The Passion of the Christ

[Droobie]

The Passion of the Christ topped the box-office last week. What are your thoughts on the movie?

[HeatherJay]

I loved it, but it's really hard to watch. The most powerful and moving movie I think I've ever seen. It's the only movie I've ever seen my husband cry at.

Love, Heather

[Konnie]

I loved it.

[Umbra]

I haven't seen it yet, and I'm not sure if I'm going to....the descriptions in the Gospels are graphic enough for me...I don't know if I could handle a visual image as well.

[TrustNo1]

I find the fact that people who say that Mel Gibson was inspired by God are blind. For one God doens't like innacuracies. Jesus being a white man is very innacurate.

[Umbra]

I find the fact that people who say that Mel Gibson was inspired by God are blind. For one God doens't like innacuracies. Jesus being a white man is very innacurate.


You're right, Jesus in all probability was NOT white.......and I don't think Mel Gibson was inspired by God.......are you saying that the movie should not have been made?

[JillLars]

Well, trustnol, besides the skin color of Jesus in the movie, I think the story was portrayed very well, ultimately what color Jesus' skin was really doesn't matter, what matters is that he died for us, for our sins.

I liked the movie a lot, I bawled my eyes out at quite a few different points. I also like how the flashbacks showed different parts of his life, it was really cool.

[TrustNo1]

No I think it is probably one of the best interpretations of Jesus' life. I think it can change people of they watch it. I don't like however how people go around saying that Mel has God's inspiration. I haven't seen the movie yet but when I do see it I think it will be good

[Umbra]

Ah.....ok, now I see what you mean! sorry, I was a little lost there for a moment.... :)

[TrustNo1]

No problem.

[TRIBULATOR]

If your mother had to sacrifice herself to gang of thugs to save your life, and she was brutally raped and mutilated in so doing, would you honor her memory by annually viewing a videotape of the whole event?

Say your father died rescuing you from a terrorist attack, and in the process was beaten, tortured and beheaded to save you. Would you feel you were honoring him by viewing a tape of it every year, and do you think thats what he would want you to do?

There is a reason that the families of the victims of Paul Bernardo do not watch that videotape of their daughters being mutilated and raped. Why does God's children feel a need to watch a tape of His Son being mtuilated?

[MichaelFJF]

If your mother had to sacrifice herself to gang of thugs to save your life, and she was brutally raped and mutilated in so doing etc. etc - Not the same thing at all, so your post is irrelevent. I voted "loved it", although that's not my feeling. It was the closest choice. It was the most amazing movie I've seen (and I'm old) and one that I had to see. M

[middo]

Just watched it and i am left speechless. The world needs to see this. So many people view the sacrifics as just that, words. They are told "Jesus suffered for us" but dont truly understand it. Now i dont believe Mel is "inspired by God" but i do think his portrayal of the savagery inflicted on Jesus really will open the eyes of many who dont fully understand the sacrifice my Lord and saviour made for me, for which i am eternally grateful. After watching that i dont know how people can believe Jesus existed and went through such unbearable pain willingly, and NOT believe he is the Son of God. For mine no mere man, sane or insane, could willingly go through that.

[Diakonos]

Say your father died rescuing you from a terrorist attack, and in the process was beaten, tortured and beheaded to save you. Would you feel you were honoring him by viewing a tape of it every year, and do you think thats what he would want you to do?

Suppose your son died rescuing thousands from a terrorist attack, and in the process was beaten, tortured and beheaded to save lives. Would you feel he was being honored by Hollywood producing watered down dramas and animations of what he actually did to save others. How about gold airplanes representing the hijacked plane he died on being sold and worn as jewelry without a thought as to what it represented. How about T- shirts and bumper stickers being sold with stupid slogans on them like “What would your son’s name do?” or “honk if you love your son’s name.” How would any of that show that people fully understood and appreciated that sacrifice your son made? Wouldn’t all of that anger you? That is what we as Christians have done with the sacrifice of Jesus. We have romanticized it and commercialized it. How do you think God feels about all of that?


IMO, Mel Gibson’s motivation in making this movie was to counter act how we have trivialized the blood of Jesus. I applaud him for that. Maybe after seeing this movie, people will begin to think about what they are singing while singing hymns like “Are you washed in the blood of Jesus”, “Nothing but the Blood” or “Amazing Grace.” Perhaps the sacrament of communion will take on a whole new meaning. Maybe someone will see his or her salvation in a new light.

[Oblivious]

I have not seen it but am hoping to in the next couple of weeks once the "hype" (which is good hype :) ) is over.

[Palatka44]

I loved the movie and as I watched it I felt like I had already been there as I had known that He had to die for me sense I was nine. From that moment on I have played out His sacrifice for me over and over many times. So many times that it seemed as though the movie was a story about me.
You see I was the man in the mob that spat on Him. I was the one that swung the lash. I was the arresting officer in the garden. I was the one that steadied the cross as it was placed in its spot. I was the one that drove the nails. I was the one that held the nail in place. I was the one that gambled on His cloak. I was the one that wove the crown of thorns. I was the one that shoved it on His head. I was the pious religious man that demanded His death. Yes every face I saw in the movie was mine.
So you see what I mean?
I was there.

[TrustNo1]

no you were in a movie theatre :P

[Snowy]

I'm planning to watch it on the 14th..my Birthday...with Josh my fiance

[UK_Personality]

Hang on folks... what's The Passion of Christ? I've never heard of it. I dunno wheather it was releiced in the UK or not. But if it's a big movie it's a safe bet that it was. And presumably it is a big movie if it tipped the box office.

[Snowy]

http://www.thepassionofthechrist.com/skip.html

[UK_Personality]

Cheers.

[peggysue17]

i loved it! it really makes you think! to palatka44 i know exactly know what you mean!!! and to truthno1 (sorry if thats wrong) nobody knows what jesus' skin color is we'll only know that when we get to heaven!!!!

[wonder111]

I personally would rather see more of his teachings and the relationship with his disciples. 2 hours was a bit much for me. I understand that's the reality, but I feel the gospels didn't focus on the crucifixion for a reason.

[MsAnne]

I voted "I loved it". It was of course, difficult to watch.
I'm afraid I can't agree with the people who wish the movie... showed more of His life, focused more on the resurrection, showed less violence, etc. etc. That's not what this movie was about. It was about The Passion. And to that end, I believe it was amazing. Mel has my utmost respect.

[superbear02]

I believe this movie in all was good but I don't feel that it is entirely accurate, I mean we CAN'T be totally accurate and I don't feel people should expect this movie to be right on...we weren't there and don't know...its Gibson's interpretation of the Bible...it makes us think about what Jesus did for us...I believe we should leave it at that.

[Morrissey]

I thought it was excellent. It gave a visual description of something I had not been able to imagine from the Gospels alone. Reading the Gospels, that is not how I'd pictured those events taking place. Thus, I thought it was a great interpretation that really opened my eyes.

[pgp_protector]

It was good, not great.

I enjoyed the message that it tried to protray, but there were some errors in it.

I need to see it again to know If I saw things correctly, I.E. if I rember correctly, it looked like they had the curtan ripped from the bottom to the Top, not the Top to the bottom.

Second , they had the darkness & earthquake, but Not the rasing of the dead.

Also what was the point of Jesus building the New Table ? It didnt fit the movie.

Over all, it was good, the other problem I had was with the FX (I work with CG, so I look at it in more detal) and on multiple scenes after the beating, it looked like Jesus was wearing a rubber suit.

Still trying to think about how I feal about the movie, but I do plan on watching it again.

[TrustNo1]

nobody knows what jesus' skin color is
ok so a man living in israel brought up in jerusalem walking among the people there he was white was he? jewish men back then were tanned or brown. they had curly black hair. facial reconstructions from other skulls dated to that period of Jesus' time showed a common trait that goes against every picture the church has of Jesus.

[Palatka44]

no you were in a movie theatre :P
:rolleyes: I do mean what I posted. The cross is very prescious to me. In either case sense you are a self-designated Christian I'll pass this comment off as lame teenage humor. May the cross be as prescious to you some day soon and you'll learn to trust Christ and not "TrustNo1".
:pray:

[gwennie]

The movie was an incredibe experience for me. To watch the movie from the perspective of Mary was very moving for me (being a mom myself). My husband shared with me that it was very enlightening for him to watch the Passion from that perspective. The Way of the Cross has always been part of my lenten spiritual exercises and this movie brings them to a different level. I have always believed that the VALUE of his suffering was immeasureable YET I never realized how much He actuallly suffered! I am working harder toward being worthy of His gift since seeing this movie.

