Why I am NOT going to see the "Son of God" movie

I've been thinking about this movie just released called "Son of God." By the same folks who made the miniseries for television "The Bible", this movie theater film has been edited down from the ten hours of The Bible's miniseries and re-used for the big screen.

It is a film that is in wide release, rare for a Christian film. It's been ten years since the last wide release of a Christian film, Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ". The movie is being promoted heavily by such well known false pastors as Joel Osteen and Rick Warren, and even false Mark Driscoll's Mars Hill Church Offers Free Pre-Screening of 'Son of God' Movie. So with all the Christian promotion, social media hubbub, and Hollywood attention, am I going to go see the movie?

No.

First, I agree with Pastor Tim Challies about this particular topic. He said, "I believe this is one of those areas in which Christians need to acknowledge that some will believe the very opposite of what they themselves believe. Convictions will vary, even among Christians of the same theological stripe, which makes it an ideal time to obey Romans 14 and to refuse to pass judgment on one another."

I have read two excellent essays this week which crystallize two of my many concerns with the movie. First, Pastor and aspiring church planter Michael L. Johnson in Minneapolis quoted Exodus 20:4-6
and then said in his essay, The Movie “Son of God” and the Second Commandment that JI Packer advised what it means to adhere to the second commandment in contemporary society. He wrote,

…as soon as the images [of Jesus] are treated as representational rather than symbolic, they begin to corrupt the devotion they trigger. Since it is hard for us humans to avoid this pitfall, wisdom counsels once more that the better, safer way is to learn to do without them. Some risks aren’t worth taking” (p. 56).

Annnnd, this is why we should not put face and form to Jesus. It took exactly two days for the world to fall into the fleshly pitfall of seeing Jesus as a sexy man rather than who He is: God.

CNN’s Carol Costello thought Diogo Morgado’s bod was a bit too bodacious for Jesus Christ in the new film “Son of God.” On Thursday, she grilled Catholic priest Rev. James Martin about the historical accuracy of the savior’s pulchritude.“’Son of God’ is generating a lot of heat because Jesus is, um, so sexy!” Costello exclaimed. “He looks like Brad Pitt… The question for me became must Jesus be sexy too?” Costello was so skeezed by this depiction of the lord, she also penned an op-ed for CNN.com: I’m not the only one gawking at Morgado‘s Jesus. He inspired the hashtag, “#HotJesus.

Secondly, Pastor Tim Challies posted a good essay on the mystery of the cross vs. the method of execution, the crucifixion. Pastor Challies said,

A film cannot adequately capture the reality of what transpired between the Father and the Son while the Son hung upon the cross. ... At the cross we encounter something no picture can tell. Its reality cannot be displayed. Even the eyewitnesses of the cross, those who saw it all unfold, walked away ignorant that day, needing words to explain what had happened there.

Challies goes on with a sensitive and thought-provoking essay about the difference between crucifixion as a method of execution, versus the mystery of the eternal holy wrathful exchange. The film can only show the cruel death of a man, even the Son of God, and not the real meaning of the cross. Watching something that is as profound as that, yet missing the mark because it is too profound to be contained on celluloid, diminishes the mystery and depth of the tremendous sacrifice our Trinitarian God made on behalf of humanity.

Of course, there are also theological concerns, as I had stated before when the mini-series initially came out.  Therefore, for all those reasons, I will not go see the movie. I hope you will take time to prayerfully consider all the implications, concerns, and biblical stances, and prayerfully weigh the the bible as you decide.


Comments

  1. I agree. There is no image, carved, chiseled, or in motion picture format, that can ever give a worthy glimpse of the true glory and majesty of God.
    April

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  2. Elizabeth,

    The list of endorsees for this movie looks like a who's who list of the embodiment of everything that's wrong in the visible church today. We'll be passing on this movie too.

    So sick of this refuse.

    -Carolyn

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  3. I won't be watching it either. Tim Challies always provides very thoughtful blog posts.

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  4. Good points, Elizabeth & Carolyn! Oh my -- with most of the world heading down the BROAD road... I think I'll pass on anything that society as a whole gets excited about! Plus, the slew of false teachers promoting it.... not to mention the NEW AGERS behind it (Roma Downey & husband)

    Elizabeth, okay if I post a link to someone who wrote a (what I considered) WONDERFUL essay about this? BTW: "ouch" ~ as I passed this around to my email list of (I think) mostly Christians -- only to receive a b-b-brrr bone chilling COLD response!!

