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Can you handle the Truth? ("The Passion of the Christ")
townhall.com ^ | 2/25/04 | Rebecca Hagelin

Posted on 02/24/2004 9:25:12 PM PST by kattracks

If you only go to the movies to be entertained, don't go see "The Passion of the Christ."

But if you want to experience an artistic achievement beyond any scale you could imagine, you must see "The Passion of the Christ."

If you only go to the movies to forget about the important issues of life, to allow your mind to "veg" out, or to escape reality – definitely avoid "The Passion" at all costs.

But if you've ever wondered what life is truly about; if, in the darkness of the night you have ever been awakened with worry, or sadness, or emptiness; if you have ever wanted to know or understand truth, you must see "The Passion."

If you doubt Christianity because you have known "Christians" who fail, or who have distorted the message to their own advantage, "The Passion" will reveal for you the pure truth and message of Jesus.

This movie about the last hours of Jesus' life is for anyone brave enough to come face-to-face with the reality of their own sin, for anyone who is hurting from a pain they cannot describe, for anyone who is looking for meaning in life.

Last week I had the opportunity to view a screening of what I believe is the most powerful use of film in the history of the industry. I sat with some 5,000 other people in near complete silence as we became part of the arrest, "trial," beatings, and crucifixion of Jesus. We were not entertained. We did not laugh. We did not leave relaxed. When the film was over, 5,000 people filed out of an auditorium in virtual silence. Only a few low voices could be heard rumbling here and there among the crowd as some struggled to break the awkward quiet.

"The Passion" is powerful – it is reality. It is brutal and graphic because the beatings and crucifixion Jesus suffered were brutal and graphic.

In watching the scene where Jesus is flogged unmercifully, I found myself wanting it to end. "OK, I've seen enough of this," I thought, "let's move on to something else." But the flogging scene didn't end quickly – it continued on as if I had been there for all of the terror of the real event. It was then I realized that for Jesus, the horror and agony didn't end quickly – so why should it end quickly for me as a mere observer?

A few weeks ago, I had dinner with a Jewish friend of mine – a person of some influence – who had just viewed a private screening of the film. "I saw 'The Passion' last night," he said. "It's not about anti-Semitism as some are claiming – it's a movie about truth." I don't think he understood the power of what he had just proclaimed.

Does the movie evoke strong emotion? Yes – undeniably, it does. But so do lots of movies. What makes "The Passion" different is that it awakens your spirit and your soul – it forces you to face the Truth, to come face-to-face with the Christ and the sacrifice he made for all of us. It forces you to make a conscious decision about what you are going to do with that truth in your own heart and life: This is the essence of "The Passion."

If you decide to see this remarkable, amazing, powerful, dreadful movie of truth, be prepared to see yourself in the faces of those who crucified this perfect man, the Son of God.

But if the status quo of your everyday life is exactly where you want your mind to remain, if the only thing that matters is the here and now, if you want to take the easy way out – stay home.

The Good Book says that if you know the truth, the truth will set you free.

If you've never met Jesus, if you've never experienced who he is – "The Passion" will introduce him to you in a very personal way. It will then be up to you to decide whether or not you want to actually know him as the Truth.

Rebecca Hagelin is a vice president of The Heritage Foundation, a Townhall.com member group.

©2003 Rebecca Hagelin

Contact Rebecca Hagelin | Read Hagelin's biography



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To: Terry Mross
"Nit Picking" is one reason his/His body is divided into so many denominations/abominations among what we call "the church" today.
21 posted on 02/25/2004 1:04:10 AM PST by GGpaX4DumpedTea
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To: GGpaX4DumpedTea
It always amazes me how we can read the Bible and come away with different understandings of what certain passages really mean. I think to some extent this is proof that God speaks to each of us through His Word according to our individual needs....where in our own lives we need discipline.

Perhaps viewing this movie, especially since it seems to follow the scriptures fairly closely, will affect us similarly.

We need also to remember that this movie represents Gibson's understanding. Each of us, viewing the movie, I am sure, will disagree with some of his understanding. I doubt that will affect the overall spiritual impact of the movie.

How can a movie on Christ's suffering be unimportant? We teach our children early with simplified versions of the scriptural stories. That's kind of what a movie is, and that can be just as impactful, in my opinion.

The central fact for Christians of every sect IS Christ's sacrifice to reconcile us to God through His suffering on the cross, though He was Himself without sin.
22 posted on 02/25/2004 1:43:24 AM PST by WaterDragon
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To: kattracks
Great review, with an appropriate headline. The Truth divides.

It was then I realized that for Jesus, the horror and agony didn't end quickly – so why should it end quickly for me as a mere observer?

Good point.

23 posted on 02/25/2004 4:43:47 AM PST by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
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To: txzman
Instead, I think He would say "What don't you understand?. Do you need a movie such as this to believe?"

Yes. At least many people do. I think He wanted this film to be made. Our society is in free fall, and we desperately need a wakeup call. Secondly, we Christians who have been brought up knowing the Story, are too comfortable with the sanitized images that we usually see. We need to see the truth, the whole truth, because He is The Truth. Thirdly, the theatre represents the cutting edge of social change, which is why leftists have targeted the arts. It's time for Christians to take back what is rightfully ours. God didn't create the theater as a playground for the irreligious. Mel is using cinema as God intended.

On Motion Pictures
Pius XI
1936

24 posted on 02/25/2004 4:56:57 AM PST by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
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To: txzman
Instead, I think He would say "What don't you understand?. Do you need a movie such as this to believe?"

But He does know we need to see this. He understands and knows everything, so He certainly knows how soul-numbing our society has become, and that there needs to be an awakening. an understanding. He knows.