Gwennie

[Dawn Marie]

Yep. Loved it... but like HJ said, it was really hard to watch.

[Xiola]

I really want to see it but its not out in the UK yet
Love and High Expectations
Xiola

[GodsGrl]

I thought that the movie was life-changing for me. It made me realize how we(or I at least) take things for granted. Trutnol, I think that no matter what his skin color is, there would have been people saying that he was a different color and also you can't get someone that looks exactly like him since nobody know. Anyhow, that is not the main point of the movie.
I personally thought that it was a hard movie to watch but I am glad that I did and I would recommend everyone to go see it.

[hischildsindik]

I "loved" the movie, for lack of better words... I cried, prayed, repented and cried, prayed and repented some more all during the movie and the walk home. I was stunned with awe of how Christ could go through that and worse, because of love. His love for me.. His love for you.. His love for all the people of this world forever backwards into eternity.. forever forwards into future eternity. I walked away feeling unworthy, so very grateful and so very loved. I walked away from this movie with an appreciation for all Christ has done and all He has give, for love and grace.
Cindy

[absolutely_lost_86]

it was very powerful

[Peggy]

I personally would rather see more of his teachings and the relationship with his disciples. 2 hours was a bit much for me. I understand that's the reality, but I feel the gospels didn't focus on the crucifixion for a reason.

The story of "The Passion" has been around for ages. This is not a new concept. As I am sure all the Catholics know. This is the story. I loved the movie. This movie is changing people's lives. My father-in-law is going to church when he said he never ever would. God Bless Mel Gibson for his vision.

I would love to see this lead to more main stream theatrical Bible story adaptions. Wouldn't Daniel and the lion's den be neat?

[Dawn Marie]

the cross is the most important thing in my life. My name is from a television show.X-Files? :)

[Riverman72]

Ok, heres my 10c worth. Mel claims that The Holy Spirit helped him make the film. To me anyone who is truly lead by the Holy Spirit should be given a chance to express what is on God's heart. No matter what denomination he belongs 2.

The film is attracting worldwide attention & will bring many to Christ. The film has caused controversy, cause in my opinion, it's "Scripturely Accurate" with reference to the full gruesome details of a "Roman" flogging of a prisoner, prior to Crucifiction.

The film is NOT Anti-Jewish either! Why, because the message of Salvation was 1st for The Jews & 2nd for The Gentiles. Jesus DID NOT condemn The Jews who wanted him killed, but asked The Father to FORGIVE them for what they were doing.

The Message of Salvation is for all, irrespective of race, religious beliefs etc. All who truly acknowledge Jesus as Lord & Saviour shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

[TrustNo1]

yep the x-files :D

[Kathy]

I am so happy I went to see the "Passion"...I knew what Jesus went through in the crucifixion,but seeing it made me much closer to him.... God Bless! Kathy :wave:

[Wolflily]

It is an incredible movie - yes, Mel took some artistic license in depicting scenes from Jesus' childhood, and Satan in the garden, and certain Catholic symbolism, but all in all, it is true to Scripture of how and, most importantly, why, Jesus died for our sins. I hope it shakes people up to their core and really forces them to deal with their sin and their response to Jesus as the only way out of it.
I'm thankful for a glimpse of Jesus' suffering, even though it tore my soul out to view a representation of it. I think we, especially in America, don't always "get it" as to just how horrifying the whole thing really was.

[Kellalor]

I loved it.
It was very hard to watch at some points, but a movie has not affected me that deeply in a long while.

[pgp_protector]

....
The film is attracting worldwide attention & will bring many to Christ. The film has caused controversy, cause in my opinion, it's "Scripturely Accurate" with reference to the full gruesome details of a "Roman" flogging of a prisoner, prior to Crucifiction.
....



I Don't think you can truly say it is "Scripturely Accurate" with the errors in the movie.

For Example The Bible States That Jesus was NOT In the tomb when the Angles Rolled away the stone, yet in the movie, Jesus was not able to leave the tomb until the Angles moved the Stone. (Matt. 28:1-6).

5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

Or

The Bible states that is was Josephe and Nicodemus that took Jesus down off the cross, not the women. (John 19:38-42). Also in Matthew 27
"55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons. " They were depicted as being at the cross, once again re-writing what the Holy Word states.

And More

Now the movie was one of the better Bible movies out there, but to say that it is accurate is incorrect, they added quite a bit to it, a lot of it from a Catholic mystic Anne-Catherine Emmerich.

We need to let people know that Yes Jesus The Christ did suffer for us, but the movie is Not an accurate representation of what Our Lord did for us.

[Southwest Christians]

I loved the moive! I cried a lot. I think Mel did a very good job of making the moive. Even if it wasn't 99% correct. The moive was the most touching moive I've ever seen. I pray that many people who don't know Jesus. See this moive & His Love for us. It was a huge reminder to me. When the nails were going in his hands (I couldn't watch) I had this deep feeling in my heart of God's love for me. And I knew that it was me who put those rusty nails in his hands. Because we are sinners so we are guity of killing our Savior. Who couldn't Cry? Love Your Sister in Christ, Ressie :clap:

[Jay_Jay_Christ_The_Second]

200 million in lovely mel's pocket...



a savior......


suckers! he's a businessman! and a rich one!

[bloodofthelamb12]

Well, God's obviously supporting it; otherwise the movie wouldn't be making such a killing at the box office (no pun intended). Besides, if one soul gets saved thanks to this movie, then its all worth it...

[lilmxican]

All you people out there that are hacking on every little piece of this movie and magnifying every little piece you think is wrong, give it up. This movie wasn't meant to
be perfect. It was to me but my expectations were different. I didn't see Jesus getting getting murdered and ripped apart. I saw MY HERO, MY SAVIOR, MY EVERYTHING GIVING his life for YOU and ME. That is nothing short of the most beautiful thing imaginable. So watch what you say about His movie. It might have been created by mere sinful, mistaken men, but his hand was undeniably all over this. If you don't see that then my heart goes out to you.
HOPE THIS DOESN'T SOUND MEAN BECAUSE ITS NOT.

Psalm 37
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret-it leads only to evil.
9 For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land

[MR T]

I ll go and see it:clap:

[MR T]

The Passion of the Christ topped the box-office last week. What are your thoughts on the movie?
well that sums it up thanks

[MR T]

may be but it still gets the point across ot many others???:prayer:

200 million in lovely mel's pocket...



a savior......


suckers! he's a businessman! and a rich one!

[TMAKA]

best movie EVER!

[sammipher]

I LOVED IT my husband and I went and seen it and we both cried all the way through it. I found myself passing out tissues to complete strangers. I know what jesus done for me and everyone else...i am bought in the blood of jesus.. you know i read it in the bible and I listen about it at church..but seeing it as if it was real life is difficult he loved all of us...it just made me think how could someone not love him, how could someone turn him away from their heart...the scene that got me the most...was when jesus as a child fell and mary was there to lift him up...then in town he fell with the cross and mary was there to help him and he said "see mother I make things new" that was a good scene in the movie...it summed his life up at that momment...he made us new, no sin, we are to be forgiven when we truthfully ask for it. I think jesus everyday for dying for us...no one else i know would give their life for me.

[reformedfan]

I think it's too inaccurate to waste any $ on

[Palatka44]

I think it's too inaccurate to waste any $ on Please give us some food for thought. In what way is The Passion of the Christ too inaccurate?
All of it?
Some of it?
The only portion of the film that could be inaccurate IMO is where Jesus had just finished a table for a rich man, or the way that Judas hung himself (how he found the rope, and the absence of the rope breaking and his body plunging to the rocks). These scenes are of "creative licenses" and do not take away from the accuracy of the film.
Also if you have not seen it how can you judge it as inaccurate?

