'The Nativity Story' Movie Problematic for Catholics, "Unsuitable" for Young Children

LifeSiteNews.com ^ | 12/4/2006 | John-Henry Westen

[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/

[AlbionGirl]

10 Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

D, following is a quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin:

He who shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world.

You will find no bigger fan of the Founding Fathers than me. And while I don't want to speak for God; I believe they were Providentially sent. No matter how they departed from any attachment to organized religion or Christianity in particular, the Hand of God is everywhere around them.

Jefferson, that good old slave owner, creates a bill of rights that is and becomes a rebuke unto himself. I see God's hand in that. Jefferson and Adams both died on the same day, the 4th of July, in the same year.

As I see it, the founding of the U.S. testifies to God's will that His people be free from tyranny, so that the only tyranny they could encounter would be a yoke of their own making.

[hosepipe]

[... The Greek word apokalypsis (revelation) means "lifting of the veil." So this lifting of the veil pertains to John; we can say thus that John had [experienced] a revelation from God! Christ, being God, never had a revelation (i.e. "lifting of the veil"); it is He who reveals, not to one to whom it is revealed. ..]

Since my own revelation(s) from God tends to enhance or complete the Revelation of Jesus(bible book) given to John as a revelation.. maybe understanding that book is on a need to know basis.. My understanding is that any revelation is limited according to the ability to grasp it.. Example: I have had several "revelations" of sacrifice over the years each deeper in content and depth.. same with other issues..

What "heaven" and "hell" are, are also the same.. What they are or could be is limited to the "observers" ability to observe.. A "lifting of the veil" really.. Amazing that a human upon a revelation can "DECLARE" that they finally understand something.. When their understanding has just reached another level but no means they fully understand..

And MORE if a "christian" has never had a "vision/revelation" I wonder if they understand much at all..

[blue-duncan]

“I think, the direct meaning is that the kingdom of God is when demons are cast out,”

Did the kingdom of God come in the person of Jesus Christ or did it come, like in the Old Testament, on Jesus when He was healing, exorcising, teaching etc.? In other words, is the exorcism the evidence that it has come or does it come and go as gifts are exercised or good works are done?

[blue-duncan]

Well, you guys missed it. Between the pulled pork and andouille rice and red beans and fried plantain, I figured I would have a little for later, but the guests turned out to be unashamedly hungry, especially the women. They were all very complimentary but growled when asked to move away from the table. I think I will go back to hot dogs.

[annalex]

I can only repeat what the scripture and the Catholic Liturgy say. There are references to the Kingdom as something inside the believer, and there are references to it as a Second Coming of Christ.

During Mass, the priest calls us, “let us pray for the coming of the Kingdom as Jesus taught us”, and in response we say “Our Father”. Exorcisms are an extreme example of the daily work of sanctification to which we are called, individually and communally: “... Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ... deliver us from [the] evil [one]”. The individual work of the Holy Spirit is not separated from the redemptive work of Christ in this prayer, which is fittingly addressed to the Father.

The immediate context of Matthew 12:28 reflects this duality of the individual and the communal. The context preceding the verse is individual acts of exorcisms. But following the verse, the context turns to the redemptive work of Christ Who bound Satan (v. 29, and also see the discourse on the “sign of Jonas” that follows).

I have a feeling I am not answering to your satisfaction, but not out of avoidance, feel free to press and elaborate. Perhaps, this has to do with the lack of shared eschatology. As Catholic, I believe that the tribulation is what we are in for the past 2,000 years; we do not think that it is a period that is yet to start. We are Church Militant, and we combat Satan, every day, internally and communally.

[annalex]

Here's Chrysostom on this verse:

"But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God is come unto you."

What means "the Kingdom"? "My coming." See how again He conciliates and soothes them, and draws them to the knowledge of Himself, and signifies that they are warring with their own good, and contentious against their own salvation. "For whereas ye ought to rejoice," says He, "and leap for joy, that One is come bestowing those great and unutterable blessings, hymned of old by the prophets, and that the time of your prosperity is at hand; ye do the contrary; so far from receiving the blessings, you do even speak ill of them, and frame accusations that have no real being."

Now Matthew indeed says, "If I by the Spirit of God cast out"; but Luke, "If I by the finger of God cast out the devils:" Luke 11:20 implying that to cast out devils is a work of the greatest power, and not of any ordinary grace. And He means indeed that from these things they should infer and say, If this be so, then the Son of God is come. This, however, He says not, but in a reserved way, and so as not to be galling to them, He darkly intimates it by saying, "Then the kingdom of God is come unto you."

Do you see exceeding wisdom? By the very things which they were blaming, He showed His presence shining forth.

