I finally got to watch the movie Killing Jesus which debuted on the National Geographic station on Sunday.I think many progressive Christians would balk at the movie because it is based off of Bill O'Reilly's book (with Martin Dugard) Killing Jesus . But here's my assessment.I thinkjust became my all-time favorite Jesus movie.Here are three quick reasons why progressive Christians would likeFirst, the movie (and the book) attempt to portray the historical aspects of the gospel story. The theological, supernatural and miraculous aspects of the story are downplayed. What this means is thatis about the cultural, historical and political reasons Jesus was killed. Jesus's confrontation with "the principalities and powers" makesa whole lot more attractive to progressive Christians than a movie like Gibson'swith its emphasis upon penal substitutionary atonement. If you think Jesus was killed because of his conflict with Empire then this is the movie for you.Second, finally we have a Jesus movie where Jesus isn't a white guy of European descent. Inwe have a Jesus that looks like a Palestinian Jew. Haaz Sleiman, the actor who plays Jesus, was born and raised in Lebanon. We finally have a movie where we can say, "I think Jesus might have actually looked like that guy."Third, progressive Christians like a low Christology. Given its focus upon historical events, as mentioned above,downplays the supernatural. There are a few miraculous moments in the movie, but there are also "miracles" of a more human sort. Specifically, the scene with Jesus and the lepers is one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever seen in a Jesus movie. Jesus's healing of the leper isn't supernatural but I think it's miraculous. That scene with the lepers captures everything I was trying to say in Unclean And a final note about the low Christology. The most theologically fascinating aspect ofis how Jesus comes to gradually discover his identity and vocation as the movie progresses.For example, Peter's confession of Jesus is a moment of discovery, for both PeterJesus. Who am I?, Jesus asks. Jesus isn't quizzing his disciples, Jesus is asking the question for himself.And when Peter confesses, "You are the Messiah," Jesus's suspicions about himself are confirmed. Through Peter's confession Jesus's vocation comes fully into view. Peter's confession is, the confessionJesus the Christ.This aspect alone will makea theological case study for decades to come. The movie explores some interesting Christological ideas.