Son of God – Movie Review

Dear Friends,

Recently I had the pleasure of watching the movie, Son of God. This is John’s story, from the Gospel of John; he narrates the story. 

Inspiring Movie about Jesus' Life

The movie begins with John1:1; In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. He was with God…In the beginning. He was there in paradise with Adam and Eve; the fall of man. He was there with Noah…In the great flood. He was there with Abraham when he was chosen. “Abraham,” God said. “I will make you a father of many nations.” He was there when Moses led our people out of Egypt. “I will be with you,” God said. He was the light shining in the darkness. Jesus is that light. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

John; Writer of The Gospel of John

John introduces himself. He is one of Jesus’ followers. “After what I saw, how could I not be?” John of the Gospel. John’s story; The Roman soldiers are collecting taxes. Occupied and oppressed—Jerusalem. Crucifixion is every day and commonplace.  A new governor, Pontius Pilate is in power.

Jesus walked across the rock hills toward the Sea of Galilee as Peter fished below. Peter is frustrated due to another day of no fish. Jesus walks through the water, and with Peter’s help, climbs into his boat. After Jesus waved his almighty, loving hand in the water, fish from the sea gathered around Peter’s boat. He quickly filled the small, primitive schooner.  In bewilderment, Peter asked, “How did this happen?”

Peter- The Fisherman

Jesus replies, “Come with me Peter. I will make you fishers of Men.” As Jesus continued his ministry, the numbers grew. All who heard his preaching were amazed at his wisdom and felt his power. Scores of people quickly became followers.

After healing the paralyzed man and forgiving his sins, a jealous Rabbi who witnessed the miracle confronts Jesus. “Jesus replies, “The Son of Man has authority to forgive sins.”  In turn, the Rabbi threatens Jesus with charges of blasphemy.

Matthew- The Tax Collector

Matthew soon becomes a follower and Jesus feeds five thousand.  Afterward, Jesus performs one miracle after another.

After raising Lazarus from the dead, he declares himself the Messiah that Isaiah prophesied about. He tells his Mother, “It has begun.”

Jesus and his followers journey to Jerusalem for the festival of Passover. Jesus enters the city on a donkey. He goes to the temple and overturns the tables due to merchants selling goods.

The Roman Government plots against him. He declares, “To see the kingdom of God, you must be born again. You must be reborn. Not in the flesh, but in a spirit. The Holy Spirit.”

Soon, the arrest of Jesus is ordered. Jesus has visions of Judas betraying him and his death on the cross. He has the Last Supper  with his disciples. Communion/Eucharist is created.  He gives thanks and hands them bread then wine. “This is my body…This is my blood…Eat and drink…Remember me.”

The Last Supper- Communion/Eucharist.

Judas betrays Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane—with a kiss. He is captured. Later, the Supreme Court of Elders tried and convicted him. Their judgment; guilty of blasphemy and threatening to destroy the temple. Their sentence—death by crucifixion.  

Caiaphas and the high priests talk to Pontius Pilate.  Barabbas goes free and Pilate orders the execution. As Jesus is whipped; Judas hangs himself.

Pontius Pilate- Rome's Governor

During the crucifixion, Pilate says to his wife, “Jesus will be forgotten in a week.”

Jesus was in agony while hanging on that brutal cross, in the blistering sun. Later as dark, thick clouds rolled overhead, he said, “It is finished.” After more time, Jesus said, “Father…into your hands I commend my spirit.”  While hanging on that terrible cross, Jesus Dies! Later, after being taken down from the cross, and the crown of thorns removed, Jesus’ lifeless body is prepared and sealed in a tomb. Jesus’ family and followers are devastated, heartbroken,  and lost. Their friend, family member, and Messiah is dead. What went wrong?

Jesus before and crucifixion

Three days later, Mary Magdalene found the tomb empty and Jesus’ body missing. Jesus is Alive!

Later Peter starts the first church. Jesus appears and shows them his nail scarred hands.  

Forty Days Later; Jesus tells a crowd of believers about the Holy Spirit and ascends to Heaven. Peter said, “We have work to do.” He became their new leader. “On this rock, I will build my church,” Jesus said previously.

John continues his story while in exile; But in the light there was darkness. Persecuted for our preaching, all of the disciples died for our cause.  Except one. I must live out my days in exile. Alone. One day, I hope to see my friends again for they are with our Lord.

