The passion

[apothanein kerdos]

Someone tonight in a bible study I attend was talking about how their dad finally gave in and watched the Passion when it came out back in August. Since then he's been reading his bible to see if it's true, studying the issue....

well...........he went to church yesterday, something he hasn't done since about the 70's........praise God that this movie is still being used for God's Glory and as His tool!

[Jedi4Yahweh]

Someone tonight in a bible study I attend was talking about how their dad finally gave in and watched the Passion when it came out back in August. Since then he's been reading his bible to see if it's true, studying the issue....

well...........he went to church yesterday, something he hasn't done since about the 70's........praise God that this movie is still being used for God's Glory and as His tool!

Yeah awesome movie...

It still amazes me that so many Jewish leaders are crying out foul play. They say this movie will cause much antisemitism and hatred toward Jews. I guess they forget that Jesus was a Jew and all his followers too. Its like saying the assassination of Abraham Lincoln will cause the world to hate Americans. Maybe its out of fear that this movie about Jesus will turn many Jews to Christ. Maybe they are out to protect their Religion that denies Jesus as the promised suffering Messiah spoken of in the book of Isaiah.

God bless,

[Botz]

I hear so many Christians cheering the movie on and pointing out who has been saved through it and how many tears they shed when they saw it and how they were given impetus to get closer to G-d from watching it...none of which is wrong in itself.

Some Jewish Leaders have many some rather over the top remarks about what the film will do by instigating a fresh wave of anti-Semitism...which time has proved to be unfounded.

What is totally overlooked by many Christians (apart from the Catholic mysticism) is the historical context of the Passion...it follows in the tradition of the Passion plays in Europe...its very name supports its intention...and the Passion plays were generally anti-Semitic and the signal to kill and hate Jews...many many Jews were killed and vilified because of these re-enactments of the hated Jews killing the beloved Son of G-d...deicide.

Many Jews...especially in the States have long memories of so-called Christian hatred towards them..especially though such a vehicle...so before we go all ra ra ra for Mel Gibson and his film...just spare a thought to why some parts of the Jewish community have over-reacted and overstated their fears...You may disagree...you may have been so blessed...but maybe you can spare a thought for their contention.

[FaithfulFollower]

I hear so many Christians cheering the movie on and pointing out who has been saved through it and how many tears they shed when they saw it and how they were given impetus to get closer to G-d from watching it...none of which is wrong in itself.

Some Jewish Leaders have many some rather over the top remarks about what the film will do by instigating a fresh wave of anti-Semitism...which time has proved to be unfounded.

What is totally overlooked by many Christians (apart from the Catholic mysticism) is the historical context of the Passion...it follows in the tradition of the Passion plays in Europe...its very name supports its intention...and the Passion plays were generally anti-Semitic and the signal to kill and hate Jews...many many Jews were killed and vilified because of these re-enactments of the hated Jews killing the beloved Son of G-d...deicide.

Many Jews...especially in the States have long memories of so-called Christian hatred towards them..especially though such a vehicle...so before we go all ra ra ra for Mel Gibson and his film...just spare a thought to why some parts of the Jewish community have over-reacted and overstated their fears...You may disagree...you may have been so blessed...but maybe you can spare a thought for their contention.

I am not fully comprehending your point, for the picture I am getting out of this is that the Jews are being overly shunned. Also that this movies intentions could have been simply that. Is this the point you are trying to make?

If so...all I can tell you is pray. For none of us know what was going on within Mel Gibson's mind, nor heart, nor soul. Only God alone would know. So instead of us casting stones at one another perhaps we should accept one another's differences but not necessarily compromise our views or oppinions.

This is a movie...not the scripture itself. Forgive me should this sound harsh, but why turn a movie into a big attack on another religion if no one is truly certain as to what purpose the movie was made for.

With Love In Christ,

Danielle

[apothanein kerdos]

What is totally overlooked by many Christians (apart from the Catholic mysticism) is the historical context of the Passion...it follows in the tradition of the Passion plays in Europe...its very name supports its intention...and the Passion plays were generally anti-Semitic and the signal to kill and hate Jews...many many Jews were killed and vilified because of these re-enactments of the hated Jews killing the beloved Son of G-d...deicide.

Well, the Catholic mysticism in the movie just adds to it and doesn't really take away from the truth of the event...the main message is still there and I really dont' see how either Protestant or Catholic could object to the movie.

I also wouldn't say it follows the tradition of passion plays in Europe. As you said, the entire purpose behind those was to incite hatred against the Jews. THe entire point behind this movie was to incite love towards a holy God that died for us.

