The Passion is Turning Things Upside Down

CBN News at CBN.com ^ | March 9, 2004 | Gene Edward Veith

[KriegerGeist]

The Passion is Turning Things Upside Down

By Gene Edward Veith
World Magazine

Both sides should realize that if all Jews really were personally responsible for the crucifixion of Christ, then every Christian should love every Jew, since without Christ's death, God's wrath would have fallen on each of us instead.

CBN.com – CHRIST REALLY DOES HAVE A WAY OF TURNING things upside down. Crowds of Christians pour into an R-rated movie, while cultural liberals—who usually say violent entertainment is harmless and art is supposed to be shocking—are warning about too much violence and a movie's baleful effects. An "art house film" in a foreign language with a controversial topic, a cutting-edge style, and an in-your-face aesthetic—a film that could not even find a major studio distributor—has turned into a smash hit.

The Passion of the Christ earned more in one day than any other religious-themed movie in history has made total. It had a bigger opening box office than any movie ever outside of the summer and holiday seasons. "Playing on 4,643 screens at 3,006 theaters, the $30 million production took in a whopping $26,556,573" on opening day, reported Box Office Mojo, a Hollywood trade site, "ironically prompting most in the industry to use the Lord's name in vain out of sheer amazement."

And yet, Hollywood, going against its own business interests, is reportedly set to blacklist Mel Gibson. The New York Times reports that the powers that be in the movie industry—those defenders of artistic freedom who bewail the blacklisting of Hollywood's communists decades ago—are going to punish Mr. Gibson for making this movie.

The Times' Sharon Waxman cites a number of powerful industry leaders who have vowed to have nothing to do with Mr. Gibson. She quotes one head of a studio who would not allow his name to be used: "It doesn't matter what I say. It'll matter what I do. I will do something. I won't hire him. I won't support anything he's part of."

The article shows that part of the hostility is sheer aversion to religion. A bigger factor is the conviction of many Jews, among them some of Hollywood's biggest players, that the film is anti-Semitic. The controversy has made clear that just as some who call themselves Christians have blamed all Jews, including those who were not alive at the time, and Judaism itself for killing Jesus, there are some Jews who blame all Christians, including those who were not alive at the time, and Christianity itself for the Holocaust.

Both sides should realize that if all Jews really were personally responsible for the crucifixion of Christ, then every Christian should love every Jew, since without Christ's death, God's wrath would have fallen on each of us instead.

But as the controversy grew, worries about anti-Semitism became only one of the complaints against such an explicit rendering of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection. Newsweek came out with a cover story attacking the Bible itself. The Dallas Morning News trotted out liberal theologians who denied that Christ's death was sacrificial and an atonement for sin. Said a New Testament scholar from Berkeley, "It makes God sound bloodthirsty."

As for the reaction among Christians, many evangelicals considered The Passion of the Christ too Catholic. But if the movie is more Catholic than evangelicals are used to, it is also more evangelical than Catholics are used to. Mel Gibson went on TV to tell about his fall into sin and how, at the pinnacle of his external success, he fell into despair and was near suicide. Then he picked up a Bible and read about how Jesus died for him, which turned his life around.

That is an "evangelical" testimony, not that common among Catholics, especially traditionalist Catholics like Mr. Gibson. For evangelicals, the center of their devotion is the Scriptures, something traditionalist Catholics tended to keep away from the laity, but here Mr. Gibson—defending the truth of the Bible before his inquisitors—follows the text of Scripture in a literal, highly realistic way. And the subtitles proclaim the gospel all the way through—how Christ is bearing our sins and suffering in our place (which means all of the horrors we watch Him endure should have been happening to us).

American Christianity had become superficial, happy-clappy, offering formulas for earthly success rather than the promise of eternal life and a call to radical discipleship. Our evangelism had become reduced to "ask Jesus into your heart," without sometimes even mentioning who Jesus is and what He paid for our salvation. This movie, for all its faults and limitations, has reminded Christians of the magnitude of the cross.

And, in an uncanny way, we are seeing the truth of Scripture demonstrated once again: "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). [ This about says it all]

[E. Pluribus Unum]

And yet, Hollywood, going against its own business interests, is reportedly set to blacklist Mel Gibson. The New York Times reports that the powers that be in the movie industry—those defenders of artistic freedom who bewail the blacklisting of Hollywood's communists decades ago—are going to punish Mr. Gibson for making this movie.

With $200-$300 million profit eventually sitting in his bank account, Mel is now his own studio.

He has no further need of the homosexual Hollywood mafia.

[buffyt]

"Both sides should realize that if all Jews really were personally responsible for the crucifixion of Christ, then every Christian should love every Jew, since without Christ's death, God's wrath would have fallen on each of us instead."

EXACTLY! And while watching the movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST they never make it look like the Jews are the ones killing him. Satan is weaving in and out of the mob. To me it was more like Satan was trying to temp Christ to give up, instead of going to the cross. He tried beating, and everything he could, to physically stop Christ. Christ called on supernatural strength to make it through, to the cross, where He died for all of us. Then He rose again. He won the battle. The fight is over, the victory won! Even Judas, helped, in his own sad vile way, because Jesus had to do what He did that day.

