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Unlikely Theologian
By Scott Harrup | April 25, 2008
Paul Verhoeven has made news with his pronouncement regarding the birth of Jesus Christ. The Dutch film director of such seminarian titles as Basic Instinct and RoboCop assures the world’s Christians that the Virgin Birth is a hoax. According to Verhoeven, Jesus was the offspring of Mary’s tragic rape by a Roman soldier.
An Amsterdam publishing house is to release Verhoeven’s biography of Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth: A Realistic Portrait. Move over Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
This is ridiculous but sobering.
Why sobering? Because everyone who grapples with the identity of Jesus Christ is really coming to terms with how they will relate to their Creator. The Bible clearly states, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NIV).
In light of his repackaging of Jesus’ birth, Verhoeven obviously denies Christ’s identity as God’s Son and the sole Mediator between fallen humanity and their Creator. I don’t know if he also denies God’s existence. But I do know he has considered all of these subjects if he has taken the time to write a book on Jesus’ life.
And that actually gives me hope for Verhoeven, even though right now he and I are coming to the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life from very different points of view.
Why am I hopeful? I believe the mere fact Verhoeven is studying Christ’s life is evidence that God is reaching out to this man. To me, that’s part of the miracle of Jesus’ life. People just can’t seem to ignore Him.
Topics: Books and Films, Bible, News |