25 posted on 02/25/2004 5:04:30 AM PST by xsmommy
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To: Terry Mross
"Then again, maybe it's not nit picking. But anytime Jesus is referred to as "he", it should be a capitalized "He"."

I've noticed that seems to be occurring more and more often.

And no, it's definitely not nit picking. :)
26 posted on 02/25/2004 5:06:34 AM PST by proud American in Canada (Take back the First Amendment! Call today! U.S. Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121)
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To: txzman
As a devout Christian, I pass. I know Christ died for my sins - and since He is God, that is all I need to know. And I, for one, do not think He would approve.

This is a L-O-V-E story... I believe he WOULD approve!

27 posted on 02/25/2004 5:12:19 AM PST by DollyCali (2004: Opportunity for love, growth, giving, doing..... It is our choice.)
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To: kattracks
It was then I realized that for Jesus, the horror and agony didn't end quickly – so why should it end quickly for me as a mere observer?

Great point. People are saying how grueling and horrible this was. "Why did it have to go no so long"?

HELLO! This movie is a drop in the bucket compared to how long HE went through this. For us the time is measured in minutes of a 2 hour movie. For Jesus this torture was HOURS!

Also, is sitting through 2 hours of intensity better than an ETERNITY of worse pain?

28 posted on 02/25/2004 5:18:46 AM PST by commish (Freedom Tastes Sweetest to Those Who Have Fought to Preserve It)
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To: Crispy
Doesn't exist!

I can't remember the verse, but Christ said something to the effect that you're either with Him or against Him; there is no in-between.Either He is the Christ, or He is not. There's no middle ground.

As my dad used to say, "Not to decide IS to decide."

29 posted on 02/25/2004 5:19:55 AM PST by Prov3456
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To: kenth
One of the disgusting things I read in reviews today was that there was no 'character development'.

He is right. The Resurrection is folly to unbelievers. They have no clue what it is about.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

30 posted on 02/25/2004 5:22:30 AM PST by AppyPappy (If You're Not A Part Of The Solution, There's Good Money To Be Made In Prolonging The Problem.)
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To: vigilo
I don't believe it is VERY Roman Catholic.. I believe it is VERY Christian. - and very true to scripture as well as the common capital punishment of crucifixion. I don't know of any of the Christian groups that feel the supernatural & evil presence & significance of Mary at the cross is irrelevant/negligible.

Christ was surrounded by evil his entire earthly life.

This is a spiritual movie... if we understand scripture we understand that we are spirits (souls, if you will) that for NOW have bodies.

I am so Glad Mel had the courage to do this..

Did anyone see his interview with O'Riely last night? He admitted to some "artistic liberty"... which in no way changes the overall impact & veracity.

Glenn Beck yesterday mentioned that Mel had two cameos..

One : it was his hand that held the nail.

Two: His voice at Judas suicide
31 posted on 02/25/2004 5:22:45 AM PST by DollyCali (2004: Opportunity for love, growth, giving, doing..... It is our choice.)
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To: kattracks
As far as I am concerened; My wife & I are going to see it next month together.
Mr. Gibson has stated over & over again, it is his vision of the last 12 hours of the life of Christ, not exactly as in the Bible. Besides do we really know what the punishments were like back then. I think I do, and it was extermly violent. Let us judge it by our values.
32 posted on 02/25/2004 5:22:47 AM PST by TMSuchman (sic semper tranis,semper fi! & you can't fix stupid either!)
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To: kattracks
Thanks for posting this. Can we handle the truth? John 16:12.
33 posted on 02/25/2004 5:27:46 AM PST by esopman (Blessings on Freepers Everywhere)
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To: Arkinsaw
I give it two scales out of two eyes.

The very best commentary I've read yet !

34 posted on 02/25/2004 6:21:25 AM PST by happygrl
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To: txzman
Paul thought he did, maybe you don't...

Philippians 3:10-11

10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
35 posted on 02/25/2004 6:58:45 AM PST by Texas2step (Reformed passion thread instigator ... but don't tell anyone.)
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Comment #36 Removed by Moderator

To: lonevoice
As the last desperate attempts from the left to keep people from seeing this movie grow more histrionic, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find these positive gems among the chaff.

I'm annoyed by the irony of critics condemning this movie as violent, yet continuing to endorse trashy, violent movies on a weekly basis.

The movie "Casino," gratuitously violent, with someone beaten by a bat and then buried alive, was popular with critics.

37 posted on 02/25/2004 7:22:08 AM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
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To: kattracks
The Good Book says that if you know the truth, the truth will set you free.

Why does she have to get all general? Specifically, Jesus said that if anyone follows his teachings, then, as a true disciple, he will know the truth and the truth will set him free. In other words, knowing the truth and being set free by it are found solely in the context of following the teachings of Jesus.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32
38 posted on 02/25/2004 7:23:16 AM PST by aruanan
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To: txzman
I don't need to see violence and gore spoonfed to an American audience raised on horror.

What is interesting is many liberals, who cheered on horror as entertainment, are in turn horrified by this movie, which attempts to accurately portray what happened to Jesus. In a way, this movie might might just turn many against the violence in the entertainment industry.

39 posted on 02/25/2004 7:27:13 AM PST by dirtboy (Howard, we hardly knew ye. Not that we're complaining, mind you...)
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To: sartorius
I was eager at first but am growing a bit more apprehensive as in one who "needs" to go to confession after a very long interval.

Don't hesitate. It's never as bad as you think. Just go before the Easter crush. I'm seeing the movie this afternoon. We need a "Freeper Comments on the Passion" thread.

40 posted on 02/25/2004 7:47:07 AM PST by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
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