[ShetlandRose]

I loved the movie and as I watched it I felt like I had already been there as I had known that He had to die for me sense I was nine. From that moment on I have played out His sacrifice for me over and over many times. So many times that it seemed as though the movie was a story about me.
You see I was the man in the mob that spat on Him. I was the one that swung the lash. I was the arresting officer in the garden. I was the one that steadied the cross as it was placed in its spot. I was the one that drove the nails. I was the one that held the nail in place. I was the one that gambled on His cloak. I was the one that wove the crown of thorns. I was the one that shoved it on His head. I was the pious religious man that demanded His death. Yes every face I saw in the movie was mine.
So you see what I mean?
I was there.

I was all those people too.

---------------------

Regarding hair color of the Hebrews, although people of the Bible lands generally had black or dark brown hair, red hair was fairly common among the people of Israel. Even King David was purported to have been a redhead, as the Bible speaks of him being ruddy, which may have been a description of his hair and the complexion of a redhead, because that would have been a tad more extraordinary. Adam, as well, since his name meant red earth. Who knows for sure, maybe Jesus was a redhead?

Regarding skin color, when did the Semites become non-white? Living in the hot summer climate would indeed darken Jesus' skin somewhat. Wonder what he looked like when it snowed? Why does that matter anyway? Jesus became a sacrifice and took the sins of all races.

[Godskid247]

I LOVED THE PASSION!

[SeraphWolf79]

It was wonderful! I too cried through the whole thing! Alot of people are bashing it and claim it's "anti-semitic", and I respect their opinion, but I personally came out of the movie not blaming the Jews, nor the roman soldiers - only myself. We all hung him on that cross. We are all to blame. After seeing this movie, how could you hate anyone? It puts this fire in you to make you want to be a better person for the Lord and glorify His name in everything you do. :angel:

[TheMadcap]

I dont know what to say about the movie except it was 1 of the most powerful movies I have ever seen.

[reformedfan]

Please give us some food for thought. In what way is The Passion of the Christ too inaccurate?
All of it?
Some of it?
The only portion of the film that could be inaccurate IMO is where Jesus had just finished a table for a rich man, or the way that Judas hung himself (how he found the rope, and the absence of the rope breaking and his body plunging to the rocks). These scenes are of "creative licenses" and do not take away from the accuracy of the film.
Also if you have not seen it how can you judge it as inaccurate?


The redemptive element of Christ's death on the cross wasn't primarily in His physical suffering, but in His taking God's wrath on behalf of His people. The physical suffering, though real & torturous (the Roman word "excrutiating" is a word they had to invent to describe the horrors of crucifixion. It literally means "out of the cross") was a small part of Christ's propitiationary suffering. Christ taking hell for me is why I'm not going there, though I was born deserving to.

Spiritual separation from God is impossible to portray on a movie screen, which is fine considering God ordained the preaching of the Gospel as what He uses to draw His elect, Romans 10:14-17. Anyway, the physical aspects of the crucifixion are much more in line with works-based justification of RC theology. For your further reading pleasure, more RC theology that will keep my family out of the theater:
Mary is not a co-redemptrix, her suffering, though real & agonizing, I'm sure (Luke 2:35) was not in any way redemptive. She didn't have such a central role in the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion, she didn't give Christ the strength to endure, the crucifixion didn't follow the RC "stations of the cross": where did Veronica wipe Christ face? Why is Mary shown as the antitype of Satan, etc.
Even the heathens at e-splatter.com identify it as a Catholic movie.

Lemme know if you want more info, but I'm quite certain that's plenty.
I don't need to watch a movie to know it is garbage, or else I'd have to watch #### movies to decide they were unfit for watching. I can read movie reviews & the Gospel accounts & know enough about Christ's death on behalf of those who are predestined before the foundation of the world based on God's good pleasure & nothing else to keep me content. Mel sez Catholics alone go to heaven. Why on earth would I want to watch a movie on his version of the gospel? Clearly he is wrong on substantive theological issues. This is the gospel according to Mel & nothing else as far as I'm concerned.
I have found that Christians who like this movie are rabid & rude in defending it. Resheath your claws, guys. I was asked a question on my opinion, there it is. This is not an attack nor an indictment on those who have seen it & liked it.

[MusicMelOU]

I cried from the moment they first hit Him. Words really cannot describe the emotion I felt as I was watching. It's such a good reminder as to how much God loves us!!!!

[Spurgeon]

It was a very good movie, but since I watched it - I've begun to wonder about the second commandment. Perhaps the actor's lightning strike was a sign?

[pgp_protector]

Please give us some food for thought. In what way is The Passion of the Christ too inaccurate?
All of it?
Some of it?
The only portion of the film that could be inaccurate IMO is where Jesus had just finished a table for a rich man, or the way that Judas hung himself (how he found the rope, and the absence of the rope breaking and his body plunging to the rocks). These scenes are of "creative licenses" and do not take away from the accuracy of the film.
Also if you have not seen it how can you judge it as inaccurate?

How about for starters, the Resurction, where Jesus didnt leave the tomb util after the Angles moved the Rock, The Bible states that Jesus was not in the tomb, and The Angles moved the Stone To Show that it was empty, Not (As the movie shows) So Jesus could leave.


Or that the Vale of the Temple Fell down in the movie, Not being Rent it two According to the Bible, showing that the sepperation between Man and God was no longer there, and now we had a direct path to God through Jesus, and did not need the preasthood to recive santificaiton.

[Der Alter]

Or that the Vale of the Temple Fell down in the movie, Not being Rent it two According to the Bible, showing that the sepperation between Man and God was no longer there, and now we had a direct path to God through Jesus, and did not need the preasthood to recive santificaiton.

I just got through specifically watching that scene, twice. The veil is torn from top to bottom first, then it falls. In a day or two I may be able to post a picture of it.

[lozzy26]

the film isn't out in the UK yet and i won't be able to see it wen it is coz its an 18 anyway and im onli 15 and to be honest i dont realli no wat its about but i just wanna say that does it realli matter if it is a little inaccurate? if the fillm reaches out and saves just one person, which im pretty sure it has judgeing by the response, then surely its been worth it and also, from all the people who voted in the poll no one has said that they didn't like it,and i think that means something.

[ShetlandRose]

Over the last few weeks I have read virtually every post on this set of forums regarding "The Passion." I am amazed at the number of disapprovals, faulting perceived shortcomings, and general picking apart.

That was the most tremendous thing I have ever seen in my life. When I left the movie and stood in the entrance with all the people I could not look up, I could not even speak because I was absolutely wordless as I wrestled with intense emotion.

If this is the final witness before Jesus returns I would not be surprised. I feel every scene was exactly as the Holy Spirit ordered. If "The Passion of the Christ" would not persuade someone to get a Bible and read--I think perhaps nothing would.

It was a long 130-mile round trip through a blinding snowstorm to view "The Passion." When I arrived home I fell on my face before God.

[ps139]

That was the most tremendous thing I have ever seen in my life. When I left the movie and stood in the entrance with all the people I could not look up, I could not even speak because I was absolutely wordless as I wrestled with intense emotion. I also could not speak after the movie. My sister asked me how it was and I had no answer. I just could not answer, no matter how hard I tried.

[ps139]

I just got through specifically watching that scene, twice. The veil is torn from top to bottom first, then it falls. In a day or two I may be able to post a picture of it.
Yes, it does tear from top to bottom. It tears along the line of the earthquake.

[Sevan]

i heard a lady died watching it from a heart attack on its opening day :sigh:

[ps139]

i heard a lady died watching it from a heart attack on its opening day :sigh:Its true, I read the news story. She had a heart attack during the crucifixion scene, and did not survive it.
I think that the intensity of the brutality contributed to the heart attack, but she also must have had a weak heart (physically not spiritually :)), or been in bad health as well.

[Kaylynn]

I heard 4 people have died total from heart attacks.

[Kaylynn]

I just saw it last night....it really touched me. The things He went through willingly, for my sin. What Mary said really stuck out to me....when she asked when would he allow himself to be rescued from that...or something along those lines...

[kwimmer]

It's very good but I wouldn't say I loved it.

[KennySe]

RC catechism teaches earning salvation by works

Show me where.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm

[Godskid247]

I LOVED THE PASSION!!!

He did that for US!!!

WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION FO THE WORLD.

[ps139]

Mr. Versatile maybe you should stop finding your information about Catholics from Protestants.

[GinooKo]

Mr. Versatile maybe you should stop finding your information about Catholics from Protestants.

I agree.

[TugOwar]

Yes, it does tear from top to bottom. It tears along the line of the earthquake.

