The Passion of Christ

[Old Timer]

Well, I know I am out-numbered on this and I admit I have not seen the film, only read quite a bit about it, plus I am guilty of not being able to express myself in a way understandable to those who support this film.

Let me use a poor analogy.

If I told you a story about Christ that was untrue according to the Bible, but presented it AS IF IT WERE TRUE would you support me in retelling it to millions?

If I dressed it up with pictures, music and fine acting that solicited a lot of emotion would you support me?

If I claimed the end justified the means would you support me?

[Orr v'emet]

Can we stop comparing this MOVIE to the word of God. If you take it as that, you are the one perverted the word of God. This is a movie, the movie happens to tell the story of the Last 12hrs of Jesus's life, that does not make it the word of God, nor does it mean it will be 100% biblical, and no one ever claimed it was. \

Mel himself will tell you alot of the story came from the Catholic Stations of hte Cross and a book written by a Nun that was called "The Dolorous Passion of Christ".

Does any of this take away from the message? nope... Does any of this make it less of a witnessing tool? Nope... the sheer numbers of people who went and saw this movie is amazing. The numbers of people letter to the Lord through this film I am sure are rather impressive as well.

Now on that note let me restate one thing. This was a MOVIE. It was not and is not the WORD OF GOD.

God Bless,

Dave

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mel Gibson never claimed that it was the word of God. He said that he took some "artistic liberties" in making the film. The extent to which Christ would go because of His love for us was made abundantly clear in the movie. I would suppose that it left many non-believers wanting to know more and for that reason alone the movie was a sucess. Let's not limit God. He can use anything for His glory and to draw men unto Him.

[Guest songli5]

Can we stop comparing this MOVIE to the word of God. If you take it as that, you are the one perverted the word of God. This is a movie, the movie happens to tell the story of the Last 12hrs of Jesus's life, that does not make it the word of God, nor does it mean it will be 100% biblical, and no one ever claimed it was. \

Mel himself will tell you alot of the story came from the Catholic Stations of hte Cross and a book written by a Nun that was called "The Dolorous Passion of Christ".

Does any of this take away from the message? nope... Does any of this make it less of a witnessing tool? Nope... the sheer numbers of people who went and saw this movie is amazing. The numbers of people letter to the Lord through this film I am sure are rather impressive as well.

Now on that note let me restate one thing. This was a MOVIE. It was not and is not the WORD OF GOD.

God Bless,

Dave

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mel Gibson never claimed that it was the word of God. He said that he took some "artistic liberties" in making the film. The extent to which Christ would go because of His love for us was made abundantly clear in the movie. I would suppose that it left many non-believers wanting to know more and for that reason alone the movie was a sucess. Let's not limit God. He can use anything for His glory and to draw men unto Him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The awesome point of the last 12 hrs of Jesus' life is that His Father allowed the horrible pain and torture leading to the cross, His dying on the cross, and His taking on the sins of the world-causing His Father to turn away from him at this time, I might add-...ALL this so we would have the chance to be saved by His awesome grace. It's a choice we can all make and the importance of it is shown clearly from old testament thru new. I agree with a previous answer. God will allow the use of any medium thru which to impact non-believers and make them pursue His Truth.

[shammah]

The Lord has warned us not to watch the Movie.

BUT; it is the most moving portrayal by reports, we have ever heard !

Some people have been converted (not necessarily headed to eternal salvation by obedience) but deeply affected !

Affections dwindle and the message of all the doctrine and resurrection, and suffering of the saints to follow Him is missing,(though I hold this to no fault, because that was not the intent).

Many I have known are falling from that emotional experience, because they are not given the way of true obedience , especially the Catholic church, but tradition!

I applaud the work as a valiant stand one took for their faith, and that it has some merits!

But a Mormon could have made the same film, so the Spirit behind something can be stronger that what you see!

Images of Christ if have to be displayed to represent an actor need to be shown in extra light or with obscurity; we must not worship images!

Spirits come to people in images ,pretending to be Christ or Mary, in the way that person will most readily accept them.

Icons, images, of saints, even fishes, beads, even crosses, are idols, they take away from the real, person of Christ, our true focus !

Yes Christ endured the cross, but the bible also says He despised the shame of it; He has risen, and is no longer on the cursed tree; for everyman that dies on a tree is a cursed! He became a curse for us, and we can remember that, but He is alive and no longer a curse!

And He did not die on some gold or silver cross, but an ugly wooden one, if you want to remember the curse, focus on that, but better yet, go beyond the cross; Christ has and so do His followers!