Then, to conciliate them, He said not simply, "The Kingdom is come," but, "unto you,"as though He had said, To you the good things are come; wherefore then feel displeased at your proper blessings? why war against your own salvation? This is that time, which the prophets long ago foretold: this, the sign of that advent which was celebrated by them, even these things being wrought by divine power. For the fact indeed, that they are wrought, yourselves know; but that they are wrought by divine power, the deeds themselves cry out. Yea, and it is impossible that Satan should be stronger now; rather he must of absolute necessity be weak. But it cannot be, that he who is weak should, as though he were strong, cast out the strong devil.

Now thus speaking He signified the power of charity, and the weakness of separation and contentiousness. Wherefore He was Himself also continually charging His disciples, on every occasion, concerning charity, and teaching them that the devil, to subvert it, leaves nothing undone.

Homily 41 on Matthew

[Forest Keeper]

If we are going to live in bliss, do you suppose some of us will be more blissful? Is heaven going to be "new capitalism?"

I really don't know. I'm not sure if there will be commerce, but I also don't think our Heavenly existence will be floating by and waving to our friends on the next cloud bank. :) I think we will be "doing" something, and I have no problem believing that different people will be doing different things.

Isn't there a difference between us and the martyrs in Heaven? Why not also among the people in terms of rewards? Jesus said:

Matt 11:11 : I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. NIV

So, by some measurement, we know that in Heaven some are "greater" and some are "lesser". I would think rewards would reflect that.

[Forest Keeper]

Rev. 12:2 "Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth."

If we were to believe your church's teachings this can't be Mary because you believe she did not suffer any pain during childbirth, as stated so many times on this thread!

Bravo, WM! Outstanding point.

[blue-duncan]

“In 2 Timothy the scripture is called profitable, that is, somethig needed in addition to something else”

Please give me one cite to scripture that says either tradition or the church can make one wise unto salvation.

2 Tim. 3:15, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Mar 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as] the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Mar 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Mar 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers

I think this will pass the grammar police’s test.

[kosta50]

Thank you A-G for a lovely and detailed answer.

.30Carbine gave the answer beautifully in her first quote from Scripture [why Jesus need to be led by the Spirit into the wilderness]: "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin." – Hebrews 4:15

We cannot separate Christ's human nature from His divine nature. They are inseparable and always in perfect harmony. Implying that He needed a spiritual Guide is saying that His divine nature was insufficient or absent.

And again, I strongly agree with .30Carbine that the Orthodox are missing a blessing since, as you say, Revelation is “never quoted or read in the Divine Liturgy.”: "Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand." – Rev 1:3

For the time is at hand...in speed, soon (Rev 1:1) the End-of-Times were preached and never came. Perhaps the Orthodox Church figured it's best to leave it alone.

On your other point about Satan and the teaching under Judaism v. Christianity: God does not change. Man does. Therefore, I assert that the change in man’s understanding of Satan is due to man’s philosophy or reasoning which he wrongfully superimposes on God’s revelations. For instance, there has been a tendency among some Christians to believe that Satan is such a being that they can command him, accuse him and such...[my emphases)...Of course we can resist the devil – and truly as long as we abide in Christ and He in us, we have no reason to fear the devil.

Now you are preaching my "gospel," AG. The perceptions have changed drastically from the OT to the NT and beyond. I agree,God doesn't change; we do.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. - James 4:7

Yes, because the devil has no authority unless we give it to him. Once we realize this, he leaves the way he left Christ in the desert. He will wait for an opportune moment of weakness. So, evil is always luriking. Just as the Orthodox fathers tell us.

But the Lord also says: "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." [Mat 5:39] Why? Because we cannot right a wrong with another wrong. We cannot render evil for evil. God never does it, why should we? Giving in to evil is evil.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39

That's lovely, but +Paul forgot to say "we can."

Thou [wast] perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee... – Eze 28:15-19

This is not about Satan (altough it deceptively sounds like it is!). Christians have twisted the meaning to fit their paradigm. This is directed a Phoenician entity. There is no Satan to be found by name or otherwise in those verses.

In this case, Peter has become the tempter – the one appealing to Jesus’ pride (vanity or ego) that he should not be killed and resurrected. Interestingly this occurs just after Peter was honored for becoming the first to receive the divine revelation from the Father that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Christianity does not see Satan as just a tempter, but as the fallen angel, which Judaism rejects [Jewish reasoning: angles cannot rebel against God]

Bottom line drawn from divine revelation alone (without doctrines or traditions of men): love God absolutely (Matt 22, the Great Commandment paraphrased) far and away above the second commandment of Matt 22, love of neighbor and - most especially, love of self. And be ever watchful for pride, vanity and ego creeping into the mind or soul – they are devilish and poison the spirit. Resisting them is closing the devil's "niche" (as betty boop calls it) to tempt us - he (and they) will flee if resisted.

Bottom line is, as Luther said, that we will continue sinning whether we want it or not. He said something of this kind: don't worry, as long as you love God, He will cleanse you, so sin boldly and trust in God. But we don't see it that way. The Bible tells us to repent, not to sin boldly and believe.

