Posted on 03/25/2015 8:38:04 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The upcoming National Geographic miniseries "Killing Jesus," which is based on Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly's bestselling book of the same name, tells the story of the historical Jesus and leaves the supernatural claims made by believers out of the equation.
The approach to the film was intentional, according to some of the actors in the film who believe it will help to get the Jesus story out to those who are skeptics.
Chris Ryman, who plays Malchus, the Roman guard who arrests Jesus before His crucifixion, commented on the film's portrayal of Jesus — the man — in the film.
"This is the first time we see Jesus as the man, not as this kind of spiritual divinity," Ryman told The Christian Post on Monday before the film's New York City premiere. "Even though all that is there — and I think that's important, because the main teachings about Jesus was to teach men how you could become better."
He continued: "If you look at this person and you see an angel or a God, you're not going to be able to relate to it. But if you see a man with all His faculties you say, 'Wow, He's like me.' He's a working class intelligent man. Every person can see something in them that Jesus has. That's what you're going to get from this story. The real human side of Jesus."
Ryman also told CP that when he first received the script for "Killing Jesus," he wasn't told that Jesus' miracles wouldn't be depicted in the film. He further admitted that while the entirety of Jesus' story can't be told without acknowledging the supernatural aspects of His life, it can be achieved without the use of Hollywood special effects that are often found in other portrayals of Jesus' life.
Alexis Rodney, who plays Simon Peter in "Killing Jesus," elaborated more on Ryman's point.
"In a lot of other versions you see lights and rays, and that's fine — it serves its purpose," he told CP. "But again [what we're bringing that's different], I think, is being able to make it slightly more ambiguous. You draw in a larger audience who will then get the core message."
Joe Doyle, who plays Judas Iscariot in the film, feels the ambiguity could be viewed as a positive and leaves the decision as to whether Jesus is really God or not in the viewers' hands.
"It's portrayed exactly that, it's ambiguous, but it leaves the question open whether it could be coincidence, which can be construed as miracle as well," Doyle told CP.
Ryman also supports the film's approch and believes it will help expose non-believers to the message of Christ. He also discussed the subtle way the miracles are displayed in the film without them being overtly supernatural or religious.
"When I read [the script], for me, I was like, well, it's smart, because it's obviously meant to be for the non-believers as much as it is for the believers. But for me, there's clear points where I'm like, well, that's clearly a miracle. What's happening there — that can only be a miracle. It's very clever," Ryman continued.
Speaking about the film's non-traditional approach in telling the story of Jesus' life, Rodney explained to CP that he believes younger generations might be more open to learning about Jesus' message. "Especially with the younger generation who are far more skeptical and savvy. If they are to find the beauty within this message, I think that they need this approach."
"Killing Jesus" premiers on the National Geographic channel on Sunday, March 29.
“Given the fact that it is Holy Week when this will be broadcast, this is yet another atheistic attack on Christianity.”
I don’t understand. O’Reilly is a devout Catholic, not an atheist.
RE: SPOILER ALERT: - at the end He dies.
OK, did it stop there in the film? Did anything out of the ordinary happen a few days later?
That’s the question I want to ask about the film.
BOR, like the majority of roman catholics believe in works for salvation and to keep your salvation.
[[IMO, O’Reilly doesn’t know squat about the bible or Jesus]]
Mine too, and this should have disqualified him from writing a book on the topic because it’s obviously not going to be a factual book- either that or he should have written under the fiction section
I have not purchased the book, nor would I watch the movie.. Can an unsaved man write a book revealing Christ as anything more that as OReilly calls Him..a great philosopher.
He says there are no miracles in it because there is no historic documentation ...
Same here ,want be watching in this household.
Same reason the Church took notice of that troublesome priest in Wittenberg.
Every Easter & Christmas season we get a new spin on someone distorting Christianity; this is nothing new.
No miracles ... no Jesus ... Ping!
I guess this is who he would be if the mother of Jesus is not the mother of God.
Thanks to posts on FR, I’ll pass, thank you....
Will watch The Passion....
Precisely! It is our weak human nature that is never fully convinced unless we see proof (miracles) and, even then, there are still doubters. In the Maronite Catholic Church, throughout the season of Lent, we hear the miracle stories of Jesus. They begin with the Miracle at Cana and build gradually, each week: the Hemorrhaging Woman, the Paralytic, Bartimaeus the Blind, etc. and culminate this Saturday with the raising of Lazarus from the dead, the greatest miracle of all. No wonder throngs gathered on Sunday, waving palms and olive branches to welcome Jesus to Jerusalem. Words have meaning and some were persuaded by what Jesus said but it was the Miracles (actions) that spoke to the populace, convincing them that he was the Messiah.
Ironically, those who greeted him en route with shouts of "Hosanna!" would later shout "Crucify him!" on Good Friday. Ultimately, for those who believe, no proof is necessary whereas for those who do not, no proof is sufficient.
“Does this make Bill O’Reilly a CINO”.
He always has been.
My apologies, but with the way my days have been lately, and some of the sad, tragic, disgusting things going on in the world, I grasp at levity when I'm lucky enough to find some.
That was funny, I loved that show. Thank you for the chuckles giggles!
God bless you...
In all fairness to O'Reilly, I don't think Christians were his target audience. However, if one person is led to read the book or see the movie, they may become interested enough in Jesus as an historical figure, to pique their curiosity and take a look at what we Christians see in Him. Kind of like that little hundredth sheep. God can make a greater good out of anything He chooses. You never know... even if one person discovers Him. Just a thought.
And to you my friend!
Had not planned to watch the movie but did, out of curiosity. If the target audience was skeptics, they will probably remain so. Not surprisingly, the focus was on the political climate at that time, including the Jewish factions. There were a few 'miracles' included - driving out a demon, healing a leper - but that was it. Why those 2? Why not the healing of the paralytic or the raising of Lazarus, both of which were accompanied by witnesses. The actor's portrayal of Jesus was more matter of fact as if Jesus himself was not sure of who he was. He admits that he intended to portray his human side rather than an other worldly one. The account was also choppy, jumping from one event to another.
Did anyone else watch the movie? What was your impression?
I only got through the first 15 minutes. when Jesus didn’t seem to know what was going on and his cousin had to tell him who he was, I gave up.
Good example of the misleading portrayal of Jesus. Luke 2:42-52, after searching for 3 days, Mary and Joseph find the boy Jesus sitting in the Temple, discussing the law with learned doctors. "How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" In these words Jesus sums up His whole person, His whole life, His whole mission. They reveal His Divine Sonship; they testify to His supernatural mission. Christ's whole life will only be a clarifying and magnificent exposition of the meaning of these words.
Bill O'Reilly is a Catholic. He is a 1967 graduate of Chaminade HS, an all male Catholic School on LI. He has spoken there several times and attests to the impact the school had on him: “(Chaminade) gave me a foundation theologically, philosophically and academically,” he said, pointing out that he still goes to Mass every Sunday."
Moreover, in choosing a muslim to portray Jesus, the actor interpreted the scriptures through his own theological upbringing. He claims the name Jesus appears more times than Mohammad in the Koran but that does not provide the insight needed to portray Him.
I watched the movie to the end and it leaves the viewer with the impression that Jesus was just another Jew. It was a dark beginning to our entry into Holy Week.
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