Brutal Passion - Jesus on the big screen.

National Review Online ^ | 02/25/04 | Steve Beard

[af_vet_1981]

Are you a real veteran?

I'm genuine with my letters, commendations, and awards to show for it. It was my privilege to serve and if you are feeling lucky you can go to any AFB and show your disrespect in person. We served so you could have that right. G-d willing, there will always be a volunteer to take your abuse.

I heard there was a secret chord
that David played and it pleased the Lord,
But you don't really care for music do you.

[rbmillerjr]

Funny how you like to twist words around AF.

It was fine for you to tell Christians they aren't Christians...but you don't appreciate it when somebody twists words around on you.

tisk tisk...and btw, I've expressed my appreciation and prayers to the boys at Pope AFB many times over for delivering me safely.

PS: if you can't handle the heat get out of the kitchen with your twisted words.

[af_vet_1981]

Funny how you like to twist words around AF. It was fine for you to tell Christians they aren't Christians...but you don't appreciate it when somebody twists words around on you.

tisk tisk...and btw, I've expressed my appreciation and prayers to the boys at Pope AFB many times over for delivering me safely. PS: if you can't handle the heat get out of the kitchen with your twisted words.

I did not address you personally on this thread until you questioned the veracity of my service in the United States Air Force. You have stated you "twist words." I suggest you meditate on your own behaviour as you read or watch movies so that you do not do so again.

[rbmillerjr]

You made it personal when you attacked Christians...our military service is small in comparison...I suggest you refer to the PS of my last post.

[Qwinn]

#1) If you believe that Christianity has been "getting along just fine", I think you need to take a look around you. With only a couple of nations as exceptions, Europe has gone almost completely secular. There is a massive battle between Christianity and the secular forces, and the secular forces have been winning 9 times out of 10. I'm agnostic, but from my perspective the Christians have been getting slapped around so badly for the last half a century that I'm -delighted- to see them win a round. Why would you have a problem with that?

#2) "You know, this is a good point." It was a terrible point in that it was based on a completely invalid premise. The Gospel accounts, while by no means overtly detailed in violence, were -hardly- as barren as "There they crucified him" and that was all of it.

#3) "The gospel writers, inspired by the Holy Spirit, do not describe every gory detail of the crucifixion. If such was necessary I am sure they would have done so." It wouldn't have been necessary at the time they were written for people who knew full well what a scourging and a crucifixion entailed. It -is- necessary for the Barney culture.

#4) "And Christianity has flourished for 2000 years....no movies necessary." It flourished for 1800 years or so, I'd say. It's been in a steady decline since, in competition with the humanist, secularist atheist poison of anti-Christian bigotry that was first born in the French Revolution.

#5) "Nobody should feel that they have to like this movie, and don't let anyone bully you into going to see it if you don't want to." I have no argument with this statement, and I wanted to make sure that was understood.

#6) "It's only a movie. Popcorn...Diet Coke....Milk Duds." To you. To others, it's more, and they're just as entitled to feel that way as you are to not like it. Don't demean their enjoyment of the film just because you feel left out.

Qwinn

[geopyg]

"It wouldn't have been necessary at the time they were written for people who knew full well what a scourging and a crucifixion entailed."

A few days ago I saw a similar comment, and thought of how they probably reported on how JFK was killed -- "shot in the head". Most folks probably had no idea what that might be like from their exposure to 1950's westerns. The Zapruder film of it made it that more real, and that much more tragic.

It sounds like in Roman days folks had numerous opportunities to see what a crucifiction was like - in real life - not through a magazine photo or TV image.

[DestroytheDemocrats]

I don't have time to answer your post point by point let me just say that many people, who must surely have read the bible accounts of the passion, have said they "never realized" what the passion of Christ was like until they saw this movie. That begs the question as to whether or not the biblical accounts alone are able to provoke sufficient realization of Christ's sacrifice in people of this or any age. It would not make much sense if they were not sufficient. It would mean that millions of Christians who read the book but never will see this movie or those lived after the horror of crucifixion faded from human memory are at a serious spiritual disadvantage. I think that is preposterous. You also seem to suggest that prior to this movie Christiany has just been limping along since 1800's. In Europe perhaphs but it is growing fast in China, Asia and Africa...all without a movie.

This movie is a work of art, one man's personal vision. Because of that is it not mandatory that anyone Christian or non-Christian view it. People of good will can dislike it, like parts of it, dislike parts of it, or ignore it and still be in God's good graces. My objection is not to the movie but to the harsh trashings and condemnation of anyone who is the least bit critical of it.

[af_vet_1981]

You made it personal when you attacked Christians...

Which Christians do you claim were attacked ?
Please cite a specific post and be precise with your use of the English language.

[rbmillerjr]

Simply reread your posts.

I'm sure your comprehension ability will catch up with your reading ability if your memory ability is failing you.

[af_vet_1981]

Simply reread your posts. I'm sure your comprehension ability will catch up with your reading ability if your memory ability is failing you.

In other words you can't back up what you claimed and haven't the wherewithal to admit it. Have you seen the movie yet ?

[rbmillerjr]

No, it means if you can't remember what you wrote then you are not worth my time. More than likely, you are just being disengenuous.

Yes, I have seen the movie.

[af_vet_1981]

No, it means if you can't remember what you wrote then you are not worth my time. More than likely, you are just being disengenuous.

No, I know exactly what I wrote and what you wrote. That is why I quoted you. You cannot back up your claim and do not have the wherewithal to admit it or apologize.

Yes, I have seen the movie.

How has it changed you ?

[rbmillerjr]

"No, I know exactly what I wrote and what you wrote. That is why I quoted you. You cannot back up your claim and do not have the wherewithal to admit it or apologize."

I suggest you reflect on your posts.

[af_vet_1981]

I suggest you reflect on your posts.

I always do. I have a conscience. I try very hard to be accurate with my language. I don't trouble you to admit your shortcoming for my benefit. It is for your own sake that I do it. We can end our conversation here because it has had no effect on you and I don't wish to increase the debt.

[rbmillerjr]

Keep looking and the Truth will be revealed. The hardness in your heart will melt away when you find Him.