Krauthammer: "Gibson's Blood Libel"

Washington Post ^ | Mar. 5, 04 | Charles Krauthammer

[churchillbuff]

Gibson's Blood Libel

By Charles Krauthammer Friday, March 5, 2004; Page A23

Every people has its story. Every people has the right to its story. And every people has a responsibility for its story. ...[snip]

Christians have their story too: the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Why is this story different from other stories? Because it is not a family affair of coreligionists. If it were, few people outside the circle of believers would be concerned about it. This particular story involves other people. With the notable exception of a few Romans, these people are Jews. And in the story, they come off rather badly.

Because of that peculiarity, the crucifixion is not just a story; it is a story with its own story -- a history of centuries of relentless, and at times savage, persecution of Jews in Christian lands. This history is what moved Vatican II, in a noble act of theological reflection, to decree in 1965 that the Passion of Christ should henceforth be understood with great care so as to unteach the lesson that had been taught for almost two millennia: that the Jews were Christ killers.

[Grigeo]

Here's another unvarished truth. There's no way getting around the fact that Jewish Bolsheviks in the 20th century helped kill far more Christians than Christians killed Jews.

Hilaire Belloc on the Bolshevist Movement

"It was the pure despotism of a clique, the leaders of which had been specially launched upon Russia under German direction in order to break down any chance of a revival of Russian military power, and all those leaders, without exception, were Jews, or held by the Jews through their domestic relations, and all that followed was done directly under the orders of Jews, the most prominent of whom was one Braunstein, who disguised himself under the assumed name of Trotsky. A terror was set up, under which were massacred innumerable Russians of the governing classes, so that the whole framework of the Russian State disappeared. Among these, of course, must specially be noted great numbers of the clergy, against whom the Jewish revolutionaries had a particular grudge. A clean sweep was made of all the old social organization, and under the despotism of this Jewish clique the old economic order was reversed....

"For the Bolshevist movement, or rather explosion, was Jewish.

"That truth may be so easily confused with a falsehood that I must, at the outset, make it exact and clear.

"The Bolshevist Movement was a Jewish movement, but not a movement of the Jewish race as a whole. Most Jews were quite extraneous to it; very many indeed, and those of the most typical, abhor it; many actively combat it. The imputation of its evils to the Jews as a whole is a grave injustice and proceeds from a confusion of thought whereof I, at any rate, am free."

[GraniteStateConservative]

I saw he was on Scarborough and assumed he was supporting the movie.

[DentsRun]

A move that only gives credence to the idea that maybe what Krathammer wrote has some truth to it, and that the Passion of the Christ, does, on a subliminal level, act as a catalyst for anti-semitic feelings."

People like Krauthammer slander not only Mel Gibson but all Christians everywhere, and when when Christians protest you suggest that gee, maybe they are anti-Semetic after all. The problem isn't that Christians are anti-Semitic. It's that Krauthammer is a Christophobe.

[Antoninus]

I have a weird interpretation of that passage. Instead of a curse, what if it was a blessing in disguise? ["to bless" originally meant "to cover in blood"] His blood was upon them and their children, and all the rest of -us- and our children, too. Without His blood upon us, we'd all be headed to Hell with no hope at all. God took Satan's plan to destroy Jesus and turned it around to provide salvation to the whole world, instead. God wrote the book on taking seemingly awful things and working them around for the good. [Joseph and his brothers, for a good OT example] "His blood be upon us" is actually a wonderful thing, if we accept it. That's just my opinion and probably why I don't "blame the Jews". [or the Romans, either, for that matter, when it was all of our sin that killed Him] It was really more a fulfillment of prophecy statement than "curse". His was the blood of the lamb to be spread on *all* door posts.

I thought of that myself when this issue came up before the movie was released but forgot about it until you just mentioned it. Thank you!

The phrase "His blood be on us and our children" WAS actually a plea--an earnest prayer--in disguise. Not a curse. For without the blood of the Lamb of God, there would be no salvation and the Angel of Death would not pass over them.

[duckln]

Thanks for the link, Gorin's article in JWR, great article.

I hope, my post to Saber didn't go beyond what 'she' said. I didn't intend it too.

[rbmillerjr]

"Christians as Christians have been Jew haters. We don't want that to happen again."

LOL, pure unadulterated bigotry.

The problem people are having with this movie is that some are uncomfortable with the true accounts of the Gospels and are even more uncomfortable with Jesus' forgiveness. "Forgive them Father, they know not what they do."

[F16Fighter]

"More anti-christian garbage from somebody who's revealing his true colors."

Even the "conservative" Krauthammer's got his own agenda.

If these stealth-Christian-hating charlatans like Krauthammer had their way, I have NO doubt colosseums would be rebuilt and the Christians tossed back in as payback and "IOU."

[GraniteStateConservative]

I'm glad Gibson doesn't suffer fools gladly.

