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/
heck anti-Christian rants from protestants are commonplace. you could almost say that protestantism is based on angry rants and schismatics since the day Luther pinned his angry list of demands to the door.
The disagreement doesn't justify mockery or rudeness, but it's there.
Thanks for your kind words.
But I think we have to be reasonable.
Just as the leapard doesn't change it's spots . . .
we can't expect the
pontificals to change their pontifidots . . . especially very fast . . . or without a road to Damascas experience!??
and I'd concur with you with regard to the Roman Catholics.
Jesus said "Call no man Father", except your Father in heaven. Explain that one
are you suggesting then that Christ didn't call Joeseph father?
The OT says not to make graven images and worship them. I see where the Virgin Mary is often dressed up in little clothes and jewelry and paraded thru the streets. Explain that one. Does the statue drink milk from a saucer too?
lol, he who laughs last laughs best.
project them onto scripture which utterly denounces them
= = = =
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh MORE
offensive language.
Now where's my ranting cape when I need it . . . oh, and my ranting boots. Gotta have ranting boots. Big red ones . . . and my big ranting cape . . . and maybe this time a long sparkling ranting sword. . . . with maybe a tall red ranting hat . . . with many points, kind of crown like . . . and lots of big rings . . . with lots of pointy outy things that give a real sharp message if they aren't kissed just right . . .
LOL.
Yet, you seem to be the only here with some kind of rant
God commanded that folks light incense before statues in the temple.
methinks you lack an understanding of what the difference is between a statue and a graven image.
expecting Christians to heed 1 corinthians 12 and 14 is a rant?
says much of how you hate the word of scipture...
Show me in the bible where He did. I can show you, in the bible, what He said
and laughes all the way to the lake of fire...
Statues in the temple? Other than the angels on the mercy seat, what would that be?
aa handfull from many many many
Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Mar 9:21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
Mar 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Mar 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
Mar 10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
Mar 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
Mar 11:10 Blessed [be] the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
Mar 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Mar 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Mar 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against [their] parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
Mar 13:32 But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Mar 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things [are] possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Mar 15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
And not just graven images-- whole temples called by their names
I think considering the effects of one's words on others is part of using them well.
= = =
Mostly agree.
But your assumptions about such are not mine.
I had to come to terms long ago with the fact . . . as in
the fact
that God Himself designed and conditioned me to be--at least in part--a . . . drum roll . . .
goad.
I fussed and fumed and pleaded and begged for a different assignment and character etc. He was resolute and at some point fiercely stern.
That even including and often precisely for that . . . POINT . . . HE MADE ME FOR HIS PELASURE and He did NOT appreciate me complaining about how or what He had made me for His pleasure for.
Since then, I've increasingly tried to relax in the role and even have fun being me.
mileage may vary.
Ridiculous, that's a narrative using a term for parent.
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.