The Passion of Christ

[angels4u]

[apothanein kerdos]

The main problem with this article is that it was written prior to the film's release in theatres. Notice how the beginning paragraph is all in a future tense. Thus they presupposed many things about the film.

First, to their point about making a false image. This is an extreme interpretation of the Bible. When the Bible speaks of not making an image unto God, it is speaking about the idea and/or making an image as a tool for worship. I would have to wonder about the consistency of these authors to see if they made any similar articles on a Church Easter pagent or the "Jesus Film". All "The Passion" attempts to portray is the human suffering of Christ on the cross. The main reason for this is that it shows the unbeliever the truth of what Christ went through just in the eyes of humans. The second, and possibly most plausible reason, is that it's impossible to display the spiritual side on the wide screen. How would one accomplish such a thing? It is impossible.

Moving onto the point about Christ's purpose on the cross it is easy to see that it quickly becomes a point without merit. For one, Paul refered back to Christ's suffering upon the cross. The reason Christ suffered was due in cause to the extreme pain before and during His time upon the cross. While He did become a sacrifice for us, it was not in the Old Testament terminology of the word. In the Old Testament God would look down upon the sacrifice to see if it was worthy or not, and then would consume it. However, God turned His back on Christ when Christ was upon the cross...thus how could He look down and consume what His back was toward?

The authors then move onto the message of it being a Catholic movie. This is most easily disproven simply by viewing it. It is obvious that the message behind the movie is that Christ died and endured pain because He wanted to save the world. While there is some Catholic mythology (not doctrine) within it, it does not ditract from the salvation theology nor the main message of the film. If anything, it compliments what would have occured and what was included into the Bible. However, the arguement is brought forth that because a Catholic made it who is a legalist within his beliefs this fiml must be inherently evil. Yet God was able to use Nebacanezzer, who was inhereted by Satan himself, to bring about His message and His glory. Furthermore, He used the Assyrians, a nation which sacrificed its own children, to bring Israel back to Him. So simply because someone is of another opinion or even another faith does not mean they are disabled from being used by God.

The next turn within the article is about the relationship shown between Mary and Jesus. Yet, the opening scene and almost anytime Jesus is shown in a teaching manner, He is refering to His Father. He even states that the entire reason for performing such an act of love is because of the Will of His Father. Thus, the relationship is shown between Jesus and God. In fact, at one point in the movie (towards the beginning) He asserts that He and His Father are one (and subsequently gets beat and spat upon for this claim). While there is a relationship shown between Mary and Jesus, this would have only been natural. She was His mother and thus to watch her son go through so much pain...well...had she not shown the grief depicted within the movie than she would have been heartless. He [Mel Gibson] makes it painfully obvious that Jesus offered Himself. During the cruxificion scene Jesus, in His bloody and mangled form, pulled Himself onto the cross.

Then the authors take a bit of an odd turn within this point and say that the message of the cross is completely dark and gruesome. The film is simply attempting to convey the reality of what occured. What you see is a historical documentation of what occured to flogging victims and to crucifixion victims. The cross, while spiritually and after the event occured was a joyous event, it certainly was not prior to it. The fact that Jesus, being fully God and fully man and knowing what would occur during and after, was sweating blood, proves this. One only sweats blood in a time of extreme stress. The body because so heated and tense with worry that the blood vessels pop open and the blood leaks into the swear pores. In order for a person to sweat blood they have to be under such an extreme stress that they generally die from it. So Jesus was worried and scared to such a point that He was sweating blood. So I wonder if these author's interpretations of the events match up with Jesus' actions.

I come to my conclusion on this article. When I read things like this, I often invision men with black hats, black robes, gold chest platings, and white inner robes writing these articles. That, of course, is the Pharisees. While it is okay to be watchful for false doctrines, we should not attack something where there is none. These men came to a judgement before they even saw the film. I have seen the film and if it had false doctrine that took away from the Gospel or salvation, then I would not endourse it. However, having studied the issue of the cross before and after seeing this film, I say with certainty that there is nothing wrong with it.

