However, if God wants all human beings to understand the crucifixion itself and its meaning, then the R-rated label that countries put on the Passion of the Christ seems to be a paradox. If you think about it carefully, the reason can be straightened out. Christianity or Catholicism is not the state religion in most countries, it is a popular idea but not an official and authoritative ideology. Then, the grading system (or agency) that holds the function of public administration of the government will not give the relevant film a green light because "The Passion of the Christ" is a required course for Christianity. Catholicism, which was an ideology in the past, has been replaced by a new ideology, since the grading system itself can be seen as a type of ideology.
In addition, filming films such as "The Nativity" can also be seen as a way of preaching. In ancient times, only a small elite were literate and able to read the Bible. As priests, they had to lead the illiterate masses to God. So, the more convincing their way of preaching, the better. The academic world has now classified such preaching methods as "popular culture"—perhaps scholars believe that at this level, what the masses can understand and accept is "popular." Not only do evangelism manuals, Ecclesiastes, religious plays (or similar performances and parades), etc. count as good means of preaching the Gospel to the illiterate, but the paintings and sculptures in the churches bring the image of God to life. Show it to people.
What should God be like? Furthermore, what should the things recorded in the Bible look like? Take the religious art works of Italian churches during the Renaissance as an example, the description of God and the story of the Bible depends on the artist's own consciousness and imagination, and on the other hand, according to the provisions and arrangements of the sponsor in the contract. These patrons, or "funders" to be more accurate, came from various groups at the top, including secular nobles, clergy, and pious businessmen. (Peter Burke, Italian Renaissance: Culture and Society, 1420-1520, London & New York: 1999) So it can be said that if we analyze the "source" of inspiration for religious art during the Italian Renaissance, we can restore the time to a certain extent Catholic impressions in the minds of the upper classes and artists.
The Bible rejects any idolatry. Before the Bible, we could only worship God; after the Bible, we could only worship God and God's Bible. Although God created man in his own image, that does not mean that man's image is God's image. Therefore, whether it is ancient art or today's movies, we should be vigilant when the face of God is clearly portrayed. By the same token, we should be wary of any detail that paints the ministry of Jesus. We still believe in God, not these kinds of art and movies, despite their indelible role in preaching. Art, movies, and all other similar "pathways" or "passages" only provide an understanding from the author's point of view that our ultimate belief must also be God.
Therefore, "The Birth of Jesus" should be divided into two levels. The first level is the doctrine of "faith in God", which is religion; the second level is "restored" historical and biblical scenes, which are consumer goods. We who believe in God don't need to pay to watch "The Nativity", but those capitalists who don't believe in God want to use our faith for profit. I remember that there is a detail in this film that is not recorded in the New Testament, which may have come from the screenwriter's hand: Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, passed through the "Holy City" Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, and saw the temple in Jerusalem. Selling sacrificial animals. Joseph was so disappointed by this that he did not stop at Jerusalem. It's like if I buy incense and candles from a stall outside a Buddhist temple and not in the temple, it means that I don't know what I really should be offering to the Buddha. Does the "God" we believe in lack incense? Are you short of food? Are you short of animals? Short of money to spend?
"The Birth of Jesus" and "The Passion of the Christ" should be invited to the clergy and the congregation to watch it for free in the church, just like our central organization party member to watch "Zhang Side" for free.
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