Last Friday my best friend/roommate/one of the most awesome people alive and I went to watch the "Son of God" movie in theaters. I have to admit, even though the trailers made the movie look pretty stinkin' cool, I was still half-expecting another low-budget cheesy Jesus film with bad acting. But no matter. Anytime Hollywood portrays my Savior on the big screen, I want to see it. So we went. And I sat there, and pretty much cried my eyes out. I actually thought it was good! As I put myself in the footsteps of every character there, I was more and more amazed at everything that Jesus went through for us. For me. I kept trying to imagine what it would've been like to be that woman who was caught in adultery, to be Peter walking on water, to be Simon and to be shoulder to shoulder helping my Lord carry his cross. It was powerful to me because it's more than a story. It's real. In a sense, I AM the woman who was caught in adultery. I AM the one marching beside Jesus with a heavy cross on my back. There were several moments that opened my eyes to a new aspect of Jesus's life and how it applies to me. And I thought it was good.
And then I come back and read this article that is completely hating on the whole thing because of how terribly inaccurate it was and how unbelievable it is that the church is supporting this movie.
Now, I understand that there were some differences between the movie and the real thing, and part of me is kind of frustrated that they feel the need to slightly alter some aspects of the story, but essentially...it's still the gospel. It's still Christ, crucified for our sins, raised from the dead, coming back again someday for his Church. Why would we not be overjoyed and happy that the story that changed our lives is being shown in theaters? Oh, because it's not exactly the same as it actually was, so it's flawed theology, so it's bad. Really?
The biggest differences between the movie and the Bible that I can recall are:
- In the Bible, Jesus weeps for Lazarus, in the movie he didn't
- Jesus didn't go inside the tomb to resurrect Lazarus, as the movie depicts
- When Jesus is pierced by a spear, his side leaked blood and water. The movie doesn't show this.
- The nails actually went in Jesus's wrists, not the palms of his hands
- The movie didn't clearly show the thick temple curtain ripping in half from top to bottom, though it did fall
- The movie made Jesus' scars to be HUGE gaping holes, which...could've happened, but it's not described this way in the Bible
- In the Bible, the scene where the woman is caught in adultery Jesus stoops down and writes on the ground. In the movie he didn't
- In the Bible the soldiers don't rip Jesus's robe because it's seamless, but in the movie they rip it
- The Bible describes Jesus as being unattractive, but this Jesus was clearly attractive.
- In the Bible, roman guards watch over Jesus's tomb
- In the Bible, when Jesus rose from the dead both Marys went to the tomb first, and Peter and John followed
- Some events may have happened in a different order (but then again the gospels switch around the order of events at some points as well)
Now let me ask you; when was the last time you shared the gospel with someone and included all (or any) of these details? Are these things necessary to understand our sin, our need for a Savior, Jesus Christ stepping in and fulfilling that need, God's grace, or Jesus's resurrection and triumph over the grave? No. They're supplemental, sure. But not necessary. I think as Christians we may have missed the whole point of this movie. It never claimed to be a flawless and biblically accurate depiction of Jesus's life. It claimed to show the gospel, which (based on 1 Corinthians 15) I feel that it did.
Some people have also said that the producers of the movie, Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, are actually not even Christians. They believe they are "New Agers" and are showing this movie with an ulterior motive. And to this I say: WHO CARES?! Christian or not, they displayed the gospel. Crystal clear. It reminds me of when Paul is addressing the problem of men who are preaching Christ for their own selfish motives, to which he replies, "But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." (Phil. 1:18) To Paul, it doesn't matter who's saying the message. As long as the message is the same, he rejoices that it's being told! Throughout the Bible, God has shown that he uses anyone to get his message out: adulterers, prostitutes, tax collectors, murderers, polygamists, oppressive rulers...why could he not use a couple of "new age" movie producers for the same purpose? If God waited for someone who is perfect with flawless theology to proclaim his story, it would never be told. God's message is not discredited by our imperfections and less than holy ideas.
What have we become as Christians to be so critical and negative that we harshly bash a movie that exhibits the gospel? Sure, point out some details that the Bible describes differently, but go so far to say that the church shouldn't support it? It's the gospel! In theaters! How could we not support it? Who knows how many lives could be changed or how many hearts could be sparked with curiosity because of this movie? If one person comes to Christ because of this movie, I don't think God will say, "Oh, no. That doesn't count because you didn't picture me with the right appearance." That's ridiculous. So I guess the real question is, what's more important to us: telling the world how knowledgeable we are of the Bible that we can call out everything that's wrong with this movie? Or telling the world the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? (Note: this movie in NO way replaces our urgency to actually share the gospel with people, but it is a great way to start.) Are we more concerned with being great Christian critics? Or expanding the kingdom of God? Let's refocus our priorities here. In the words of Peter from the last scene of "Son of God": We have work to do.
