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/
There will be no further Revelation
66 "The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ."28 Yet even if Revelation is already complete, it has not been made completely explicit; it remains for Christian faith gradually to grasp its full significance over the course of the centuries.
67 Throughout the ages, there have been so-called "private" revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ's definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church.
Christian faith cannot accept "revelations" that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case in certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such "revelations".
David Koresh was a sola scripturist. Blogger, where is your compound?
The actual Bible Teaches Jesus established His Church upon Peter, not you.
The actual Bible Teaches the Church is Jesus (see what He said to Saul)
The actual Bible Teaches Who hears you hears me
And, yet here you come trying to bring us another Gospel...
Blogger, what does the actual Bible teach about one who comes bringing another Gospel?
This gets ranked with the immaculate hymen as something entirely new to me. I had no idea that this would be RC teaching.
I've pinged some other RC's (and one Ortho) to see if they believe this.
Personally, I don't think Spunkets is right about RC teaching.
LOL!
There was a few in Ames, Iowa while I was in college in 96-97. Granted they are no more Roman Catholic than my dog is, but they presented themselves as such.
I will argue with my RC brothers and sisters over all kinds of things if I think they're wrong, but it's not helpful to ascribe this to them until some of the more knowledgable RCs sign onto it.
My guts tell me that spunkets is entirely wrong on this and is grossly misrepresenting Catholic teaching.
I know you are being good-naturedly sarcastic, but what you say about breaking it down is correct. :) God already has very specific plans for ALL of us. Even though James and Jude became great Church leaders after the Resurrection, it just wasn't God's plan that they be in charge of Mary's welfare.
Now, who was the ONLY Apostle who wasn't martyred by execution, thus living the longest life? What a coincidence, it was John. Mary could have easily been alive and in need after all of the others were gone. It really does make sense once we break it down. :)
Sadly, there is some truth to that, and that is our fault. Unfortunately, the bishops often turn to administrators and "knowledgeable Catholics" are not as active with other Catholics as we should be. Apparently, some of them spend lots of time here going in circles with separated brothers when we should be better evangelizing those around us...
Merry Christmas Regards
I'm curious. That's an interesting factoid. Where did you learn that? Thanks,
tom
Considering that Moses had a wife and kids, he wasn't celibate. Maybe once he came back to rescue the Hebrews.
"As Chairman of ABE Ministries (Against Basically Everything), I am delighted to refuse your invitation"
Well now, with that august office, you are probably one of us in spirit if not by attitude.
Huh? God is subject to physics?
Yes it does.
You still don't understand the doctrine. Read the books.
-A8
LOL! That has to be it. Rules is rules.
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.