'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/

[bornacatholic]

But you know what? As far as God is concerned I am pure, I have never sinned!

*Oh. Me?... not so much...

I am perfectly rightous! That is the promise made to me.

*My Bible is missing those parts :)

[bornacatholic]

If, at any time, we are troubled at the small number of those who believe, let us remember that no one can understand the mysteries of God, except those to whom it is given." -- John Calvin, Chapter 8, Institutes of the Christian Religion

*I'm gonna go out on a limb here...I'll bet Jean Cauvin WAS chosen by God to understand those mysteries. Am I right?

[Kolokotronis]

"Oh. Me?... not so much..."

Me neither! But then again, Greeks really are awful sinners, far more so than the white folks!

"My Bible is missing those parts :)"

So does mine; a coincidence? I think not! :)

[BlackElk]

I have not reviewed this entire thread nor much of it. As a Catholic, I am perfectly prepared to regard the movie underlying this thread as being somewhat inconsistent with the Roman Catholic Faith and, to the extent of the inconsistency, wrong. That tells me to encourage and insist that the Elkettes not to waste time or money bothering with the movie. Likewise, neither I nor Mrs. Elk will see it.

This does not constitute an insult to the differing faiths of non-Catholic Christians simply a rejection of their novel interpretations of Scripture which separate them from Catholicism/Eastern Orthodoxy (the only faiths arguably or actually established by Jesus Christ Himself as His own Church).

America is a great country and, despite some dustups in the period of the political anti-Catholic Know Nothings, and some efforts by the Ku Klux Klan and some run of the mill bigotry, we Catholics have prospered under the institutions established by our separated brethren. The faults are of the Know Nothings and of the Klan and not of our separated brethren generally. It has also been a great country for the separated brethren.

Those who adhere to the "reform" should be the first to acknowledge that there is nothing particularly Scriptural about the role of Luther in the history of Christianity. Nowhere is he mentioned (quite obviously) in the texts themselves. He was a sinner as are all of us here on FR and all Catholic popes. Nothing new there.

To the extent that bornacatholic, a valued poster here among actual Catholics, has been enthusiastic in pointing out the shortcomings of the former Fr. Luther, I feel sure that his efforts have been matched and then some by those "reformed" posters who just cannot refrain from preaching at those of us who belong to the Roman Catholic (Christ's own) Church as though we were somehow interested in theological novelties that appeal to others as justifications for avoiding Catholicism.

Bornacatholic has been particularly skillful in pointing out the shortcomings of those schismatics like SSPX who claim Catholicism while having been declared schismatic and excommunicated by John Paul the Great. Think of that as trademark protection from trespassers.

I used to go out of my way to offend the offensive among the "reformers" but have in more recent years decided that this is not the purpose of my involvement on FR unless the "reformed" cross over the line to positive abuse of Holy Mother the Church. This is primarily a political website and I would prefer that it not be open to religious intramurals of any sort but it is not my website. JimRob makes the rules and this is his living room.

I also doubt that many here of any religious persuasion are likely to be converted by FR posts. If we can learn to work with one another on matters in the public square on which we may agree: pro-life, pro-family, pro-gun, anti-tax, anti-regulation, etc., and to disagree politely on other matters (I personally favor more immigration across our southern border with or without "papers" but know that many here disagree with me), we shall have done about as much as we can on this website.

I recognize that, if you kneel before a statue of the BVM while recognizing that she is not divine but merely sinless from her conception, we are close enough to cooperate on more matters than we might be if you did not. If you did not, we might still cooperate on much and ought to do so.

I do have Irish blood but nothing to do with any Algonquins or the Algonquin Club.

Be kind to bornacatholic. He has been a terrific asset here. Indispensable, really.

No one could pay me to review 4000+ posts on this subject.

[Kolokotronis]

"I'll bet Jean Cauvin WAS chosen by God to understand those mysteries."

"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies". +John Chrysostomos

[bornacatholic]

Thanks, brother. That was much appreciated.