[2bba]

When we went to see the film shortly after it had come out we went to a theatre jammed packed with a noisy, laughing, and shouting crowd of people from small children to elderly people that had to be helped to their seats. There were a few wisecracks about people dieing from watching the movie, just sort of a lighthearted crowd of people giggling and laughing. I for one was hesitate to go to this movie because I had an idea of what might be involved, but I could not have foreseen the sudden and dramatic change in the audience as the movie began, and throughout the entire time that it played. I have never been in a theater that was quieter the entire time of the showing, except for the occasional sob, and rustling of tissue to dry ones eyes. After the initial viewers coming back to their seats with popcorn at the beginning of the movie, I do not remember anyone getting up during the movie. After the movie hardly anyone spoke as they left the auditorium. It moved me also deeply, and I do not believe I have the energy to watch it again. It took a great deal of physical strength from me as I watched the movie, and I was literally numb all over for several minutes afterwards.

I just wish that Mel would do a movie on the book of Acts next!

[Leonard]

That was a very long post, and I am reminded that 'brevity is the soul of wit.'

[Work in Progress]

When we went to see the film shortly after it had come out we went to a theatre jammed packed with a noisy, laughing, and shouting crowd of people from small children to elderly people that had to be helped to their seats. There were a few wisecracks about people dieing from watching the movie, just sort of a lighthearted crowd of people giggling and laughing. I for one was hesitate to go to this movie because I had an idea of what might be involved, but I could not have foreseen the sudden and dramatic change in the audience as the movie began, and throughout the entire time that it played. I have never been in a theater that was quieter the entire time of the showing, except for the occasional sob, and rustling of tissue to dry ones eyes. After the initial viewers coming back to their seats with popcorn at the beginning of the movie, I do not remember anyone getting up during the movie. After the movie hardly anyone spoke as they left the auditorium.

That was my experience as well, Abba.

LOL, Leonard.

[Guest He's taking names]

this article seems very legalistic to me and from the bible verses they have quoted I see nothing that stands up for their belief about images of any kind being invalid...this is not some calf carved at the bottom of a mountain around my neck! this is my Lord, my One true God who has saved me from the eternal pain of being apart from Him! Jesus Christ! viewing the image of Christ sacrificing Himself for us on the cross is not idol worship, it can lead to revelation about who He really is! It can help people come into His loving arms! people who He yearns to know!

of course the necklace itself isn't God! it's a necklace, don't be silly! but it serves as a reminder of who I really am under God and who I need to remain. It serves as a reminder of what Jesus has done for me and the gifts and blessings He has poured onto us all!

If we were saying the crucifix itself is God then that would be idol worship.

[Guest Thomas I believe]

this article seems very legalistic to me and from the bible verses they have quoted I see nothing that stands up for their belief about images of any kind being invalid...this is not some calf carved at the bottom of a mountain around my neck! this is my Lord, my One true God who has saved me from the eternal pain of being apart from Him! Jesus Christ! viewing the image of Christ sacrificing Himself for us on the cross is not idol worship, it can lead to revelation about who He really is! It can help people come into His loving arms! people who He yearns to know!

of course the necklace itself isn't God! it's a necklace, don't be silly! but it serves as a reminder of who I really am under God and who I need to remain. It serves as a reminder of what Jesus has done for me and the gifts and blessings He has poured onto us all!

If we were saying the crucifix itself is God then that would be idol worship.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree about the image of the cross as you stated. That revelation of the meaning of the cross is what brought me to Jesus personally. It put things into perspective on a level that I could understand. The passion of the Christ although it was'nt perfect has had a positive affect on many. Many have met Jesus because of this movie.

[Botz]

I was not fond of the movie for a number of reasons...but I am even less fond of Messrs Bennett and Dunbars over the top Bogey hunt and I thought Super Jew gave an admirable response.

[serotta]

I guess I don't understand why you chose to post this now. And I agree with the above posts that this is a very poor review that is very far from the truth.

[Old Timer]

I agree with most of the article.

I have not seen the movie, and will not.

We are not to make images of the Lord no matter how well intentioned.

We are not to add or subtract or change the Word of God no matter how well intentioned.

I do not condemn those who have seen it and admire the movie. I am sure it is a well made film with great emotional appeal, but I would issue a word of caution when experiencing anything that distorts the written Word of God.