Posted on 02/24/2004 11:28:50 AM PST by Liz
All the world is waiting for the powerful message in Mel Gibson's ground-breaking film, The Passion of Christ.
Post here your own personal reactions after seeing the film set to open tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. Passion has previewed in some areas.
Also post reviews and pertinent comments from your state and area's newspapers and publications.
Say *what*?
Okay, I'll bite. Where on Earth did you get the idea that I in any way faulted you (or anyone) for "not responding within" a "defined amount of time" or expected anyone to be on "my leash" or "at my beck and call"?
I'm completely at a loss as to where this interpretation of yours comes from.
And you had *already* responded to my question, in your post #119, seventeen short minutes after I posed the question. Have you forgotten?
I will pray for your soul Ichneumon; as trying as it might be; regardless of your arrogance; and your ignorance.
Um, thanks, I think, although I'm doing just fine, thank you.
I'm sure you'll laugh and show your utter contempt for us simpletons;
I'm sure you'll continue to believe that even when I don't
but you go through life knowing nothing; and having no spiritual life whatsoever. And so you shall pass; into the nothingness you so devoutly desire.
Again, I'm baffled as to how you could arrive at such a bizarre conclusion from my posts. Where do these presumptions come from?
Enjoy your Nothingness Pal…
Enjoy your superciliousness, I guess.
BTW; I’ve been here on FR since April 1998 and I’ve posted over 790 replies… Certainly not a Newbie;
I've been here since September 1998, and posted 8934 replies. What was your point again?
been here, seen your ilk many, many times before…
That's fine, I've met lots of folks like you too -- people who can read all sorts of strange things into posts that aren't actually there.
And like I said, you will fade into the nothingness you so apparently and devoutly desire.
If you get satisfaction out of imagining that my soul will be destroyed, I hope it brings you some sort of peace, my friend. I will not attempt to disillusion you.
I am not sure. He seems to be interested in the subject but doesn't want to taint his views. As if he is afraid that the movie will make him think differently. Just the feeling I got from his previous posts. But I am not the touchy, feely type, so take my observation with a grain of salt.
I got the impression that his interest in the subject was more about other people's views than it was about whatever might be in the film itself. So watching the film wouldn't answer his curiosity, while chatting on the thread would be more likely to.
Just the feeling I got from his previous posts. But I am not the touchy, feely type, so take my observation with a grain of salt.
Heh -- and mine as well. We'll have to wait until he returns and lets us know.
Thanks for your thoughtful response.
I can understand why someone would think that Christians would be all for revenge, but we're honestly not. Even the disciples were not after "revenge" -- it went against everything they were taught by the Lord and thus believed.
Peter gave a sermon to those in Judea and Jerusalem in the presence of the eleven other disciples, found in Acts 2:22-40. He begins by saying,
"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know -- this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.
But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power" (Acts 2:22-24).
After continuing by pointing out that Christ's resurrection was foretold in the Old Testament (v. 25-35), Peter ends with this declaration,
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ -- this Jesus whom you crucified" (v. 36).
Now the Jewish people were pierced to the heart when they heard this, and so they asked Peter and the disciples "Brethren, what shall we do?" (v. 37).
It's important to note the important word "brethren" here, because it is true. The disciples were Jewish, as was the Lord. Romans 1:16 tells us that the Gospel "is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
The Apostle Paul specifically warns Gentile believers in Romans 11:17-25 not to become arrogant toward Jewish people, because the Gentiles are what he describes as the branches of a wild olive tree that have been grafted into a natural olive tree (Christ). The meaning is clear -- Jewish people were still being saved and are still being saved, and one day "all Israel will be saved" (v. 26). Further, the arrogance of the Gentiles could cause them to be cut off from the Lord (v. 20-21).
Paul stilled loved his Jewish brethren. In fact, he had "great sorrow and unceasing grief in his heart" because of their unbelief (Romans 9:2). Listen to these words: "For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsman according to the flesh" (9:3). In Romans 10:1, he says, "Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them (Israel) is their salvation."
All of us alike are under sin (Romans 3:9), and we have all fallen short of the glory of God (3:23). As the Bible says, "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
Jesus came to this earth to die a cruel and bloody death, but also to rise from the dead as proof that He was everything He claimed to be. He is the model of humility, as Paul relates in Philippians 2:3-11:
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
"Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking on the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
"Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are on heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
We are to model Christ's humility, gentleness, and compassion, all while speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).
So how did Peter respond to the Jewish cries of "Brethren, what shall we do" (Acts 2:37)? He spoke the truth in love, saying, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself" (2:38).
There was, and is, no room for hatred of anyone. There is only room for this loving promise:
"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
"For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes in Him will never be disappointed.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for 'Whoever believes in Him will never be disappointed'" (Romans 10:9-12).
Amateurs! I've only been here since October 2000, and I still managed to post 16,498 replies.
We also have to gear up for a major freep when the People's Choice Awards show comes up. Mel has won Best Actor quite a few times there, when he has been stiffed by the Oscar's. The people love Mel, and love his movies. Let's make sure this movie wins Best Picture at the PCA!
Mel Gibson discusses The Passion with Dr. James Dobson: http://boss.streamos.com/real/swn/oneplace/rm/ffd/ffd20040223.ram (RealPlayer)
I don't know about her, but my fear is from a lack of faith on my part. Sure, I believe and try to lead moral life. I have raised my childern to be kind, honest, polite, and respectfull of others, but I have never completely understood the faithful (my best longterm friends is an Ordained Minister so I had plenty of discussions on the topic believe me). So, my fear is that this movie will change me. I don't think I am alone.
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