Jesus In Film And The Appeal Of Purity

The history of Jesus as he appears in film has been white-washed for a century. Certainly white-supremacist attitudes in the motion picture industry are an explanation for this injustice; however, one explanation that has not been fully explored is the reality that whites have always felt a sense of purity concerning their racial self-view. This paper explores that possibility with the help of important thinkers who have discussed the notion of purity. Offering an answer for what motivated directors throughout the course of cinematic history to exclude actors of color from playing the historical Jesus, the research methodology herein includes the following: the incorporation of film theory; close examination and analyses of historical and rhetorical texts; one-on-one interviews; and, an inclusion of media sources to contextualize the central issue of the dangers of racial purity. Unfortunately, this appeal of purity continues presently, and must be exposed any time it is attempted, because of its rhetorical danger.