[walden]

Thought-provoking, and better than I would have expected from the New York Times

[walden]

Thought this might interest you.

[B Knotts]

Good article! Thanks for posting this.

[11th Earl of Mar]

radical Protestants removed Christ's body from the cross. To the Puritans, displays of the body of Jesus represented what they considered the idol worship of the Papists

I always thought it was because we Protestants would rather focus on Jesus who was raised from the dead, not still hanging on a cross.

Mr. Gibson's film leaves out most of the elements of the Jesus story that contemporary Christianity now emphasizes. His Jesus does not demand a "born again" experience, as most evangelists do, in order to gain salvation. He does not heal the sick or exorcise demons, as Pentecostals emphasize.

I never knew that contemporary Christians emphasized any accounts of Jesus healing, casting out demons or giving life changing messages IN HIS LAST 12 HOURS ON EARTH.

[livius]

What an unexpectedly good article. Thanks for posting.

[johnb2004]

More than 60 years ago, H. Richard Neibuhr summarized the creed of an easygoing American Christianity that has in our time triumphantly come to pass: "A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment though the ministrations of a Christ without a cross." Despite its muscular excess, Mr. Gibson's symbol-laden film is a welcome repudiation of all that.

[american colleen]

Thank you very much, it's a very good article.

[Dan Middleton]

I can't believe this appeared in the New York Pravda.

More than 60 years ago, H. Richard Neibuhr summarized the creed of an easygoing American Christianity that has in our time triumphantly come to pass: "A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment though the ministrations of a Christ without a cross."

I love that quote. That about sums up the creed of a "Christian" minister I know.

[dangus]

I'm awestruck at how excellent and *Christian* this article is.

[sydney smith]

Great article.

[Unam Sanctam]

Mel Gibson the artist here displays a thoroughly Catholic sensibility, one that since the Middle Ages has emphasized Jesus as the suffering savior crowned with thorns. Martin Luther, too, would have recognized in this film his own theology of the cross.

This can't be stressed enough for the opportunistic "too violent" crowd like James Carroll, who are really against traditional Catholic theology. Good piece by Woodward, and glad something semi-positive appeared in the New York Times.

[polemikos]

Wow! In the NYT?

On the otherhand, he let's the Catholic secret out of the bag.

[polemikos]

Insightful, positive, Catholic piece on "The Passion" in the NYT (surprise).

[bobjam]

"By contrast, Southern Baptists and other mostly fundamentalist churches do not observe Lent, and even Catholics have muted the ancient tradition of fast and abstinence that commemorated the Passion of Jesus."

This is true, but it doesn't mean that evangelical protestants won't recognize what's going on here. More than any other denominational group, evangelicals emphasize that Christ sufferred and died for our sins and that we must take up our cross and follow Him. Just because they don't have a nifty little prayer service for this doesn't mean they don't recognize the significance.

[ultima ratio]

Yes, this is why Gibson is considered dangerous by some in the Vatican--which has bought into compromise and ambiguity for the sake of compromise. The traditional Gibson reminds us of the basics.

[NeoCaveman]

This is from the NYTimes? I'm shocked and pleased.

[tiki]

This was a very good review and it was written by someone who really knows what he is talking about.

[Thorin]

This is a great piece. Thanks for posting it.

[abigail2]

Thanks, great review. I have to agree. I have not seen the movie, but from observing the reaction to Mel and the movie that I have witnessed I am delighted.

I must confess I have not been impressed with American Christianity before this. They have been a non-force. I have sadly watched as they prayed and bickered among each other over which gospel is most important, is Jesus God or a man, is Mary a co-redeemer, which sin is worse than which sin, and meanwhile the country has become infested with evil. I am sick to death of scripture quoting, praise-the-lording, cute litte "Jesus loves you" pins and bumper stickers. I sick of hearing about bible studies and laying on of hands. But suddenly its as if the sleeping giant has awakened and I couldn't be more happy. Christians, and would be Christians are coming out in droves to see the movie and support Mel Gibson. It has become a true phenomenon. The movie is a catalyst. You can see clearly people's true colors! I love it! Look at Hollywood! They are having a fit. They don't get it. They don't get it at all. Can you imagine the conflict they will be in next year when they have to make Oscar nominations?!

You can see your friends more clearly. I am surprised at who won't go to see the movie because it's 'so violent'. I'm surprised at who is going to see the movie. You can see people's hearts suddenly. Forget the bible for a bit and observe true Christianity in all it's splendor. This is the Man who caused time to start all over again. This is the man who changed the face of the world.

The people who talk about how violent it is don't get it either!! Our children's innocence has been robbed from them while the various churches stood by. The foundations upon which our lovely country was built have been ripped to shreds while the churches 'prayed'. Now finally something has happened which has transcended the petty interpretations of this bible verse or that one. Something has happened to unite all Christians that we can all relate to. A simple man, Mel Gibson, a man with a 'past' has dared to put down his own 'passion' on film, has made a statement and Christians all over the country are uniting in praise of his actions!! Good for us!! Finally we get it! Please don't use this opportunity to make new converts and go back to your old ways...to go back to your old milk toast ways. Go out to the schools and kick the heathens out. Kick the liberal politicians out, do it YOUR WAY! DON'T LET THEM TAKE THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OUT OF OUR BUILDINGS, AND PRAYER OUT OF THE SCHOOLS. REMEMBER JESUS HEALS AND GIVE HIM A CHANCE INSTEAD OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES. STAND FOR SOMETHING!