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/
How so?
"I think his attitude that he'd answered the question indicated that he had decided that "The Father is the Son.""
Oh, I sincerely doubt that FL, a profoundly Orthodox person, simplifies the Trinity in so modern, innovative and Protestant a fashion. In all honesty, since it is mostly the preaching of Protestants which the Mohammedans these days refer to when they speak of Christian beliefs, its little wonder they persist in their erroneus belief that we all are tritheists.
President Bush said, "Barbara Bush has probably had more impact on my life than any other person."
Would it help to know whether that was Bush41 or Bush43 who said that ?
"which is essentially false
How so?"
Neither 41's or 43's policies lead to war with Iraq.
That was his answer, not mine. Ask him.
Pres. Bush is not clear communication.
THIS is indisputable! Both Presidents Bush are the almost Incarnation of "Not Clear Communication" and fullness of dyslexia AND dysphasia was pleased to dwell in Bush the Son -- right up until 9-11 when he found his voice, I think.
LOL!
"There are those who believe that. It is clearly heresy in my book. But if that is what he believes, then we ought to show him some scriptures which indicate that it is not true."
Are you a tritheist? If not, please give me your understanding, from whatever source in whatever original or translated language you choose, of the Trinity.
No.
Do you believe the Father is the Son?
I think it's time for those who dispute the title to bring an adult, literate, who has an IQ of 95 or above, who upon hearing the phrase "mother of God" concluded that Mary ante-dated God or was in any way, including chronological superior to God. I keep hearing about how confusing this now ancient title of our Lady is, but I see no one who is actually confused.
I think if Barbara Bush were my wife OR my mother I'd live in fear. Admiring fear, but fear. I bet she taught Dick Cheney how to shoot.
Not a tritheist.
My source is scripture. Do you assert that scripture teaches tritheism?
"That was his answer, not mine. Ask him."
I took your post to mean that it was your interpretation of his "attitude" which lead you to believe that that is what FL said. My point is that the comment at base is true and correct, though no Orthodox person would express it that way because such a comment is too simplistic. The Liturgy and the quote from +Gregory of Sinai expresses the belief of The Church which I have no doubt FL confesses. A titheist, however, would quickly and loudly proclaim such a comment heresy.
"Are you a tritheist?
No."
Really? You sound like one. Do you deny the "orthodoxy" of the prayer from the DL of +James or the comment of +Gregory of Sinai?
"Do you believe the Father is the Son?"
I thought my comment in 7695 was quite clear as to what The Church and thus I believe.
A Trinitarian would consider anyone who suggests "The Father is the Son" to be harboring heretical doctrine.
The truth is, though, that you are supporting your friend and not what he, for the sake of debate, tiptoed around.
[That is understood to mean Paul's encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road.]
Yes, the risen Christ appeared to Paul on the Damascus Road. And again in Sianai in Arabia where He stripped Paul of judaistic laws and gave him the doctrine of the New Testament Church, the Body of Christ, the revelations of Jesus Christ to Paul the Apostle. The Catholic religion has problems with the Pauline reveliations of Jesus Christ, also known as Jehovah God in the O.T. When Paul fell to the ground after hearing the voice, did he not ask Who are thou Jehovah, the english word LORD being the translation? And he said, I am Jesus, whom thou ...
Thank you for searching the scriptures, Berean Christian.
Acts(:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord(Jewish word,Jehovah)? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
And again after that,
Galations 1
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
"My source is scripture. Do you assert that scripture teaches tritheism?"
Not at all. I assert that saying that the statement "The Son is not the Father" or vice versa, is simply not true with nothing more displays an alarming lack of understanding of Trinitarian theology which can otherwise be explained by holding a belief in tritheism. Given the Creed, is there another way to explain your denial?
Just answer yes or no. How hard is that?
I prefer clarity to agreement. So just answer yes or no:
"Do you believe the Father is the Son?
thank you.
Are you some variety of Monarchist?
"A Trinitarian would consider anyone who suggests "The Father is the Son" to be harboring heretical doctrine."
Only a Trinitarian who didn't understand the Trinity would hold that opinion. God is One, is He not?
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.