything dirty real quick. I wish they would change the bag and filter more often.
Which is why there are 70 something apostles.
Is your statement then that Paul was a "lesser" Apostle? I have found that several Apostolics have little use for Paul although he composed most of the NT.
LOL.
Much needed humor. Thx.
Sure it is. To those who have eyes, it is as clear as day. Mary is the archtype of the immaculate and pure Church that has fully realized its eschatological end. Elijah has nothing to do with the community ascending to heaven - the Jews didn't even believe in an after-life when Elijah was taken away anyway...
If you don't see it in Revelation 12 that the "woman" is Mary AND the Church, what can I say?
Regards
Hey, for fun and a good bath, get one of those new ugly ones you see on Tv. Can't remember the name at this moment. That's got water in it and I can imagine how filthy that must get after cleaning the rugs.
Yes, they have and on FR as well. The Lord's mother deserves respect but too many Catholics put her on a pedestal and make her equal with Jesus. It just isn't so. Nobody should be offensive to Mary but seeking the truth shouldn't be offensive. Mary would be offended at all the attention given to her. She was an obedient child and God used her to bring forth the Christ child but she would be the first one to reject all the adulation given to her.
Yes, he spoke to her during her prayer time. She wore the head covering for probably a year. Her daughters did as well. He said it was a sign of submission to her husband and to Him. He has greatly blessed her and her husband's ministry because of her obedience. They both have great discernment and are filled with the Holy Spirit. God wants to speak to all of us but most of the time He can't because we are too busy to take time to listen or don't believe He does that anymore. I've heard him 'speak' to me as well and it comes as a 'heart thought' (my way of describing something indescribable). The first time I recognized it was when I was at the end of my rope and at the worst state I was ever in and it came to me very clearly, "But I will take care of you, Mary." And He has.
the 'true church' is the body of Christ, not the Catholic Church. You can be saved through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Anyone from any church can be saved if they repent and turn their lives over to Jesus Christ. They then become part of the larger Body of Christ (the true church). I know we disagree on this, Mad Dawg, and it will probably never be resolved on these threads.
Amen. Mxxx
Well, kosta, I'm glad God knows my heart and that YOU are not in charge of that job. I will wear a head covering, or an apron, or go naked if the Holy Spirit prompts me to do that, not you.
The Holy Spirit came after Jesus died. If she was filled with the Holy Spirit, she could lay hands on the sick and they would recover, and she could possibly raise the dead, or any number of the things Jesus did. But she would not have any more of a spot in the Kingdom than any other disciple. She would merely have been the same as they or we, as His disciples, would be--no more and no less.
I hope you are encouraged to stay clothed.
Don't worry, I've got more scars on me than I care to share (smile).
I don't agree. So be it.
I also don't know how you can be totally, 100%, unequivocably sure of what you say here. How do any of us know for sure all the mysteries of how we, or any other human being, are with God? That is His domain, not ours.
I will never ask the Catholic Church, which I believe you are in reference to. I would go to my own Pastors but never to a Catholic church. I disagree with their teachings and just wouldn't do it.
PS
All that is hidden will be revealed.
But He does let us in on things from time to time, ROE. We don't, of course, know all the mysteries. I don't claim to, but I do ask the Holy Spirit for the words to say (not all the time unfortunately). I don't want to only give my opinion but I do have viewpoints which you may or may not agree with here. That's okay.
Yes, it will. Sometimes we just have to dig around in His Word for it and at other times, the HS reveals it to us. All is revelatory, especially His Word. Mxxx
Indeed, crucial.
First, you wouldn't know if it was the HS "for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." [2 Cor 11:14])
and, second, it is not I but the Bible that tells you to be covered.
Apparently, not even that is good enough for you.
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