By Rev. D. A. MACFARLANE, M.A., Dingwall.
IN an issue of Everybody in the month of September of last year, there are two articles describing a film to be made on the crucifixion of Christ, called “The Divine Tragedy.” The estimated cost is £400,000. Sir Stafford Cripps is, according to the article by Lady Ravensdale, permitting money to the amount of £50,000* to be sent out of the country to help in preparing this religiously sensational film. The first article, in praise of the benefits to accrue from the showing of the film, is from Baroness Ravensdale; the other is by a reviewer of the name of Graves. A number of pictures are provided in the issue, which give an idea of the film. The purpose of the film is to save people from ignorance and lethargy in religion; to impart love to Christ and to the Church, which, in this case, appears to mean the Papacy.
Some of the leading points of the two articles are:—(1) “We live in an age of atheistic materialism”; (2) The man who is to act Christ never acted before, and when finished intends to enter a monastery; (3) For those in countries where it is thought irreverent to see a film representation of Christ, there will be a version of the film in which Christ does not actually appear; (4) All working on this film are dedicated beings who relentlessly look for Christ, the Lord of life; (5) The faithful of all lands are helping to build up this film: America, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Spain, South America, and Great Britain; (6) It is to cost £400,000: therefore help the battle against Communism; (7) The script was submitted to the greatest theologians in Great Britain, the U.S.A., and the Continent, who have given their unanimous approval; (8) The leading scenes are to be shot at Rome. Therefore, Lady Ravensdale says, let “subscribers buy shares.” This implies that there is an expectation of a profitable return.
The question which arises regarding all this is whether the film is really such a boon as it is advertised to be? Is such a film even seemly? Can it be included in Paul’s category of the things which are “true, honest, comely, of good report”? The answer of course is according to the religious taste and views of those for or against such a film. Those in favour of it will generally agree with the views of Lady Ravensdale. Why can others not cordially agree also if the film is to be so beneficial as indicated? Our answer is that we do not believe it can be beneficial. The film, if made and exhibited, with the accompanying script in various languages, is harmful to the well-being of immortal souls, and dishonouring to the name of God. However costly and elaborate, and—in its own way—realistic, it may prove to be, it is in its nature exactly on a par with the exhibition of a stucco-babe in a manger shown at “Christmas” time, or with the figure of Christ sculptured on a cross, or, for that part, with Holman Hunt’s painting, “Light of the World.” All such sculptures or paintings or pictures of Christ are not only of no value evangelically, but also are positively harmful, idolatrous and dishonouring to the Lord. Stronger epithets than these could easily and righteously be used, although we forbear their use at present.
* This money is of course donated by private subscribers; and as the law stands, Sir Stafford Cripps may permit this sum to be sent abroad for this Romish purpose.
—Editor.
It may be asked: if approval cannot be given to the making and showing of such a film, what is to be put in its place? How are people to see the Saviour? One thing is true: that no soul can be saved or sanctified by a film. Although the Saviour were pleased to return from glory and manifest Himself in a way externally bearable to human eyesight, this would never convert men. Although He were to appear with the measure of visible glory which the angel showed on the morning of the Resurrection, when the keepers of the tomb fainted and became as dead men, this of itself would never convert men.
What then is necessary if men are to see, to prize, to appropriate Christ? We mention two portions of Scripture which help to answer this question. The first is in the Gospel of John, chapter xvi, verse 7:—”It is expedient for you that I go away.” It was better for the disciples to have Christ absent from them, once His redemptory work was accomplished, that they might rather live on Him by His divine Spirit fulfilling to them the promise, “Lo, I am with you alway.” The heart in its natural state would live on carnal emotionalism, but this is poles asunder from spiritual discernment. If it be objected that living by spiritual discernment may really mean living according to our feelings and prejudices and devices, then this is not so where souls really live in the Spirit, for He leads souls taught of God to understand the written Word; to obey from the heart the form of doctrine into which they are delivered; to aim unfeignedly that every thought be brought into captivity to the mind of Christ. Where this is lacking, there is no spiritual mindedness which will stand the scrutiny of Christ.
The other truth which is essential in this connection is in I Corinthians ii, verse 4, regarding “the demonstration of the Spirit and power.” All believers have this, although few may be able to speak much of what they have. It means that God, in conjunction with the truth of the Gospel, creates a spiritual understanding in the soul, so that such know Him that is true, and believe in Him who is true. In the clearest light of God, they clearly light do see.
What is needful for men in all generations is not useless and noxious films or pictures of Christ, but a knowledge of our sinfulness and misery, and faith of the operation of God to “Know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.”
Frosts and snows conduce very much to the well-rooting of the seed. So do those sanctified afflictions which the people of God usually meet with after their calling, and often in their very seed time. “And ye became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction” (I Thess. i, 6). But if they have fair weather, then they will meet with weather hard enough afterwards. “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions” (Heb. x, 32).—Flavel.