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/
What you said...
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." -- Galatians 2:20"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." -- 1 Corinthians 15:10
The problem stems from the RC misunderstanding of justification (acquitted once for all the sins of the elect) and sanctification (the ongoing, predestined work of the Holy Spirit to bring the elect to repentance, obedience and faith.)
After a long walk. So works are not salvific but walks are? OK. It is still hope that does not cross into presumption, and nothing in your quotes indicates otherwise. Here is attitude to avoid:
11 The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. 12 I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O god, be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather that the other: because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.(Luke 18)
Note: on the other hand Jesus died on the cross for Something.. WHAT?..
I don't have a foggiest idea why anyone would believe such nonsense. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God working with you", no?
Yeah I'm guilty.. tradition and dogma chaps my grits some way I guess..
The works we do are evidence that we are saved.
Faith without works is dead (James) - the demons also believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God - and they tremble.
The bottom line, dear annalex, is that Jesus does not say in the Sermon on the Mount to "do" perfect things or to "say" perfect things - but rather, to "be" perfect.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. - I John 1:5-10 (also John 15)
That, my beloved sisters and brothers, is the Spiritual discernment I have received of John 6 - we are to feed on Him, The Living Word of God. That is the meaning of Lord's command, "take, eat, this is my body" and "Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matt 26)
I've seen that happen.. and "they" usually end up in some cult..
Course the cult does not think it is a cult..
A mass mental construct.. but I repeat myself from earlier..
No, and here's your problem. Scripture does not say God is working with us; it says God is working in us. And what He is working in us is "both to will and to do of His good pleasure." The concept of some partial, semi-effectual, prevenient grace denies the meaning of grace itself. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." -- Philippians 2:12-13"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Nowhere does the scripture say that they are only evidence. They often are, but we are extolled to them. Simplify your life and do what the scripture says. Take James 2 and John 6 literally. It is clear that they were not written for any metaphysical or allegorical spin. So don't spin.
The notion that with the belief in the sacrifice of Christ you life gets on an autopilot is counterscriptural. If it were the case, 75% of the Gospel did not need to be written.
AMEN!!!
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." -- Phil. 2:13
The point remains. As you yourself noted, you are called to sainthood. Everyone is. Do something about it.
LoL...
Most of the bible is written in metaphysical and/or allegorical spin.. The only way NOT to spin it is to provide personal opinion or the opinion of others.. Course the inherent spin is God's spin.. re-spinning (by humans) is done also..
How do you get the PURE stuff in the bible?..
Well that takes the Holy Spirit.. You know, THE REASON Jesus left the Holy Spirit to mop up after his ascension.. i.e. comforter/paraclete/Holy Spirit.. Else why was the "baton" passed to the Holy Spirit..
Truly, the fruits of the Spirit are the greatest evidence that we are saved and they are the "doing" of the Spirit Himself: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (Gal 5, Matt 7)
All of these fruits are present in our words, demeanor, behavior towards others, etc. but we must not take credit for them.
Maranatha, Jesus!
Precisely.
Justification -- Christ's preordained, one-time sacrifice for the elect to make them acceptable to God by His righteousness alone.
Sanctification -- the indwelling Holy Spirit leading us to obedience, repentance and faith.
To get these confused is to misunderstand salvation entirely. Saved by grace alone through faith alone in the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone.
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.