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/
Someone in the Church must not have gotten the message.
That's right, and I suppose that makes him sort of a Protestant. And, I even knew that, but at the time it didn't occur to me. Funny. I just read it as a credible source "in support" (generally) of the underlying work.
... The consensus patrum per se doesn't "issue" any "decrees", though it is very, very often part of the basis for a dogmatic decree of a council.
Thank you for the explanation. I "think" that is the idea I had. Is it then correct then that in the EOC, that nothing has been "set in stone" (in terms of things "new") since the Ecumenical Councils? Also, how many of them do you recognize? I've seen answers from 7 to 9.
P.S. When I said "Ecumenical Councils" above, I meant the old famous ones. :) Have there been any since those, and could one really come about in modern times now at any time? Thank you for your pings concerning a possible Reunification Council, and that would certainly be a big enough deal to warrant one. I guess, what I mean is, does it take a major cause, like Reunification, to warrant a new Council? OR, is that the only POSSIBLE cause of the next Council? I.e., could the Orthodox hold their own independent Council?
I am Catholic and tend to agree with your thoughts about the birth of Jesus. For crying out loud, I guess I'm an ignoramus of my own faith because I had no idea that virgin meant anything other than no sexual relations. Physical virginity? Does this somehow mean that if a poor girl slips and falls in the barn looking for newborn kittens, falls stradling a board and is injured thus, is no longer a virgin? (happened to my cousin) I am a little upset by this because to me it is almost like making that "physical" thing more than what it ought to be. Guess I need to re-educate my mind on what "virgin" means
He'd be Benny's lawyer! :)
The Textus Receptus reads as follows:
stefanov de plhrhv pistewv kai dunamewv ...
Freely translated this means Stephen, being fully loaded with pistols and dynamite...
ROFL! Now don't confuse them with going back to what the Greek ACTUAL says. You're correct that Charis is not a part of the equation.
But for me a broader question is "what is faith"? For a start here is Faith as defined by New Advent. To me it is typical of the gooblygook writings of the Catholic Church. You guys really need to clean house.
In my new job as an aphorist, I respond to such situations like this
Peter resurrected Tabitha. Protestants resurrect heresies
disagree
....with that particular direction of the Council of Aaarghhh (spelling non-consequential), and with any of the LHP's of KOETT's who would determine "full of grace" to equal anything like sinlessness.
"Full of Beer," however, is never mentioned.
I thought I'd bring it up here as I have recently purchased a supply of very fine Belgian Abbey Ale, "Brasserie des Rocs."
You all are invited. The head runneth over.
My, my. I checked the Greek and you're right!!!! The term "full of grace" is only used with our Lord Jesus. That's what I get for trusting Thompson. Is nothing sacred??? Oh the humanity.
Oh Well, since I AM THE ONLY ONE HERE, I would have to respectfully disagree with you on this one, Kosta. :) Now, I KNOW I won't get a lick of support in this, but I'm still going to throw out the completely crazy Protestant idea that the Spirit proceeds from both the Father AND Son. Blogger, sometimes we Protestants have to go way out on a limb on things like this, but that's what we're here to do! :)
"That's what I get for trusting Thompson"
Thompson, Thompson? I thought you were a real Calvinist. Dickson or Scofield maybe, but Thompson with a chain? No wonder there was a mistake.
What is so sad and tragic is not one in one hundred million of our Jesus Christ and Scripture loving protestant brothers and sisters have ever heard this.
If I were a protestant and learned of these things I would be LIVID.
Protestants, more than anyone else, profess sola scriptura, yet, their 16th century progenitors falsified the very Scripture they stake the salvation of their souls upon.
Rare are the occasions when the veil is lifted to reveal such damnable perfidy and so I am not expecting any protestant brother or sister to believe me. Were I a protestant, I'd think it, literally, unthinkable.
Only the Holy Spirit can help them shed the sola scriptura scales covering their eyes
What happened in the Soviet Union will, eventually, happen in protestantism. The truth will out and most folks will just stop believing Luther just like they stopped believing Lenin.
FReepmail me your address, and I'll make sure a copy of the Reformation Study Bible or the Geneva Bible gets into your hands :D
Thanks for the kind comment, brother. I pray the Holy Spirit will enlighten you
ROTFLOL!
Ya just gotta read 3785
Sounds great. But I have perhaps a better idea. I'll be out of town this weekend and I invite you all to my place. Well, the place I'll be renting. Take a look at my weekend view here.
Bring the ale to my place. ;-)
LOL
Sorry, script.
Ale requires a castle.
The place you're at requires rum or tequila, Ron or Jose.
(Take your pick.)
:>)
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