Jesus - The Eternal Savior

John reminisces about Jesus; The people today- they called you king. They think you are the Messiah. “Who do you think I am?” Jesus asked.

Peter replied, “You are the Son of God."

Jesus says, “I am coming soon. May the grace of the Lord be with all God’s people.”

The movie ends. As the credits roll, and we see short videos from the movie, Ceelo Green performs “Mary, Did You Know?”

Speaking as someone who has studied God’s Word my entire life, I can say this movie was very accurate. A few things were left out and others moved around a bit, but that is to be expected.

This movie was perhaps the best telling of Jesus and his life that I’ve ever seen. I literally didn’t want it to end. My heart was full of joy as I watched Jesus on screen. I felt emptiness and despair when he died and later ascended. He was gone. I can’t imagine the heartache at the actual moment. Seeing the gift he gave us all; paying the price for our sins and our way into heaven-a gift we cannot repay, re-ignites the fire in my faith. We can only love, worship, and follow him. Peter is right; we as God’s people have work to do. Spend time in God’s Word daily and see what He wants you to do.

This is my review of the mega movie smash, Son of God. Watch the movie yourself. I promise you will be moved.

A Follower of Jesus, 

Shepard Cross

The Jesus Papers – Book Review

Dear Readers,

Do you like conspiracy theory books?  Today I read, The Jesus Papers; by author Michael Baigent. This is a very provocative book that is similar to Dan Brown’s; The Da Vinci Code. It’s written from a historian perspective rather than a novel format.

The book begins with the introduction; May 28, 1291, The Holy Land: Acre, the Crusader Kingdom’s last port city, lay in ruins. The Arab armies of Khalil al-Ashraf, the young Sultan of Egypt, had first besieged and then attacked the city. The last capitol of the Christian Kingdom was finished. This was a battle between The Marshal of the Templars and the Sultan.

Michael Baigent gives the Templars credit for introducing the power of money over the sword by means of checks and safe financial transfers from city to city and country to country. They helped open a space for the middle class-according to Michael.

He and Richard Leigh wrote Holy Blood, Holy Grail. They believe in an important bloodline, a dynasty; that of the Jewish royal lineage, the line of David. They believe the line of David lives in Southern France; a descendant from the marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The wedding at Cana was Jesus and Mary’s wedding. When Jesus turned the water into wine, they were Mr. and Mrs. Christs—according to Michael and Leigh.

In Chapter one Michael writes, during his twenty-year search, he believed when Jesus was crucified, he either had a child by his wife or she was pregnant.

He also writes, both kings and high priests were anointed and were thus a meshiha, a messiah.  In fact, he writes, from as early as the second century B.C. the term “messiah” was used to name a legitimate king of Israel, one of the royal line of David, who was expected to appear and to rule. According to the Gospels, through his Father, Jesus was of the Line of David; through his mother, he was of the line of Aaron the high priest.

Michael restates several times in this book; in his book Holy Blood, Holy Grail, the wedding at Cana was Jesus and Mary’s wedding. He believes at the crucifixion, Mary already had Jesus’ baby or was pregnant with Jesus’ baby. He claims; if Jesus was unmarried and celibate, Paul would have told us. He admits there is no proof to support his allegation; only circumstantial evidence. He cites the 1977 publication, Nag Hammadi; the Gospel of Philip. Also The Gospel of Mary as his evidence.

His book centers around the concept; The Church is at pains to conceal secrets about Jesus. One incident he cites; Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. He believes Matthew’s account is filled with cover-ups. He explains his theories in detail.

Michael Baigent also questions Jesus’ death on the cross. In this book, he analyses details in the bible and cross references them with his own understanding of history. He believes God’s Word is impregnated with cover-ups—thus the cover text; Exposing the Greatest Cover-Up in History.

He believes the Church is covering up Jesus’ life on Earth and offers no solid proof to support his claims.

To be fair, I reread John 2: 1-11-NIV; Jesus Changes Water to Wine. “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, They have no more wine.”

“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Nearby stood six, stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. 

I believe God’s Word is flawless and perfect—without cover-up; and to be followed as written—not manipulated or twisted.  I disagree with Michael Baigent or anyone else’s theory that the wedding in Cana was a wedding between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. And that Mary was either pregnant or had Jesus’ child before the crucifixion.

