A New Movie Called, "The Son of God"
When I was a teenager, my older brother told me about something he had
seen concerning advertisers, who would display their product for less than a
split second and a person would not be conscious that he had seen anything. Yet,
an impression was made on his subconscious mind that effected him positively
towards the product.
Movies
that are well-produced, with a good story, appealing background music, good
writing, good acting, etc., creates a powerful impression through the
eye-gate (as John Bunyan termed it) into the human soul. While you are taken in by this creation, some even
overwhelmed by it, you are positively impressed by the main character.
All of this is fine, if we are talking about secular entertainment, but when we are taking into account a movie, such as the recent production, titled "The Son of God", then we must be very careful of characteristics that are subtilely introduced into the story, to leave you with something
less than the biblical revelation of the main person in the film, namely Christ, especially when it concerns his divinity... i.e. the Son of God. In that case, a misinterpretation can mean blasphemy.
Someone directed me to a critical review of the film, written by Sunny Shell. Before I took her review into account, I went to her website and was very impressed with her doctrinal
statement and also the presentation of salvation, which was offered. It was better than most. Sunny Shell is
an Asian-American, a professional writer and editor. Early in her review, she stated: "Last year
I was contacted by a media group for The History Channel. They emailed me,
requesting my help in promoting their upcoming 10-episode mini-series called
'The Bible'." She wrote a review after watching the entire series and they never
contacted her again. I was impressed by that kind of personal conviction.
As to her critique of the professional quality of 'The Son of God', she wrote:
"As a movie, it was gripping, emotionally engaging, well-performed and the
cinematography was good. I'm not an emotional person, but even I found myself
tearing up when Matthew was called away from his tax collecting table to follow
Jesus."
Now, her main complaint is that the authority of the Son of God is
minimized, and He is portrayed as something far less than absolute Lord and
Master. She explained: "I won't go point by point on all the biblical errors in this
movie because honestly, there's just not enough room in one review, nor time in
one day to cover the ineptness of the writers and producers of this film. I will
only cover some of the topics and scenes that are fundamental to God's holy
precepts and His loving relationship with His people which include God's authority, righteousness and love."
Just to give you some of her critical points in her own words:
1. In this movie, Jesus is never shown humbling himself and serving the
disciples as one of the lowliest servants in a household. But he doesn't have
to since throughout the film the Lord is depicted as more of our buddy than
our glorious Master and King. So here, the Lord is shown laughing and enjoying
this meal with his disciples when suddenly he has a vision of being betrayed by
Judas. Then 'pretend Jesus' has a look of surprise and defeated sadness as he
tells the disciples, for the first time, that he is going to be betrayed, suffer
and die. Though in Scripture the Lord foretold His suffering and death
three times prior. (my note: He also said that one of them was a thief
and would betray him, long before it happened. You see, He is being portrayed as
something less than absolute Master in this situation.)
2. After Jesus has this surprising and upsetting vision of Judas betraying
him, he turns to Judas and convinces Judas to betray him. With tears, Judas
adamantly refuses. But Jesus endearingly holds Judas' face, then gently and
lovingly insists that Judas do it, and do it quickly. Reluctantly, Judas does as
Jesus says. In this false adaptation, the other disciples are aware of Judas'
betrayal and Peter tries to stop him, but Jesus tells Peter to let him go. (my
note: all of this, totally false and unbiblical)
3. In the real Bible, Jesus commands Peter and Andrew to follow Him
and they immediately leave their boat and nets and obey Jesus' command.
He didn't tell anyone that He came to "change the world" nor did He ask for
their help to do so.(In the movie) rather than call Peter and Andrew from their
boat while they were fishing, Jesus pleads, "Peter, just give me an
hour and I'll give you a whole new life." After sassing Jesus, Peter
takes him fishing where Jesus works a miracle and provides him with an abundance
of fish. When Peter asks what they are going to do, Jesus says, "Change the
world." . Christ came into the world to save sinners from the righteous
wrath of God, which is the just penalty for our sins. He never said He came to
change the world. He said He came to transform people by giving them new hearts
and new minds through repentance and faith in Christ alone
4. The 13 Disciples Yes, you read that right. I know in
Scripture there are only 12 disciples...all men (Peter, Andrew, James and John,
Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas
Iscariot). But in the film, there are 13 disciples, and the thirteenth disciple
is a woman named Mary. Not only is she always with them, but she's with
them in the boat during the storm when Jesus walks on water; she's with them
when they travel privately, though in the Scriptures, Jesus pulled aside and
taught only The Twelve...men. Mary is also very outspoken and often
reproves the male disciples to have more faith as it is very apparent her faith
is stronger. (my note: not bad, coming from a woman... a Christian professional woman, a wife and mother, who
rejects the world's doctrine of feminism.)
5. In Scripture Jesus purposefully delays from going to see Lazarus when he
was ill, allowing him to die. Then He purposefully goes to see Lazarus after
he's been dead four days.When Martha says that Lazarus has died, Jesus is
surprised (which he often is throughout this film) and asks to be taken
to the tomb. Once Jesus arrives at the tomb, he actually goes in...with Martha!
Then he touches Lazarus (who's face is not wrapped), gently cradles his head,
weeps, kisses the back of Lazarus' head, quotes some Scripture and gently
suggests that Lazarus rise; and he does. The three of them emerge from the tomb
as the crowd cheers. (My note: If she is truly depicting this scene, I'm
enraged! How dare they tamper with Christ's omniscience and subject him to
circumstances, which the Bible shows that He absolutely controlled! It's nothing
short of blasphemy!! Who gives anyone license to present Christ according to
their imagination, whims or personal concepts? )
There was more, but I already copied more than enough.
After the article, one person offered the comment, which included three Bible portions, which I so often state to people, who
want to fool with holy Scripture: "The producers, theologians, & pastors who
worked on this film have all professed to be believers. As professing believers,
have they forgotten or overlooked Deut 4:2: “Ye shall not add unto the word
which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep
the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you”, or maybe Rev.
22: 18-19: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the
prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add
unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take
away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part
out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are
written in this book.” Then there is Proverbs 30:5-6: “Every word of
God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not
unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Anytime we
add to the words of Scripture we create a false gospel. This movie introduced
people to a false Jesus."
Paul says (2 Co.11:4 NAS), "If one comes
and preaches another Jesus... you bear this beautifully" (other
versions say tolerate). I won't tolerate it and I won't be quiet about it.
As to the last verse, to which that person above referred, it is impossible to relegate it to just a single section of Scripture, such as the Law given by Moses (as in Dt.) or the Prophecy of the Apostle John (as in Rev.). It refers to the whole canon of the Old and New Testament.
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