Drama
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a little like its titular character. It’s painful. It gets under your skin. And it just might leave a mark.
What is the Holy Grail? Why do people revere the Crown of Thorns? Are there really fragments of the cross Christ was crucified on scattered across the earth?
These are the questions that Netflix’s new documentary series, Mysteries of the Faith, attempts to answer.
As viewers watch, they’ll learn the histories of these religious artifacts. They’ll hear from those who have made pilgrimages and see them expound upon their emotional and spiritual experiences (and a few describe miracles they witnessed as a result). And experts on the topic, both religious and secular, attempt to explain why these ancient objects hold such significance, both for the church and the world.
Mysteries of the Faith doesn’t have a whole lot of content issues. We see some real-life footage of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burning in 2019. CGI recreations demonstrate the crucifixion (which, as we know, was an inherently violent act). And stories recount the theft, piracy and bloodshed that surround these relics. But viewers should be most wary of the spiritual concerns.
This documentary series does not approach these relics from a particularly religious point of view. And sometimes it seems to take religious beliefs with a grain of salt. It’s not saying that faith is false or that the artifacts it explores are fake. (In fact, it treats the people who revere and protect the relics with respect.) However, several of the experts interviewed imbue a certain amount of skepticism.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though.
As I watched, I kept getting a sense of Moses and the golden calf. One person after another approaches the Crown of Thorns to kiss it. The narrator describes people as worshipping the artifacts.
It all places emphasis on the objects instead of on the God they represent. And in the first episode, the narrator even states: “For centuries, pilgrims have spread stories of the power and wonder of relics through their own journeys of faith and discovery. But the greatest journeys of all belong to the relics themselves.”
So while we hear some amazing testimonies of faith, Christians really should think about the spiritual implications.
If you just want to learn the history of Christian relics, then this is a pretty neat series. But if you’re searching for a genuine and direct connection to Christ, pray, read your Bible and look to the Holy Spirit for guidance. These treasures, as holy as they may be, only serve to point to Someone far greater.
The history of the Crown of Thorns—from its creation at Christ’s crucifixion through its alleged journey to modern Paris—is divulged by experts as those who have encountered it in person describe their experiences.
News reels show real-life footage of the Notre Dame Cathedral burning as firefighters work to save it and the artifacts within. (We see the church’s spire and roof collapse.) A CGI video recreates Christ’s crucifixion and the acts preceding it, though there’s no blood or gore seen. We hear about warrior monks who allegedly protected the Holy Grail (aka the “Cup of Christ,” the chalice Jesus used at the Last Supper).
Folks discuss the Crown of Thorns—allegedly the same crown that Roman soldiers shoved onto Christ’s head to mock him as “King of the Jews”—at length. We hear the historical facts, such as how the crown came to Paris from Constantinople (there’s mention of pirates), as well as the religious lore.
Many people who have seen the Crown in person give testimony to how it has positively affected their faith. Some appear to worship the relic, kneeling before it, sobbing and even kissing it. We also hear about pilgrimages to see the Crown and the Holy Grail.
Some people say they revere Christian relics because it makes them feel closer to God. For some, it’s because the objects have survived more than 2,000 years, and they’re witnessing the same things that Christ did. For others, it’s because it feels as though God is watching them. (And experts touch on how many believe the objects grant “quick access” to God because they think the objects can channel divine power.)
Because the Crown of Thorns is owned by the Vatican, many of the people interviewed are Catholic. We see folks crossing themselves and using rosaries. A man talks about praying to the Virgin Mary. And we see many shots of Catholic churches and priests.
We hear a legend about how early pilgrims claimed to have witnessed the Crown of Thorns wither, die and then come back to life, just as Christ did. We also hear how many people used to think relics, such as the Crown, were radioactive because of how people were drawn to them.
News reel footage shows Buddhist and Islamic worshippers at their respective holy places.
Emily studied film and writing when she was in college. And when she isn’t being way too competitive while playing board games, she enjoys food, sleep, and geeking out with her husband indulging in their “nerdoms,” which is the collective fan cultures of everything they love, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate and Lord of the Rings.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a little like its titular character. It’s painful. It gets under your skin. And it just might leave a mark.
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