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/
I trust that only the Apostles (and we know their names) were inspired, and wrote or spoke God's truth. Everyone else since then had a religious opinion.
So then.... I take it you personally have never had a "Vision"?..
-OR- been schooled privately in secret by the Holy Spirit?..
Do you believe its possible that others(now living) HAVE?..
Am I wrong? Please correct me if I am and it is entirely possible. In a quick search I've dated this back to the 1599 Geneva Bible (Notes on Revelation) I'm sure I read of one of the church fathers who subscribed to this. But, who knows? As I told my wife, "I thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken."
I'm heading off for a meeting but I'm no expert on this subject. I can only FLATLY state that God does not favor those who reject His Son.
There are none who are inspired. I believe God intercedes for us and we reach Him in our prayers if they are pure in intention and desire. God gently ande ver so lovingly puts us back on the right track if we drop our arroagnce and pride and ask for His help, but that's not the same as God speaking through your mouth or through your pen.
Acts Chapter 14. Read what Paul had to say about the pagans of the time.
And I would recommend avoiding the presumption that anyone who pretends to be immortal here is necessarily sane.
Will the immortal ones please identify yourselves?
If he doesn’t, then we are all damned. NONE OF US sought Him. NO NOT ONE. He had to seek us first.
(Cheesy movie pun) We have Highlanders here?
LOLOL!
Ooo.Ooo.Oooo...Ooo..Ooo (persona; Horshack "Welcome back Cotter[TV})
Define “immortal”, for our souls are and we are never going to die
I'd say that a lot of heresy was done during overtime. They should have stopped at the end of a normal workday!
Act 14:5-6 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use [them] despitefully, and to stone them, They were ware of [it], and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
Act 14:12-19 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people....And there came thither [certain] Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew [him] out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
16In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
God shows kindness to even the unbelievers.
No, that was invented by JN Darby via the visions of Margaret MacDonald.
God bless you.
“No, that was invented by JN Darby via the visions of Margaret MacDonald.”
Do you remember your response to Uncle Chip on the MacArthur thread?
“You really don’t want to start engaging in guilt by association, now do you?”
When he posted this:
“without ever seeming to recognise that preterism is a Jesuit-Romanist invention, not a Protestant Reformed teaching.
ORIGINS Preterism was first advanced in 1604 by Jesuit Luis de Alcasar to destroy the Reformed Protestant teaching that the papacy was Mystery Babylon, the Great Whore and the historical Antichrist.”
715 posted on 05/08/2007 10:34:06 AM EDT by topcat54
“With apologies to Lightman, let me explain that my pun on his screen name had to do with Kolokotronis’ inadvertent omission of him on the To line in 14,282.”
Well, as the Greeks, or somebody, say, “No fool like an old fool!” Sorry Father! :)
Then we are helpless and hopeless.
Yes, by ourselves, that's exactly right.
But, in Christ, everyone is invited. God knocks on everyone's heart and doesn't bar anyone from coming to Him. The decision is ours, by His permission.
If all God does is offer, and leaves it up to us to save ourselves, then He doesn't care which of us is saved, or which become His children. He is turning His back and washing His hands of the decision. I think God cares much more than that. He LOVES His children, and because of that love, He saves them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.