It was God showing that the direct way to God was now open!!!
Very true MrVersatile.

Mat 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Mar 15:38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

Luk 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

Veil of the temple = that which seperated God from man in the old testament scriptures.
A rent (torn) veil = no more seperation from God. A clear line of sight if you will. No more intercession or middle man.

People call Catholics our (Christians) brothers and sisters in Christ, but I don't see how. They place too much importance on men (Priests) and Mary.
I don't worship the virgin Mary, I worship The Lord God Almighty. And I Talk to Him directly through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I don't need a man to talk to Him for me. And I don't need to perform ceremonies or stand on tradition to do it. Praise God I love You!!

And I love all those who are lost and have been led astray by men.

[Epiphany]

Very true MrVersatile.

Mat 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Mar 15:38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

Luk 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

Veil of the temple = that which seperated God from man in the old testament scriptures.
A rent (torn) veil = no more seperation from God. A clear line of sight if you will. No more intercession or middle man.

People call Catholics our (Christians) brothers and sisters in Christ, but I don't see how. They place too much importance on men (Priests) and Mary.
I don't worship the virgin Mary, I worship The Lord God Almighty. And I Talk to Him directly through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I don't need a man to talk to Him for me. And I don't need to perform ceremonies or stand on tradition to do it. Praise God I love You!!

And I love all those who are lost and have been led astray by men.To Life Immortal

It seems like many people have wrong information about Catholics. I am Orthodox and people have some of the same ideas about us, lol!

Umm, I don't worship the Blessed Virgin; I ask her to pray for me and other people. For us, there is no difference between asking you to pray for me and asking a departed believer to pray for me. I believe the saints in heaven pray for us on earth. :pray:

I don't believe Mary was born sinless. No immaculate conception. She was a sinner just like all of us. She was the first person to accept Lord Jesus. She is to be honoured because she is Lord Jesus' mom and she gave Him His body.

I pray to Lord Jesus and worship Him. I go to priest when I go to confession. Priest is there to listen and witness, he doesn't forgive; Christ does. We are a liturgical and mystical church and we have a rich tradition. Everything in the Divine Liturgy has meaning.

The mysteries (sacraments) are signs of God's grace. When I receive communion, I believe I am receiving the Real Presence of Lord Jesus. This helps me be a good Christian and makes me stronger spiritually. :)

Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants are Christians. If you believe that Jesus is Lord and that He rose from the dead, you're a Christian. If you follow Lord Jesus and wish to be like Him, you're a Christian. :bow:

Peace and Long Life
~*~ Epiphany ~*~

http://img13.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Tijger/violetpic.jpg

[ShetlandRose]

Oh I do so hope that this thread isn't going to turn into Protestant versus Catholic. Do I see storm clouds arising? "The Passion of the Christ" is the subject here, and I feel it was a wondrous witness of the unbounded love of God Himself. Worthy is the Lamb! I would like to read what others felt about the movie as well.

:) :) :)

[TugOwar]

I loved the movie. I thought it was a great portrayal of my Saviors love for me. :)

[Droobie]

:topic:

This thread is not a debate on the RCC. Please direct your posts to the appropriate forums.

[ps139]

can someone delete mr versatile's posts? they're full of hislop/chick trash.

Does CF tolerate garbage like this:
This stuff is PUTRID BLASPHEMY

Repent or fry, Poopeye

[naj1978]

i loved it! it really makes you think! to palatka44 i know exactly know what you mean!!! and to truthno1 (sorry if thats wrong) nobody knows what jesus' skin color is we'll only know that when we get to heaven!!!!


I'm glad you said that peggysue because no one knows what Jesus looked like period so trying to portray his manhood, let alone His Godhood can never ever be done by the vain imaginations of a man.

Does the second commandment ring a bell to anyone?

naj1978

[Palatka44]

Oh I do so hope that this thread isn't going to turn into Protestant versus Catholic. Do I see storm clouds arising? "The Passion of the Christ" is the subject here, and I feel it was a wondrous witness of the unbounded love of God Himself. Worthy is the Lamb! I would like to read what others felt about the movie as well.

:) :) :) I agree with ShetlandRose. Folks please stay on topic.

[ShetlandRose]

Sooooooooooooooooooo, to get back on topic, I know many more have seen "The Passion of the Christ." What did you think and how did it affect you?

Peace. :angel:

[mandapanda445]

Im torn on seeing it....I want to, but I have a bad time with gore and blood. And my parents won't let me, they saw it and said it is way too graphic for me. I think it's best for me to stick to scripture for now, and see it later on.

[NewtoChrist]

I was deeply moved by the movie.I was raised in a Christian home but had turned away from God at an early age(early teens) and wanted nothing to do with anything religious.However when this movie came out I had a strong urge to see it.I came out of the theatre transfomed.I instantly went back to Christ and am now in the process of researching everything I can on the topic.Very powerful film.Atleast for me it had a dramatic impact.I highly reccommend it.

[KennySe]

NewtoChrist,
welcome to ChristianForums. :wave:
I see that the above was your first post on ChristianForums.

I urge you to stay out of the "Open to all members" areas, as pagans, Wiccans, Atheists, Agnostics... are members.

You should learn about Christianity in the Christain Only areas.

[Droobie]

Okay... thread edited... back to normal...

[Big C]

I saw this film 3 times...1 with our church, and twice with other individuals. I lost it during his flogging the 1st time I watched this film! :cry: The man on screen was an actor and this was a motion picture...but my spirit felt an anguish that our LORD really went through this for us...I felt unworthy! But the end where he raises up and walks out of the tomb with the holes in his hands was great!!! I jumped up like "Yeeeaaahhh...JESUS lives!!!" People were looking over at me like I was a nut...I guess I cookoo for CHRIST.

[cindylou]

I saw the film with my husband the first weekend it was out. I wish I could find the words to really express how I "felt" when I left the theater. I cried throughout the movie, mostly in regards to my own sinfulness. Throughout the film I was able to truly meditate on Christ's suffering, death and ressurection. I would not even begin to discuss the "accuracy" of such a film. I do believe that Mel Gibson was led by the Holy Spirit to make this film. We ALL receive inspiration from the Holy Spirit daily..it is how we are able to feed the hungry and clothe the poor. Mel Gibson has been able to reach millions of viewers through film, just a many physicians are able to "heal" patients through medicine. The film is full of brilliant imagery and symbolism, as any artist would include. I think this has left many confused by the film's "accuracy." Every film, event, book, including the scripture has many levels and depths of understanding. Some many only be able to understand what is on the surface, while other's may be able to reach to deeper levels. In any case the film, with all it's beauty, moved me in many ways. I was able to "see" things visually that I may not have considered otherwise. One thing most notably stood out for me...Jesus never ONCE cried out in complete agony. He moaned, sweated and gasped but never SCREAMED. Satan screamed in pure agony when Our Savior died. Just something to think about. I am meditating on the movie a lot during this Lenten season. I am very glad I went to see it.
Cindylou

[ty597]

The Passion of the Christ topped the box-office last week. What are your thoughts on the movie?
If you haven't seen it and you don't understand Christ's love, this is a must see. (If you can handle watching your savior die for YOU)

[elivi]

This movie was very, very difficult to watch. Even my stoic husband cried in the theatre. I do not know if I would want to see it again, but just the once made such a lasting impression on me.

I have always felt "judged" by God but not loved. I had a hard time believing God could love me or save me. But this movie made my former fears absurd. His death was a rescue mission, motivated by a love so profound my mind cannot grasp it.

Thank you Jesus! :clap:

[LadyBird]

I'm so happy that I saw the movie too. Seeing what Jesus went through made me love Him even more. It was a very gruesome movie and I don't think I will ever see it again but it was a good experience. I encourage everyone to see it. Regardless of their religion.

[AngelOfLove]

this movie is the Best movie ever. it is truely a touching movie. i woulc reccommend everyone to see it. its a wonderful movie. Mel Gibson did a Wonderful movie. :angel:

[Jinnapiban]

I watched (as much as I could) the movie a couple of weeks ago. It was so brutal, but I believe what Christ suffered was probably even worse. I am thankful that Mel Gibson made this movie & I believe that God will use it to glorify Himself. I think that the controversy is warfare from the evil one to keep people in the dark who do not already know Jesus as their Lord & Savior.

