I haven't finished the book (barely started it) but we saw the film over vacation and all I have to say is, "What the fuck are the Christians concerned about?"
If you are a Christian and you believe then what is the problem? Is it that you hold your faith so cheap that anyone can change your mind? For the hardcore fundamentalists, are you concerned that you might switch faiths in an IHOP parking lot that you want the movie and book burned? This is by the way, the protocol one of your brethren decided fit me when he thought I would switch faiths after he forced himself into a private conversation and would not leave? Is it that other people might not come to your faith now that a work of fiction has explored a possibility floating around archeological communities for years? Or perhaps they will avoid it because they think your faith is bogus now that there are theories to the contrary?
Let me clear up something for you. If you hold your faith so cheaply that a work of fiction will change your mind, then maybe the church you attend wasn't the one for you. If, however, you think droves of potential converts have been driven from your doors because of one man's imagination, you are mistaken. There is no guarantee that these people were future members. In fact, I can be pretty certain that if they were anywhere near your church, it was to laugh at you.
I think what really pisses them off is that the book and the movie could be used as great vehicles for conversion. Because Christ is shown to be human, it makes him much more easy to relate to and more attractive to the average person schlepping through their life. But the church people know the rub will come when they tell the potential converts that, no, there is no truth what so ever in those media offerings.
Well, duh!
What part of work of fiction don't you understand? I mean I can get into a tirade about how the Catholic Church covered up and cleansed Jesus's life in the name of good PR and how the Protestant church continued in that vein after their split because it was all they knew. And don't get me started on fundamentalists. But that is an entirely other rant. And the point is, does it matter, as a Christian, if you believe Christ had a wife and family so long as you believe in Christ and his teachings? I thought the most important thing in Christianity was how you acted according to His teachings. Now, it seems, that some churches want a federal mandate to force everyone to go - to their house of worship. In other words, if we are all the same then life is bliss. Diversity is bad. That smacks strongly of combining church and state and is not what the forefathers (several of whom who were Deists - the word for the day!) intended.
If anything I think that the concept of Christ having a wife would make him more appealing to people trudging along in their daily lives. While Superman is a fascinating concept, the perfect, flawless hero gets boring after a short time. The average Joe struggling to survive is much more interesting. Which is why the audience likes Clark Kent. Even Superman longs to be normal.
Now as far as review of the moving, it was entertaining and interesting. However, I began checking my watch - never a good sign - about a half hour before it was over. And it was predictable except for the main bad buy reveal. When I say, "saw that coming," it's also not a good sign. I tend to want to believe in a movie.