Schrader 'Disturbed' by Gibson's Crucifixion Film (Last Temptation Screenwriter Pointing Fingers)

Reuters ^ | Tue, Mar 23, 2004 | Laith Abou-Ragheb

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My thoughts are active, but language fails me here?. Were I to try to express the inexpressible, however, it might (very crudely) go like this: Here we have a case of a man, Jesus of Nazareth who, with his whole heart and soul and mind and strength, deliberately sacrificed himself to his Father, Who is God; and his Father sacrificed God in and for Jesus the Christ ? and all this together, for one purpose: the salvation of mankind. (Talk about the intersection of the human and the divine, of Time and Timelessness, of immanence and transcendence, of matter and Spirit?.)

Thank you for your response and your delving insight. I think the movie was anointed, since the movie makers maintained the sincere objective to depict the suffering of Christ, to pay for our sins. "There is... wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb." And isn't that an understatement?

And Mel Gibson has retold this absolutely unique and glorious story with genius and profound spiritual sensitivity and insight. His The Passion of the Christ is a sublime treasure of the human spirit that beckons to each and every one of us -- heart, mind, and spirit. Praise God that so many have been drawn to the film. May it find widespread resonance in human hearts and souls, and help us to ?turn our life around,? to the glory of Christ Jesus

Amen! Indeed.

There were things that could have been done better, but I don't know of a comparable movie that has done so well. (The miniseries, Jesus of Nazareth is probably not too, too far behind, in some respects.)

There were ways that the film could have more accurately demonstrated the authority of The Son of Man, also I'm sure that His (and Our Father's) suffering of the "mere" fact of separation from each other could have been given more emphasis. I would have liked not to have been cheated of seeing the guard fall back when Jesus replied with his, "I AM." also the tearing of the Curtain, also those that had fallen asleep in death coming out of their tombs, also the sky actually blackening as if it were night (and it's not hard to forgive the focus on the carrying of the entire cross through the streets, for so long.) The beating and whipping was featured it seemed, more than the actual crucifixion, and while the former may have been pretty accurate, the later by comparison slipped by a bit in comparison

But the timing and positioning of this movie are about as wonderful as it's production (and it was truly a wonderful production) to show that the Lord is having His hand in it. Thank you very, very much, Mel, James, and company. Thank you Lord again and again throughout Eternity. His hand is quite effective.