Portrayal of Christ in a Film Allowed.
According to a press report, “for the first time the face of Christ will be represented on the cinema screen when the film, ‘Behold the Man,’ will be shewn in London on September 20th.” No doubt this has now taken place. Two Roman Catholic priests first produced the play when they were serving at Westminster Cathedral in London in 1939. In the present film version, one of these priests plays Christ and the other reads the English version of a narrative from the text of the four Gospels. The British Board of Film Censors, who normally ban any film portrayal of Christ from the screen, made an exception in this case, which they had no right to do. Such a portrayal of the Lord Jesus Christ is idolatrous and blasphemous. But the Board of Film Censors provide unwarranted and plausible reasons for lifting the ban on this Romish method of propaganda. The Board states, “The general treatment was so reverent that we felt it in order to waive our usual ruling and give the film a ‘Universal’ certificate so that audiences of all ages could see it.” The Roman Catholic Church is determined to get its idolatrous methods of presenting Christ to men, into the cinema, and thereby hopes to influence “non-Catholics” (as Rome now calls Protestants in this country) to become accustomed to representations of Christ. Rome’s perverted gospel is preached largely by images of wood, stone and metal, representing Christ as a babe in the arms of His mother, and also hanging on a cross. This is all anti-law, the moral law, and anti-Christ, the great High Priest who alone can forgive sin. It seems that Vatican influence in the case in hand has bent the minds of the members of the British Board of Film Censors. But whatever successes anti-Christ will obtain in this Protestant realm of ours, to our detriment and shame; yet Papal Rome is doomed to destruction.
Korean Peace Talks: A Reminder.
In a recent issue, just when the Korean peace talks were proposed, we pointed out that the press headings emphasised that these talks were to commence on a Sabbath Day; and also that we did not expect success to follow the beginning of such negotiations on God’s Day. This was no striking or exceptional prediction, but a simple observation based on scriptural teaching and guidance. And what has been the result? At the time of writing, the negotiations, after going from bad to worse, have now completely broken down. No doubt it can be asserted and argued
that other vital and undesirable factors have contributed to the ending of these peace talks; nevertheless they began with disregard to the moral and spiritual claims of the God of peace, relative to the Fourth Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.”
Modern Dancing Condemned.
The Dutch Reformed Church of the Orange Free State, South Africa, on 22nd August issued a report by the Church’s Commission for Combating Social Evils, in which popular modern dancing was condemned as “heathen.” It stated that 75 per cent. of divorces started on the dance floor; and that chastity disappears and sexual desires are gratified by the promiscuous association of one sex with the other. The Commission also declared that it could find no justification in the Scriptures for modern dancing; and that dancing creates ideal circumstances for depraved human nature to enjoy itself under the enticement of the greater enticer. The above appeared in the daily press on the 23rd of August. We endorse this up-to-date condemnation of the devil’s device of dancing, which has been the procuring cause or means of bringing about the moral ruin of young persons, single and married, not only in the cities of Scotland, but in the country villages and parishes. And this evil of modern dancing is followed, in all parts of the world, by much evil fruit, as may be expected. The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, about fourteen years ago, had to suffer the opposition and even abuse of many, because of its firm stand against dancing and the exercise of discipline in connection with some who sought to support this worldly practice. But it seems we are strongly supported in our views on this matter from the Orange Free State, and by a Church with which we have no ecclesiastical ties.