I can count on one hand the number of “Jesus” movies I have seen. It isn’t many. I don’t usually like movies or TV shows about the Bible or the life of Christ.
So turning on the TV Easter Sunday night was a bit of a risk. A new show, “A.D. The Bible Continues,” premiered that night. The show, which stars Juan Pablo Di Pace as Jesus (or, as I call him, “Hot Jesus”), begins at the crucifixion and treks through the events of the later biblical books. Deadline’s review of the show termed it “House of Cards meets Game of Thrones.” Yes, that’s exactly how I think of the biblical story.
One could say society has come a long way from the Iconoclastic controversy of the 8th and 9th centuries. Then, religious images, particularly of Christ, were forbidden on the claims that they were idolatrous. John of Damascus combated this teaching by stating that Christ becoming Incarnate means that men may portray him in art. Christ was a man, therefore, he can be depicted in human art.
The same, I believe, holds true still, even for the more realistic art of movies and television, forms which would make iconoclasts roll over in their graves.
But have we moved to far to the other end of the spectrum? How far do the privileges of portraying Christ in art go? When a new depiction of Christ comes out in movies and TV every year, is it stretching the limit between what is reverent and what is just for entertainment?
While it is interesting that “A.D. The Bible Continues” airs Sunday nights on primetime network NBC, it also makes me suspicious. If it is really an “uplifting spiritual journey,” would NBC air it? I am skeptical. Then again, maybe this is a hopeful sign.
For a truly purgative yet uplifting experience, I would recommend Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ.” The two movies could not be more different in the portrayals of Christ.
“A.D.” is more about telling the biblical events as they happened, whereas the Passion communicates deeper scriptural connections, Christ’s teachings, and Christianity’s salvific moment. Both have their benefit, but, I
believe, only one truly can change hearts and minds.
The Jesus portrayed by “A.D.” was whiny, even weak at times. The crucifixion was raced through in ten minutes to make way for side stories and other character dialogues. The epic soundtrack that played throughout the episode made me feel like I was just watching an action movie. I fear that this is what the show will become. It is also curious that, on Easter Sunday night, the episode was on the death of Christ. I am all about watching two full hours of “The Passion” on Good Friday, but I would not choose to do so on Easter.
I am curious to see where the show goes. I hope it changes my mind, and that it may be more than just entertainment, perhaps even material for spiritual meditation.
I am hesitant to discredit the show too quickly. Just as Jesus had many different attributes, we could allow for many different meditations on these attributes. And it is the job of such shows to provide those meditative experiences, whether it be in risen Jesus, suffering Jesus, bold Jesus, meek Jesus, or hot Jesus.
Emma Vinton is a junior from Brighton, Michigan, majoring in English and minoring in journalism through the Dow Journalism Program. She serves as the assistant editor for the Collegian’s Spotlight page.
