Dec. 27, 2006
Comment On "The Movie"
Posted in Lessons I Have Learned
To be quite honest I usually steer away from controversial topics on my blog. To also be honest, I did not mean for my blog entry about The Nativity Story to be controversial. But, apparently I was wrong! Since I have stirred up feelings in at least one other blogger, I thought I would answer some of the questions that arose in the following comment: (The comment is show in bold/italics)
I went to the link and watched the scene about the birth.
I would say that it is totally inaccurate. They have three wise men...what a surprise...the Bible doesn't say how many there were.
I think we have to assume that some artistic license is going to be taken when a movie is made. Yes, the Bible does not say exactly how many wise men there were. But, it does not say there were NOT three either. Yes, in the movie they actually go by the names Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. Of course we do not know the actual names of the wise men or how many their were. But, I do believe that by giving them names and a number that people are traditionally comfortable with it helps us to feel comfortable with the story. I am in no way suggestion that this movie be used as a replacement for the Bible. We have read the story of the birth of Christ many, many, many times to our children. We discussed this movie at length after we saw it as a family and I think that has HUGE value in the education of our children.
I might be being easily annoyed at that BUT to top it off they came to the manger scene. That is totally inaccurate. They came to a house when he was a small child, not a baby. I was not impressed that Hollywood couldn't even get that part right.
When I was a child I believed that the wise men came to the manger. Later in life I learned that this was probably not the case. I must admit however that I have NOT removed the wise men from my nativity scene. In the movie this is explained by the fact the the wise men were studying and following the star long before the birth of the Saviour. They knew that a Messiah was coming due to prophecy and they wanted to be there for it! Again this was something we discussed as a family after the film. Also, if we are going to use this logic should we not also be annoyed with every manger scene we see in someones yard that has the wise men present? I think the intent to honor the Lord is there in those displays, as well as in this movie. I am not going to judge.
Watching movies from Hollywood is controversial enough. I would say, to take it a step further, to watch a movie about the Bible is even more wrong. Why are we learning from them? They should be learning from us.
This is the 1st I have heard that Christians are not suppose to watch Hollywood movies. My family has blown this commandment big time! We own every Veggie Tale ever made. We own The Passion of The Christ, The Jesus Film, Left Behind, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Which is my very favorite movie!), Prince of Egypt.... I could go on to name many, many movies we own... Maybe it is because I worked in Hollywood before I had kids, but I cannot agree that watching a movie about the Bible is wrong. I have wonderful fond memories of watching The Ten Commandments with my parents when I was young. To be quite honest it is the only exposure I had to the 10 Commandments as a child. I have no knowledge of whether or not this movie was made by Christians. But, I did not go to this movie to learn about the Bible. I went to enjoy the Bible story with my children. Just like I do when I go to a Christmas concert or drive thru Nativity or set up a store bought Nativity with my children. I did not expect that movie to teach my children about the Nativity, because I have already done that myself.
Once again unsaved people are just trying to make a buck, well, millions of them, off of our Lord. The sad part is we are stupid enough to give it to them. If we took all the money that we spend on Hollywood and gave it to missionaries or churches we might actually make a difference. Instead we are just making filthy, sinful, slimeballs richer.
Whew...That is a mouthful...Again I do not know if the makers of this movie are unsaved. I do not think the church that blessed my family with this movie was stupid. And, I think that we are all sinners, saved by grace. I also think that many, many people that are never going to darken the doors of a church or hear the words of a missionary will see this movie. Through the years and it will bless and very possibly save souls. While I think that missionaries and churches are wonderful things I don't believe they are the only way to find Christ. One of my very favorite songs puts it best:
She'd never darken the door
Of any church
She would say "What for?
No one there would care for me"
We have to go where she lives
Simply show her who Jesus is
Watch him set her free
For grace flows down from above
And faith requires a self-less love
For a world
That's dieing to see
The hope in you and me
I hope you don't take this the wrong way. If you read it with the wrong tone of voice in your head it could happen.
I don't know if I took this in the wrong way or not. It made me sad. It reminded me of a post I read once by a Christian filmmaker who made secular films. He was asked why he didn't make Christian films and he said he didn't do it because he didn't like getting torn apart by the Christian community. He said if you make a secular film people acknowledge you are human. But it you make a Christian film you are expected to do a perfect job and represent every given detail of the faith perfectly. Because of all the different denominations that is impossible. Therefore, he had decided not to get involved in the bickering of the faithful.
I think the intent of this movie was to honor and show the amazing story of the birth of Jesus. It makes me sad when we are so busy judging that we miss the message of love and forgiveness that Jesus came to give us. As the movie trailer put it so eloquently this movie is about...
One family...
One journey...
One child...
Who would change the world forever.
Comments
Dec. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cindy
Very well said!
I haven't seen the movie yet but I will. Probably when I can get the video, we are such homebodies! LOL
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Dec. 27, 2006 - Great response
Posted by tn3jcarter
I do think the "Christian movie" topic gets controversial pretty quick. I'm like you and have been really blessed by some Christian films and thankful that they were produced (like End of the Spear - Wow, the salvation story and the way it portrayed Christians as folks who value other people's lives more than their own. I was so blessed to see theaters full of people seeing that story).
