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'The Nativity Story' Movie Problematic for Catholics, "Unsuitable" for Young Children
LifeSiteNews.com ^ | 12/4/2006 | John-Henry Westen

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/


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Religion & Culture; Theology
KEYWORDS: catholic; catholics; christmas; mary; movie; nativity; nativitystory; thenativitystory
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To: annalex

A lot of us are convinced that Holy Spirit guided Luther in a lot of respects.

Thankfully.


9,441 posted on 02/07/2007 10:34:10 AM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS WORTHY; GOD ALONE PAID THE PRICE; GOD ALONE IS ABLE)
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To: kawaii; Quix
Paul was talking cultural norms. The most important part of what he said was But in the final analysis, if anyone one wanted to be contentious... It was not an apostolic or church custom

Luke 4:23

9,442 posted on 02/07/2007 10:34:18 AM PST by 1000 silverlings
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To: Quix

When the throne reaches past the navel


9,443 posted on 02/07/2007 10:35:23 AM PST by 1000 silverlings
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To: kawaii
Our women pray covered; yours don't.

1 Corinthians 11:15 "But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering."

Unless 'their women' are bald, you are in error.

9,444 posted on 02/07/2007 10:35:30 AM PST by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: 1000 silverlings

2 Colossians 16
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
= = =

INDEED! More Biblical balance, logic and sanity on such matters. Wonderful. Thanks.

Praise God.

It can get deep and stinky about such nonsense.


9,445 posted on 02/07/2007 10:36:17 AM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS WORTHY; GOD ALONE PAID THE PRICE; GOD ALONE IS ABLE)
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To: 1000 silverlings

Suggesting that Paul spent 282 words on nothing is the mark of false prophets.

If you'll read Paul closely you'll note that he states being contentious isn't a Christian custom.


9,446 posted on 02/07/2007 10:36:35 AM PST by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: kawaii

They are not Protestant. They are apostate.


9,447 posted on 02/07/2007 10:37:16 AM PST by Gamecock (Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei)
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To: kawaii

Then why do you do it?


9,448 posted on 02/07/2007 10:37:19 AM PST by 1000 silverlings
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To: MEGoody

So i suppose in the previous sentance where Paul states men should pray uncovered or dishonor God he means men should shave their heads?

Once again we see how silly protestant twisting is when we read all 282 words Paul said on the matter rather than 1 sentance thrown out to try to steal the flock away from God's commandments.


9,449 posted on 02/07/2007 10:38:06 AM PST by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: Gamecock

well in as much as protestants are all apostates...


9,450 posted on 02/07/2007 10:38:49 AM PST by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: timer

Hello Timer,


Yes Jesus did talk about stones and or rocks and said that He would be a "stumblingstone" in end times. He'll be that stumblingstone as many will believe the false one, who comes first (at the 6th trump, 6th seal and 6th vial) is the True Jesus. They'll follow the fake unknowingly because they haven't been taught or read God's warning about that very event.

I like your analogy of the stone being thrown into a scrap pile. Another thing to consider with the stone is that the pyramid doesn't have it's capstone. Could it be waiting until the 2nd advent?

The scripture you quoted of "Upon this ROCK(Peter)will I build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it", I have studied lately. I always assumed that Peter was the rock but learned that isn't so. Matt.16:18

"And I say also unto thee, that thou are Peter, and upon
this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it"

Peter, Petros, does mean rock, stone but he was loose and movable. When He stated "upon this" it was very emphatic, as though pointing to Himself. Christ was the foundation, the builder, not Peter. He was the foundation stone and the rejected stone. (Companion Bible)

I thought it was an interesting lesson and pass it on to you to see what you think about it.

I have another belief about the 70AD destruction of the
temple. As the wailing wall still stands there are still some stones upon another so I don't think this was what Jesus referred to. The chapters that contain this teaching (Luke 21, Matthew 24 and Mark 13) are all about the end times. That is the subject being carried forward so when He speaks of "no stone left upon another" He refers to the destruction of Jerusalem at the end of days.

I didn't know about the cornerstone recently being laid. That is so interesting but how in the world did they accomplish this? Your earthquake information was interesting too. I know that Biblically there will be a huge shaking so it looks like things are really lining themselves up for that event doesn't it? As you say, "God bulldozing the Islamic temple" and won't we all shout for joy.

I really enjoyed your telling of the meeting you had with Haddasa Ben Ito, acting justice of the Israeli Supreme Court. That was quite an honor and I'm glad to hear there were no AK 47's.

