The Passion by Mel Gibson

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings All,

I have already shared some of what I have received with another on the board regarding "The Passion", and I received this today that I thought all would be interested in:

Forwarded by: MichaelEdds@aol.com

Date sent: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 17:15:23 EST

Mel Gibson's "The Passion" Impacts Washington

-Paul Harvey.

I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have

been invited to a private viewing of Mel Gibson's film "The

Passion," but I had also read all the cautious articles and

spin. I grew up in a Jewish town and owe much of my own

faith journey to the influence. I have a life long, deeply held

aversion to anything that might even indirectly encourage

any form of anti-Semitic thought, language or actions.

I arrived at the private viewing for "The Passion", held in

Washington DC and greeted some familiar faces. The

environment was typically Washingtonian, with people

greeting you with a smile but seeming to look beyond you,

having an agenda beyond the words. The film was very

briefly introduced, without fanfare, and then the room

darkened. From the gripping opening scene in the Garden

of Gethsemane, to the very human and tender portrayal of

the earthly ministry of Jesus, through the betrayal, the

arrest, the scourging, the way of the cross, the encounter

with the thieves, the surrender on the Cross, until the final

scene in the empty tomb, this was not simply a movie; it

was an encounter, unlike anything I have ever experienced.

In addition to being a masterpiece of film-making and an

artistic triumph, "The Passion" evoked more deep reflection,

sorrow and emotional reaction within me than anything

since my wedding, my ordination or the birth of my children.

Frankly, I will never be the same. When the film concluded,

this "invitation only" gathering of "movers and shakers" in

Washington, DC were shaking indeed, but this time from

sobbing. I am not sure there was a dry eye in the place.

The crowd that had been glad-handing before the film was

now eerily silent. No one could speak because words were

woefully inadequate. We had experienced a kind of art that

is a rarity in life, the kind that makes heaven touch earth.

At the end of the film, after we had all had a chance to

recover, a question and answer period ensued. The

unanimous praise for the film, from a rather diverse crowd,

was as astounding as the compliments were effusive.

The questions included the one question that seems to

follow this film, even though it has not yet even been

released. "Why is this film considered by some to be

"anti-Semitic?" Frankly, having now experienced (you do

not "view" this film) 'the Passion' it is a question that is

impossible to answer. A law professor whom I admire

sat in front of me. He raised his hand and responded

"After watching this film, I do not understand how anyone

can insinuate that it even remotely presents that the Jews

killed Jesus. It doesn't." He continued "It made me realize

that my sins killed Jesus" I agree.

****************************************

(2) Comment by DAVID LIMBAUGH:

How ironic that when a movie producer takes artistic

license with historical events, he is lionized as artistic,

creative and brilliant, but when another takes special care

to be true to the real-life story, he is vilified. Actor-producer

Mel Gibson is discovering these truths the hard way.

From Gibson's perspective, this movie is not about Mel

Gibson. It's bigger than he is. "I'm not a preacher, and I'm

not a pastor," he said. "But I really feel my career was

leading me to make this. The Holy Ghost was working

through me on this film, and I was just directing traffic. I

hope the film has the power to evangelize."

Even before the release of the movie, scheduled for March

2004, Gibson is getting his wish. "Everyone who worked

on this movie was changed.

There were agnostics and Muslims on set converting to

Christianity...[and] people being healed of diseases."

Gibson wants people to understand through the movie, if

they don't already, the incalculable influence Christ has

had on the world. And he grasps that Christ is controversial

precisely because of WHO HE IS - GOD incarnate. "And

that's the point of my film really, to show all that turmoil

around him politically and with religious leaders and the

people, all because He is Who He is."

Gibson is beginning to experience first hand just how

controversial Christ is. Critics have not only speciously

challenged the movie's authenticity, but have charged that

it is disparaging to Jews, which Gibson vehemently denies.

"This is not a Christian vs. Jewish thing. '[Jesus] came

into the world, and it knew him not.' Looking at Christ's

crucifixion, I look first at my own culpability in that."

The moral is that if you want the popular culture to laud

your work on Christ, make sure it either depicts Him as a

homosexual or as an everyday sinner with no particular

redeeming value (literally). In our anti-Christian culture, the

blasphemous "Last Temptation of Christ" is celebrated, and

"The Passion" is condemned. But if this movie continues

to affect people the way it is now, no amount of cultural

opposition will suppress its force and its positive impact on

lives everywhere.

************************

[jesussaves]

Can't wait to see it. Will be praying the Lord will use it to change many lives.

[Hvnly1Rose]

I'm truely excited about seeing this movie. I think it will have a great impact.

[nebula]

Here's the web page to buy advanced tickets:

http://www.passiontickets.com/#

Browsing around the site, I found that you can send a note of encouragement to Mel, if you are interested. Considering all the fire he's been under, it sounds like a great idea!

[johnjackofmn]

I got an email from my daughter's mother-in-law about the film. She enclosed some letters written by those who viewed the film in Nashville. The place was full of country music and Christian artists. The result according to the letters were the same as in Washington. Not a dry eye in the place. Mel Gibson himself was there to answer questions and to give insights to what happened during the filming. I believe this is a must see movie. Since Hollywood has spurned the movie, it is up to us to make sure that it is seen. It opens Feb 25th. Mel has sunk 35 million of his own money into this project. I don't think he cares if it is a financial success, but I think we could help him some by showing our support by seeing this film.

[Guest yod]

This film will be the biggest seller of the year, eclipsing "Lord of the Rings" in sales...Mel Gibson will become richer than his wildest dream and will single-handedly give Hollywood the whipping it deserves.

EVERY PERSON who sees "The Passion" will be changed. I also believe it will start a revival in Israel.

......to the glory of our Lord and Saviour.

[traveller]

A local pastor was invited to view the Passion in Chicago, I think. Big name people were there. He named some but it escapes me now! Anyway, he went on the morning radio program to talk about it and to take questions form viewers. I was riveted to the radio! He went on and on about the impact. Now, this is a pastor speaking here, and he said that it had changed his life forever. I thought that was powerful! He said it was an encounter, not a movie! He said if you've never met Jesus, or if you think maybe you've met Jesus, or if you don't understand Jesus, just go see the movie and see if you can come away unchanged. And he said that if you know Jesus, then go see the movie and see if you don't come away totally humbled. The DJ asked him if it would affect his sermon for the next Sunday. He said it would affect his sermons forevermore.

[ginakay]

I absolutely never go to the movie theatre. In my entire life I have been once and that was in the 70's . I will go to see this film!