In my hometown there have been several people have received Christ at the showings and even more have rededicated their lives to Christ. I don't think I would ever go back to watch it unless it was with a friend who asked me to be there.

I think Hollywood should look at what people are pouring into theatres to see. It strikes me as funny that they are missing out on the fact that millions of dollars are not going into their pockets. Hmmm, do you think they have "scales" on their eyes?

Thanks be to God for His truly Amazing Grace!!!! :bow:

[TheThirdLink]

I saw the movie. I didn't turn away on any scene, I saw it all. It was wonderful! Jesus really did that for all of us. I cried so hard, and left feeling numb and convicted of my sins all over again.

[jesusfreak777]

Hey, over the pond there is a lot of concern about the film. I have heard various views some saying that the film is really great and should be seen by all Christians but others are saying that they believe the second C forbids us from having graven images of Christ and this film is a 'graven image' and other reasons why it is unbiblical.
Personally I am not sure about what I believe on this one, and I am keeping an open mind.
On Wednesday nite I am meeting with my fellowship, and I am likely going to lead a discussion on the Passion, and how we should approach it, so I just want to see as many differnet views, arguments, refutations and discussion as possible so that we can decide for ourselves whether or not it is right to see.
Should we condemn it and have a protest rally against the film? Should we forcibly drag all our neighbours to come and see it? Should we ban it for the sake of the Jews' concerns? I want to know plz reply

[Snowy]

I'm planning to watch it on the 14th..my Birthday...with Josh my fiance
well it didn't work out for my Birthday but BIGJOSHDOGG and I saw it today...and I loved it!...made me cry several times

[LightShade007]

I couldn't vote because I chose to wait for the dvd and watch at home by myself for a more personal experience. It sure it is compelling movie.

:cool:

[A New Dawn]

I saw it the day it was released here, and I think that it was an excellent movie. Not one that one can enjoy, but one that expresses the love that God has for each one of us, so much so that he allowed Himself to be beaten and tortured so that His plan could succeed.

I am going to take my 14 year old daughter to see it this weekend.

[pgray1229]

I also loved it. I left the theater with no more tears. I was all dried up. It was an awesome movie!

[mle]

there was much violence and i would have preferred to watch more about Jesus rather than His torture

[jeshohaia]

It affected me...such an awsome testimony to the sufferings of the Messiah!

[Niko]

I saw it. Loved how they made-you couldnt say you loved to see Jesus being beaten. Didnt make me cry, but it made people see his divinity and humanity in a whole new light

[aLx]

Tut Tut! You are only 14, the films an 18 tut!
Anyway I saw it. Hated every minute of it, but Im so glad I saw it. It gave such an insite into what Jesus did for us. but I aslo found it wierd seeing God in human form when before I had never thought of it so deeply.

[AmeriLovesJesus]

I have not seen Passion yet... only parts of it.. and the trailors.. I cannot waiat to see it.. but Im waiting.. as I was very upet when I saw the previews!

You're right, Jesus in all probability was NOT white.......and I don't think Mel Gibson was inspired by God.......are you saying that the movie should not have been made?

I do think God inspires all of us in many different ways!!! I feel that Mel Gibson was inspired by God to do this... because it surely got to alot of people.. its around the WORLD!!! And I have heard on teh news.. alot of people coming clean after watching this movie!!! So I definitly believe Mel was inspired by God 100%...

It does not matter to me at all what Jesus looks like.. I love him and always will!!!

[Roxa]

I think it was ok.

[beatarmy2]

I thought The Passion of the Christ was VERY good. The movie really made me think "God really did all of this for me, even when I Hated him? WOW." I feel that this movie also brought me closer to God.

[RAF]

Incredible movie. At times it was very difficult to watch Jesus go through the physical pain and torment for all of mankind. However, the movie put the story onto film and allowed us to see what He went through willingly to save us. I applaud Mel Gibson for directing the movie in the face of Hollywood left-wingers who would rather that we did not see the movie. Most of the hateful criticism about the movie backfired and brought more people out to see it. I'm sure the movie brought many people to Christ who were not Christians before. At the end of the day, that truly says how worthwhile the movie was.

[OceanAngel]

It was a very brutal movie, It brought home to me, what Jesus went through.

Also sorry if anyone has brought this up, but I aint got time to read thru all the posts: Was it just me or did Satan look like marilyn manson?

[Bladecarver]

This movie made me realize how insignificant my problems are compared to the big picture. I've read the story many, many times, and I have visuallized in my mind the brutality of his suffering, but you just don't get the idea of what He went through, until you "see" it.

[TheMainException]

I picked "Loved it!" but it's not exactly a movie that you can love, however, it did move me to tears.

[Love&Pain]

I thought "the Passion of the Christ" was a movie that makes you realize the price Jesus Christ paid for our sins. Even though amost everyone despised him he still died for us, he could of saved himself but he loved us so much that he said, "Forgive them, they know not what they do." I thought it was a brutal movie and it was graphic. I think this movie touched everybody's heart whether they are saved or not.

[GuiltyCubicle]

I thought "the Passion of the Christ" was a movie that makes you realize the price Jesus Christ paid for our sins. Even though amost everyone despised him he still died for us, he could of saved himself but he loved us so much that he said, "Forgive them, they know not what they do." I thought it was a brutal movie and it was graphic. I think this movie touched everybody's heart whether they are saved or not.I thought it was very good and has a powerful effect. I will buy it once it comes out on video.

[Butterfly4Christ]

That movie is awesome. I loved it. I can't wait untill it comes out on DVD.

[PaladinGirl]

Droobie, you didn't have a poll option that fit me very well! But don't worry abou it, I'll explain here. :hug: I had to put that I wouldn't see it but in fact, I would. I just haven't seen it. I was going to see it when it was in theaters but never really had much of a chance to except for one time. But that one time I was going to be late to see it so I decided not to see it right then. Anyway, is it out on video yet or is it even going to come out on video?

[Centrifuge04]

I loved the movie, it was hard to watch yes but it got me closer to God :)

[rua2j33]

I loved the movie. I understand why they made the flogging scene so long, but I wish it would have been shorter.

[CZzyzx41]

I haven't seen the movie (rated R) but even if it was PG-13 or something I don't think I'd be able to see it. Like Umbra I have a hard enough time reading the description without bawling. Not sure i could handle seeing it visually.

[Moros]

The depictions of the scenes in Rome were amazing. Pontius Pilate's character was very well developed. The scene with Herod was good but kind of annoying with the drunkards. I didn't care much for the improvised scenes.

[Athanasian Creed]

The Passion of the Christ topped the box-office last week. What are your thoughts on the movie?
I'm generally not a believer that this movie, having seen it, is of God. And after reviewing other sites about the movie, i was able to see that the real motivation behind making the movie was a glorification of Mary rather than of Christ. Also the fact that some of the characters are porn stars in other movies makes this movie hard to accept as one that is Christ centered and Christ honouring. Add to it the extra-Biblical dialogue/scenes and the overt emphasis of the sufferings of Christ which are also exaggerated - it would have taken the Lord to exercise His divine power in order to endure what the Christ-character in the movie endured. One non-Christian co-worker remarked of the impossibility of one to endure such suffering and still live long enough to be crucified !! The movie lost all credibility with her because of it.:scratch:

Other Christian sites i've visited have also gone so far as to paint this movie as occultish !:eek:

Bottom line, for me, the story is about another jesus and another gospel, not of the Jesus/Gospel of the Bible.:sigh:



Ray :wave:

[Acquired Tastes]

I loved it! :)

It made me cry thinking about what Jesus did for us. :cry: And what he really went through was much worse than what the movie shows.

It comes out on DVD August 31. I can't wait!:clap:

[DanielJamesSimon]

I wouldn't say "I loved it", but I voted that because there was not an "I thoroughly enjoyed it" option.

I had heard that this was gratuitously violent. I disagreed. The scourging scene was definitely the worst, and I think it was over the top. I can't see how Jesus would have been beaten that much and still able to carry His cross as far as He did. I think they should have eased on that scene; even if it was accurate, we got the point after the first few whacks.

Other than the scourging scene, I don't think it was gratuitously violent.

I had heard that it glorified Mary and was overtly Catholic. I disagree. Perhaps it did focus on Mary a little, but Mary was Jesus' mother and was bound to have been a major part of the story. I may have missed points, but I did not see that the movie was overtly Catholic or praising Mary. Mel Gibson is Catholic, so a little leaning toward traditional Catholic interpretation is to be expected; I do not see that it leaned so far as to be un-Biblical.

