Can you handle the Truth? ("The Passion of the Christ")

townhall.com ^ | 2/25/04 | Rebecca Hagelin

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

"Nit Picking" is one reason his/His body is divided into so many denominations/abominations among what we call "the church" today.

[WaterDragon]

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.

[Aquinasfan]

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.

[Aquinasfan]

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

[xsmommy]

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.

[proud American in Canada]

"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. :)

[DollyCali]

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!

[commish]

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?

[Prov3456]

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."

[AppyPappy]

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.

[DollyCali]

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

[TMSuchman]

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.

[esopman]

Thanks for posting this. Can we handle the truth? John 16:12.

[happygrl]

I give it two scales out of two eyes.

The very best commentary I've read yet !

[Texas2step]

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.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

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.

[aruanan]

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

[dirtboy]

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.

[Aquinasfan]

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.