Posted on 02/27/2004 12:39:08 PM PST by Mr. Silverback
Every once in a while, a movie comes along that has everybody talking even before it opens. Of course, it's not surprising when it's the latest LORD OF THE RINGS movie or a new installment of STAR WARS and tickets sell by the thousands beforehand. People know these stories and characters, and they can't wait to see them on screen. But who would have expected a movie about Jesus Christ to cause the same kind of excitement? Yet that's exactly what happened with Mel Gibson's THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, which opened on Wednesday, the first day of Lent.
The media has concentrated on whether or not the film is anti-Semitic -- that's an issue I've discussed before and you can read my answer on our website. Emphatically, the answer is no. But much of the media would grasp at anything to discourage people from seeing this film. And the reason is obvious. Audiences, including some of the BreakPoint staff, report being almost overwhelmed. The director, cast, and crew saw this as a story that deserved their very best, and they created nothing less than a great work of art.
The result has been that Christians and non-Christians alike feel drawn to the film. Internet film critic Harry Knowles, who showed the film to a group of "mainly agnostic" movie lovers, told the WASHINGTON POST that it "blew the audience away." Knowles continued, "We're not a Bible-thumping community. I'm as liberal as can be. And I think I understand the message [of suffering and forgiveness] better than they do" -- referring to the conservatives.
Well, I'm not sure of that. But Knowles's comments raise an important point. Here at BreakPoint, we're always saying, Christians need to engage the popular culture to bring a Christian voice to arenas where it desperately needs to be heard. This film is a chance for people to see that, contrary to popular belief, Christian art doesn't have to be dull or amateurish. In the past, Christians have created some of the most vibrant and inspiring art ever made, and this film follows in that tradition. It is an excellent production, bringing new meaning to the Christian belief that Jesus took our place on the cross. And in the film you realize what a horrible place it was; what a great salvation we have; and what a huge debt of love we owe.
To help you prepare, we've written a short study guide to THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. If you plan to see the movie, please visit our website (www.breakpoint.org) before you go, to learn what to expect and to pick up some talking points and discussion questions for you and your friends. Also some warnings: The film is so realistic it may be more than some people can handle, especially young children. Of course, this isn't gratuitous or provocative violence; it's simply what happened.
The best art brings out our deepest emotions and forces us to confront ourselves and the world around us. This film owes a great deal to Mel Gibson's own meditations on the last hours of Christ's life. His work can aid us in confronting the truth about God, ourselves, and the world. And this is happening to moviegoers of all beliefs and backgrounds.
Opportunities like this don't come around very often. If you haven't been yet, take a friend to the film or talk to your neighbors who have seen it. Make sure they understand the message of the movie, and then explain what to do once that message is understood.
Well said.
Let me add that the TRUTHS expressed in this movie are painful, but the resulting feeling of well being and understanding outweigh the pain, and fully justify the experience.IMO
TRUTH is so often hard to swallow, but to avoid it is just wrong.
Acts 16:6-40
(Romans 10:17)
Am I the only one who can't understand what is being posted around here.
We have not. The film has helped to understand the depth of the passion and has made the bond with Jesus, so much closer that I cannot put it into words.
A cryptic comment or two was made that have different meanings, or could have.
This has caused some confusion.
As cryptic comment always do.................
Gnostic/Mystic!
Acts16:6-40
(Romans 10:17)
You make my point.
Maranatha!!
all visual representations of Jesus are lies (--better word might be "shortcomings"). They can never hope to represent the glory of Christ in His true nature. The best an image of Jesus can do is to represent him as a man, and while Jesus was truly a man, He was not merely a man. Jesus was also God, and no artist or filmmaker who has ever lived could hope to create an image that captures the true Glory of Jesus as God.t
This is something with which I think Gibson could agree." This may help explain the "gnostic" charge given above.. But very few who viewed the film would suggest that Christ was portrayed as a mystic -- something which I appreciated very much about ithe film.
My question for you is will the film compel viewers to seek out a greater understanding through Scripture.
I'm with wirestripper! Post #25. And by the way, all your scripture verse(#) quoting does not impress me. Much like the Pharisees.
see post # 29
:-)
(Romans 10:17)
Maranatha!!
It will stand on it's own. Gibson is to be commended for doing this and he will go on to make other films.
He may not delve into religion again.
If he does, I will read the reviews and go or not.
This one, will be see more than once by me and most everyone who has seen it.
I appreciate your comments.
Because you have no right to do so.
Take your fears and your misunderstanding and pray for answers.
As I will for you.
.....compel viewers to seek out a greater understanding through Scripture.
?Scripture?......Scripture 'is'...?
The (New/Old)...Gnostic Gospels of The Jesus Seminar?......etc.
The Mystic 'visions' of man-made-saints?....etc.?
'Secret understanding?......of the 'initiated'...?....etc.
Ah,.....'Tradition/Fables/Old Wives Tales'.....The Gnostic/Mystic 'Tradition'...!!
The 'art' of the ancient 'mysteries'...?
naw.
/sarcasm
So, you'd be one of the liberal Sadducees who hated the "Bible thumpers" of their day --yet conspired to crucify Christ? Btw, Christ quoted just a wee bit of Scripture in His sermons. He never got around to apologizing for that.
Because you have no right to do so.
Exactly!
(Romans 10:17)
God the Father has committed ALL judgement unto Jesus-GOD-The-Son!
(Romans 10:17)
and,.....we 'can' agree with Jesus' judgements!
(Romans 10:17)
Maranatha!!
ROTFLOL
'Kryptic'...?
LOL
(Romans 10:17)
Maranatha!!
Means crime, if I am not mistaken.(asking for the Lord to make judgement or something)
What crime is it that you speak of?
And why do you think Gibson is being hailed as a Saint?(in your sarcasm)
I see no such evidence.
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