The extra-Biblical scenes did not contradict the Scriptures, as far as I know. A little poetic license was taken, but to me, it was nothing that has any baring on the Scriptures themselves.

I had also heard that it focused too much on the physical suffering of Jesus and not enough on His real, spiritual suffering. I believe that being a movie, it could only portray so much spiritual suffering, and this it did well. The physical suffering was a part of it, albeit a far less important one, and being a movie, physical suffering is far more appropriate to show than spiritual suffering. But, again, it certainly did not ignore Jesus' spiritual suffering, and I think did a good job showing it.

I believe it was an accurate, Biblical portrayal of the greatest event in History.

The one thing that annoyed me was the fact that Jesus was played by a man (James Caviezel) who did not look like a Jew...

I would not see it again - once is enough - but I would recommend it to anyone who has not seen it and who thinks they can stomach the violence.:)

[Athanasian Creed]

I wouldn't say "I loved it", but I voted that because there was not an "I thoroughly enjoyed it" option.

I had heard that this was gratuitously violent. I disagreed. The scourging scene was definitely the worst, and I think it was over the top. I can't see how Jesus would have been beaten that much and still able to carry His cross as far as He did. I think they should have eased on that scene; even if it was accurate, we got the point after the first few whacks.

Other than the scourging scene, I don't think it was gratuitously violent.

I had heard that it glorified Mary and was overtly Catholic. I disagree. Perhaps it did focus on Mary a little, but Mary was Jesus' mother and was bound to have been a major part of the story. I may have missed points, but I did not see that the movie was overtly Catholic or praising Mary. Mel Gibson is Catholic, so a little leaning toward traditional Catholic interpretation is to be expected; I do not see that it leaned so far as to be un-Biblical.

The extra-Biblical scenes did not contradict the Scriptures, as far as I know. A little poetic license was taken, but to me, it was nothing that has any baring on the Scriptures themselves.

I had also heard that it focused too much on the physical suffering of Jesus and not enough on His real, spiritual suffering. I believe that being a movie, it could only portray so much spiritual suffering, and this it did well. The physical suffering was a part of it, albeit a far less important one, and being a movie, physical suffering is far more appropriate to show than spiritual suffering. But, again, it certainly did not ignore Jesus' spiritual suffering, and I think did a good job showing it.

I believe it was an accurate, Biblical portrayal of the greatest event in History.

The one thing that annoyed me was the fact that Jesus was played by a man (James Caviezel) who did not look like a Jew...

I would not see it again - once is enough - but I would recommend it to anyone who has not seen it and who thinks they can stomach the violence.:)

The scourging scene went on for ever and ever. It made the story unbelievable for many unbelievers simply because it is humanly impossible for a man to endure what "Christ" did in this movie. As a Christian, this is disturbing to me - as if it is necessary to go "gung-ho" on the violence in order to show unbelievers how great our Saviour is. Not necessary - Paul said people are won to Christ by PREACHING the Gospel, not PRESENTING it in play/movie form. The emotional/spiritual sufferings of Christ is the key to His suffering as a Sacrifice for the world's sins - of which the Scriptures are silent on. We wouldn't be able to comprehend that aspect of His terrible sufferings - the aspect of which He prayed to pass from Him if possible. The land was engulfed in darkness for 3 hours as the holy Son becomes sin and is temporary seperated from the Father, all alone in His suffering. :bow: The Scriptural account is more than sufficient, so says the Holy Spirit !;)

As i said previously, Gibson, Caviezel et.al dedicated this movie to Mary - the "Queen of Heaven, Co-Redemptrix" Whenever it appeared "Jesus" could go on no longer, there magically was His mother to give Him strength !!?? Why did Jesus refer to Himself as "the son of Thy (the Father's) handmaiden" ?? Why did the Apostles call Mary "mother" ?? Totally UNSCRIPTURAL and a glorification of Mary. I doubt very much the Son of God Most High would refer to Himself as such and i'm sure the Apostle's didn't call her "mother"

Why pick actors of ill-repute (porn stars) ??? Surely a movie about God's Son deserves only the most praiseworthy of persons don't you think ??

I did watch it - there were a few good points in the movie but overall i felt it was more a movie of Mary's sufferings than of the Son of God's !:sigh:


Ray :wave:

[All4God09]

To be honest, I can't say I loved the movie. I mean, it changed my life!!! I realized how much Jesus did for me, and I came back to the church and repented. But while I was sitting in that theater, I felt so horrible seeing what I do to Jesus every day. I cried and cried long after it was over...I am so grateful to Mel Gibson for what he did! I hated every second of it because I realized my selfishness and nobody loves that feeling. But it was the most amazing experience of my life!

[DanielJamesSimon]

The scourging scene went on for ever and ever. It made the story unbelievable for many unbelievers simply because it is humanly impossible for a man to endure what "Christ" did in this movie. As a Christian, this is disturbing to me - as if it is necessary to go "gung-ho" on the violence in order to show unbelievers how great our Saviour is. Not necessary - Paul said people are won to Christ by PREACHING the Gospel, not PRESENTING it in play/movie form. The emotional/spiritual sufferings of Christ is the key to His suffering as a Sacrifice for the world's sins - of which the Scriptures are silent on. We wouldn't be able to comprehend that aspect of His terrible sufferings - the aspect of which He prayed to pass from Him if possible. The land was engulfed in darkness for 3 hours as the holy Son becomes sin and is temporary seperated from the Father, all alone in His suffering. :bow: The Scriptural account is more than sufficient, so says the Holy Spirit !;)

As i said previously, Gibson, Caviezel et.al dedicated this movie to Mary - the "Queen of Heaven, Co-Redemptrix" Whenever it appeared "Jesus" could go on no longer, there magically was His mother to give Him strength !!?? Why did Jesus refer to Himself as "the son of Thy (the Father's) handmaiden" ?? Why did the Apostles call Mary "mother" ?? Totally UNSCRIPTURAL and a glorification of Mary. I doubt very much the Son of God Most High would refer to Himself as such and i'm sure the Apostle's didn't call her "mother"

Why pick actors of ill-repute (porn stars) ??? Surely a movie about God's Son deserves only the most praiseworthy of persons don't you think ??

I did watch it - there were a few good points in the movie but overall i felt it was more a movie of Mary's sufferings than of the Son of God's !:sigh:


Ray :wave:

Good post, Ray (can I call you "Ray"?) I agree that the scourging was too far, as I said. I also totally agree that people are won to Christ by preaching rather than through some entertainment medium. I do think a movie isn't a bad thing; I like it for the same reasons that I liked Saving Private Ryan, The Patriot, and Braveheart, for example; historical portrayels of big events. We really don't need to see the movies, we could read history, but movies are a huge part of Western society now, and most things are portrayed through a movie in some way or another. I think the Passion was simply another historical movie, only probably more accurate than the others (it was done in Aramaic/Latin, for example) because Mel really believed in His cause.

I don't agree that it is an "evengelical tool". I just thought it was a good movie. The Scriptural account sure is more than sufficient and the movie wasn't needed, but the same could be said about World War II.

I don't quite understand what you mean about the Scriptures being silent on the emotional/spiritual suffering. I do think the movie did portray this as well as a visual movie can, for example in the opening scene.

I do agree with what you say about Mary, though. Perhaps I didn't notice it enough at the time, but it shouldn't portray Mary as any more than Jesus' mother. I didn't feel it did overtly glorify her, but your post did bring some points to my attention. I remember now being a bit annoyed at the Apostles calling her "mother".

I had no idea there were porn stars in it, had I known that at the time I may have felt differently.

I can't say I agree that the movie focused on Mary's sufferings. It did, perhaps, pay too much attention to Mary, but I didn't think it glorified/focused on Mary anymore than Jesus, in fact far less.

I do appreciate your points, though. They were good points.:)

[Big Mouth Nana]

Maybe there is something wrong with me, or it was just the circumstaces of being at the theater. The sound was about 5000 decibles to where you could feel the sound in your chest. Then right before the resurrection, the film broke and the lights went up.......ANNOUNCEMENT......SORRY FOLKS, WE WILL HAVE THE FILM RUNNING AGAIN IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES. I left.
I will watch it again when it comes out on DVD. It made me realize the torture that Jesus actually went through, more then reading the account in the bible. I liked the satan scene also when "she" was walking behind the crowd. Should have used a guy for that part though. I didn't care much for the subtitles either. Mel is rich, he could have afforded a talkie.

