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/
Others observe that Luther UNspun some RCC spun dogma..
Who is correct?.. Depends on your observation post.. I suppose..
No. The fundamentals of Luther's theology are not supported by plain reading of the scripture. They are all "don't read this book", "that passage does not mean to say what it says", "this word should really be inserted here".
I admit, there is a certain superstructure in Catholicism, what we call traditional or magisterial teaching. If one wanted to avoid it and build a sub-faith based on the Bible alone, well, he would have to find "Bible alone" in the Bible if he were a logical man, but that would be an intriguing and perhaps even worthwhile exercise. But this is not what Luther was about. He simply lied about the content of the gospel.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." -- James 2:18-19"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Works are the fruit of the Holy Spirit and by them we are known.
And...
And...
My sins are covered by the blood of Jesus but I still have to confess them and ask his forgiveness. Please don't bother me any longer.
Yep, too bad some of the religious folks here don't KNOW that yet.
Me, too, AG. But I'm only a mere protestant who believes her sins have been covered by the blood of Jesus. What do I know? (smile)
I think we're all a bit guilty of that, Mad Dawg. Some of this stuff is so unloving as to make me wonder where Christ really is in all these posts.
Oh, dear. I am really tired of learning patience...LOL.
Rejoice. 8~)
I know the Protestant spin on the Epistle of St.James and nave no interest in, or respect for the gospels of Messrs. Piper, Hodge, and Webster. I can read what is written in the Holy Scripture myself.
We exercise several choices here. What to do with that thought, any thought - whether to pursue or drop it. And we choose what habits we practice and develop. We choose where we focus our attention - whether it is on our own thoughts or toward God. We choose, in varying degrees what we are surrounded with and what we feed our senses - whether it is true beauty, good sounds and sights, etc. These choices in turn affect what thoughts arise.
The choices we make are exercises of conscience, which is formed over time and properly formed becomes integrity, the Christian goal of becoming that which we were created to be. And our conscience comes ultimately from God.
The yarn that Peter was the first Pope.. is specious..
As are a plethora of things the RCC stole from pagans..
Actually "bible alone" is in the bible.. with eyes to see and ears top hear..
Me too! Dear Lord please do not send me any more exercises in patience..
thanks Mary..
Petrine primacy is in the Bible. The renaming, the grant of keyes, the charge to feed the sheep, the prayer to convern the brethren. Not bad for a humble fisherman. To argue about the rest, define "pope".
The big thing we "stole" from pagans is the calendar. Gee, it works!
Where is Bible alone in the Bible? I am asking this thing like a metronom on this thread. So far, much chest-beating, no answer. Be my guest: chapter and verse please.
Thank YOU, d-fendr. Mxxx
I appreciate you, Dr. E. Love, Mxxx
Pontifex Maximus.. title of a Roman Emperor...
You know... dictator..
It kinda boggles the mind, doesn't it hosepipe. It's so simple but others try to make it so difficult with their big words and arrogance. Grrrr.
Perhaps. However I don't excuse homosexuality as a preference.
7000 posts.
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