However I know some Christians just don't feel comfortable with those types of movies at all - whether it's because of the actors selected for the roles or story details. They see it along the lines of wolves in sheep clothing and just feel more safe steering clear. And I think that's ok too.
I just think as born again Christians, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us and I know that God has used many imperfect movies to bless me and I'm glad that I didn't miss those blessings. If those same movies would be stumbling blocks for others then they are right to avoid them, but we all just need to keep our eyes focused on Christ and not what everyone else is doing.
Blessings,
~Nancy
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Dec. 27, 2006 - 8-)
Posted by MichelleMcKinney
I plan to see it. Things have just been very busy.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Dec. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CommunicationFUNdamentals
I haven't seen the movie either, but would love to.
Each person has to judge for himself whether they should see or read or be a part of something. It should all be done to the glory of God. I cannot judge you and I don't think I should try. The Lord has different paths for each of us and as long as we seek Him in all we do, we can only act according to what we feel is right at the time.
You can look at things many ways. One can look inside the church and say that only those things inside the church honor the Lord, but then you would miss all the evangelism that goes on outside a church for those who would not step inside until someone loves them.
You can look the misinformation in movies like the Da Vinci Code and say it is a bad influence or you can look at it and say it is a wonderous opportunity to open a discussion about the truth! Each may be true for someone!
Congratulations on being Blogger of the Week!
JoJo
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Dec. 27, 2006 - CONGRATS!!
Posted by SuperAngel
On being Blogger of the Week!!
God Bless and Keep You and Yours!!
Take Care!!
Luv
Amanda ~ Siol Enal ~ SUPERANGEL
Daughter of JacqueDixonSoulRestES
Sister of Jocelyndixon, rjdjohn316 & YoungManInTraining
Read my lastest articles just published today!! Let me know what you think!! Sorry I can't give you link, unless you want me to mess up your blog =0)
Come check out the changes that have happened to your favorite blogpaper!!
Stop by The Daily Planet soon!!
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Dec. 27, 2006 - hmmmm
Posted by SeekingJESUSnTeachingKIDS
I can't believe how upset people get. I think your response was well said and gave a very Godly view. It is so sad that some people get so caught up in detail that they miss the blessing. This is such an important time for the "church" (God's people not the building) to stay united to reach the lost. In Mark the disciples come to Jesus and complain that others are claiming to work for Jesus and they are not part of the 12 and Jesus responds by saying let them be. God can use anyone or anything (my paraphrase). The real issue is the heart and God alone judges the heart of man. If the intention of the movie was to disgrace Christianity, then I would see a problem. And finally as Joseph said, what was meant for evil, God meant for good. He is way bigger than Hollywood:)
Thank you for the review, we were not sure if we wanted to see it. I will wait for the video, it's too much money to go to the theater.
:>Michelle
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Dec. 27, 2006 - Gooo--oooo--lll--yyyyy!!!
Posted by JacqueDixonSoulRestES
I can understand someone having a completely different opinion about this movie. Or any movie - or anything.
BUT... goodness gracious!
I really can't believe it was left anonymously. *Whoever* it was sounded very upset. I agree with where to put our money, but I don't know about churches and missionaries anymore either. How about giving it to our unsaved neighbors so they can watch this movie and learn about the birth of our Savior? Then, we can invite them over for coffee and ask what they thought and answer any questions.
Ok, I'll get down from *my* soapbox, now.
I haven't seen it, and Robin Sampson, from HOW gave us a Biblical review (which, do we *really* expect any story to line up with how anyone interprets anything anymore, even Christians?) anyway, she stated what scenes didn't line up with the Bible, but it didn't turn me off from seeing it.
I have had a burden for Hollywood for several years, now, and I know they are going to continue to produce garbage for all the world to see - and get filthy rich off of it. I am glad they do Bible stories once in awhile, so that they have to use at least *some* of the Bible as their script.
Maybe the more Bible movies they produce, that makes one less sinful movie they could have produced.
Besides, I know of enough christians who will view almost any movie; at least, maybe God can speak to His own people through Hollywood once in awhile.
CONGRATS! on being Blogger of the Week!!
Blessings!
Jacque
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Jan. 6, 2007 - Hey there!
Posted by cccmkr
I just have to throw in another point....
To condem a bible movie so quickly for it being "inaccurate" over something as simple as how many wise men and the time in which they come (which BTW I was in many Christmas Pagents as a child and we never made baby Jesus grow up before the wise men came) seems so petty to me.
I wonder if "anonymous" choose to celebrate Christmas on December 25th, since we all know that wasnt the TRUE biblical day Jesus was born.
It also bugs me that people make comments like that and then hide their identity.
Hope you had a great Holiday season (meaning Christmas and New Years!) Just incase that boothered someone! Getting the PC police calmed!
Tell everyone I said hello!
-CCCMKR
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