Spoiler Alert:
The following review reveals some key moments of the movie.
"The Son of God"
Christians should enjoy the movie for sure,
even if some “events” are told “out of sequence”.
Adapting any story from book to film
requires certain changes.
Non-Christians should enjoy the movie too,
but obviously,
not to the same depth as Christians.
Although I’m not sure that those
who are unfamiliar with the story
will understand why Jesus dies.
(To pay for the sins of the world.)
I don’t recall that key piece of information
being made clear,
which seems odd,
since that’s the central point of the story,
and subsequently,
of the Christian faith.
Odd too was when Jesus told a little girl
that not one stone in the temple
would be left upon another.
That made no sense!
Who says that to a child?
But even with Jesus playing doomsayer to her,
the little girl obviously didn’t understand what He said, because she kept smiling.
Weird too was that He smiled when He said that.
Yes, a cinematic technique is
to have a character say something
in a way that’s the opposite
of how one would expect
such a line to be said.
But such characters
are usually villains and henchmen,
not the Son of God.
I felt disappointed the Centurion
at the foot of the cross didn’t say
“Truly, this Man was the Son of God.”
He looked like he was going to,
but he never did,
which seemed odd,
since that’s the title of the movie!
Plus,
although the earth quaked and the winds blew,
the sky never turned totally dark.
Despite a few such oddities,
the film presents what it presents quite well.
The early scenes made excellent use
of footage from “The Bible” TV mini-series
to portray glimpses of key Old Testament events.
An intriguing montage juxtaposes Jesus
praying in the Garden of Gethsemane
with the High Priest and his cronies
praying in the temple
and even with Pilate and his wife
calling out to their gods.
Also interesting was the way
Peter came face-to-Face with Jesus
after denying Him three times.
The movie clearly shows the strife
between the Romans and the Jews;
as well as the reasons that both groups had
for wanting to rid themselves of Jesus.
I rank the film high as far as Jesus movies go,
if only for presenting the Resurrection!
Sadly, most so-called Jesus movies do not do so.
The Resurrection is just as key,
if not more so,
than why He died.
How cool that the tomb-sealing stone
wasn’t shown as merely rolled away,
but as split in half!
Also fascinating was the way you could see
through the nail hole in Jesus’ hand.
The film scores more points
for not ending right after the Resurrection.
Nor right after the Ascension either.
And even after the movie “ends”,
the closing credits present lots of scenes.
Many recaps of meaningful scenes
as well as some cut scenes,
like the return from Egypt,
and the casting out of a demon,
but fortunately,
not goofy outtakes.
All the while the song “Mary Did You Know?” plays.
Adding to the movie’s impact.
And garnering applause
from the theater crowd in which I sat.
Also, unlike most Jesus movies from ages past,
this one portrays the agony Jesus suffered,
but does so,
without becoming as overly grotesque
as “The Passion of the Christ”.
The so-called Jesus-Is-Too-Sexy Conspiracy is silly.
Most any movie uses better-looking actors and actresses
to portray the people they play.
Yes, the Scripture from Isaiah 53 says
that He had no beauty that we should admire Him,
but that doesn’t mean they needed
the Elephant Man to play the part either.
I enjoyed this powerful, emotionally-packed movie.
I can see where “The Son of God”
could get played every Easter for years to come.
My favorite line
comes when His mother Mary
rushes to Jesus after He falls
under the weight of the cross.
Although she came to His aid,
and although He’s badly beaten,
He offers her words of comfort:
“Do not be afraid.
Everything is possible with God.”
If Christians want to use this film
to promote their faith to nonbelievers,
they’d best watch the movie with them,
so they can point out
that Jesus fulfills prophecies
foretold long before His arrival;
that He’s sinless
and dies to pay for the sins of the world;
that His Resurrection proves
He was Who He said He was;
and that to become “born again”,
they need to repent and believe.
And maybe explain whatever
their denomination says that all that means.
For more information about this movie,
visit: http://www.sonofgodmovie.com/
From “Holy Laughter!”*:
When Jesus carried lumber for Joseph,
He was cross training.
From “Interview with Jesus”
in “Faith Like A Ketchup Seed”*:
From the “Extra Bonus Material”
a.k.a. “Holiness like a Relish Seed”
“The Complete Dean J. Burkey Collection”:
Everyone wants to have
their own kind of Jesus.
Like Vending Machine Jesus.
Where you go to Him
to get whatever you want.
“Wait a minute, Jesus. I hit B-7;
and You gave me C-8.
I want my quarter back.”
From “John 3:16 (Beautiful Savior)” The Screenplay*:
From “A Fire of Coals” & “An Ice Memoir”*
(Unique Retellings of The Greatest Story Ever Told):
I think everyone should read
through the Bible every nine months.
Genesis is the conception;
and Revelation is the new birth!
The New Testament is the third trimester
where most of the growth
and development takes place.
When Jesus carried lumber for Joseph,
He was cross training.
From “Interview with Jesus”
in “Faith Like A Ketchup Seed”*:
PASTOR: What about a small sin? If I tell a little white lie.
JESUS: What if you drink a little bit of poison? What if you stick your hand part way into a furnace? What if a shark takes a small bite out of you?
PASTOR: I see your point. Sin is a big deal to You.
JESUS: Enough to die for.
From the “Extra Bonus Material”
a.k.a. “Holiness like a Relish Seed”
“The Complete Dean J. Burkey Collection”:
Everyone wants to have
their own kind of Jesus.
Like Vending Machine Jesus.
Where you go to Him
to get whatever you want.
“Wait a minute, Jesus. I hit B-7;
and You gave me C-8.
I want my quarter back.”
From “John 3:16 (Beautiful Savior)” The Screenplay*:
EXT. PILATE’S PRAETORIUM -- DAY
Though no longer as dark as night, the day is still dark because of the raging storm.
Two servants stand on each side of Pilate holding a covering over him to keep the rain off him.
Pilate glares down at the Jewish Leaders.
PILATE: Is He not bleeding enough for you? Should we flog Him just one more time to make it an even forty?
CAIAPHAS: Tomorrow’s the Sabbath; and we need you to take down the bodies of those crucified before evening.
ANNAS: It’s an abomination to us.
PILATE: I’m not too fond of it myself.
From “A Fire of Coals” & “An Ice Memoir”*
(Unique Retellings of The Greatest Story Ever Told):
I think everyone should read
through the Bible every nine months.
Genesis is the conception;
and Revelation is the new birth!
The New Testament is the third trimester
where most of the growth
and development takes place.
* Please Note: Although the above quotes come from various books of mine, they can all be found in “The Complete Dean J. Burkey Collection”.
