The author of a post that slammed a new Christmas movie as "unbiblical" and heretical is now walking back her statements after talking with the film's producer and gaining new insight, she says.
On Nov. 2 of this year, Malia Russell, a homemaking blogger from the U.S., shared a Facebook post saying she strongly did not recommend people see Journey to Bethlehem, citing "many" concerns. She had seen the film as part of an early preview screening
Top of those concerns was the fact that "Mary is pictured as a rebellious teen who does not want to get married but instead wants to be a teacher and is angry with her father for forcing a betrothal on her." Most biblical scholars believe that Mary was around 13 or 14 years old at the time of her pregnancy, so she certainly would have been a typical teen of the time. Russell now says that after her conversation with producer Alan Powell, she understands some changes were made in the script and editing since she originally saw the film.
"(Powell) also said that it is possible we saw an earlier version (we did see it months ago, possibly prior to final cuts)," Russell writes in the update, "and that the character of Mary was softened quite a bit in the final show in terms of the rebellious, angry attitude toward her father, and instead represented her as more struggling with obedience."
The blogger had also taken issue with with the fact that one of Herod's sons was shown to help Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus, escape to Egypt. Herod is known to have had 12 sons, though not much is known about many of them. Russell says that was the case with the son portrayed in the film. The reason for portraying one of the sons in this way, according to Russell after her conversation with Powell, was to show the power of Christ to change lives.
"They wanted to show how meeting Christ can change anyone’s heart," she says, "and that this character is one from history where we really don’t know much. (He’s not the son who ordered men to cut off John the Baptist’s head.) He died around the time of Christ’s birth so weaving him into the story in this way was a creative way of portraying a heart changed person near the end and climax of the film."
Herod's son is played by Joel Smallbone from FOR KING & COUNTRY, with wife Moriah Smallbone playing Deborah. The film also includes stars Lecrae as the angel, Gabriel, Antonio Banderas as Herod, Milo Manheim as Joseph, and Fiona Paloma as Mary.
Russell also found out that the filmmakers were hoping the movie would drive people to Scripture. That is one of their main intents, and the movie's website even provides discussion guides to go back to to talk about the story of Jesus, his birth, and his gift of Salvation.
Originally, her Facebook post said to not take any young children. Russell now says "If you decide to take your family, I’d love for you to read the scriptures ahead of time and afterward discuss the differences from the Word and how it is in the film. The filmmakers also want you to go to the scriptures! Also, if your children are a little older, and already being taught the story at home, this can be an entertaining film. There was no cussing, no nudity. The costuming and scenery were beautifully done, and the choreography was impressive. Visually, I’d use the word stunning."
Powell has been very open publicly about his intent with the film in the months leading up to its release. He told the Christian Post at the start of Oct. that he felt called by God to make the film to spread the story of Jesus further and introduce people to Him.
In closing, Russell says that Powell nor Sony or Affirm Films asked her to remove anything she wrote, and she has left the original post up with an adendum added. "I was not asked to remove my post or to recant anything I shared by the filmmakers. Alan was so filled with a heart and passion for Christ, and really did want to address our concerns for this film. For this we are truly thankful and are glad to share these additional thoughts."
You can read her full statement below the video.
Full statement from Malia Russell:
Speaking with the producer, Alan Powell, he explained the thought behind having Herod’s son having a heart change upon meeting Jesus. They wanted to show how meeting Christ can change anyone’s heart and that this character is one from history where we really don’t know much. (He’s not the son who ordered men to cut off John the Baptist’s head.) He died around the time of Christ’s birth so weaving him into the story in this way was a creative way of portraying a heart changed person near the end and climax of the film.
He also said that it is possible we saw an earlier version (we did see it months ago, possibly prior to final cuts) and that the character of Mary was softened quite a bit in the final show in terms of the rebellious, angry attitude toward her father, and instead represented her as more struggling with obedience.
With this in mind, I did want to qualify my previous statements and make sure I’m being as accurate as possible. If you decide to take your family, I’d love for you to read the scriptures ahead of time and afterward discuss the differences from the Word and how it is in the film. The filmmakers also want you to go to the scriptures! Also, if your children are a little older, and already being taught the story at home, this can be an entertaining film. There was no cussing, no nudity. The costuming and scenery were beautifully done, and the choreography was impressive. Visually, I’d use the word stunning. If you’re curious about the music in the movie, check it out on YouTube.
Also, if you have friends with differing opinions from yours (they take their families, they don’t take them, they are for or against this film) let us, all believers, be about the unity that we have in Christ and give others the respect they deserve. Each family can and should weigh out all media options thoughtfully and we can trust the Lord to reveal what’s best for each family and ultimately what brings glory to him.
I was not asked to remove my post or to recant anything I shared by the filmmakers. Alan was so filled with a heart and passion for Christ, and really did want to address our concerns for this film. For this we are truly thankful and are glad to share these additional thoughts.
-Malia Russell, Homemaking911