[annalex]

Our ability to perform good works, just like our ability to obey and repent and believe, are all given by God alone because it pleases Him to see His Son in us, not because He sees our own righteousness

True enough, although I would add "our ability to perform good works freely".

Good works are the evidence of our redemption, not a requirement for it

They are both. "Work out your redemtion with fear and trembling because it is God working in you"; "I will judge you according to your works" and similare says it all. Nowhere does the scripture say "sit around and wait till the evidence of your faith shows up", let alone "sin boldly". "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" is a call to exercise free will, albeit in this case, intellectually.

no one can understand the mysteries of God, except those to whom it is given

Not to Calvin, evidently. The only giving of mysteries the scripture records is to the Apostles and therefore to the Catholic Church.

[BlackElk]

You are welcome as always and you have earned every word and more. God bless you and yours.

[annalex]

I also doubt that many here of any religious persuasion are likely to be converted by FR posts

Converted, no. Only God converts. Informed, very much so. If every anti-Catholic on FR learns what the Catholic and Orthodox Church teaches and why, and then decides to remain Protestant or Hindu or what have you, my work here will be done, and the work of the Holy Spirit will begin with them.

Many people here came out of these endless threads with a fairly clear picture of Catholicism, were compelled to study the Church fathers and the magisterial teaching, and understood why we reject the Reformation. This in turn works toward a greater unity of political conservatism across denominational lines. There could be no better testimony to the power of this forum than that.

[D-fendr]

in my maternal village in Greece, the people "walk" Orthodox

Not fair.

Y'all got villages.

[annalex]

See what I found

The Baptism of Christ

Unknown Russian iconographer

early 16th century
Tempera on canvas and wood, 25 x 20 cm
Pinacoteca, Vatican

[Kolokotronis]

"Many people here came out of these endless threads with a fairly clear picture of Catholicism, were compelled to study the Church fathers and the magisterial teaching, and understood why we reject the Reformation."

For us orthodox its been even more than that. Now the Protestants know we exist and understand that we are neither the "first Protestants" nor "Greek speaking Roman Catholics". One political result of this has been the overwhelming support here on FR over on the political side for the Serbs in the whole Kosovo mess, a support born not so much from a hatred of Clinton, but rather of a recognition of the Serbs as fellow Christians. But I will tell you what I think is the greatest result of these long discussions and that is what we Catholics and Orthodox have found out about each other, come to understand each other and the unity that has forged in most cases. Remember what it was like here just a couple of years ago? Ultimately, that particular unity, on a much larger scale than FR of course, may have a greater impact on the political/philosophical/cultural ends of this website than everything else.

[Kolokotronis]

"See what I found"

One word; "SUBLIME"!

[Kolokotronis]

"Not fair.

Y'all got villages."

God is good and understands that because we Greeks are soooooooooo very bad, we need villages!

[annalex]

what we Catholics and Orthodox have found out about each other

Absolutely. The only reason I did not mention that is because BlackElk spoke of conversion and we don't need to convert each other. It was very much on my mind.

[Kolokotronis]

[Blogger]

The only spinning is Paul in his grave as to what has been done to the gospel by Roman Catholicism!

Galatians 3

1O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

5He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

7Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

[Blogger]

I know one can get an indulgence today. The Pope issued a general one earlier last year for those who expressed special devotion to Mary.

No, what initiated the separation was that they wanted to KILL Luther. Dead. He had to go into hiding. As he was in hiding he immersed himself in God's word and that made the break permanent. The just shall live by faith. Understanding this, Luther could not go back to the church even if they would have allowed him. His initial desire though was to reform the church. He was a very pious monk. The best of monks. Too good as a matter of fact for his confessor began to be a little impatient with his zealousness for confession.

Luther did not "create" a religion to support an immoral lifestyle. He was a moral man and a good monk. He saw in Scripture the opposite of what the church was teaching and it made the break final.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Amen.

"Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith." -- Habakkuk 2:4

[Dr. Eckleburg]

The just shall live by faith.

Wow. I just posted that to you.