[Ashlynne]

I watched this and so many people were crying in the theator.
It was very emotional triggering.
Ashlynne

[Amanda-Soo]

I cried a lot the first time I saw it.

[Kathryn13]

The subtitles distracted me some though. I would have liked it better without any subtitles...I think I would have figured out what was going on just as easily.

[tyr0ne]

I thought the movie was great :)

Straight to the point, in your face gospel.
Our church raised the money and took over 1000 young people from the local schools to see it.

Many made a decision to give their life to God!!! And alot of school's now have Christian lunch time program's running.

[PaladinGirl]

I haven't seen it yet and don't know if I will or not. I don't usually browse Fundamentalist sites for info like this but I did find this on a Fundamentalist KJV Only site called www.av1611.org. I don't know how accurate everything is on this site but they have an article called The Poison in the Passion which seems to point out a LOT of heretical things and Biblical inaccuracies in the movie. The site was interesting but I am rather skeptical as to how accurate it is.

[lnknprk2003]

i thought the movie was amazing

[Snowy]

I loved it!

[joku]

You're right, Jesus in all probability was NOT whiteI don't remember exactly where... but I remember reading somewhere in the Bible that Jesus has an olive complection...

[Athanasian Creed]

I don't remember exactly where... but I remember reading somewhere in the Bible that Jesus has an olive complection...
Nope...no reference to the physical features of Christ as He appeared in the likeness of man anywhere in the Bible. ;)

We can assume an olive complexion due to the fact that Middle Eastern persons today have such characteristic predominately but not exclusively.


Ray :wave:

[Shyguy]

good movie, it made me all teary eyed

[Olga]

I can`t watch my Lord dying, even on TV :cry:

[tanya88]

I love it!!!!!!!!:) I cry through the whole movie:cry: !!!!! i can't wait till it come out!!!!!!!!

[Orthodox Andrew]

It was wonderful!

[tweek821]

This movie was amazing! No other movie in all of my life has moved me the way this film did. After watching Christ willingly crawl onto that cross during the cruxifiction scene, I can say, "Jesus is my hero" and not feel dumb or cliche'.

[crossrunner]

Truely one of my most favorite movies.:D

[Oblivious]

I finally saw the movie a couple of weeks ago. I think it was just "okay". IMO the violence was a little overkill. I find it hard to believe anyone could survive such a beating - I would think one would bleed to death. :confused: Yes, I know we're talking about Jesus here but He has a man, and I don't believe any man would have survived through that as long as Jesus did in this movie.

[crossrunner]

Oblivious...
I understand what you are saying and to a point I agree with you.... I surely don't count this movie as another gospel...after all...it was just a movie. However, the way I look at the brutality of it, I think of it as being a representation of what Jesus was willing to go through for me. I also think that what He went through was far worse than the movie portrayed because He had to endure the torture of taking on all of our sin as He died. As for the blood He loses during the beating scene...yeah, it was a little extreme...however I can't help but to think as I watch that scene...How much blood would He need to lose in order to cover us all? Perhaps that's the symbolism of that scene. God bless you!:D

[Oblivious]

Oblivious...
I understand what you are saying and to a point I agree with you.... I surely don't count this movie as another gospel...after all...it was just a movie. However, the way I look at the brutality of it, I think of it as being a representation of what Jesus was willing to go through for me. I also think that what He went through was far worse than the movie portrayed because He had to endure the torture of taking on all of our sin as He died. As for the blood He loses during the beating scene...yeah, it was a little extreme...however I can't help but to think as I watch that scene...How much blood would He need to lose in order to cover us all? Perhaps that's the symbolism of that scene. God bless you!:D
That's a pretty cool prespective, I never thought of it that way.

Thanks for sharing! :)

[kwimmer]

Can you love a movie like that? I still think it's weird for people to say that they loved the Passion. It maybe be about love, but it is hard to love what love goes through.

[faith by day]

I loved it...... I was sad to see how they treated someone so dear to us today.... i will bye it soon enough too

[cabbitgrrrl]

Life of Brian was better

[cabbitgrrrl]

I loved it...... I was sad to see how they treated someone so dear to us today.... i will bye it soon enough too
oh please, my ancient sisters were treated much worse

[~Mrs. A2J~]

I voted for "I loved it!' though I'm not sure that's the phrase I would use to describe the feelings I felt after viewing it. I was speechless and very moved even having already read the account of the crucifixion many times.

Sarah

[DR_F15H]

I've heard that the Passion is a very powerful, moving, and touching film, it's just too bad that I haven't seen it yet. There's rarely films that are as strong as this, somehow I feel proud of it, maybe because I'm a Christian even though many of the people I know that have watched the movie think that it is not as accurate as it could of been.

[cabbitgrrrl]

I voted for "I loved it!' though I'm not sure that's the phrase I would use to describe the feelings I felt after viewing it. I was speechless and very moved even having already read the account of the crucifixion many times.

Sarah

i voted i wont watch it lol, i dont really wanna see a movie about a guy getting beat up and being tortured to death

[rainbowprism]

People sometimes question the accuracy of this movie, but we also have to remember that some of the source is from the book, The Dolorous Passion of the Christ, which is based on the vision of this Catholic (?) woman. There is a website online somewhere where you can read it, once you do things make a little more sense.

[indeep]

I thought it was okay, but I didn't think that it served a purpose for people who weren't christians. I just couldn't see a non-christian going out to the movies and watching it somehow.

Straight to video would be my recommendation!

[Bushi]

I am working harder toward being worthy of His gift since seeing this movie.

Gwennie
That will never happen.


I loved it.

[Mimi]

I loved it......if you can say it that way....too bad it was so catholic

[~WildRoseCowgirl~]

you should hjave put in an option for those who havna seen it yet!

[God_of_Mercy]

It is a nessesisity for all Christians and non-Christians to see

[Libby1]

How about a square for I'VE NEVER SEEN IT. That is how I would have to vote.

[Athanasian Creed]

It is a nessesisity for all Christians and non-Christians to see

No, it's not a "necessity" - the Holy Spirit did a wonderful job of outlining the sufferings of the Saviour in His Word - especially considering the obvious focus on Mary and the extra-Biblical assumptions in the movie. NO ONE could share in the passion of Christ - not even His mother or disciples - it was a Divine sacrifice that mere mortals could not even begin to comprehend the magnitude !!:preach:


Ray :wave:

[RyanLJohnson1]

4"You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments (Exodus 20:4-6).



These verses are very clear. The second commandment gives practical instruction on proper worship. Some may get the impression that this verse only pertains to the worship of false gods. In other words, someone may say, "Although it's wrong to worship created objects associated with false gods, it's okay to worship images of the Holy One." Traditionally, this verse has not been interpreted in this fashion. This verse means that we are not to make any image, whether in the likeness of a false god or in the "likeness" of the Holy One. He has made it very clear that we are not to worship carved images of any sort.



11"Then you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the midst of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. 12And the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; you only heard a voice…15 "Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, 16lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female (person implied), 17the likeness of any animal that is on the earth or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, 18the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth. 19And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage (Deuteronomy 4:11-19, emphasis added).



Deuteronomy 4:11-19 clearly indicates that we are not to make any images of His likeness. This is why the Holy One told them to remember they hadn't seen any form or likeness of His image. This is clear enough—"You didn't see any form/image of Me when I spoke to you; therefore, do not create any form/image to represent me."



I assume most of you reading this article are either Christian or Messianic and already understand that Yeshua is Divine. Therefore, I will not belabor this point. Since, therefore, Messiah is the Divine Elohim (God), then it should be obvious that the prohibition of representing the Holy One in any form/image would also apply to Yeshua. Many others are also bringing this understanding to the forefront of their arguments against viewing The Passion of the Christ. We are commanded not to make images of the Holy One, period. Many Protestants understand the idolatry of images of Yeshua on the Catholic Cross; however, this prohibition should apply to all other representations of Messiah Yeshua. It is wrong to try to capture the Eternal One with our guesses as to his image. Why? Because none of our guesses about His image are true. By default they are all untrue. If it were important to know what He looked like, I'm sure the disciples would have drawn pictures of Him for future generations. The fact that they chose to skip the obvious opportunity to preserve images of Yeshua speaks volumes, volumes, volumes concerning their understanding of the second commandment as it pertained to images of Yeshua, the Eternal Elohim of the Universe.
When I watched it (before I had read this) I felt something wrong in the pit of my stomach. I felt very sick. Everybody was so excited about it, but there was still something wrong... I now realize why Jim Caviezel was struck by lightning twice while shooting the film.

