Click here (YouTube) to view a scene from The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), a film directed by Martin Scorsese which portrayed a very human Jesus, subject to shaman-like rites of initiation...
What are your thoughts/impressions about this portrayal? Is it (potentially) accurate concerning what Jesus might have 'really' experienced in the wilderness? Is it disrespectful to traditional Christian interpretations? Why/why not?
5 comments:
I feel this is a good portrayal of what he might of went through. I saw no respect. It could have happeneed this way.
Lisa
This portrayal is much different than any that I have seen before. I honestly have no idea what I could say constitutes an accurate portrayal of what Jesus might have been tempted by. Each of the temptations that he faced were real things that any human would have been tempted by - albeit they were trippy. I wouldn't necessarily say that the clip showed any blatant disrespect. However, this is definitely not the reverent, "holy holy" representation that we usually see. I think that this is due to the fact that Jesus was exhibiting truly human qualities - frustration, anger, disgust, impatience, etc.
Above comment was by Sophie.
It could be accurate. Such fasting would certainly lead to visions, and they could take any form. Even if Jesus was wholly devoted to his mission as a son of god, he was still human. Such thoughts as mentioned by the temptations almost definitely crossed his mind, especially when given so much time - 40 days - in desolation with only his thoughts for company. This would give time for a lot of self reflection I think, such as (put simply) "I could settle down and have a family instead", "With this power I could conquer nations", "who am I to think I can save the world? There are so many people, can't even begin to get to all of them", and other such thoughts. Hunger would have been the forefront thought on his mind, the body demanding energy. So I believe Jesus would have had visions in the 40 days spent fasting in the wilderness. I believe he wrestled with his mind and body to overcome doubt, hunger, pride, comfort, etc.. In scriptural literature, I think the snake, lion, flame, and tree are meant to have symbolical meaning for an audience.
I do not believe the scene is accurate in how Jesus experienced these temptations. The scene though, I thought, was in no way disrespectful.
Sydney
I find it very disturbing that this movie would protray the desert experience in this fashion. The bible is quite specific in the tradition of these events. The jesus in this movie never quoted scripture and the formation of the spirit circle lends to a shamanic element that has not been atributed to Jesus in the biblical telling of these events.
Bob
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