11th-HOUR LOOK AT 'PASSION' / THE TRUTH CAME OUT TOO LATE (Al Gore 111)

New York Post - Page Six ^ | 2/03/04 | Richard Johnson with Paula Froelich & Chris Wilson

[kattracks]

MEL Gibson isn't going to make it easy for critics of his controversial movie "The Passion of the Christ." The flick won't be screened for reviewers until just two days before its Ash Wednesday opening on Feb. 25, Post Movie Critic Lou Lumenick reports. Reps for the picture blamed the last-minute screening - usually reserved for such bombs as the Jennifer Lopez-Ben Affleck starrer "Gigli" - on its not being ready. "Passion" has been under attack over fears that it will fan anti- Semitism. Gibson has screened it for Christian conservatives - as well as at Internet movie gossip Harry Knowles' Butt-Numb-a-Thon film festival - but not for professional reviewers. Gibson, who claims his story comes straight from the Gospels, turned down a "courage" award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association, who insisted on seeing his flick first. It's widely believed he spurned an invitation from the Sundance Festival rather than subject "Passion" to the media elite prematurely.

[Lost Highway]

In other words I think these are prophecies are from the devil.

What makes you think these are from the Devil?

[Quix]

I had

LESS THAN 0.00000000% WISH
for you to have cancer.

I don't even wish for Shrillery to have cancer.

I was using that as an illustration of how serious I believe your skepticism is.

Are you really that sensitive about a hypothetical illustration?

You seem addicted toward TYPE II errors as a matter of habit while largely ignoring the probability of a TYPE I error. I find that illogical and even a bit mystifying.

[Quix]

A Call to Prayer for Mel Gibson, Jim Caviezel and the Passion Movie

Note from Steve Shultz:

I assured a friend of Mel Gibson, through a mutual friend, that we at the Elijah List are praying for Mel Gibson, Jim Caviezel and the entire Passion Movie -- as well as Holly McClure

http://www.hollymcclure.com

who is involved in the project, "The filming of the Passion of the CChrist Movie." It is my distinct understanding from the Lord that, unlike the way we often think, these people and this movie need to be prayed for, BEFORE, DURING *AND* AFTER the Movie is shown. We often let our guard down after a spiritual event, but that is the time new converts and those who produced the movie will be under the most attack-- AFTER the airing of this movie. Keep praying and let's not let up!

Blessings in Christ, Steve Shultz, THE ELIJAH LIST

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A Call to Prayer for Mel Gibson, Jim Caviezel and the Passion Movie

Sent in by: DWT
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004


This is a prayer request coming from Rod Handley. Rod discipled the man who is playing Jesus in Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ" (Jim Caviezel) when he (Jim) attended the University of Washington. Rod just had a conversation with Jim and is passing on some prayer requests regarding the release.


Thought you would be interested in reading this and getting behind it in prayer.


Dear Prayer Partners: I have a very special request to make of you pertaining to the upcoming release of Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ" which will open nationwide on Wednesday, February 25.


Back in the late 1980's, I was on staff at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle, WA primarily working with athletes at the University of Washington. Among the athletes, I discipled included two young JV basketball players, Erik Carlson and Jim Caviezel. Today, Erik is a successful financial planner and is one of our CTC Â (Character that Counts) Associate Staff members. Jim is one of Hollywood's young and rising stars, and he is playing the title role of Jesus Christ in Mel's movie.


This week, Jim and I talked by phone with the help of Erik who remains one of Jim's closest friends and his accountability partner. My conversation with Jim this afternoon was almost 25 minutes long. Jim specifically has asked for a lot of prayer because this movie is under attack as described below.

---

Death Threats Against Mel Gibson, Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus in the Movie

---

I can't share all the details but I will tell you that there have been current death threats towards Mel, Jim and others involved in bringing this movie to the big screen. There are strong non-Christian movements which have arisen in recent days who are extremely hostile towards the Gospel. There are lies being circulated among the media pertaining to the film.


And there are even special interest groups among "Christian" leaders who are trying to remove certain aspects of the movie to better align themselves politically which would remove significant truth from the movie. According to Jim, the film is not yet in final form .... it is still being edited. Jim described an "intense" spiritual war which appears to be spearheaded from Satan himself.

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Calling the Body to Pray for These Needs

---

He is asking for the Body of Christ to fervently pray for the following:


(1) Strength and physical protection for Mel Gibson (director); Steve McEveety (producer); Jim & the other cast members; and the team of editors and production assistants who are trying to finalize the movie in spite of the heavy spiritual warfare.


(2) For the Christian community to "show up" in force to view the movie and to invite EVERYONE to attend with them. Jim stated, "This movie has the potential to bring the entire world, including the non-religious to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ." (NOTE: Begin to pray right now for people you need to invite to see the movie with you).


