Killing Jesus

March 29, 2015

By Tom Quiner

“Jesus” entertainment abounds.

The success of the History channel’s “The Bible” mini series two years ago has spawned more Biblical epics.

Recent biblically-themed movies include Noah; Exodus: Of Gods and Kings; and Son of God. A spate of new Jesus television shows are coming, including NBC’s The Bible Continues; CNN’s The Jesus Code; and National Geographic’s Killing Jesus, based on Bill O’Reilly’s best-selling novel.

Killing Jesus airs tonight at 8PM ET/PT.

It is produced by Ridley Scott, who has brought us many good films over the years, including Gladiator. Mr. Scott was raised Catholic, but is now an atheist.

I am a little dubious about the project when their publicity says the script heightens the “sexual tension” between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

Please.

It also heightens Jesus’ political threat to the established order and downplays the miraculous. In other words, Killing Jesus makes Jesus more man and less God.

One of the actors in the project, Stephen Moyer (True Blood), puts it this way:

“It play with the idea that Jesus’ teachings are more important than the doing of miracles, that the idea behind what he’s saying is the point and it doesn’t need to have out-of-body, magical elements happening.”

This show may be good, but I am cautious because of comments like these. I don’t trust Hollywood when it comes to portraying Christianity.

I posted a look into the production of Killing Jesus above. If you watch the show tonight, let me know what you think.

Posted in Culture, Faith, Religion and tagged , , , , ,

8 Comments

  1. Wally Fry on March 29, 2015 at 9:57 am

    Hmm anything to get rid of the miracles huh?



    • quinersdiner on March 29, 2015 at 10:08 am

      It does concern me, but I don’t think it’s a deal-killer. I’ll have to see it.



      • Wally Fry on March 29, 2015 at 10:20 am

        Yeah lol



  2. pray2christ on March 29, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    Lots of Holllywood and the like minded movie makers indulge historical revisionism nowadays. I’d rather read the Bible which has it all correct though anyone would call me ‘old fashioned’.



    • quinersdiner on March 29, 2015 at 3:57 pm

      I know what you mean, and yet a great Jesus film can be so inspirational. Keep checking back to this blog. Although I can’t watch it tonight, if I do get a chance to view Killing Jesus, I’ll write about it to help you decide if it’s right for you.



      • pray2christ on March 30, 2015 at 12:07 am

        O sure, I will check back for your review.



  3. Charity on March 30, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    One of the worse adaptations I have seen; Jesus doesn’t even comprehend what His purpose is until after John the Baptist tells Him what that purpose is. His mother has no idea of His greater purpose, either. Jesus actually begs His disciples to affirm Him as the Son of God, as if He doubts it Himself. He’s also played by a bland actor without much charisma. Overall, it’s a dull piece.



    • quinersdiner on March 31, 2015 at 9:59 am

      Thanks for the review. I heard some of the same comments from friends who saw it. Interestingly, it is generating record ratings for the National Geographic channel. The preview looked pretty good. I do appreciate your feedback. Come again!