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/
[FK to Blogger] “That is an outstanding comparison, Blogger. :) Fair is fair. I'm going to remember it. :)"
[Kolo to FK] “The difference, of course, being that Luther's comment can lead to damnation while +Athanasius' states theosis, FK.”
FWIW-I find nothing different in Luther’s statement “Sin boldly” and Augustine’s statement “Love God and do what you want.” Both Luther and Augustine are simply saying that God paid the penalty for our sins. We don't have to climb 39 steps on our knees kissing the stones and asking forgiveness on each step. We don't atone for our sins; the price has already been paid by God.
I do have a problem with Athanasius’ statement. Our Lord Jesus did not die so that we can become God. Jesus died so that we could be sons (adopted) of God. A subtle but distinct difference.
Hey, you just told me Orthodoxy takes years of studying and there is no succinct doctrinal analysis of it. Now I find an "Orthodoxy 101"? What gives?
However, if it can NEVER be "get a ride," then we MUST say that everything is predestined and will not change ONCE the creation was begun.
God always knew that it would never be "get a ride."
That is why it does not matter if it is simply, "God decided." Because He did. He could have NOT made this world.
In that sense, He decided everything that would ever be...by fixing it in that things known to Him WOULD come to pass.
We are left to trust Him and His choices.
Or we can believe that God simply directs everything that He has scripted.
We are left to trust Him and His choices.
Is this where the LDS get the idea they will evolve into Gods?
Of course. But, playing Reformed advocate, we could say God doesn't need it, does He? Why engage in idle and repetitive tasks and useless rituals such as praying, offering gifts to God he doesn't need, or going to church, when they cannot change what has been predestined?
He determined from all eternity who will have what, so there is no point in asking, praying, and going to church. You are either the (s)elect or the reprobate. It's decided, it's done. Everybody already has a ticket to heaven or hell. So, sit back and just do whatever your heart desires, and let God do the driving. In fact, why even bother with God?
And, let's not make a mistake of calling this a "fellowship" with God. We are not his "fellows," HD. According to the Reformed theology, we are His peons; we play no role other than where the puppet master puts us. So, we might as well rename the whole relationship to Puppet Master and His Puppets church.
You know, Protestants amaze me as much as solipsists do. There is actually a great deal in common between them. Next time you get sick, please don't seek medical help. After all, whether you do or don't, God has already determined if you will stay or leave. And since you know you are already saved, why in the world would you wish to stay?
The Orthodox hold that she was filled with Grace at the Annunciation.
That is an outstanding comparison, Blogger. :) Fair is fair. I'm going to remember it. :)
Akin? They are 180 degree opposites, FK. One is telling you to sin, the other to become perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Kosta. Don't pretend to act like an authority on Luther. You clearly are either1)clueless as to his point or 2)deliberately distorting his point. Either way, it'd be best to let it go.
Logic? There is nothing more illogical than praying to God Who pretermined everything from all aeons! In fact, the Bible is illogical!. It speaks of angles and miracles, people being healed in an instant, or made alive after having been dead and rotting for several days! Have you seen any lately?
If you believe, the Bible, at best, is a bewildering puzzle – given the incredible number of versions, and to a non-believer it is a fairy-tale, something like Santa Claus.
Just as there were many who were appalled at him
— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness— Isaiah 52:14
He was tortured so badly he could hardly be recognized as a human being.
But Simeon also said (Luke 2:35) that Mary's heart (or soul) would be pierced by a sword: how she must have suffered to see her Son in agony---
"Orthodoxy 101, FK. Simple. :)
Hey, you just told me Orthodoxy takes years of studying and there is no succinct doctrinal analysis of it. Now I find an "Orthodoxy 101"? What gives?"
FK applied for and was admitted to (on account of glowing recommendations) COE, Continuing Orthodox Education. Orthodoxy 101 contains a section on "Why God Made Me?". We haven't received your application and the deadline for the 2007 year has passed.(You could appeal to Kosta; I think the Serbs are running a night school outside of Belgrade) :)
So, why don't you educate us? Are you the "official truth?"
