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.

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[Cold Heat]

Thanks for the kind words.

Some 30 or so years ago there was a religious revival (best word I can find) where I had reaffirmed my acceptance of Christ as my Saviour. The term used was "born again" and I had said the words and tried to walk the walk, but there was something in many Christians eyes that I could not understand. I wanted it!

I tried to get, but it alluded be.

Now I know what it was that I missed. It became clear to me about half way through the movie and I found myself not even watching the screen because I was immersed in it.

It took over 30 years to figure this out, and it never would have happened to me without the aid of this film.

[dansangel]

Drink fluids if you can to hydrate yourself. God bless you.

Thank you for your concern (((((Spookie))))) - that's precisely what I am doing today and I really feel that the worst is over (besides the fact that it's day 3 of a classic three-day migraine).

May God Bless you and your beautiful family, too.

[dansangel]

That is such a beautiful picture of our Lord and Savior, Gail. I am going to keep that one in my files. Thank you.

[dansangel]

Thank you for your review of the Passion ((((((Rus)))))).

Dutchess, I have FReepmailed you a response.

It is difficult for us to picture in our minds the utter brutality of the truth of it. In Proverbs it says Christ was beaten beyond recognition.

I can't accept this as an excuse for not wanting to see the movie. The truth hurts, in more ways than one. My attitude is that Christ suffered immeasurable agony for 12 hours before his cruel, long and painful death.

He did this out of love for us and forgiveness of our transgressions.

The very *least* we can do is be "uncomfortable" for two hours to show our gratitude.

[dansangel]

But, I learned that he had in fact died for ME!

OK, ya big lug, you've got me sitting at my desk at work and crying all over again.

Isn't that a beautiful thing? Don't you just wish that *everyone's* eyes can be opened to that fact?

The movie is a huge blessing to the Christian world in particular and the world in general. Mel Gibson will receive his just rewards for all that he sacrificed to bring this epic depiction of our Lord and Savior to the world. His riches will be many in his next life for opening eyes. That's all he wanted to do.

Hollywierd and all of their negativity be damned. Mel Gibson and the cast of this movie will *so* rise above it all.

Thank you (((((((wirestripper))))))) for such beautiful testimony.

[dansangel]

I kept thinking what is wrong with me that I feel such happiness and when I read your words about how Christ really died for ME - that's exactly it.

Thank you for sharing that with us on this forum (((((H2))))). God Bless.

[dansangel]

It took over 30 years to figure this out, and it never would have happened to me without the aid of this film.

I hope Mel Gibson hears more testimony like this and less of the negativity. He has given us a great gift in better understanding the relationship we have with our Lord Jesus Christ.

[dansangel]

This FReeper review appeared here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1084596/posts

I have .30Carbine's permission to copy and paste it for you to see. It leaves me speechless. Thank you ((((.30Carbine)))))

---

FR MOVIE REVUE: THE PASSION OF CHRIST (post your comments here)

Posted by .30Carbine to Liz; Aquinasfan; Salvation; Dead Corpse; TigersEye; dansangel
On News/Activism 02/26/2004 6:45:10 AM EST #484 of 644

Good Morning, Liz.
Part of me wanted to tell you what my thoughts were about The Passion of the Christ last night when we got home from the theater. But there was too much to digest. I didn't even want to share my initial comments with my husband...any words I could use are inept and they come from too deep a place...they are still coming to the surface.

The theater was completely filled. I saw many people I know from many different churches. Some churches had bought and were buying blocks of 20 to 30 tickets for members. The crowd waiting to enter the theater 45 min. before the 6:15pm showing was incredibly varied in every way.

Please keep in mind that the words I am about to use to describe this movie and my reaction to it seem to me not quite right. I've even checked my thesaurus to try to find stronger, more true, more accurate words but they just don't exist.

It is the first time I've sat to the end of a movie's credits. I'm glad I did: there is a choral "amen, amen," at the very end which my soul needed to hear. Contrary to many others' experiences, 95% of the moviegoers in Montpelier, Vermont got up as soon as the credits began to role, put on their jackets, and left. They were not silent, but they were subdued. I couldn't move; it seemed like a profanity to do so. I couldn't speak; even telling my seatmates to go on without me seemed profane. I didn't want to speak, to move, or to ever leave. I didn't want to disturb the balance of emotion - which might be called true love or deep passion or sublime ecstasy - the film had given rise to in me.

The Passion of the Christ is the most beautiful film I have ever seen. It may be the greatest work of art I have ever had the privilege to experience, and it is certainly the highest form of art devoted to my Savior in history. Thank you, Mr. Gibson.

I understand now what it means to be a Catholic. I think I am one.

As a born-again believer I have struggled with the Catholic doctrines of Mary. I don't have to struggle any more. She was and remains the mother of my Lord, Jesus Christ. Mary suffered more than any woman in all of history, all with the strength (utter frailty) of faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

There is not one scene or line of text that I can disparage in this film. It could not be more perfect.

Asides:
I loved every scene with Claudia.

I believe the crow at the crosses scene is merely another depiction in this film of the way in which the torment of unbelievers and blasphemers begins before physical death. It is pictured in Judas' torments as well. There really isn't any other way these torments could have been depicted without scenes in hell itself.

I took the demonic 'baby' in Satan's arms in the road to Calvary scene as an image of the Beast/antichrist (who is still to come in history), Satan's utterly false imitation of the Son.

Comparing the 'violence' of this movie to that of war films is another in a long line of disturbing lies that are designed to prevent people from viewing the beauty of Christ's passion. I did not have to close my eyes or turn away once, yet I have done so with Saving Private Ryan, and was so disgusted by Gladiator that I refused to watch the last three-quarters of that movie. There is no comparison between typical Hollywood violence and the redeeming blood Christ shed for sinners. It is a false comparison.

I believe the 'anti-Semitic' charges against this movie are purposefully designed to prevent God's Holy, Chosen People, the Jews, from seeing it. This depiction of the passion of the Christ will save souls. A Jew who would not dream of reading the New Covenant/Testament, if not held captive by the false charges against it, will see this movie and understand that the Messiah has come and his name is Yeshua.

A hard-hearted person will find no glory here, will not see the majesty, will continue in his sin and darkness.

I sobbed and moaned; I cried out the English word 'Come!' without meaning to during the scene in which Jesus tells his disciples that the Holy Spirit will come to help them...but the word in my mind was "Maranatha!"

The languages are perfect and so is the gentle choice of subtitles.

I am changed forever and still finding out in what ways that is so.