[Mamzelle]

Mason's remarks were on a pol-talk show. The usual suspects were there, the scrappy Irish Catholic guy from the Catholic League, Lapin and another rabbi who really wasn't allowed to speak. I seem to remember it being on Scarborough--but I've seen so many pol-talk shows on this subject.

Mason simply raved and ranted--bad-tempered and mean. Disappointed me more than any other commentor I've seen to date, including the far more liberal. He called Lapin, who was perfectly civil to him, "The guy in the hat." He went on about how Gibson had been irresponsible to have the crowd say, "Crucify Him," and that the Sanhedrin should not have been in the movie. (??)

This movie has revealed many things to me that were not part of the Gospels--

Another guy who's had the antisemite label hurled at him probably more than most is Pat Robertson--watched him on some show trying to raise money to get Russian and Ethiopian Jews to Israel. He's devoted years of his life to that end.

In addition to the disdain and disgust eminating from so many toward Christians, there's also the added insult of condescension. Well, just because Christians support Israel doesn't mean that they're too stupid to realize the contempt in which they are held.

[Just mythoughts]

Remember who is really being slandered. CHRIST.

We Christian are sinners, and there is no getting around that, however, through Christ, repentence is given. Christian can only defend Christ/the WORD as it is written from the beginning, we are not "gods".

[miloklancy]

First off I have not seen The Passion Of Christ, but look forward to seeing it. Krauthammer however does make a legitimate point in that the Jewish Community is sensitive to how it is depicted in it's role in Jesus' death. And there is a history in the Christian world of persecution of Jewish people. Also anti-semitism is still a major problem in Europe. Europe has clearly learned nothing from the Holocaust. Animosity towards the Jewish Community, however is not necessarily rooted historically in being responsible for Jesus' death, but also has roots in the fact in the middle ages the Church forbade people to charge interest on loans. Whereas Jews could do this. Yet in saying all this, it is clear from not only the Gospels, but other historical evidence, that there where Jews who betrayed Jesus. However the Gospels probably don't underscore the Roman role in the death of Jesus near enough. As there is evidence that Pontious Pilot did not treat the Jews in the Levant very well and was eventually recalled to Rome because of this. I would imagine the Romans saw Jesus as someone who could rally the Jews together in a popular uprising and it is my view that Jesus was a bigger threat to the Romans and they were probably the chief culprits in his death. Lastly I think it is patently false to say that Krauthammer is being anti-Christian here. We have to balance our view of objective criticism versus flat out slander.

[Grigeo]

The phrase "His blood be on us and our children" WAS actually a plea--an earnest prayer--in disguise. Not a curse.

Poor Jews! You invoked a dreadful curse upon your own heads in saying: 'His blood be on us and our children'; and that curse, miserable race, you carry upon you to this day, and to the end of time you shall endure the chastisement of that innocent blood. [St. Alphonsus Maria Liguouri, The Passion and death of Jesus Christ.]

By this alone the Jews can receive pardon of their sins, if they wash away the blood of Christ slain, in His baptism, and, passing over into His Church, obey His precepts. In Isaiah the Lord says: 'Now I will not release your sins. When ye stretch forth your hands, I will turn away my face from you; and if ye multiply prayers, I will not hear you: for your hands are full of blood.' [St Cyprian: Against the Jews]

[Barnacle]

Krauthammer just lost my respect.

[af_vet_1981]

I don't know if this will fly. Have you notice no scriptures being quoted by those who hate Mel, his movie

