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/
Where does Paul say he consecrated Timothy and Titus? Serious question as I couldn't find the word "consecrate." Just wondering what your reference was.
Which, I think, could provide a good question for the forum:
In Protestantism, what precisely is "Worship"?
Proper worship, not improper of course.
Noah Webster was a saint. Here is what he said...“No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.”
The definition I gave works. When we worship God we declare He is worthy. We adore Him. We show him our love. We exalt Him.
All we can do is speak the truth in love. It becomes your responsibility and prayerful consideration to try to understand if we're correct-if this is or is not what God intends for you to do. You alone are responsible and answerable to God.
I admonish thee, that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee, by the imposition of my hands.(2 Timothy 1:6)
thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and shouldest ordain priests in every city, as I also appointed thee
(Titus 1:5)
See also 1 Timothy 4:14, 5:22.
Okay. Explains why I couldn't find it.
Our church lays hands on people we are ordaining. It is a way of showing our agreement with the calling of God in the person's life.
Thank you!
You are the first RC to admit your theory of Apostolic Succession is matter of history and not Scripture. I appreciate your honesty.
At least well into the 2nd century churches picked their leaders. The criteria for that selection process is laid out in Scripture. Why would your sect think that because you have a long history your selection has anymore weight than the sects that operated outside of your control prior to, or after, the Reformation.
Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy distinguish between worship (Latin adoratio, Greek latreia) which is due to God alone, and veneration (Latin veneratio, Greek doulia), which may be lawfully offered to the saints
In practice, how is your veneration of Mary substantively different from your worship of God?
As the Father hath sent me, I also send you(John 20:21)
be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ
(1 Cor 4:16)
how shall they preach unless they be sent
(Romans 10:15)
A Catholic worships by offering sacrifice. Not by kneeling, prostrating, standing on the head or hopping around on one leg. This is why we go to Mass. When you see us offering the consecrated host to Mary, by all means, knock us dead.(4,623)
Perfect response!!!
I read Mount Athos is only for men (the whole island!) I was pondering trying to get permission to visit if we go to Greece this year... (a possibility)
We ask her to intercede for us, we do not pray TO her.
Your right you do have historical records that some churches had bishops. However, your argument falls in that they do not say they were appointed by the Apostles. Also, you find most churches were run by leaders appointed by the congregation. For example, Clement was upset with Corinth because they had removed leaders he liked and installed others they felt were more appropriate.
John does not refer to himself as a Bishop, but as an elder towards the end of his life.
The only way you can make a claim to a special nature to the succession of your church leadership would be in the ordination process, or laying on of hands. Your claim falls if it's based on Apostles appointing leaders because they did not do that.
As Kolo pointed out, there were Bishops called as such during the lifetimes of the apostles.
We know some of them had met the apostles, we know the apostles name bishops, no where do we see the apostles speak against bishops.
I just gave you scriptural references.
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.