The only person named as a Jew in the movie was the big strong man who helped carry the cross. I didn't see any evil Jews in the movie. Growing up Christian I have NEVER thought for one moment that Jews killed Jesus.

I have always thought it was sad that Jews didn't acknowledge Christ as the Messiah, knowing that will bar them from entering Heaven... but then again... I know that my parents taught me Christianity. I think whatever my parents taught me I would believe, whether it was the Christian faith, Islam, Jewish faith. I believe in the faith of my grandparents. I wonder how many of us do?

[buffyt]

EXCELLENT COMMENT~ and so TRUE!

Last year they did a poll of favorite actor and actress. Mel won for FAVORITE actor of the most actual fans.

[17th Miss Regt]

I refuse to believe the statements about having nothing further to do with Mel Gibson. The lure of money is absolutely overpowering to these scum.

[Cold Heat]

I am going to give Mel a couple extra bucks today.

I will be seeing it for the second time.(and of course the DVD will be out after the world release run)

The way this is going, it may be some time before we see the DVD however.

[freekitty]

One's faith is very strong, indeed.

[Jaded]

Our evangelism had become reduced to "ask Jesus into your heart," without sometimes even mentioning who Jesus is and what He paid for our salvation. This movie, for all its faults and limitations, has reminded Christians of the magnitude of the cross.

So many people miss this. Society wants a sin-free, guilt-free, touchy feely kiss and hold hands Christianity.

[buffyt]

This was in our Sunday newspaper... letter to editor.

CHRIST SUFFERED UNIMAGINABLY

“The Passion of The Christ” only gives a small idea of the truth and just how brutal was the beating that our Lord and Savior willingly went through.

In the first parts of Psalm 22:14-17, Jesus tells us that all his bones were out of joint, every joint dislocated. In the book of Isaiah, 52nd chapter, verse 14, we are told that Jesus was beaten beyond human likeness and was disfigured beyond the likeness of any man.

People need to realize that Jesus Christ suffered well beyond our imagination and that he willingly allowed this to happen to him, to be brutally nailed on a cross, for all of mankind, that through His death, burial and resurrection, mankind would have a way back to a personal relationship with God. Jesus, who was perfect and sinless, yet tempted in all ways we are tempted, gave his life for you and me.

So when you keep hearing just how graphic “The Passion” is, just remember that it isn’t as graphic as it really was over 2,000 years ago. Jesus paid a tremendous price for the debt we owed.

Harvey Holcombe, West Columbia

[L,TOWM]

With $200-$300 million profit eventually sitting in his bank account, Mel is now his own studio.

After the US run is through, foreign take, and DVD/Video, you may have lowballed that number by about 50%.

Be interesting to see a "sequel"; I personally would like to see a remake of Quo Vadis. With a $200 million budget, and some scenes of early christian like in Rome. Maybe a church service scene with Peter given the sermon (I Peter verbatim).

Filmed in Latin and Septuagent, of course.

[EdReform]

BTTT

[newgeezer]

Found this online yesterday (emphasis mine):

... [The film suggests], without serious evidence, historically or biblically, the cross on which Christ was to be crucified was made in a Jewish synagogue.... [T]here is no indication in the gospels that the cross was made in a synagogue. Perhaps that is one of the excuses that the Jews are taking to accuse the film of "anti-Semitism". There is no historical reason to believe this either. Romans were known to make crosses outdoors, not indoors. Furthermore, a Jew would not let an instrument of execution, especially one that is made from a tree, which is considered cursed according to the Law, to be made in the synagogue or anywhere considered holy.

I do not currently intend to see this movie.

[Savage Beast]

"Hollywood...is reportedly set to blacklist Mel Gibson."

I thought Hollywood was opposed to blacklisting.

[Paleo Conservative]

"Hollywood...is reportedly set to blacklist Mel Gibson."

I thought Hollywood was opposed to blacklisting.

If this film makes $1 billion+ worldwide, it's more a question of which companies Gibson boycotts in the future. He'll have enough money to set up his own studio and he'll be able to attract investors to make his movies the way he wants to make them.

[biblewonk]

I don't either and that's all the more reason. What a stupid thing to put in the movie.

[spatzie]

mark to read later

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Be interesting to see a "sequel"; I personally would like to see a remake of Quo Vadis.

I'd like to see "Sodom and Gomorah." :^]

[LurkingSince'98]

hey new!

you are mistaken, in the film I saw it did not show that the cross was made in the or a Jewish synagogue.

Maybe you information from "online" is tainted by the sender.

"Don't believe all you read" is a good motto.

Go see it for your self to be a true witness to what it shows.

Regards,
Lurking'

[Malesherbes]

"The film suggests" that the cross was made in a synagogue? I've seen the film, and if that "suggestion" was in it, I missed it. I also missed much else that is being complained about by those who have not seen the film. For example, the Jews "have hooked noses." I missed that too. Mary, played by the authentically Jewish actress Maia Morgenstern, looks as Mary does in Renaissance paintings - no hooked nose. Even Herod lacks a hooked nose. I could go on and on about the petty criticism that is being trotted out, but those who want to hate this film will continue to hate it.

[LurkingSince'98]

hey bw!

so without seeing it you are also condeming it?

I always defer to folks, like yourself, who condemn without actually being a witness!

sounds like your "bearing false witness" to me.

Regards,
Lurking'