    Told the Lord I was going to follow Him even if it costs me every friend I have.... and it may just have! :( May I be like the apostles who were excited to have suffered shame for His name's sake! Most people I know -- yep, even "Christians" (some real/some fake) ~ will go to this movie & gobble up popcorn while watching it....

    Often times, the easier route is to stay away from controversial issues -- esp. CHRISTIAN ones! Yet there are times I feel inspired that we must take a stand. We are either gathering with Jesus or scattering with satan; can't have it both ways.

    http://thelasthiker.wordpress.com/2014/02/23/the-son-of-god-movie-is-not-what-we-think-do-you-know-the-voice-of-your-master/

    While this site is new to me and so I cannot (yet) concur with every article (TOTALLY do not agree with the rapture being pre-wrath..... it is and always has been and WILL BE pre-tribulational rapture!!) , yet I'm *going on record* that I tee-totally agree with THIS particular article!!
    YES..... even including "names" of false teachers!! Unfortunately, these are but a FEW of the false teachers available today.

    I think you will totally agree with & like this essay, Elizabeth!

    The ultimate question we should ask ourselves: Do we KNOW the voice of our Master???

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    Replies
    1. Hi Reva,

      Thanks so much for your thoughts, your contribution of the link, and your caveats. That's what discernment is all about!

      I read it through and I was horrified to learn of Roma Downey's necromancy on live TV in talking through a medium to her dead mother.. Horrified.

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  5. I agree completely. I turned off the mini-series and banned it from my house when I saw what Roma Downey did to the story of Lot in Sodom (ninja angels?!?) so I have absolutely no desire to see what fiction she can create with the Gospel in her second shot at it.

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  6. And they will make merchandise of you... yes? (2 Peter 2:3, though I typically read NAS, like Elizabeth has said, this verse in the KJV says it best)

    Reva, I read the article you posted. Great find, and thanks for the caveats too. Pray for those who are rejecting your warnings, some may yet come around. I read on another Christian forum a fellow believer (a woman) who was totally for the Bible miniseries, but now sees that it is false, and rejects that series and also this new movie. 2 Tim 2:24-25

    Take heart, brothers and sisters, it seems we're in good company here. :) It always encourages my heart to see believers with sound discernment rejecting these deceptions.

    2 Cor 6:14-18

    Maranatha!

    -Carolyn

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  7. For these same reasons I didn't see The Passion of the Christ. I don't need Hollywood to tell me about my Lord.

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  8. If you are losing every single friend you have due to your religious beliefs and convictions, then you are doing something wrong.

    Elizabeth,

    I find that while your preaching is interesting and thought-provoking, you very, very rarely use the words of Jesus Christ in your preaching of scripture. I am curious as to why that is.

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    1. ANonymous,

      I do not understand what you mean by saying I "very, very rarely use the words of Jesus Christ in your preaching of scripture."

      Can you explain?

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    2. I have never met Elizabeth in person, but I consider her a friend and sister in Christ. I also have lost some friendships but have gained something far more precious.

      As the words of Jesus say:

      34 “Do not think that I came to [a]bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household." Matthew 10:34-36

      Jane

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    3. Stated,

      "If you are losing every single friend you have due to your religious beliefs and convictions, then you are doing something wrong."

      Not so.

      " Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead." (I Peter 4:1-4)

      Those who willingly suffer for the cause of Christ resist sin and follow God's will. They unite themselves with Christ and share His cross in obedience. Obeying God when it means suffering, ridicule, or rejection will strengthen the believer morally and spiritually, and he will receive from God a greater grace (I Peter 4:14).

      Mario

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  9. Here's a good review of the movie, and why it is really worthless - a different Jesus and abuse of the Bible.
    http://m.blogs.christianpost.com/abandoned-to-christ/movie-review-son-of-god-is-most-certainly-not-the-son-of-god-20297/

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    Replies
    1. Hi Glenn,

      Thanks so much. I really like the author, Sunny Shell. I follow her blog and on twitter. She has some great insights. Thanks again for the link

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