Jesus Christ Superstar

[Leonard]

I think it led 100's of thousands of people to look more deeply and more seriously into Jesus Christ and find their salvation..........

[Floatingaxe]

I think it led 100's of thousands of people to look more deeply and more seriously into Jesus Christ and find their salvation..........

You know, I remember that well, and yes, you are right! Many people embraced the Jesus Freak movement at that time!

[stitchy]

It seems to me this movie had a lot of good points and bad points, then. I guess by retelling the story of Christ in a "pop culture" type of way, one that young people could relate to easily, it fueled their interest in learning about Christ and the gospel. That's quite awesome, as long as people don't come away from the movie thinking that's how it really was, and getting the wrong idea about Jesus.

man - I agree with what you said, thankyou! But I don't understand, why is Passion of the Christ a lie? And any others who are against that movie - what is bad about it? I do remember thinking at the time it was coming out that Mel Gibson was just trying to make a lot of money over something he knew would be hugely controversial.

Edited November 23, 2006 by stitchy

[darski]

One element of Superstar the movie that I did like was the contrast from the beginning where all the people are getting off the bus and they're all gung ho and wanna make this movie - Yeh!

At the end of the movie, as they all climb back onto the bus, they have been subtly changed. They became contemplative, they were not so self assured anymore. I realize that Norman Jewison wrote that into the script but it was very effective in my mind.

Just in case people didn't know... "Always Hoped That I'd be an Apostle" is a song from the movie. It so perfectly demonstrated the self-centredness of the apostles right up to that last supper.

Again, it would be good for group study but needs a debriefing time.

[Guest man]

man - But I don't understand, why is Passion of the Christ a lie?

I have a thing about the image of Christ. The appearance of Christ is unknown and whenever I see any depiction of His image, I know it's a lie.

Plus, the movie gives no information on how one is saved. It's 2 hours of brutality.

Other then a huge money maker, I believe Mel was looking for some kind of atonement for his sins. Why was satan depicted as a woman?

[bethshemaiah]

man - But I don't understand, why is Passion of the Christ a lie?

I have a thing about the image of Christ. The appearance of Christ is unknown and whenever I see any depiction of His image, I know it's a lie.

Plus, the movie gives no information on how one is saved. It's 2 hours of brutality.

Other then a huge money maker, I believe Mel was looking for some kind of atonement for his sins. Why was satan depicted as a woman?

The story of Christ crucified in a brutal fashion is not a lie and we need more Christians movies out there like this one. It seems to me that nothing we do here away from our home is going to be "perfect" and we can pick anything we want to apart, but it was a movie...... there had to be a cast member acting as Jesus....... worldly people Christian and non-Christian alike needed to see this real fact about Jesus. There are plenty of Christians and non who sadly do not truly understand this incredible sacrifice that Jesus made. I want more Christian movies depicting Jesus to watch. What about the Gospel of John movie and so many others............ there is a need for these movies in our sin-sick world.

I don't hang "pictures" of Jesus in my home and I understand the reason for it....... He does not hang on a cross any longer, I don't have any of these crucifixes hanging in my home either. Mel Gibson may need atonement for his sins but don't we all? That comment might be a bit of an assumption, yes? Mel Gibson is a movie producer is he not? So he would produce this movie, if he made money hopefully he sent a minimum of ten percent back to the church in the form of a tithe and gave offering against the proceeds also.

I didn't think Satan was depicted as a woman but with feminine and non-feminine attributes, I thought the way that Satan was protrayed was actually brilliant and an extremely insightful depiction of how he truly is............ .

Regarding the salvation messages. I do agree with you on this one. But from Mel's perspective salvation is sacramental and requires more than a Sinners' prayer at the end of a movie. As a former Catholic I do part ways in this thinking and the good news is that many christians rose up to the occasion and passed out these Passion of Christ tracks outside the movie theaters afterward and were there to witness and answer questions and lead people to a relationship with Jesus but not enough I am sure. I know that there are testimonies out there of God using this movie to turn the hearts of men to Jesus. I truly believe this movie was seed sown in so many lives and we need to step up and do our job to get out there and bring in these questioning and seeking people. Me included..........

Thanks for getting me thinking................

Bethany

[mikado5001]

man - But I don't understand, why is Passion of the Christ a lie?

I have a thing about the image of Christ. The appearance of Christ is unknown and whenever I see any depiction of His image, I know it's a lie.

Plus, the movie gives no information on how one is saved. It's 2 hours of brutality.

Other then a huge money maker, I believe Mel was looking for some kind of atonement for his sins. Why was satan depicted as a woman?

Satan was only played by a woman. The charactor was meant to be androginous. And I agree with you man that the movie is two hours and change of brutality. Some of the most awesome, from a technical standpoint, filmed brutality. And there is even for me, a cinophile, a question as to why this movie needed to be made. Someone should tell Gibson that JESUS is the only way to atone for our sins. Having a relationship with HIM not making movies about him.

And in response to those who criticize showing HIS face, via an actor in movies. What about all the paintings and depictions in Chick Tracts or other tracts?

Is there one movie out there that is balanced in it's protrayal of our Savior?

- King of Kings

-Greatest Story Ever Told

-The Jesus Project with Brian Deacon as Jesus

[Guest man]

I don't hang "pictures" of Jesus in my home and I understand the reason for it.......

Bethany

Why don't you have pictures of Christ in your home?

[Guest man]

And in response to those who criticize showing HIS face, via an actor in movies. What about all the paintings and depictions in Chick Tracts or other tracts?

Is there one movie out there that is balanced in it's protrayal of our Savior?

- King of Kings

-Greatest Story Ever Told

-The Jesus Project with Brian Deacon as Jesus

Any physical depiction of Christ is wrong.

[bethshemaiah]

I don't hang "pictures" of Jesus in my home and I understand the reason for it.......

Bethany

Why don't you have pictures of Christ in your home?

That is a good question, problem is I am not sure that I can remember where I read the text that convicted me about hanging images of Jesus around the house, I have crosses and prayers framed all over the place the pictures of Jesus that I used to have up I took down.......... now I have to go hunt out the reason for my decision again. Since I am an avid reader and have bookshelves full of books I don't know that I will be able to figure it out....... based on this I have to rescind the "I understand the reason for it..........." statement for the moment.

Blessings,

Bethany