I wanted to throw my hat into the ring of reviews of the “Son of God” movie that is currently playing in theaters.
From a production stand point, it was very well done. The acting is not bad at all.
Now from a BIBLICAL stand point, it was somewhat lacking.
I understand that there was some artistic license taken with this film, but honestly the things I noticed in the film were actually just NOT in the BIBLE whatsoever, and furthermore it portrayed a message that is not Christ or Gospel-centered.
#1. Jesus is not really portrayed as sovereign, which means he’s NOT God in the flesh. When Peter looks at Jesus and says ‘I will not betray you Jesus.’ Jesus looks at him with a giddy grin of excitement and says ‘REALLY?’ Then while hugging him, still smiling all of the sudden the music changes, and his facial expression changes from one of joy, to horror and surprise. Almost like he is being told by someone (I’m guessing God the Father) that Peter WILL betray him.
Even though they don’t say he’s not sovereign in the film it’s overtly expressed. This is truly anti-biblical. Jesus was GOD IN THE FLESH. He is sovereign. He knows the future, and he is not surprised by anything, especially our sin.
#2. Jesus took the Lord’s Supper with his disciples. This did not happen in the text. This is just simply wrong.
Luke 22:15-20
English Standard Version (ESV)
And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
#3. Mary rushes out and helps Jesus pick up the cross while on his journey to Calvary. This once again is not in the text, and expresses something else about Mary completely. It shows her giving him strength and encouragement. This looks and feels warm and fuzzy, but says volumes about the person of Mary.
Catholic tradition dictates that Mary is part of the monarchy of heaven, soliciting grace and mercy from the Lord on behalf of sinners, and covering sin by distributing from her Treasury of Merit. She became a co-redeemer with Christ in His suffering on the cross, and is now a co-mediator alongside Him in heaven—essentially an alternative avenue of access to God. She replaces the Holy Spirit in bestowing aid and comfort to believers. In effect, she becomes an additional member of the Trinity.
Read more about this here Exposing the Heresies of the Catholic Church: Mary Worship
#4. The Gospel was not present anywhere whatsoever in this film.
WHAT?
Yes, that’s correct. The Gospel is not explained. There is not a large emphasis on man’s sinfulness and how devastating sin is. Not much mentioned about of why Jesus came (‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’ ‘Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.’) All Jesus tells Peter is that ‘We’re going to change the world.’ There is no mention of a need to repent of your sins. All this film did was make you feel sorry for Jesus. And it made you really angry at the Jews, and religious leaders of Jesus’ day. This. Is. Not. The. Gospel. Feeling sorry for Jesus will not save you from your sins. Feeling bad that he was beat with a whip does not redeem you. Feeling bad that they nailed him to a cross is not going to reconcile you to the Father.
You must understand that you are a depraved, wicked sinner, and that Jesus is your ONLY hope. You must repent of your sins, and ask Jesus to reconcile and redeem you back to the Father. ( If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9)
You must believe with your heart and confess with our mouth that JESUS IS LORD!
(because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved Rom. 10:9-10)
This film was a great PRODUCTION, but a horrible misrepresentation of the BIBLICAL account of JESUS CHRIST, and therefore not a valid avenue of sharing the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ!
Hollywood fails AGAIN!
So how can Christians take a positive away from this film?
Those who know the BIBLE need to engage people and talk to them about the Gospel. If you do go see this film, have conversations with people about it. Tell them that they do have a deep need for a Savior, and that their sins do need to be repented of. Offer hope. Offer a plan. What is that plan? JESUS, the LAMB that takes away the sin of the world!