Return to Main Page .......................................... ..................... Christmas Documentaries & The Nativity Story prior to its release
Problems with The Nativity Story
A New
Line Cinema Release
by
Rick Dack
Founder and Director of A.D. Communications
With all of the uproar over the theatrical release of The Da Vinci Code I assumed there would be an examination of The Nativity Story. So far I have heard nothing but positive P.R. (Commercials, interviews etc;) and little or no criticism from those who have an influence via radio and television. They should know better.
Note:
In Fall 2007 "30
Days of Night" was released by
New Line Cinema. I find it interesting that in 2006 it releases a film about
the Son of God then in 2007 they release a film that in the film trailer on
TV it proclaims "No God."
I
am very disappointed with two leaders on the Christian Church and Christian
radio. It's
extremely important that you those in authority are held accountable for comments
made that are inaccurate.
Christian/Conservative radio should be aware of inaccurate depictions of the Bible and not run ads promoting such films. Be a Berean. Check it out before you promote it! It's important that productions about the Bible are accurate.
I
am concerned about the following quotes
“THE NATIVITY STORY is a biblically faithful and artistically superb expression of the most momentous event in human history – when God became a man. For a generation of movie-goers unfamiliar with this truth and its implications for their lives, this magnificent film may well be transformational.”
– Frank Wright, Ph.D., President & CEO, National Religious Broadcasters
“From what
I have observed, THE NATIVITY STORY is Biblically accurate, historically authentic
and visually stunning. Written with heart, directed with sensitivity, produced
with excellence and performed with artistic grace, it is destined to become
a beloved, cherished classic.”
– Anne
Graham Lotz, AnGeL Ministries
“I give it five stars and two thumbs up,” raves Anne Graham Lotz, Billy Graham's evangelist daughter, who saw it during a preview in North Carolina.
Source:www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20061118-9999-mz1c18story
Nov. 10, 2006 - “The Nativity Story,” a new movie that tells the narrative of the birth of Jesus Christ, won’t be in theaters until December, but Anne Graham Lotz has already seen it. Lotz, who is Billy Graham’s daughter, was one of the dozens of pastors, religious scholars and historians who were consulted on the script.
Source:www.today.msnbc.msn.com/id/15657823/site/newsweek/
Read
my comments (below) and see why I am upset with an inaccurate film about the
birth of Christ.
|
My
Comment: Both
Anna and Joachim, Mary's parents in the film, are from the Apocryphal
Gospels not from the New Testament books of Luke or Matthew. |
| 2)
(November 2006 Interview excerpt below) Hugh Hewitt: “You’re believing (or you believe) in the narrative of the Gospels?” Mike Rich: “I’m believing in the narrative, not always as a literal truth sometimes as a figurative truth.” My Comment: What parts of the gospels does Mike Rich believe is literal and what is figurative? He did not say. |
|
3)
Mike Rich stated on Hugh Hewitt that Jesus was born in the year
4 B.C.E. |
|
a)
Herod
is tormented by prophecy about the new coming King who will defeat him.
My Comment: It was not until the Magi arrived in Jerusalem that Herod was concerned about this new King and sought to kill the male infants (Matthew 2:1-3). The Magi DO NOT enter Jerusalem until the last 15 minutes of the film and meet with Herod. Why is Herod concerned prior to the Magi's arrival about a prophecy he has not yet heard? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ b) Mary is unhappy to be married off to Joseph by her Father. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ c)
Mary
encounters the angel Gabriel in the Wilderness not in town (See
Luke 1:26).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ d) The Magi predict the conjuction of the stars as they gaze into an astronomical star pool of water. Venus and Jupitor reference > "Mother and Father join as one" says a Magi. Venus is also a Da Vinci Code point of reference for those who have read the book by Dan Brown. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ g) e)
Mary
was at John the Baptists birth.
My
Comment:
Not
true. Luke 1:56 states that Mary was with Elizabeth for about three
months, and returned to her house.
My
Comment:
Why would Joseph make a public accusation? Many Nazarites already knew
upon her arrival back to Nazareth that she was pregnant when the little
girl touched her stomach.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ i) The Magi “followed” the star in the film or did they? My
Comment:
The star did not appear in the film until the Magi were on their way.
So what did they follow? Hmm?
k)
Mary
encounters a pagan palm reader and she is allowed to look at Mary's
palm.