(3) For the truth to be clearly communicated among the media, special interest groups, denominational leaders, etc. Because the film is in Aramaic, Â (There WILL be English Subtitles) Â even the Muslim community will have an opportunity to hear the message of Christ in a language which is common among many of them. This could have profound implications worldwide.


(4) There are some countries (France included) who are not allowing this movie to be presented to their people. Pray for a breakthrough into places where the Gospel needs to be shared. Â

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What Did the Key Actor Learn when Playing "Jesus"

---

I asked Jim about what he had learned through playing the role of Christ. He said, "Two words: Unquenchable Fire." He has a passion burning in his soul and believes this movie is the greatest movie ever made and it could impact entire nations, including those most hostile to Christ's message. Jim's prayer is that every person would view the movie for themselves and then make a decision about Jesus Christ.


Jim asked for my Prayer Team to be notified of these requests and for this information to be forwarded on to your specific prayer team. Jim is calling upon the Body of Christ to help thwart the attack of the enemy.


Please be fervent in this prayer on behalf of Jim.


Thank you for praying for this movie and specifically my friend (Jim)....


God bless... Rod Rod Handley
Character That Counts

http://www.characterthatcounts.org

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You can support this film by:


1) Ordering your tickets in advance now, which will help it to get into your local theatre! You should order them right away (before Feb 10) in order to receive them in time for the opening of the movie (it takes up to two weeks to receive them and the movie opens Feb 25).

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I can provide a link to do so by FREEPMAIL for those interested.

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2) PRAYER

[Quix]

I do think

your jumping to uncalled for conclusions about my cancer illustration

is NOT

consistent with good logical perception, analysis or discernment.

[k2blader]

Mel, believe me, it's not going to be a career-killer. Well, unless you want to work for any rabidly anti-Christian types. :-)

[k2blader]

This movie will not be accurate according to the Scriptures because it is based on Roman Catholic's beliefs.

Have you seen the movie yet?

And what are these "Roman Catholics' beliefs"?

[In_25_words_or_less]

. . . I think these are prophecies are from the devil. If you want to believe them that is your right and I respect that.

No worries. If they turn out to not come true we get to stone the prophets to death.

[Quix]

Sounds pretty easy to tell what spirit you are of . . .

Samaritan Opposition

51As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them[3] ?" And he said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of, for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."

[hurly]

Thank you. I will take as an illustration.

[Quix]

Interestingly,

speaking of praying for Mel Gibson's movie . . . along comes this, also from The Elijah List . . .

but fitting regarding President Bush etc as well

---

"Because You Have Prayed"

by John Paul Jackson


Web: www.streamsministries.com

---

One of my favorite customs is to read my Bible just before bedtime. I believe it's good to have God's Word as the last thing I meditate on before falling asleep. Usually, I follow a particular system of Bible reading - a chapter in Psalms or Proverbs, along with a portion of the Gospels or another book in the Bible. Sometimes, however, I just open my Bible and read whatever chapter my eyes fall on.


One particular night, I was shaken as my Bible fell open to Isaiah 37. It was the eleventh night in a row that I had randomly selected this passage. After the second night, I simply discounted it as coincidence. By the third and fourth day, I reasoned it was due to a broken spine or damaged pages which caused the Bible to open to this passage. But the closer I examined my Bible, the more I realized everything was perfect with the binding. Obviously, after eleven nights, the Lord was trying to tell me something!


Isaiah 37 gives an account of a powerful attack faced by King Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Sennacherib, King of Assyria, had sent his vicious war army commander to smash Jerusalem into pieces. Sennacherib and Assyria were undefeated in battle; full of pride, the commander taunted Israel. He was very confident his forces would slaughter the Hebrews.


In a desperate response, Hezekiah humbled himself and prayed, asking God to save them (verses 15-20). God sent the prophet Isaiah to tell Hezekiah how God would respond to his prayers.


Keep in mind that for eleven nights, Isaiah 37 faced me. I had no clue what God wanted to communicate. I sought the Lord and still had no answer - until the light bulb was finally TURNED ON in my spirit. At that moment, four words leaped off the page at me: "Because you have prayed" (verse 21). God was telling Hezekiah that because he had prayed, God would act on Hezekiah's behalf.

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How Does This Apply Thousands of Years Later?

---

As I pondered this, I wondered: What would have happened if Hezekiah had not prayed? What if the king had merely assumed God would act? From this passage, it is clear that Israel would have suffered horrendous defeat.


How does this apply to us, thousands of years later?


I am convinced that many Christians live a prayer-less life. It's not because they do not believe God will act - they do. However, they believe God will act without their prayers.


Scripture tells us differently: "Because you have prayed." An indifferent attitude toward prayer is both inaccurate and costly.