Many Jews...especially in the States have long memories of so-called Christian hatred towards them..especially though such a vehicle...so before we go all ra ra ra for Mel Gibson and his film...just spare a thought to why some parts of the Jewish community have over-reacted and overstated their fears...You may disagree...you may have been so blessed...but maybe you can spare a thought for their contention.

I've expiriences racism due to being Jewish, make no doubt about that. However, none of it was caused by the Passion. In fact, some people on here actually felt burdened for the Jews and felt a need to witness to them. Right now, the college I'm attending, is graduating 10 missionaries who want to head to Israel...6 of which said they felt a burden for God's chosen after seeing the Passion and how they had rejected their Messiah.

Practically anything can cause anti-semitism....

[WayneB]

Well, the Catholic mysticism in the movie just adds to it and doesn't really take away from the truth of the event...the main message is still there and I really dont' see how either Protestant or Catholic could object to the movie.

I am one of the small minority that actually objects to the movie for many reasons (the cast, the source material, the overtones, the license assumed by the writers, and so on) I do not argue it since it is a matter of personal conviction. I do wonder, though, how those who have experienced revival because of seeing it... what the long term will reveal?

I find more "connection" with God when I read HIS Word than I ever found watching The Passion. I personally prefer the Visual Bible Series on Matthew and Acts and The Gospel of John movie. These movies did not elaborate or add to Scripture. All three films were Word for Word from the Gospels with no added texts from nuns with visions. There was NO overtones or undertones...just the Word of God as HE presented IT to us in the Gospel accounts.

The Passion leaves too much to explain and minimizes the VICTORY...Jesus' ressurrection in the FLESH.

Just my humble opinion.

Be Blessed,

Wayne

[apothanein kerdos]

Well, the Catholic mysticism in the movie just adds to it and doesn't really take away from the truth of the event...the main message is still there and I really dont' see how either Protestant or Catholic could object to the movie.

I am one of the small minority that actually objects to the movie for many reasons (the cast, the source material, the overtones, the license assumed by the writers, and so on) I do not argue it since it is a matter of personal conviction. I do wonder, though, how those who have experienced revival because of seeing it... what the long term will reveal?

I find more "connection" with God when I read HIS Word than I ever found watching The Passion. I personally prefer the Visual Bible Series on Matthew and Acts and The Gospel of John movie. These movies did not elaborate or add to Scripture. All three films were Word for Word from the Gospels with no added texts from nuns with visions. There was NO overtones or undertones...just the Word of God as HE presented IT to us in the Gospel accounts.

The Passion leaves too much to explain and minimizes the VICTORY...Jesus' ressurrection in the FLESH.

Just my humble opinion.

Be Blessed,

Wayne

Oh I agree. Compared to the Bible it's nothing and in the end it is just a movie and is up to personal conviction. The main reason I like it is because it is accurate on what Jesus would have gone through and that it is being used as a tool to reach people who otherwise would not have been reachable. That and Jesus doesn't have blue eyes in this movie

[Orr v'emet]

Well, Wayne, for once I am going to speak against what you said here ('tis a rarity other than our football discussions) .

I think that we limit God when we begin to question whether or not He can move people through a movie to bring about true revival in a person's life. What will determine the long term affects really has nothing to do with the thing that spured on the revival but the person's heart and committment to God.

Granted, there is a highly Catholic influence on the movie and frankly I could sit and pick it apart all day but I choose to see the beauty in it. I believe I shared it in my testimony in the testimony forum but this movie changed my life. Yeah, I was a christian, reading the word, praying, going to church, being led by the Holy Spirit.

This movie for me, despite all the things that it is critiqued about, showed me how beautiful my Savior is and how much he loved me. I've read about the last few days of Jesus' life a million times but to visualize it, to gain some sense of what it must have been like (though I know not completely accurate) spoke volumes on top of volumes and brought me into a deeper understanding of God's grace and love for me. It took me to the ultimate level of committment to Him that I don't doubt for a second I will ever go back on.

[Botz]

QUOTE (Botz @ Oct 12 2004, 04:13 AM)

I hear so many Christians cheering the movie on and pointing out who has been saved through it and how many tears they shed when they saw it and how they were given impetus to get closer to G-d from watching it...none of which is wrong in itself.

Some Jewish Leaders have many some rather over the top remarks about what the film will do by instigating a fresh wave of anti-Semitism...which time has proved to be unfounded.

What is totally overlooked by many Christians (apart from the Catholic mysticism) is the historical context of the Passion...it follows in the tradition of the Passion plays in Europe...its very name supports its intention...and the Passion plays were generally anti-Semitic and the signal to kill and hate Jews...many many Jews were killed and vilified because of these re-enactments of the hated Jews killing the beloved Son of G-d...deicide.