My
Comment:
Biblically speaking Bethlehem and the surrounding areas were hit by
the soldiers not just Bethlehem. See Matthew 2:16. Read more about
this and other issues surrounding Hollywood and the Bible at www.defendingthebible.com
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|
Massacre of Innocents (Film Begins and Ends here) Herod and son in Jerusalem Zechariah enters Temple and is struck dumb Mary scene with her Mother (Anna from the Apocrypha) Mary is shown sowing seed with two friends Mary with Parents. A family friend (Ruth) is shown telling a story to the children out of the Old Testament. Roman soldiers enter Nazareth to collect taxes. A girl, not Mary, is sold off to pay debts to Rome. Romans extorting money from Nazareth inhabitants. Herod building projects shown (aqueduct, wall to be covered with gold). Herod is tormented by the prophecy about the new coming King who will defeat him. The Magi make first appearance. Mary is unhappy to be married off to Joseph by her Father. Mary loves another - the boy she played with while sowing the seed with her friends. Mary and her Mother talk about her betrothal to Joseph and Mary's Mother discusses her early married life/betrothal. Mary encounters the angel in Wilderness > not in town. Mary journeys with Ruth, the family friend, to see her cousin Elizabeth. Roman soldiers chase men through the village of Nazareth. The Magi predict the conjuction of the stars as they gaze into an astronomical star pool of water. Venus and Jupitor reference > Mother and Father join as one is the remark made by one of the Magi. Venus is also a Da Vinci Code type of point of reference. Magi are Melchior, Belthezzar and another. How do they know the Magi's names? Was Mary at Johns birth? Zechariah speaks once he proclaims the name of his new born "John." This scene was far too quick and rushed. If you have been struck mute for 9 months and suddenly you can speak again…that is a major event! Antipas is Herod's son in the movie. Herod still tormented by the prophecy. The Magi leave (two go ahead, the last one follows). Mary returns to Nazareth > A little girl notices Mary is pregnant as does Joseph, her Parents and the towns people. A family discussion occurs and Marys father asks is she slept with one of Herod's soldiers (A veiled ref. to Panthera/Celsus). Mary denies it. Note: Mary went to visit Elizabeth with Ruth not a Roman soldier. Where would this idea come but from Celsus? Joseph will not make a public accusation against Mary. Note: Why would Joseph make a public accusation? Many Nazarites already know upon her arrival back to Nazareth that she's pregnant. Joseph is angry with the events upon Mary's arrival back to Nazareth. Joseph's Dream: A stoning scene he wakes from and the angel encourages him to be with Mary. " Joseph knows the name of Jesus. Did the angel tell him after his dream? The Magi "followed" the star. Why are they leaving early when the star has yet to appear? Census by Herod Was Herod's father killed by his own people? Herod says so. Matt Petrisi as Soldier of Census > not Panthera. Joseph leaves for Bethlehem with Mary Mary grows to love Joseph on the journey to Bethlehem Roman soldiers search Mary and Joseph looking for evidence of the new king, probably as instigation of Herod > Jesus is not born yet - they are allowed to pass. Simeon scene? Not in the film Mary encounters pagan palm reader and she is allowed to look at her palm Crucifixion scenes. Animal sacrifice before King Herod. Mary almost drowns in river crossing. A snake spooks the donkey. Is this an allusion to the serpent? Good acting by actor playing Joseph. They enter Jerusalem, thieves try to steal from Mary and Joseph but fail (Egypt thieves reference?). Mary and Joseph are surrounded by many trying to sell to them in the Temple area. Joseph: This is meant to be a holy place." A reference to Jesus'zeal later on in the same temple? The couple meet an old man (a shepherd) not Simeon. The Magi > "We follow the star." What star? There is none yet. Herod invites Magi to talk about prophecy/new king and the star. What star? The Magi say they are looking for a child. Herod assumed a man. Herod wants the Magi to tell him where the child is on their return. The couple reaches Bethlehem. Mary is in labor. Mary is taken to a cave. The Magi see the star. Jesus is born in the cave. Only one shepherd is told about Jesus' birth by an angel yet many go to see the newborn. Shepherds visit Jesus in the cave. The Magi visit the cave that very night. Not biblical. The gifts are presented. The Magi do not go to see Herod but journey home. Herod orders the massacre of the innocents "under two years." Antipas
says "the sons of Bethlehem shall be no more." Biblically, Bethlehem
and surrounding areas were hit by the soldiers Joseph and family flee to Egypt. END |
2007