The Last Temptation Of Christ Comparative Essay
Jesus Christ, portrayed both differently and similarly throughout four different films, shows the viewer examples of a low and high christology. The four films King of Kings, The Last Temptation of Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and The Passion of Christ teach that Jesus was the son of God. Overall, each film shows that Jesus is humble, faithful, giving, forgiving, and wise. In John 6:38, it says, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” For this shows how unselfish Jesus was towards his followers. He put them before himself. Each of the four films are different from one another, Just like the Four Gospels of the New Testament. The Gospel of Mark, which is the first attempt to tell the story of the life and death of Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew, which is trying to present Jesus as a greater teacher than Moses. The Gospel of Luke, which tries to answer the question that if Christians who believe in the Kingdom of God are also able
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to be loyal to the Roman Empire. And finally, The Gospel of John, which is called the “spiritual gospel” which presents Jesus as a stranger from Heaven.” Along with the Gospels, these four films reflect very different ideas and concerns, while they tell the same story. I believe the film Jesus Of Nazareth most closely resembled what Jesus was like. From the scene of Nicodemus and Jesus, Jesus says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, that who is born of the spirit is the spirit.” This shows the faithful and wise characteristic of Jesus Christ. He is hopeful and acts on things that are not seen, which are true. In the beginning of the scene of the stoning, Jesus draws a eye in the sand. A woman who was caught in adultery is about to be stoned because of her sins. Jesus walks to the men who are about to throw the stones and says that they can stone her only if the person who throws the stone is a person who has never sinned. This is hypocritical because they have all sinned. Jesus opens up their eyes to the fact that everyone sins. This film is overall mostly immersed with a high christology. This film shows the divinity of the lord, while not excluding his humanity.
The Passion of Christ represents Jesus furthest from my impression of who Jesus was.
This is because of how some events that took place in the film did not actually happen. In the scene Jesus versus Pilate, this topic is present. In the film it shows that Pilate is reluctant and does not want to kill Jesus, where in fact Pilate did not think twice about giving someone the death sentence. In real life Pilate is a ruthless, uncaring individual. Another scene where this film loses its real life credibility is the death of Jesus. In this scene, Mel Gibson, the producer, creates a scene that is disturbingly violent. This caused controversy because the things that happened to Jesus in this movie were so disgusting to the point where you did not want to watch anymore. In real life he was not beat as much which caused the controversy. The controversy that Mel Gibson created this scene to increase the violence and increase the ratings. There is also controversy because this film reflected
anti-semitism.
High christology and low christology is contemporary in all of the four films. In particular, the scene of the Baptism in King of Kings has a high christology. After Jesus gets baptised by John the Baptist once again, he goes into the wilderness for 40 days and nights. This was to weaken himself physically so that he may get stronger spiritually with God for his upcoming tests. This has a high christology because it shows Jesus’ divinity. However, In the scene of the baptism in Last Temptation of Christ, there is a low christology. In this film, Jesus is as if any other person getting baptised. This is a low christology because it focuses more on Jesus’ humanity.
If I were to make my own film of Jesus by combining elements throughout the four different films, my Jesus would have a high christology. I would want this film to be the most factual as possible and represents a clear understanding of Jesus Christ. I would want this film to make sense and for it to enlighten. What helped me understand what it means to be a child of God in human form in the world today is Jesus’ characteristics. To be an honest person where people can believe you and follow you, you need to be humble, faithful, giving, forgiving, and wise. To be a child of God, you need to spark the curiosity of religion to your followers. You need to do this in a way where you gain more followers which creates more believers. Jesus said, “Love one another, as I have loved you.” By loving one another, you create a bond that lasts forever. You create a religion which people pray to every day.
to be loyal to the Roman Empire. And finally, The Gospel of John, which is called the “spiritual gospel” which presents Jesus as a stranger from Heaven.” Along with the Gospels, these four films reflect very different ideas and concerns, while they tell the same story. I believe the film Jesus Of Nazareth most closely resembled what Jesus was like. From the scene of Nicodemus and Jesus, Jesus says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, that who is born of the spirit is the spirit.” This shows the faithful and wise characteristic of Jesus Christ. He is hopeful and acts on things that are not seen, which are true. In the beginning of the scene of the stoning, Jesus draws a eye in the sand. A woman who was caught in adultery is about to be stoned because of her sins. Jesus walks to the men who are about to throw the stones and says that they can stone her only if the person who throws the stone is a person who has never sinned. This is hypocritical because they have all sinned. Jesus opens up their eyes to the fact that everyone sins. This film is overall mostly immersed with a high christology. This film shows the divinity of the lord, while not excluding his humanity.
The Passion of Christ represents Jesus furthest from my impression of who Jesus was.
This is because of how some events that took place in the film did not actually happen. In the scene Jesus versus Pilate, this topic is present. In the film it shows that Pilate is reluctant and does not want to kill Jesus, where in fact Pilate did not think twice about giving someone the death sentence. In real life Pilate is a ruthless, uncaring individual. Another scene where this film loses its real life credibility is the death of Jesus. In this scene, Mel Gibson, the producer, creates a scene that is disturbingly violent. This caused controversy because the things that happened to Jesus in this movie were so disgusting to the point where you did not want to watch anymore. In real life he was not beat as much which caused the controversy. The controversy that Mel Gibson created this scene to increase the violence and increase the ratings. There is also controversy because this film reflected
anti-semitism.
High christology and low christology is contemporary in all of the four films. In particular, the scene of the Baptism in King of Kings has a high christology. After Jesus gets baptised by John the Baptist once again, he goes into the wilderness for 40 days and nights. This was to weaken himself physically so that he may get stronger spiritually with God for his upcoming tests. This has a high christology because it shows Jesus’ divinity. However, In the scene of the baptism in Last Temptation of Christ, there is a low christology. In this film, Jesus is as if any other person getting baptised. This is a low christology because it focuses more on Jesus’ humanity.
If I were to make my own film of Jesus by combining elements throughout the four different films, my Jesus would have a high christology. I would want this film to be the most factual as possible and represents a clear understanding of Jesus Christ. I would want this film to make sense and for it to enlighten. What helped me understand what it means to be a child of God in human form in the world today is Jesus’ characteristics. To be an honest person where people can believe you and follow you, you need to be humble, faithful, giving, forgiving, and wise. To be a child of God, you need to spark the curiosity of religion to your followers. You need to do this in a way where you gain more followers which creates more believers. Jesus said, “Love one another, as I have loved you.” By loving one another, you create a bond that lasts forever. You create a religion which people pray to every day.