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I saw this last year and its powerful images stay with me. It was just brilliant how director Mel Gibson decided not to use any "big name" actors to portray our Lord Jesus, and how the ancient languages of the Bible were used, i.e., Aramaic, Greek and Latin. By avoiding English, he created a documentary-style relevance and authenticity, unlike the usual sanitized, romanticized, Anglicized melodramas that make a poor pastiche of the greatest story ever told.
Some critics complained of the violence in the movie, but the crucifixion was one of the most grim and violent executions ever devised by men. Many a prisoner died before ever reaching the cross, from blood loss and shock. The scourging, a punishment saved for the most depraved, hated and feared criminals, our humble and innocent Lord, the mighty King of the Universe and Lord of Hosts, endured with a self-control and dignity infinitely difficult for us to comprehend; the scourge-straps' lead weights imbedded with shards of bone, glass and metal bit deep valleys into his flesh even to the bone, where the red streams of blood poured out like fountains.
Just as I am! without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bid'st me come to Thee O Lamb of God! I come! I come!
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Do you know #1: Mel Gibson is known for the type of movies which involve violence, nudity and foul languages - whether he directs or acts. #2: He belongs to a hard core RC group which many in RC consider as a cult. He's into relics, rosary & worshiping Mary. #3: The actors and actress are by no means no name, especially Monica Bellucci. She's considered to be the most desirable woman not too long ago. Why? The type of movies she's in! The most controvesial being Irreversible in 2002. Did she stop doing or supporting that type of movies? Please check for yourselves. She's also into new age movies like Matrix II. #4: The movie was not based on the Gospel of John, as some might think. Rather, it's on writings by Ann Catherine Emmerich, whose a RC nun. The list goes on and on... You might say I'm judgmental but anyone who wants to be used by God has to cleanse oneself and become blameless - the director, the actors and the crew have much to be blamed - before or after making the movie. The movie, the way I see it, is just a tool for ecumenism directed by Satan himself who disguise as an angel of light. Pastors are talking about the birght side of the movie, Gibson and RC in their sermons. Do you see the Protestants and RCs are working much closer together since?
quote:Originally posted by chubbena: Do you know #1: Mel Gibson is known for the type of movies which involve violence, nudity and foul languages - whether he directs or acts. #2: He belongs to a hard core RC group which many in RC consider as a cult. He's into relics, rosary & worshiping Mary. #3: The actors and actress are by no means no name, especially Monica Bellucci. She's considered to be the most desirable woman not too long ago. Why? The type of movies she's in! The most controvesial being Irreversible in 2002. Did she stop doing or supporting that type of movies? Please check for yourselves. She's also into new age movies like Matrix II. #4: The movie was not based on the Gospel of John, as some might think. Rather, it's on writings by Ann Catherine Emmerich, whose a RC nun. The list goes on and on...
1. Do you sing Amazing Grace? It was written by one who became a priest in the Church of England. Many spiritual works of music and art were/are made by those who were/are not Christians.
2. Yes, I know he is an idolater. As for being in a "cult," relics, rosary and Mary worship is mainstream RC practice. Ask me how I know! I have freedom in Christ to exercise discernment when viewing Gibson's art, and I keep his spiritual background in mind. If you choose not to watch, that is up to you and your own walk with God. No one ought to condemn your choice not to watch.
3. I didn't say there were no "big name" actors. I said the actor who portrayed Jesus was not a "big name" actor.
4. I didn't say the movie has no errors. I think the portrayal of the crucifixion is done well. I'd be interested if you'd share some of the errors. It has been a year since I saw the movie (a screening at a local church building) and we do not own it or have a TV. I seem to remember something about a woman going to Jesus to wipe his face as he was led to the crucifixion, am I remembering right? If that was supposed to be the RC mythic Veronica, then that is one error there. Any others?
quote: You might say I'm judgmental but anyone who wants to be used by God has to cleanse oneself and become blameless - the director, the actors and the crew have much to be blamed - before or after making the movie. The movie, the way I see it, is just a tool for ecumenism directed by Satan himself who disguise as an angel of light. Pastors are talking about the birght side of the movie, Gibson and RC in their sermons. Do you see the Protestants and RCs are working much closer together since?
The Protestants and RCs have always been working as part of the same system. Regarding cinema, I don't see the Protestants and RCs working together in The Passion any more closely than when various of their leaders advised the making of the 10 Commandments in the 1950s. The 10 Commandments was a more highly involved movie making effort than Passion in time and money and people.
If Protestants and RCs work together, what's that to me? I am neither. I do not listen to their pastors. Their church hierarchy has no Biblical authority. Jesus commands me to baptize them and teach them in the way of God, if they will have ears to hear and eyes to see. If the Passion of the Christ was directed by a Muslim or a Jew or a Seventh Day Adventist or a Mormon, it would still only be art. I can choose not to watch his other movies which portray nudity and so on, which I have already chosen. Actually, The Passion is the first movie I have watched in a long, long time.
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Hello another ex-RC ex-ICer(ask me how I know),
quote:Do you sing Amazing Grace?
Interesting you asked. I used to but you just made me realize that I don't sing those hymns anymore.
quote:I have freedom in Christ to exercise discernment when viewing Gibson's art, and I keep his spiritual background in mind.
Of course you do. However, many young and innocent are misled, thinking the movie is an accurate account of the passion and a great evangelical tool. Even the pastor at our 1500 member Baptist church said this movie is a revelation by the Lord. A bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Thanks to this movie, I now know who's bad.
quote:If you choose not to watch...
I watched and I cried over those violent scenes, the same I cried over the real life violence around us - who in the right mind wouldn't?
quote:I'd be interested if you'd share some of the errors
I read the four gospels right after the movie. Whether those scenes are errors or not they are not recorded in the Bible. You think our Lord would leave them out if they are important for us? Do we need more revelations from Ann Catherine to see how Jesus died for us? By the way, the errors are well documented on the web, both technical shooting errors and biblical errors.
quote:If Protestants and RCs work together, what's that to me?
Email this page to someone.
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I have freedom in Christ to exercise discernment when viewing Gibson's art, and I keep his spiritual background in mind. If you choose not to watch, that is up to you and your own walk with God. No one ought to condemn your choice not to watch.