[Quix]

And MORE if a "christian" has never had a "vision/revelation" I wonder if they understand much at all.

Hadn't thought of it that way before. But I think you have a point. Scripture declares that Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. Either that's accurate, true, honest, valid, operational Scripture, or it's not. If it is, the fruit of that should show in each believer's life.

NonPentecostal/NonCharismatic types that tend to rail at us for 'extra-' or 'nonBiblical' inputs . . . will virtually always agree that they have had times of reading in travail or some burdened state over a serious marriage, child, financial problem at their wits end . . . and suddenly a particular phrase or line in a particular verse will jump out at them as vividly and obviously GOD'S WORD TO THEM ABOUT THAT SITUATION--and the burden lifts and a solution works it's way into the situation from that moment, increasingly clearly and tangibly.

And they are so blessed and thankful that the hope God gave them in that moment saw them through to the fulfillment of the solution pointed at by Holy Spirit in the Scripture.

Some will sputter--but THAT'S SCRIPTURE. Yes, but you've read that verse 100's of times. What made it special this time--the taco and beans you ate a few hours ago? I think not! The difference was Holy Spirit speaking into their heart, mind and spirit IN THE NOW as Oral used to say. Holy Spirit brought a specific word in the Scriptures ALIVE for that specific problem IN THE PRESENT AND IN A SPECIFIC WAY TAILORED TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE PROBLEM.

Holy Spirit loves to do that. But He is not limited to doing that. That's sort of a kindergarten level of receiving from Holy Spirit. He wants us to go on to the maturity outlined for the operational Christian church era church in I Cor 12-14 and HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD ROUTINELY--TO EVEN PRAY THAT WE MIGHT BE SO GIFTED even above average for all believers . . . as Christ said--HIS SHEEP DO HEAR HIS VOICE. Period. No qualifiers.

Anyway--I think the months and years ahead will see times where it's crucial to life and limb to hear The Lord's voice and instantly obey it.

Thanks for your kind post.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

can God give a gift that is counterfeit? God gave me free will; so free it is.

How can a "gift" be something that can and does stand a good chance of sending you to hell?

Some "gift."

No, men believe they are free because they can decide what time to wake up in the morning and what shoes to wear with what pants. And while all that feels very personal and individual and immediate, the course of every atom was determined by God from before the foundation of the world.

"Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers" -- Isaiah 44:24-26

This is joyous news for grateful believers who owe their faith to the Holy Spirit opening their hearts and minds and illuminating God's truth. But it's news of no consequence to those who don't believe since they are already lost in the darkness of their denial.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for your testimony and for that wonderful link!

[Alamo-Girl]

Wow! That sounds beautiful! I am looking forward to it. Hopefully it'll be here early next week.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for all of your encouragements!

[Alamo-Girl]

Nothing to hamper us however from making ourselves conversant in the book.. Nothing at all.. My experience is it takes the Holy Spirit to open this book up (to me).. must be on a need to know basis.. LoL.. Amazing insights in that book..

I very strongly agree on all points! Revelation must be Spiritually discerned.

Thank you so much for sharing your testimony and insights!

[hosepipe]

[.. The difference was Holy Spirit speaking into their heart, mind and spirit IN THE NOW.. ]

Even as many meetings of christians where the Holy Spirit is only welcome to watch.. but not change the meeting to flow in his Spirit.. like a meeting of a Club instead.. with entertainers(whatever their titles) entertaining an audience..

Little wonder many/most of Europes churchs are empty..

[kosta50]

I really don't know. I'm not sure if there will be commerce, but I also don't think our Heavenly existence will be floating by and waving to our friends on the next cloud bank. :) I think we will be "doing" something, and I have no problem believing that different people will be doing different things

I hope you realize that is all our fancy and not God speaking.

Jesus said: "Matt 11:11 : I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. NIV"

Could it be because they are glorified?

We know that the 12 Apostles will judge (the 12 tribes of Israel?), but we know nothing about the life after that. If God is not partial, than whatever the arrangement is it will not be unfair, but merciful and just: merciful because none of us deserves to be there and just because it will be impartial. However, the Scripture tells us that we will be judged according to our deeds. And that means there will be eternal inequality as well.

[Alamo-Girl]

Amen! Thank you for the beautiful passage and for sharing your insights!

[Quix]

INDEED.

I long to be in a service again where the ANGELS LITERALLY JOIN IN . . .

or even where “merely”

Holy Spirit SPONTANEOUSLY orchestrates voices all over the room singing in tongues (often and English and maybe other languages) with different melodies interweaving in such a masterful Heavenly orchestration that is obviously only from God . . . One wants such to never end. So wonderful, blessed, such a sense of HIS PRESENCE.

Have you been in such recently? Been years since I was in one.