I also disagree with Michael’s conclusion that if Jesus was unmarried and celibate, Paul would have told us. Because something isn’t stated, doesn’t presume it to be non-factual.

In my opinion, Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code, was entertaining fiction about the same fantasy hypothesis. I read the book and watched the movie. I’m a big Tom Hanks fan. Michael Baigent’s novel, The Jesus Papers, is about the same topic while also fiction; but, without the writing skills. 

As Christians, it’s imperative that we believe the Bible is flawless, perfect, and without cover-ups. After all, it is God’s Holy Word. Could it be anything else?

May good fortune guide your path,

J.A. Ireland

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A Bible Story – David; Saul; and Jealousy

   Dear Faith Readers,

   Being a life-long scripture reader, God's Word has helped me to understand many trials. However, by understanding my plights, that hasn’t always made me feel better. Often times the increased anxiety of wisdom is equally painful.

   Just like today, in many of my favorite bible passages, the character in the story goes through horrific trials. Knowing that my biblical brothers and sisters suffered for their faith doesn’t always help me to feel better.

A Bible Story - David and Saul

   You probably think I’m referring to  Job.  His testing is considered by many to be the harshest in the history of mankind.  I don’t know if that's true or not since testings go on every day in God’s kingdom. I have read about many testings. I have also endured many of my own testings – some more severe than others.

   I'm referring to the trials that David endured. If you recall, Saul and his armies had been pursuing him  for some time. Saul’s goal was to kill David. In the cave, David had an opportunity to kill Saul and spared his life; he crept behind him.

   Have you ever known someone who is truly gifted? That was David. He was gifted in music, in appearance, and in battle skills. Everything about him displayed God’s favor. Were all of those gifts and recognition easy for him to live with? David would have been the first person to say no. These gifts caused jealousy. His gifts also caused him to sin.

   God speaks about jealousy in Exodus 20:17, You shall not covet…

   In 1 Samuel 18.6,7; When the men returned home after battle, the women sang the praises about and to David for slaying ten times as many Philistines as Saul. Saul burned with jealousy. In Vs. 10, God put an evil spirit into Saul. I believe just like with Saul, God uses evil spirits for his work today. If  someone is jealous, that is an invitation for trouble – an open door for temptation.

   It can be very difficult to accept that someone  simply has more gifts. It is important to accept that fact and don’t fall into jealous temptation. That was true in David’s time and it’s true in our time. It will be true in the future. Jealousy is a dangerous temptation. Follow God's Word and make the personal decision to avoid the trap.

   In Christ's Service,

   Shepard Cross

 

A Public Faith – Book Review

To My Christian Readers,

I read another interesting book today; A Public Faith by author and Yale professor, Miroslav Volf. In the introduction he writes, debates are raging today about the role of religions in public life, and it is not difficult to see why. Religions of all faiths are on the rise. In a provocative statement he writes, religious people fear impositions—different faiths fear each other.

He argues; Unlike those who think religion should stay out of politics, religious people ought to be free to bring their visions to the good life into the public sphere – into politics as well as other aspects of public life. It would be oppressive to prohibit them from doing so.  The author adds, some refer to this as religious totalitarianism; the ghosts that haunts discussions of the role of public religion today. He cites Sayyid Qutb’s Milestones, to sketch his point.

Miroslav designates a religious political pluralism, emerged within Christianity, but it is not the Christian position.

He explores three questions. One; In what ways does the Christian Faith malfunction into the contemporary world, and how should we counter these malfunctions. Two; What should be the main concern of Christ’s Followers when it comes to living in the world today. Third; How should Christ’s followers go about realizing their visions of living well in today’s world in a relationship to other faiths and together with people with whom they live under the roof of a single state.

In chapter two; Idleness, he states his three reasons for idle faith. One; the character of believers—shallow faith. Two; very little effort put into their faith. Three; their faith has very little meaning to them—irrelevant faith. He also states, many Christians turn from faith due to materialism.

He believes God is not a demander; God is a giver. He further believes, the more we reduce faith to vague religiosity that serves primarily to energize, heal, and give meaning to the business of life whose course is shaped by factors other than faith, the worse off we will be.

He writes, Christians have used and continue to use their faith to legitimize violence they deem necessary, and they have done so on a massive scale. Misconceptions of the Christian Faith mirror the wide spread misbehavior of Christians.

