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/
Grace.
Why grace for you and not the non-elect?
Go to Amazon and you can read the first 6-7 pages of the forward for free.
I think it will be worth your time
Whoever persecutes and assaults me has eternal life are what the words of Jesus mean symbolically.
"Mary did not give birth to a nature, BD. That's pretty silly, don't you think?"
When you speak of human nature you speak not only of personality but flesh. Heb. 2:16-17, "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of of the people."
I think that's the problem.
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." -- Ephesians 4:12-16 "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
"Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.
The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." -- Psalm 16:-11
I am curious, have you read them?
If you have, do you think asking the same questions already asked and authoritatively answered or adopting the same theological opinions as those previously condemned makes any sense or advances any fresh insights into Scripture?
You already know Kosta and Kolo know and abide by the first Seven Ecumenical Councils. They are as about as likely to repudiate them as Ted Kennedy is to turn down a free drink from a leggy blonde
God decided.
We either go with this or we go with a limited God who is not omnipotent, omniscient, or either.
"She is our highest Saint and role model."
I have been led along to believe that was you. In fact, when I was initiated as an entering apprentice knight into the first order of the Knights who say Ni!, IIRC, that was one of the affirmations. What a let down. I may as well go back to work!
"You know, all of these arguments were, ahem, fleshed-out in the First Several Ecumenical Councils."
They were there, I wasn't as I missed them due to pressing business.
"They are as about as likely to repudiate them as Ted Kennedy is to turn down a free drink from a leggy blonde"
It would have to be the blonde in all of the jokes to have a drink with the swimmer.
Simon says I grant you safe passage and fair skies till the third full moon.
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1Ti 2:5 - For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
The above is an interesting verse given Peter's: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Paul calls the resurrected Lord "man...Christ(God)."
Peter did essentially the same with the pre-resurrection Christ.
This removes Mary as mediator.
It also means that someone gave physical birth and origin to this "man."
Amen.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself" -- Ephesians 1:3-9"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
*You stole that line from Reagan :)
Could they ever have included the Gospel of Cerinthus in the canon?
Why?
Were you saying Ni! to that person???
My patron saint!
I tried to find the references from Sungenis in regards to Sproul's interpretation of "justified" but was unable to do so. I suppose he wants me to PAY for a book. He shouldn't really get bent out of shape that Sproul doesn't want to debate him since Sproul is a rather busy man. But I personally find debates meaningless; just look at any Presidential debate and tell me if you are any smarter when you come away from them.
I would disagree with your author's view:
In my search I did come across a rather interesting article in Wikipedia on various views on Justification. I thought it was rather interesting.
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