We were buried with Him in baptism, but risen to new life, when we partake of His communion, we identify with dying to self, and raising to new life, not actually eating literal flesh and blood as Catholics preach!

I have heard good report on this movie by pastors I respect, and do not agrue, for I'm not permitted to see it; (one of the reasons is that it can inbeaded images, that the spirit God would not desire , and movie making can do many things with the subconscious)!

But this author has later changed his mind to some degree, that too much importance of Mary was conveyed, and other things he didn't notice at first.

I must do the unpardonable; I must say that this movie may have some merit, in consideration of miserable other portrayals of the passion!

But I avoid the whole passion play every year, and the baby Jesus thing also; they have too much paganism, and materialism! They are the two days the 70% go to church, as some sort of token penitence; but true believers has gone beyond this and are striving for maturity!

Hebrews 6

1THEREFORE LET us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (DEAD FORMALISM)) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God,

2With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment. [These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago.]

3If indeed God permits, we will [now] proceed [to advanced teaching].

4For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit,

5And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come,

6If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance--[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace.

2Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, (DESPISING) and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.(A)

3Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.

4You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood.

5And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him;

6For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes.

7You (MUST SUBMIT) to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?

8Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all].(B)

9Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we yielded [to them] and respected [them for training us]. Shall we not much more cheerfully submit to the Father of spirits and so [truly] live?

10For [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for only a short period of time and chastised us as seemed proper and good to them; but He disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness.

11For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness--in (CONFORMITY) to God's will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God].

Jesus sacrifice on the cross is not to be remembered as some ritual, but to bring redemption ,but also an example of the corrections we must go through, the sufferings we are appointed to, to become more like him, as a father disciplines ALL His true sons!

The Catholic mass is a replacement of ritual, instead of a personal dying to self, and dedication to Him in a life of obedience and Holiness!

14Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.

Matt.5:3-18;

3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

4Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

10Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

11Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake.

12Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.

13"Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.

14"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

15Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.

17"Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

18For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled.

The word should be continually written on each ones heart; each one is judged by their obedience to what is convicted in there hearts ! Two scriptures ; If one knows what to do and doesn't do it , to him it becomes sin; and whatever is not of faith is sin Rom.14:23.

So it is only God that judges and convicts hearts, and only through true repentance, restores communion !

So let us remember the true way, give credit where it is due, but follow and exalt God and His (Logos=Rhema=Word) Jesus Christ only!

Agape in Christ ;Epraim.

[O'Dannyboy]

I personally was very impressed with the movie. I am not saying I LIKED it but it was impressive. Much of the movie was done with realism. This is not to say its accurate but it was realistic and dramatic. I will not denounce this movie because it does not fit a Pharsies' standards.

The message was clear and painfully obvious. This movie is a "shock and awe" aproach to getting the word out. Jesus suffered much tribulation as well as dying for our sins. This movie was not intended to convert those who are already walking in his light. It was intended to awaken the spirit in Jerry Springer fans and arouse curiousity in non-believers.

Matthew 16:21

[apothanein kerdos]

How can anyone who calls themselves

[Work in Progress]

It is bad enough when Christian churches hang paintings of Christ on their walls

What's wrong with that? I have a picture of Christ hanging in my dining room.

[shammah]

Remembering the sufferings Christ bore on the cross, is a core doctrine in relation to our identification, with his sufferings! And not only what it took for Him to purchase our salvation, but the picking up of our own cross to die and defeat death, and fleshly desires, to follow Him!

The cross isn't an Icon, but a life-style of obedience!

There were many crosses before the christian cross, symbols that had may meanings!

There are also many crosses with circles, x's, Templar crosses, and various occult crosses people have that are evil; very dangerous! The Templar cross with X's on each end symbolizes that Christ didn't really die on the cross, but was revived and started a holy blood line with Mary Magdaline!

People wear pretty crosses and know not what they mean! It's an execution device! Most of these people act more like Judas, so they should wear a noose, a nice pretty gold one!

Also it's stylish and means nothing!

We are talking about an instrament of death that a man paid for our salvation; it's the act of redemption not the symbol ! If Christ was killed by the electric chair would we wear that on our necks , or put it on the wall ? No, but we would remember the act, the sacrifice, we must all endure to partake in His sufferings!

Agape; Ephraim.

Edited December 9, 2004 by shammah

[Kabowd]

Talk about over-the-top analysis. If God can use a donkey to get His message across I believe He can use a movie.

[Botz]

I don't think the donkey had a hidden agenda.