Actually there are those Fundamentalists, the Independent Fundamental Baptists who do not approve of Mel's gospel or his movie. Some use scriptures to make their case. It is not widely reported, but who listens to them anyway ?
1. Movie Making a Ministry Method?-Mission America Coalition offered many religious leaders their first opportunity to view Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion Of The Christ." Dr. Paul Cedar, chairman of MAC, believes the film "offers a tremendous opportunity for Christians across America to introduce people to Jesus Christ." `Rev.' Wayne Pederson, Pres. of MAC, says the movie could well be one of the most powerful evangelistic tools in the marketplace. (Crosswalk, 12/30/03) Pederson referred to the meeting of these religious leaders to view the film as "a breakthrough in using the culture of film to bring people to Christ...." The Bible does not say, "How shall they hear without a picture," but it does say, "how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Rom. 10:14c) -WWM
2. GIBSON SAYS THE MESSAGE OF HIS MOVIE IS TOLERANCE. Friday Church News Notes, February 20, 2004 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, fbns@wayoflife.org, http://www.wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Mel Gibson, director of the controversial R-rated movie “The Passion of the Christ,” says that a major message is tolerance. In an interview with Rachel Abramowitz of the Los Angeles Times (“He’s Bruised, Defiant over Persecution,” Jan. 15), Gibson said, “Now the message he [Christ] brought was one of peace and love and tolerance -- all the messages of tolerance that I put in there, particularly toward the end.” The message of peace, love, and tolerance is not exactly the message that Jesus Christ preached. He did exemplify the greatest love known to mankind, but He also proclaimed Himself as the only Lord and Saviour, that no man can come unto God except through Him (Jn. 10:7, 8; 14:6). He preached frequently on eternal hellfire, warning that all men will go there unless they are born again through faith in Him (Jn. 3; Mat. 25:46). He warned that men will be judged in every area of their lives, even every idle word (Mat. 12:36). He warned that He did not come to bring peace to the earth but division and a sword (Mat. 10:34; Lk. 12:51). “Evangelicals” and fundamentalists who are supporting this movie are supporting godless movie theaters in which just the trailers to upcoming films would have revolted even the unsaved a generation ago, a Roman Catholic producer who preaches a false gospel, and a movie that is based not only on the Bible but also on the Mary-centered visions of deluded Catholic mystics. Faith does not come by seeing; faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).
3. Churches Renting Movie Houses-Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" production grabbed the attention of much of America's spiritual ear. "In anticipation of the release of Gibson's film, (Arch) Bonnema has bought out all 20 screens of the Cinemark Tinseltown so that members of Prestonwood Baptist Church can experience the movie on debut day. Bonnema also plans to give half of his thousands of tickets to theology students, Bible study groups and others. . . .And like Bonnema, churches across the nation are buying large blocks of tickets in advance of the film's release on Feb. 25, Ash Wednesday." (NewsMax.com, 1/20/04) These Baptists, and others, may forget about Wednesday night services Feb.25, if they haven't already done so. After all, Hollywood surely knows more about the suffering of Christ for sinners than the pastor does. There is little doubt in my mind that some churches will take the tithes and offerings of the Lord's church for purchasing these tickets. I have heard of churches renting places of entertainment with the Lord's offering and consider it spiritual activity. Such will never be approved by a holy God. -WWM
4. Other comments objecting the movie because it is primarily perceived as a Catholic movie with Catholic doctrinal positions.
5. I could go on but the point is clear there is opposition to the movie from other Christians who are politically on the right.

[MEGoody]

"But the prejudices of the useful idiots who served the master race theorists were all informed by Christianity."

Absolute nonsense. Christianity is not about how the Jews did this dastardly thing. It's about what Christ did for us - willingly - out of His great love.

"The other one that springs to mind is Islam--another offshoot of Judaism that just can't seem to coexist with Jews."

Every faith (and I'm including atheism and agnosticism as "faiths") believes it is the one that has it right. If they didn't think they had it right, why would they belong to that faith?

Perhaps the issue for you is the belief of Christians (and others) that there is a place of eternal punishment. But frankly, given the world we live in, believing in having to be born over and over until you get it right is a lot more cruel.

[mercy]

On .... somewhat .... the same side on two issues in as many days .....

What is the world coming to?

[claudiustg]

---By the fruits....So far the fruits of this movie have not been so good if this forum is any example. It seems to have torn open old wounds and fostered not love but division. Mostly political division. I think that arch-Christian conservatives had high hopes that this movie would silence all the critics of the Christian Right. That it would shame the liberals and secular critics of the Christian Right into conversion and silence so that the Christian Right would finally get the "respect they deserve." Instead nothing much has changed and the frustration is palpable and ugly -consisting of throwing good men like Krauthammer over the side. You could not find a better man than he is. Probably the movie has helped foster private piety. But the public fallout in some applications such as ecumenism has been damaging.

I concur. The hatred is palpable and extremely disappointing. The movie may make alot of money but I don't see it producing good fruit yet, at least not on FR. I am keeping my eyes and ears open.---

The opportunity for Gospel outreach is there, but does not seem to be taken. My wife wants to go see this movie, but after wading through threads like this I remain reluctant.

[Antoninus]

I suspect Kraut is merely unnecessarily fearful (about a backlash against Jews as a result of people viewing this film) rather than a bigot. .....And his fear is clouding his capacity to reason.

I think he and some of his fellow "enlightend" members of the intelligensia are less worried about violence against Jews and more worried that Jews may convert as a result of seeing this movie.

After all, the hero is a Jew. As is his beloved mother and most of his friends....

[rbmillerjr]

"it is patently false to say that Krauthammer is being anti-Christian here. We have to balance our view of objective criticism versus flat out slander."

LOL, it is Krauthammer that slanders Giblson, and thus Christians as well. He accuses Gibson of "blood libel".

[F16Fighter]

" Lastly I think it is patently false to say that Krauthammer is being anti-Christian here. We have to balance our view of objective criticism versus flat out slander."

Baloney.

What do YOU called an baseless accusation and claim of "Blood Libel"? That's "balance"??

No, we'll call it the way we see it with OUR own eyes -- "SLANDER."