The Variance of Jesus

Courtesy of Pixabay

I think it becomes easily understood as to why there are, and have been, so many differing depictions of Jesus Christ shown throughout film and television when one considers the extent to which Christian-based religions vary around the world. A perspective of a religious figurehead such as Christ varies between individuals and religious groups in the same sense that a perspective of any non-religious individual varies amongst those who they become acquainted with. Generally speaking most perspectives and portrayals on film should follow a somewhat linear path, although each action and command displayed is ultimately open to interpretation by both the individual watcher, and the script writer during the writing of the film. Furthermore the interpretations of the respective denominations of the bible (i.e. Literalistic, Modernistic etc) all change the way Jesus is ultimately perceived. A line read within a film will hold differing levels of meaning and understanding when heard by a Catholic in comparison to a Pentecostal. Then we must consider the perceptions of Jesus formed by non-Christian religions. Muslim doctrine acknowledges the presence of Jesus, but in a different sense than that of Christianity, something that will change his role and depiction immensely. What I am ultimately trying to say is that it is entirely possible for two different religious groups (having active belief in Christ) to watch the exact same film or read the same scriptural text and yet leave with having differing personal perspectives.  

 Image Source: http://pixabay.com/en/jesus-christi-cross-wooden-cross-5557/