A News Anchor's Perspective on "The Passion of the Christ"

Religion Today/Crosswalk.com ^ | 2.5.2004 | Jody Dean

[madison10]

Our pastor mentioned that there were TWO Christian movies coming out this month. Does anyone know what the other one is?

The Book of John

[madison10]

Our pastor mentioned that there were TWO Christian movies coming out this month. Does anyone know what the other one is?

The Book of John

[madison10]

Sorry for the double post.

[jude24]

Crusade and IntervVarsity here are going to use this. They rented a major theatre for an early screening of the film. The goal is to bring unsaved friends to see the movie, and thus communicate the gospel to them.

[rwfromkansas]

Awesome. The student govt. here is hoping to get a big group together to see this. It is going to be a powerful film.....and God works in many ways; who knows, He may choose to use it to save lives lost and blinded by Satan's alluring power.

[rwfromkansas]

I heard about that only recently; is it another Passion type film or what is it about?

[WVNan]

Think about it Gretchen. I know it will be hard, but look at what he endured for us. Can we not suffer with him, even though it be vicariously? I don't want to see this movie, yet I MUST see this movie, however difficult it may be. I too cry when I read the scriptures of His suffering. I know it will be agony to watch, but I will do it for Him so that I will have a more realistic sense of His suffering.

[madison10]

I think the movie, The Book of John, is just that...the story of Jesus told word for word from the Gospel of John. There are many big-name actors/actresses in it.

You may want to Google the title.

[madison10]

Would help immensely if I gave you the correct title. LOL It is The Gospel of John.

Here is link: http://www.startribune.com/stories/1553/4317234.html

An excerpt from the article:

...The movie opens with a politically correct prologue intended to head off the charges of anti-Semitism that have hounded many other versions of the Christ story. The foreword notes that Jesus and his disciples were Jewish and argues that the rift that formed between Christ and Jewish leaders was more a product of "antagonism between the emerging church and the religious establishment...

[Gone_Postal]

They are selling tickets in advance for the movie theather were I live.........I have mine

[truthandlife]

Passion ping

[Askel5]

But everyone falters.

Caiphus judges.
Peter denies.
Judas betrays.
Simon theCyrene balks.
Mark runs away.
Pilate equivocates.
The crowd mocks.
The soldiers laugh.
Longinus still stabs with his pilus.
The centurion still carries out his orders.

And as Jesus fixes them all with a glance, they still turn away.
The Jews, the Romans, Jesus' friends - they all fall.

Everyone, except the Principal Figure.
Heaven sheds a single, mighty tear - and as blood and water spew from His side, the complacency of all creation is eternally shattered.

[wimpycat]

I think I'm going to stop reading accounts of those who have seen the movie, so that when I see it, I won't have any preconceived notions. I just want to sit back and experience the film on its own merits, without looking for what other people say I should look for.

I know I'll view the movie on two levels; one, as Mel Gibson's piece of work, his storytelling-on-film--the script, the acting, the cinematography, the costumes, lighting, music, etc. In other words, the nuts and bolts of it. And, of course, I'll see how it all comes together. Will I be stunned? Will I cry? Will I be disappointed? Who knows?

What I will NOT be doing is thinking about Abe Foxman, or any of the other pre-emptive critics. They want to ruin this film for people in order to further their own ends, and I am not going to give them any sort of attention. They don't deserve it. I won't be thinking of them--at all.

The way I see it, it's clear that Mel Gibson has thrown his heart and his soul into bringing his vision of this story, the greatest story ever told, to the screen, and because it's a story so very dear to him, as well as to me and a billion other people, then I'm willing to see the finished work in the same spirit he made the film.

[rwfromkansas]

Beautiful. Well done.

[miele man]

I have no doubt of what you say about Mr. Dean. His article is extremely powerful writing and apart from the scriptural
account of The Passion of Our Lord, is as moving and emotionally evocative as any I've ever read.

[GatorGirl]

Wow, that's a powerful post rw!

I hope nobody minds if I ask for some input:
I definitely plan to see it, but should I bring my children? They are 8 and 5? I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on this issue.

Thanks! GG

[jude24]

The only concern I have is that we don't want this to become a Crusade party.

[rwfromkansas]

True.

[rwfromkansas]

It was sent to everyone on campus by a student; I had to find it online to confirm its authenticity and pass it along it was so good.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Not a Christian, not sure why I am so emotional about something I have never seen. I read the reviews all of one voice, and I am almost afraid to see the Passion if it is this heart rendering.