Many Jews...especially in the States have long memories of so-called Christian hatred towards them..especially though such a vehicle...so before we go all ra ra ra for Mel Gibson and his film...just spare a thought to why some parts of the Jewish community have over-reacted and overstated their fears...You may disagree...you may have been so blessed...but maybe you can spare a thought for their contention. 

I am not fully comprehending your point, for the picture I am getting out of this is that the Jews are being overly shunned. Also that this movies intentions could have been simply that. Is this the point you are trying to make?

If so...all I can tell you is pray. For none of us know what was going on within Mel Gibson's mind, nor heart, nor soul. Only God alone would know. So instead of us casting stones at one another perhaps we should accept one another's differences but not necessarily compromise our views or oppinions.

This is a movie...not the scripture itself. Forgive me should this sound harsh, but why turn a movie into a big attack on another religion if no one is truly certain as to what purpose the movie was made for.

With Love In Christ,

Danielle

Hi Danielle.

My point was really to do with what Jedi had written...but not specifically as have dicussed this issue many times and have a general idea of most Christians attitudes.

Jedi wrote...

It still amazes me that so many Jewish leaders are crying out foul play. They say this movie will cause much antisemitism and hatred toward Jews. I guess they forget that Jesus was a Jew and all his followers too. Its like saying the assassination of Abraham Lincoln will cause the world to hate Americans. Maybe its out of fear that this movie about Jesus will turn many Jews to Christ. Maybe they are out to protect their Religion that denies Jesus as the promised suffering Messiah spoken of in the book of Isaiah.

God bless,

I was trying to suggest that we might be a bit more understanding to some of the Jewish community that have made a great fuss about the movie if we understood a little more of where they are coming from...EVEN IF WE THINK THEIR FEARS ARE ILL-FOUNDED....I would add to this that many Christians really need to get a fresh revelation of what Christians have done to Jews in the past then perhaps they would undertand better and be more sensitive to Jewish unease over certain issues. Personally I hated the movie but we are not discussing that.

Super Jew

...I also wouldn't say it follows the tradition of passion plays in Europe. As you said, the entire purpose behind those was to incite hatred against the Jews. THe entire point behind this movie was to incite love towards a holy God that died for us.

Yes I could have worded my statement better...what I meant is that by some Jews it was perceived as being of the same anti-Semitic spirit...they did not make a distinction...hence much of the unwarranted displeasure fostered upon its cinematic inception. Some did realize that the Catholic inspiration came from an anti-Semitic Catholic mystic...so again we should be aware that there is no smoke without fire.

It is also not a case of throwing stones...just debating and considering some things that we might have over-looked.

[Born Again]

Super Jew- that is awesome!! I love seeing how God can use things to Glorify Him!!

Now, I do want to add:

I do wonder, though, how those who have experienced revival because of seeing it... what the long term will reveal?

Hey Bro Wayne- I would like to address your point.

I am one of those who experienced revival when I saw this movie. To give you some background, I grew up in a Christian home, going to church every Sunday. I knew all the stories, verses, songs, etc, but God was never Lord of my life, even when I accepted him at age 8 and later at age 11.

All through my teenage years, He was NEVER 1#. I graduated from high school, started to cuss like a sailor, started to drink---- the "witness" I once had was shattered. I got married and never went to church again, except on Holidays. I professed to be a Christian (and how foolish I felt when I said it) but, my fruits proved otherwise. If you want a witness, ask my sisters

All those years, I felt a small, quiet conviction on my soul that I completely ignored. And mind you, I have never believed in OSAS, so I knew I was in danger of hell, but I didn't care... I have no regard for God or His Word. Well, those convictions grew stronger earlier this year, so I decided to see "The Passion"- and I was terrified. I knew what was going to happen, but I didn't want it to happen because I was enjoying my sin so much.

So I prayed on the way to the theatre "God, give me what I need out of this film" and wouldn't you know it, I got it. I sat there and cried and cried... not because of what they were doing to him- the brutality of it- it was because all I could think of was "He did that for me, and I can't live my life for Him??" That night, March 1st, I GAVE my life to Christ- for the FIRST time in my life. I told my hubby that night, "you're no longer 1# in my life, you're number 2#"- my priorities finally straightened out. Since then, and will be for the rest of my life, God is number 1#- there's no turning back. And it was all because of God using a simple movie to reveal and convict me to live my life for Him. I can't even begin to tell you about the blessings He's poured into my life since that date. He's indescribable.

I hear alot of people say, "well, if it caused one person to truly get saved, then it's worth it". I am living proof- it's worth it.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!