From the cave paintings to the modern film industry , humans have been using different ways of expression to emphasize and preserve those moments which effect everything around them .
I was attending one of the Christian Medical Student Association weekly meeting at hospital I was working and one of the student gave her testimony how she embraced Christ by watching a movie Jesus some 10 years back . It made me think how important the role of media is in all aspect of our life and people make their belief system based upon what they see . There have been many attempts in narrating the story of Christ , either for evangelical purposes or for mockery and when the latest movie Son of God did hit the theater I saw it with my christian friends and here is my review of the movie .
This movie is based upon the mini series and is tailored for the theatrical release . At first glance it looks very nice and inspiring and the story flow is uniquely based upon Gospel of John , rather than Synoptic Gospels as opposed to the previous versions , but is it all about it ? now without further back ground I will discuss the theological dilemmas in the movie .
Mary Magdalene
And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils ( Luke 8:2)
Biblical View : Mary role can't be denied as she followed the christ during most desperate and dangerous times , bore the witness when he was risen from the death and loved the Christ and was among other women who followed Christ and bore witness .
Movie : Last Jesus movie did undermines her role by falsely claiming her a Prostitute and this movie exalted her as a "Companion "
Many of my friends appreciated the fact that the movie showed the mentioned role of women in Christ ministry and his earthly days but the over do of the role of Mary Magdalene is the example of westernized view of Jesus and his time . Marry is being shown with disciples and among important occasions like sermon of the mount , present on the boat when Jesus walked on water , during all major sermons . Why her role depicted in movie is non biblical and out of the times and culture of Jesus early days .
Women were not allowed culturally to roam around with men ( 12 strange men to be precise ) day and night and practically living with them . Bible gives no reference that women were living with the disciples and Jesus , following them or visiting them when they were in town is different thing but being with them all the time is not mentioned in bible .
Mary was shown as a leader , telling other disciples what to do and have faith , there is no mention in the bible of her leadership role . In the movie , Jesus is depicted putting his arm around her when they were entering Jerusalem which is in contrast to local tradition and culture of Jews at that time .
It leads to other question why they paint her in such different role . You will find your answer in the latest apostasy against christians is the conspiracy theories connecting Jesus and Mary as husband and wife and in time to come people can use this movie to prove the point and the idea is being borrowed from writers like Dan Brown and others of his kind and its the deliberate attempt to disfigure the image of Christ .
Judas Iscariot
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. ( John 17:12)
Biblical Role : Word of the God explains the role of Judas Iscariot , son of perdition , whose heart was filled with darkness and who with his own free will , betrayed the Lord and then ended his life and never seeked forgiveness rather ended his own life in sin and despair.
Movie : Now there is turn in events like role of Mary Megdalene which is more based upon works of Dan Brown , Judas is shown as a victim not the culprit . He is shown throughout the movie as someone who is betraying God unwillingly and is under great sorrow and he even refused Jesus to give him the SPECIAL task of his betrayal when Jesus gave bread to Judas , he said No Lord please don't do that and at that point Judas is a victim and Jesus is the reason in the making of Son of Perdition . The idea that Judas was in fact the most loyal disciple and he was bestowed upon the most important task of final event of salvation is not new . Many cults claim to have gospel written by Judas Estceriot and haled him as the true disciple and follower who followed the lord and took part in most decisive part of God's plan . Why this image of Judas is heretic ? Because it gives credit of salvation to a man whose being victim , rather to the Sovereign God . This movie can be used as a reference to glorify the role of Judas Iscariot .
False Roman - Jews Political Relations
When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person.[d] You see to it.”( Mathew 27:24)
But after two years, Porcius Festus became governor. So Felix was no longer governor. But he left Paul in prison to please the Jews. ( Acts 24:27)
Biblical View : At the time of Christ and till fall of second temple , Romans used to send their best diplomatic personals as Governors and rulers of Judea to find the peaceful solution of Jews rebel threat , and they were doing everything possible to please the Jew masses so they don't take side of rebel and maintain the status of loyal peaceful subjects of Roman Empire . Pilate wanted to please Jews when he gave orders of crucification of Christ to avoid any riots and bad diplomatic image . Paul remained in prison without trial because it was pleasing for jews .
Movie : In Son Of God we see a total exaggerated picture of Roman - Jews relations and Jews are being viewed as persecuted and Romans are the one who choreographed the whole crucification , it showed the Jew Leadership reluctantly gave Christ to the Romans for crucification because they were threatened to be dealt with might if they do not present rebel groups . Why this is important point ? Because this movie gave a politically and theologically incorrect version of Jewish Leadership of times of Christ and put all responsibility to the Roman empire and like Judas character , pain them as a victim who were forced to do this by Romans .
Miracles of Christ
"Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor ( Luke 7:22)
Biblical View : All the miracles of Christ were divine act of Sovereignty of God , which were not proceeded or followed by any ritual or human effort .
Movie : Miracles of Christ were shown as some kind of magic tricks which required some kind of interaction and act before the miracle , like putting the hand in the water so fish can find the way to the fishing nets of Peter , just to name the few . Why this is important ? Anything which takes away glory and sovereignty of God is humanism and humanism is desperate attempt to deny the power of Cross .
Conclusion :
In the past , Jesus film has been used as an evangelical tool and many people embraced Christ after watching that film and organizations like Campus Crusade of Christ , are spreading the message of Gospel using mass media . Movies like Son Of God will raise many questions and act as a stumbling block for non believers when they see it and make a picture of Gospel without reading the Gospel and misunderstand the good news of Gospel . It will act as a blue print for many conspiracy theorists in their efforts to disfigure the message of Gospel . May God give us wisdom and spirit of discernment to fight this spiritual battle .
Amen .