Thank you for telling me about all of this Timer and I look forward to your next post.


9,451 posted on 02/07/2007 10:38:56 AM PST by Ping-Pong
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To: 1000 silverlings

i'm hardly being contentious

that would be suggesting that your church must change which isn't what i'm doing at all.

i'm saying that your church is filled with non-Christian inspired by something other than God and should be avoided; so as to warn any who might be swayed by such anti-Christian teachings.


9,452 posted on 02/07/2007 10:40:47 AM PST by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: kawaii
Who's judging anyone here?

Just like the wolves would be expected to say

the church of Satan preaches the exact same thing; beleive what you think benefits you; self above all else.

9,453 posted on 02/07/2007 10:41:04 AM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS WORTHY; GOD ALONE PAID THE PRICE; GOD ALONE IS ABLE)
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To: D-fendr; P-Marlowe; Dr. Eckleburg; 1000 silverlings; Forest Keeper; HarleyD; Quix; wmfights; ...
So the comparison breaks down on several counts.

That a fact?? Let's take a little test and see:

1. Which of the following claims to be THE One True Church?

A. Roman Catholicism
B. Mormonism
C. A and B

2. Which claims a unique and authoritative priesthood?

A. Roman Catholicism
B. Mormonism
C. A and B

3. Which adds books to the Holy Bible?

A. Roman Catholicism
B. Mormonism
C. A and B

4. Which undermines the power of Jesus’ blood by its view of personal suffering for the purging of sins?

A. Roman Catholicism
B. Mormonism
C. A and B

5. Which sings praise songs to/about non God-Head members?

A. Roman Catholicism
B. Mormonism
C. A and B

6. Which has non-Biblical doctrines regarding marriage?

A. Roman Catholicism (priests and marriage)
B. Mormonism (Polygamy)
C. A and B

7. Which believes in God has a mother:

A. Roman Catholicism
B. Mormonism
C. A and B

8. Which claims the head of their group speaks infallibly at times:

A. Roman Catholicism
B. Mormonism
C. A and B

9. Which redefines “saint” to something other than a bible-defined child of God:

A. Roman Catholicism
B. Mormonism
C. A and B

10. Which has a scheme that will get some into Heaven from some sort intermediate state:

A. Roman Catholicism
B. Mormonism
C. A and B

Extra credit:

Which group has doctrine that changes from Bishop/Pope to Bishop/Pope and evolves over time?

A. Mormonism
B. Roman Catholicism
C. A and B

9,454 posted on 02/07/2007 10:43:45 AM PST by Gamecock (Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei)
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To: Quix; Dr. Eckleburg; Gamecock

I rather like it, after all when Jesus was preaching, some said he had a devil.


9,455 posted on 02/07/2007 10:47:16 AM PST by 1000 silverlings
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To: Quix

paraphrasing your comments is hardly judging you.

dicerning false teachings and groups which advocate false teachings is crucial to protecting Christianity from wolves trying to steal away the faithful; its hardly anything personal or judgemental.


9,456 posted on 02/07/2007 10:49:02 AM PST by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: Quix

And the servant is not above his master


9,457 posted on 02/07/2007 10:49:14 AM PST by 1000 silverlings
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To: 1000 silverlings

And Paul said that true prophets would concur that St Paul's teachnings are the commandments of God.


9,458 posted on 02/07/2007 10:50:24 AM PST by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: 1000 silverlings; Dr. Eckleburg; Quix; Gamecock; P-Marlowe; HarleyD
What about the pope's hat then, he's always got it on when he prays?

It seems that Rome has a Pope Haberdashery on every corner:


9,459 posted on 02/07/2007 10:50:32 AM PST by Gamecock (Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei)
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To: kawaii
in all these protestant preachers who perform 'miracles' only to be exposed as frauds stealing money from naive folks.

I'll be waiting a long time to see that documented! LOL. What a brazen assertion based on no evidence! Yeah, some charlatans have done that. Some good guys got excessive and corrupted--JUST LIKE a LOT of popes and other spiritual leaders in virtually every denomination around the world through the ages. Must be dealing with humans.

But millions of nobodies in prayer circles all around the planet have been channels of Holy Spirit's healing and other miraculous moves. And they haven't taken a Chinese fen from anyone.

Try again. That rings as hollow as a Buddhist gong.

9,460 posted on 02/07/2007 10:50:48 AM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS WORTHY; GOD ALONE PAID THE PRICE; GOD ALONE IS ABLE)
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