I Sharing Wisdom, he writes, we live in an age of great conflicts and petty hopes. Petty hopes generate self-subverting melancholy experiences.

Although Miroslav Volf’s book, A Public Faith, was interesting, I detected  almost from the beginning a lack of passion or personal understanding for his topic; rather, a tremendous amount of research rewritten.  I felt he used the words Christian and Christianity far too loosely. I detected a lack of personal understanding of the topics.  He somewhat validated my suspicions in his conclusion, With these eight points I trust I have sufficiently attended to the problem of faith’s coerciveness – at the level of theory, of course, not at the level of practice.

I will admit to disconnecting emotionally from this book in the second chapter when he stated his reasons why Christians turn from their faith—shallow faith, no effort, and irrelevant faith. From my experiences, many people turn away from faith and churches as an act of emotional survival of the moment. When a heart has been broken by betrayal, hypocrisy, or an act of evil by a church or church associate, the only viable option is to run; then try to understand why—later. I have seen this wreck a person’s faith far more than this author’s reasons. That is why I suggest this author is lacking person experience in his topic.

Having said that, the book, A Public Faith, was interesting to read. I only recommend that someone reads it from the point of view of a very successful college professor who is well studied in his trade but probably has never experienced the heartache that church members can cause.

In Christ’s Service,

Shepard Cross

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The Greatest Prayer – Book Review

Christian Readers,

Recently I spent an afternoon reading John Dominic Crossan’s book, The Greatest Prayer. Let me start by saying; John has a real appreciation for linguistics, parallelisms, and rhetorical effects. He spends a great deal of the book describing his views and analogies on how the Lord’s Prayer was written using these metaphorical techniques.

The Lord’s Prayer, according to John, is Christianity’s greatest prayer. He believes the Lord’s Prayer is one; a prayer from the heart of Judaism on the lips of Christianity for the conscience of the world. Two; a radical manifesto and a hymn of hope for all humanity in languages addressed to all the earth.  

He feels the Lord’s Prayer was written using synonymous and crescendo parallelisms.

John asks the question, If the “Our Father” is prayed by God’s Spirit within and through us, to whom and for what is that prayer uttered? Are we praying for God’s intervention, or is God praying for our collaboration? If Paul can summarize the entire prayer in its opening cry, “Abba, the Father!” how is the rest of that prayer contained in its inaugural address?  

He feels Matthew’s version of the Lord’s Prayer is a well-crafted, carefully organized, and poetically structured hymn—poetic parallelism. The primary and fundamental name of God is a verbal paradox just as the burned-but-not-burned bush is a visual one.  In effect, John states, “My name is the unnamable one.”

John Crossan describes Daniels vision of the kingdom of God coming down from heaven to earth as a eschatological vision. He describes it as God’s Great Divine Cleanup of the World; worldwide peace, banquet, and equality.

He believes this divine cleanup does not begin, cannot continue, and will not conclude without our divinely empowered participation and transcendentally driven collaboration. He also believes it will be nonviolent.

Why is God’s Will more difficult for us than God’s name or kingdom? John writes, God’s Will is an anthropomorphic or human word.

In the chapter; Your Will Be Done on Earth, John sights, 1938 Hitler’s Nazi Germany and the holocaust, Dr. Martin Luther King JR’s assassination, and the execution of Jesus. These are examples of catastrophic events that he asks how it could have been God’s Will. As Christians, we understand that Jesus’ crucifixion was God’s Will. He asks, how could other cataclysmic events be God’s Will as well? John offers no hypothesis for this question after posing it.

He also states, the question is not whether God will forgive this or that sin, but whether there is anything God will not forgive, even-or especially-our lack of human forgiveness.

John Dominic Crossan’s book, The Greatest Prayer, was interesting to read. He believes strongly in the topic with a love for linguistics.

He raised the timeless question; how can a loving God allow such evil in this world as the holocaust, assassinations, etc.  Sadly, he raised the question without offering his opinion of a possible answer.

If you have a heart for Bible analysis, like I do, and can allow for John’s frequency of linguistics, parallelisms, and rhetorical effects, his book will probably be at least somewhat interesting for you. I will admit to skimming through many redundant areas; John tends to overstate his points.

 Blessings,

Shepard Cross

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