A Few Of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-25-04....Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ"

dansangel

[dansangel]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Today is Ash Wednesday. For millions of Christians throughout the world, today is the beginning of forty days of sacrifice, reflection and the anticipation of Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Also today, opening in thousands of theaters across the U.S. is "The Passion of the Christ," directed by Mel Gibson and starring James Caviezel. Before even being offered to the general public, this movie has already stirred up a torrent of controversy.

The Christian faith is based on the fact that Jesus Christ, Son of God, walked among us some 2000 years ago. He made the ultimate sacrifice by being beaten, crucified and dying on the cross so that we may be forgiven. The movie deals with the last 12 hours that Jesus spent on earth among those who loved Him.

Much of the controversy that surrounds this film centers on the violence and brutality depicted that Christ endured during His last hours. Some critics have charged that such graphic carnage is unnecessary. Mel Gibson feels his movie version is a more accurate protrayal what Christ suffered than the myriad of films supported by Hollywood that have whitewashed the pain and terror.

Simon of Cyrene assisting Christ with the cross

The balance of the controversy lies in charges made that the film and Gibson are anti-Semitic. It is truly a shame that a movie whose focus was meant to be on our Savior and what He did for all of us must instead be upstaged by the back-biting and histrionics of headline-grabbing mere mortals. Gibson stands firmly by his stance that the movie is grounded in history, not finger-pointing, and that the bottom line is that we *all* share culpability in Christ's death, not just a select group.

James Caviezel

If you are still unsure as to whether or not it's worth your while to see this film, please take a moment to read this powerful review by Robert Moynihan from "Inside the Vatican":

The Power and the Glory of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ"

Mel Gibson

By the time this thread goes to press on the Finest, .45MAN and I will have seen "The Passion of the Christ" with members of our church the previous night. We are hoping that others who have seen it firsthand will share their thoughts, reactions and feelings about what promises to be the most important film about the most important Man to ever live and die on this earth.

May God Bless us all here at the Finest.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 02-23-04 Military Monday 02-24-04 Let's Celebrate Mardi Gras

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[NCC-1701]

I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be a big day on FR. With the release of "The Passion of the Christ", those who will have have seen it, will have a lot to say. If the threads in the last week have been numerous, there will be even more traffic here. Let's help Mel Gibson make cinematic history by making The Passion the biggest movie to date. My wife and I will be doing just that tonight and again later on. WAY TO GO, MEL!!!!!

[GailA]

Max Von Sydow as Jesus

[dansangel]

In that movie poster everyone looks so perfectly coiffed and made-up vs. the reality make-up and hair of last night!

[SpookBrat]

Ten Thousand Angles always makes me feel like crying. He COULD have called 10,000......but he didn't.

He died alone for you and me.

I think the dying alone part is the hardest for me. And the slander...I'm so prideful, I would be ticked off and if I was God, I would throw lightening bolts down on all those people. But.....alas......I'm not God and thank God for that. God is so much more merciful, loving and forgiving than I ever could be. You see, with God....people actually have a chance.

I'm not trying to make fun of such a serious subject. It's just something I've thought of a lot in the past. Thinking how much I hate someone and then thinking, "I'm sure glad I'm not God because I would send someone to hell in a heart beat". I've changed a lot over the years and I'm not so eager to "hate" or "dislike".

God is not willing anyone should perish. That's one of the differences between God and pagan Gods. They only knew a distant, dead, false god unable to save them, who really didn't care about them at all. Christianity was so different because you could know a LIVING God, be loved AND go to heaven. Did you know that's why the Vikings were so accepting of Christianity? The only Viking who could get to heaven was a great soldier who killed someone. If you were a housewife or a farmer, you were going to hell.

Sorry. I got lost in my thoughts. LOL

[SpookBrat]

That was very good. Thanks for the link.

[The Mayor]

It is finished
and Jesus is Lord!

Amen Brother!

[prairiebreeze]

Wow! That's one of the best reviews I've read yet, thank you so much for that link.

Prairie

[lonestar]

I can identify with a lot of your sentiments.

[dansangel]

Hey there (((((SpookBrat))))) - glad I could oblige.

[dansangel]

I really enjoyed the review. Glad you did, too.

[Donaeus]

I often need to remember I am only human as well. I'm so thankful I don't have the awesome responsibility of judgement because I'd fail woefully at it. Sometimes I really struggle with the fact that every human being is made in the image of God and that it's my job to remember who they are and who I'm not no matter what I think of their ideas or behavior. We are truly blessed that He is a just and merciful God.

I had no idea about the Vikings religion or that any of them were converted. That is great to know.

I've got to go for the evening, I just found out I have a class of 11 bouncy 5 & 6 year olds to teach!! Love em to death but they're a handful. :) Talk to ya'll later.

[dansangel]

Goodnight and thanks to all that shared their feelings about "The Passion" here at the Finest.

[onyx]

Good night, sweet friend. Thanks for your beautiful post, your back-up on the other thread, but most of all, thank you for your friendship that I treasure.

[dansangel]

Have I told you lately that you ***ROCK***?

;-)

Love and (((((HUGS)))))))

[Cold Heat]

G'nite!

Enjoyed the banter.

Getting dressed for the 7:00 show.

Later....................

[dansangel]

Getting dressed for the 7:00 show.

Ooooh! Please report back in later with your review even though I'll be off for the night. OK???

((((((wirestripper)))))))

[Cold Heat]

Ok! I will try. I can't guarantee that I will be able to process it very fast. then again, I don't know.

[dansangel]

I can't guarantee that I will be able to process it very fast.

You won't. Tomorrow sometime will be fine!

[Cold Heat]

In that case, I will definately post something.

[LadyX]

Thank you so much, JH, for letting me know this.
You, of course, are our inspiration, prodding our thoughts every week..:))
Looking forward to your next gem....