All of us believe prayer is good. But do we believe prayer is necessary? Do we see prayer as a mandate for our lives and as a requirement for God's Kingdom to expand on Earth? Can God say to us, "Because you have prayed, I will act"?


May 2004 be a year of powerful and successful prayer for you and your family. Don't allow laziness or apathy to rob you of the blessings and deliverance God has for you. Pray for those things stirring in your spirit. Wake up to the power of prayer and to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For in all things, God has given us all the power, strength, and wisdom we need to overcome.


by John Paul Jackson

Web: www.streamsministries.com

[Quix]

Good. It was FULLY intended merely as such, start to finish.

[jwh_Denver]

Actually if you are going to be that pickey the Romans killed Jesus. But it makes no difference who physically drove the nail. We all killed Jesus with our sin

Thank God I didn't write the book.

1Th 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews:
1Th 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (princes here refers to higher ranking devil spirits)

In the physical realm God puts the blame on the Jews for killing Christ. In the spirtual realm He blames some devil spirits.

The cross of Jesus Christ is talked about all through the NT. The cross of Jesus Christ was that he could not sin or mankind was doomed forever. He was tempted in all things and did not sin. God knew His Son could do it.

Nowhere have I seen in the Scriptures that God places the blame on mankind for killing Christ. It was Adam that put us into a sinful nature that wasn't anybodies fault but his. If you can tell me where Scripturally God does blame us I would like to see it.

[jwh_Denver]

Please read post 52. Thank you.

[It's me]

This movie will not be accurate according to the Scriptures because it is based on Roman Catholic's beliefs.

Really?

I guess you'll be missing out on the movie then??

[jwh_Denver]

Please read Post 52.

Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

[jwh_Denver]

I guess you'll be missing out on the movie then??

If you had read my previous posts I said I was going to see the movie. And I do not expect to come out of the theatre with dry eyes but a further love for what Jesus Christ did for me and what God made available through his life and death. I know there will be things that I see that I believe will be unscriptual but that will not be my point in seeing the movie.

[Texas2step]

Close, much better than your original post. Still not quite there though. I would make the following point.

Jesus was not killed. He was not murdered. By anybody.

He gave His life. Freely. It was God's plan, and it was carried out to perfection. Had He not chosen to die, then there would be no cross. There would be no movie about The Passion of The Christ.

That doesn't mean that there is no culpability in His death. We are responsible. All of us. Our sin is responsible, all of our sin.

This bears repeating. The Jews did not kill Christ. The Romans did not kill Christ. Mankind did not kill Christ. He chose to die. Period. Amazing when you think about it.

Our sin requires a blood sacrifice for atonement. He provided that sacrifice of His own free will, following God's plan. Because of His sacrifice, we can claim His atonement for our sins.

I was't trying to pick a fight. But we don't accuse others of killing Jesus. Period.

[jwh_Denver]

And what are these "Roman Catholics' beliefs"?

I know of only 3. Jesus Christ was hung on a cross. But that is not what the Scriptures say:

Act 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

The Roman Catholics always depict Jesus hanging on a cross which the Scriptures say it was a tree.

The RC's claim their were 13 points on the path to the place of his crucifixion. If you can give me the Scriptures that say that I will change my mind.

The RC's always show Jesus on their cross as a man who didn't get the crap beat out of him after 40 hours of pure torture.

Isa 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

Jesus Christ was like bloody hamburger hanging on a tree. I believe he was marred more more than man has been before or since. This is what I expect to see in the movie but I doubt to this degree. Now I'm not blaming just the Roman Catholics on this because this is the picture that pervades our society.

[jwh_Denver]

Our sin requires a blood sacrifice for atonement. He provided that sacrifice of His own free will, following God's plan. Because of His sacrifice, we can claim His atonement for our sins.

Thank you for your decency as a fellow brother/sister in Christ. I totally agree that the above statement transcends all the statements I've said. If you read my post 52 God does say who killed Jesus Christ. If it's in the Scriptures then it is important. But I think your point is more important. I don't hate the Jews rather I love them because out of them came Jesus Christ who went to the crucifixion with "joy set before him". Also God tells us to love but He never says says to love "Satan".

If you can give me Scripture where God blames all mankind for the death of Jesus Christ then I will accept that. Adam was responsible for our sinful nature, not us.

Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Rom 5:16 And not as [it was] by one that sinned, [so is] the gift: for the judgment [was] by one to condemnation, but the free gift [is] of many offences unto justification.
Rom 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life.
Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

[Texas2step]

If you can give me Scripture where God blames all mankind for the death of Jesus Christ then I will accept that. Adam was responsible for our sinful nature, not us.

I'll go with Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23. Jesus didn't die just for Adams sins, he died for ours as well. We're not worth it, but he did it anyway. I won't argue with what caused our sin nature, and I'll only agree that we all have one because of what Adam did.

Blessings...