What Luther proposed is immoral, contrary to everything Christianity believes: he is calling on us to sin and not worry. If +Augustine said something similar, then he was immoral too.
"Love God and do what you want" as HD quotes, makes it easy to love God and excuses sinfulness. If God lets us do anything, how can you not love such a God? Where in the scripture does God say "do what you want, as long as you love Me?"
The Beatitudes tell us who goes to heaven and who doesn't. The poor in spirit, the merciful, the suffering, not the party-animals who love God because He "let's" them do anything as long as they love Him.
But, don't let that stop you. Please explain the "official truth" of Luther's message.
The spared twin may be grateful, may even have a Stockholm conversion, but viewing me as 'merciful' is not a reasonable conclusion. I certainly wasn't merciful to his brother, and he is identical in all respects.
Both twins were diametrically opposed to you. They hated you. They wanted nothing to do with you. They BOTH broke the law.
But YOU made them to be diametically opposed to you.
YOU made them so that they would hate you.
YOU made them so that they wanted nothing to do with you.
YOU made them so that they would break the Law.
WRONG.
Sin made them that way.
God made man perfect with perfect free will. He warned them what would happen if they disobeyed. They did and passed the sentence upon all of their bloodline. God came down and incarnated himself to make it possible that they could have some ofhter fate.
God did not make them that way. Sin did. G
Luther is speaking of our condition as human beings and the depths of the grace of Christ. Here is the full quote:
13. If you are a preacher of mercy, do not preach an imaginary but
the true mercy. If the mercy is true, you must therefore bear the
true, not an imaginary sin. God does not save those who are only
imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let
your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the
victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we
are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We,
however, says Peter (2. Peter 3:13) are looking forward to a new
heaven and a new earth where justice will reign. It suffices that
through God's glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the
sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to
kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think
such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager
sacrifice for our sins? Pray hard for you are quite a sinner.
No, the Beatitudes describe those who are listening to Him at the time. There's is the Kingdom of God.
Luther's "Sin Boldly ... "
What Luther proposed is immoral, contrary to everything Christianity believes: ...
What Luther proposes here ... is immoral ... and is not worthy of his calling.
It is also not in agreement with the teaching of Jesus and the Apostle Paul ...Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.Luther was no more (or less) perfect ... than many of the popes.
_____________________________________________________
Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
More Luther (for context as to his thinking)
Luther's Morning Prayer
From:
Luther's Little Instruction Book
(The Small Catechism of Martin Luther)
Appendix 1: Devotions
Translated by Robert E. Smith
July 11, 1994
My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through Jesus Christ, Your
beloved Son, that You kept me safe from all evil and danger last
night. Save me, I pray, today as well, from every evil and sin, so
that all I do and the way that I live will please you. I put
myself in your care, body and soul and all that I have. Let Your
holy Angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will not gain power
over me. Amen.
A Sacristy Prayer
by Martin Luther
Translated From:
_Dr. Martin Luthers Werke_,
(Weimar: Hermann Boehlaus Nachfolger, 1909),
Band 43, pp. 513.
Translated by James Kellerman
Lord God, You have appointed me as a Bishop and Pastor in Your Church, but
you see how unsuited I am to meet so great and difficult a task. If I had
lacked Your help, I would have ruined everything long ago. Therefore, I
call upon You: I wish to devote my mouth and my heart to you; I shall
teach the people. I myself will learn and ponder diligently upon You Word.
Use me as Your instrument -- but do not forsake me, for if ever I should
be on my own, I would easily wreck it all.
From his preface to Romans:
_Sin_ in the Scriptures means not only external works of the body
but also all those movements within us which bestir themselves and
move us to do the external works, namely, the depth of the heart
with all its powers. Therefore the word _do_ should refer to a
person's completely falling into sin. No external work of sin
happens, after all, unless a person commit himself to it
completely, body and soul. In particular, the Scriptures see into
the heart, to the root and main source of al sin: unbelief in the
depth of the heart. Thus, even as faith alone makes just and
brings the Spirit and the desire to do good external works, so it
is only unbelief which sins and exalts the flesh and brings desire
to do evil external works. That's what happened to Adam and Eve in
Paradise (cf. Genesis 3).
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