Paul Verhoeven, the director of “Basic Instinct”, “Total Recall” and RoboCop” is set to release a documentary that asserts that Jesus was not conceived via the Holy Spirit through the Virgin Mary but instead that Mary was raped by a Roman soldier. In addition, he aims to show that Judas did not betray Jesus, as the Scriptures clearly say. The title of the film is “Jesus of Nazareth: A Realistic Portrait”.
This is just more of the same speculative rubbish that tends to resurface every couple of years. People take their theories, marry them to their fantasies and then expect us to agree. This simply becomes another case of professing to be wise and instead becoming fools, exchanging the glory of God for the glory of man (Rom 1.22-23).
As much as this is perverted (and it is) it is also an occasion to be encouraged. I say this on two accounts.
First, this is nothing new, people having been saying things about Jesus and his birth far before Verhoeven or even the early centuries after his death and resurrection. Remember the Jews who did not like Jesus’ preaching in John 8? They went after Jesus by going after Mary:
John 8:41 They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.”
The sure Scripture answers objections clearly. At the end of the day folks are relying on their own speculation and doubt to anchor their theology. Christians are far too untrusting of their personal evaluations of truth. Instead we submit to what God has in fact said.
Secondly, it is encouraging to me because if it were not for the grace of God in my own life, I too would be making movies trying to free my conscience from its cries of accountability to this Holy God who made and knows me. If not the movie business, I would think of other ways to invent evil as Romans 1 says. It was the sovereign, powerful, sufficient, pride smashing, arresting grace of God that intruded upon me and caused me to love, value, and believe this glorious Jesus. So in light of this movie, I rejoice in divine grace.
On another note, of all the stupid heresies to pick this guy decides to pick the one that talks about Jesus’ earthly mother. Most guys get pretty defensive when you talk about their mom. And of all of the tough guys that I have ever met Jesus is clearly the toughest and most vengeful. I cannot imagine the payload of retribution that will be dealt to this guy if he does not repent and submit to Christ as Lord. Believers should pray to that end.
This movie will come and go and then another will come in its place and the same for its director. No doubt the goal of such things is to cause believers to more deeply value and enjoy the glorious grace of God that has brought us to him through the precious blood of his own son (1 Pet. 3.18).