Don't get me wrong, it's an awesome witnessing tool! ... but it is idolatry. The film, just like many other Jesus films, puts a form to Jesus... G-d Incarnate. How can you even attempt to put form to Jesus? How can you even DARE to make an emulation, even if it's just "on film?"

We are commanded not to make images of the Holy One, period. Many Protestants understand the idolatry of images of Yeshua on the Catholic Cross; however, this prohibition should apply to all other representations of Messiah Yeshua. It is wrong to try to capture the Eternal One with our guesses as to his image. Why? Because none of our guesses about His image are true. By default they are all untrue.
You may disagree with me sharply. Go for it, it's your right!

http://home.att.net/~tnt_robinson/wsb/ConcerningThePassion.htm

http://home.att.net/~mbmyeshiva/wsb/ByTheMouth.htm

http://home.att.net/~mbmyeshiva/wsb/TruthTheMain.htm

http://home.att.net/~mbmyeshiva/wsb/IsThePassion.htm

http://home.att.net/~mbmyeshiva/wsb/RevealingThePurpose.htm

http://home.att.net/~mbmyeshiva/wsb/ThePassionEntertainment.htm

http://home.att.net/~mbmyeshiva/wsb/ThePassionOfSamson.htm

:groupray:

Love in Yeshua,
Ryan

[Athanasian Creed]

{snip} Don't get me wrong, it's an awesome witnessing tool! ... but it is idolatry. {snip} Love in Yeshua, Ryan
Your statement here is a contradiction to the rest of your post Ryan. Since when is idolatry an "awesome witnessing tool" ?? ;)

People are truly saved by the "foolishness of preaching" as Paul said. We have the complete Word of God and the Holy Spirit has enabled men to come to Christ by the words therein NOT by a movie that some say (myself included) is an affront to the true Gospel and the true Jesus of the Bible !! God has revealed ALL we need to know about the passion of Christ in the Bible - NOTHING else is necessary nor should anyone be looking for any "extras" outside of what the Holy Spirit in His wisdom has revealed to mankind !! :thumbsup:


Ray :wave:

[RyanLJohnson1]

Your statement here is a contradiction to the rest of your post Ryan. Since when is idolatry an "awesome witnessing tool" ??
This film has probably brought hundreds, perhaps thousands, to Christ. This is why it is an "awesome witnessing tool." These people are unaware that it is idolatry...

[RyanLJohnson1]

Don't get me wrong, it's an awesome witnessing tool! ... but it is idolatry.
You must look at my context ;)

You are right though... since when was something that was idolatry "awesome?" This is why I refuse to watch the film (ever again.) I wish I wouldn't have seen it in the first place... :doh:

Love in Yeshua,
Ryan

[cabbitgrrrl]

This film has probably brought hundreds, perhaps thousands, to Christ. This is why it is an "awesome witnessing tool." These people are unaware that it is idolatry...

I knew someone who had been brought to christ by Stone Cold Steve Austin's Austin 3:16 lmao

[little chris]

it was a GOOD movie
:D

[rainbowprism]

I think this is taking the fear being idolators way too far. This movie has deeply affected people and moved many to come into relationship with Christ. This movie was a movie that was intended to glorify the Lord...you can't say that about many movies at all. In fact most movies these days mock Christ and his values...if I'm going to go to the movies I would rather see something that is going to enhance my walk with Christ, and being reminded of his sacrafice and love for me is a great thing to see.

[RyanLJohnson1]

Gibson should have named the film, "*The Eucharist! Re-re-re-re-re-re-re-crucifying Christ: part 1"

*...starring Jesus Christ Himself... oops... JIM CAVIEZEL!

:P

Love in Yeshua,
Ryan

[Mimi]

Gibson should have named the film, "*The Eucharist! Re-re-re-re-re-re-re-crucifying Christ: part 1"

*...starring Jesus Christ Himself... oops... JIM CAVIEZEL!

:P

Love in Yeshua,
Ryan

:D

Funny.....No offense taken Ryan:hug:

[Athanasian Creed]

I think this is taking the fear (of) being idolators way too far. This movie has deeply affected people and moved many to come into relationship with Christ. This movie was a movie that was intended to glorify the Lord...you can't say that about many movies at all. In fact most movies these days mock Christ and his values...if I'm going to go to the movies I would rather see something that is going to enhance my walk with Christ, and being reminded of his sacrafice and love for me is a great thing to see.

Intended to glorify the Lord ???? Read from some of the websites Ryan listed in his post. There is a part in there about Gibson being astonished at the acceptance the movie had amongst Evangelicals since it was so "Marian" in nature. The movie was dedicated to Mary NOT Christ. :sigh:

That being said, i do not for a moment doubt God's ability to use this movie for His glory - IN SPITE of it. He can save whomever by whatever means He chooses, He is God ! :bow: However, i do not believe that it focuses on Christ more than it focuses on Mary and her role as Catholicism sees her (Co-Redemptrix/Co-Mediator with Christ):(

Why do we need a movie to tell us what God's Word already tells us - Christ was crucified for our sins and resurrected for our justification. The Holy Spirit could have included in graphic detail the agonies suffered by the Redeemer BUT HE DID NOT. Our finite minds would not be able to comprehend in the slightest the magnitude of the sacrifice Christ paid in becoming sin for us. :bow:

Did the movie bring you closer to Christ ?? Just a question, when you pray or meditate on the sufferings of Christ do you have the image of the actor who played Jesus (Jim ??) come to your mind ?? If so, you will see why some within the Church (albeit far too few IMO) see this as one of the reasons this movie is idolatrous (Mariology notwithstanding) ;)


Ray :wave:

[evildead]

Not sure if this has been said but...

While I didn't see the movie, nor do I plan to give Mel more money, my impression was that people were treating this film like the camera traveled back in time. If you removed the subject of Jesus, then it's just about a guy getting beat to a pulp. Obviously most of you hold this event as factual or you wouldn't be Christians, duh. So how could a movie possibly be so powerful when it wasn't actual footage, and didn't present anything beyond what was already believed. I think we already have good enough imaginations to picture a guy getting kicked around for a day and nailed up in the sun. I already hold to evolution, but I don't need to see a dramtic film of Darwin messing around on his Beagle trip to strenghen my thoughts. So I'm just having a hard time figuring out what the differance is between these two trains of thought. I'm more places my thoughts on the table, don't really need a reply.

[2Timothy2]

I haven't seen the movie and I won't. I simply do not want anyone else's image of what my Savior went through for me to be flashing through my mind when I contemplate His sufferings.

That said, I do believe the movie may have been used by God in some people's lives. However, it would have been better to end the movie with the empty tomb. :bow:

[RyanLJohnson1]

Just a question, when you pray or meditate on the sufferings of Christ do you have the image of the actor who played Jesus (Jim ??) come to your mind ??
Yes, I do, and I hate it. When I watched the film I felt like it was belitting Christ, and it certainly is :(

Love in Yeshua,
Ryan

[Shann0n]

it honestly changed my life in a positive way

[cabbitgrrrl]

it honestly changed my life in a positive way

you should watch the Life of Brian, its much better :)

[JohnnyV]

Awesome Movie!!!

[cabbitgrrrl]

Awesome Movie!!!

I think that all of the monty python movies i've seen changed my life hehe, although i've only seen life of brian and holy grail

[Bullheadangel811]

I watched it and it WAS really harrd to watch but i forced myself to watch it and it opened my eyes more to what Jesus did for us. It's shocking but true. As for Jim Cavezel being white and Jesus maybe not being white... he's jsut an actor portraying Jesus. I mean its not like they could find someone that looked exactly like Jesus. We have to be reasonable. Just a thought.

God Bless

[ChristianCandy]

What are your thoughts on the movie?
It was really hard to watch our Saviour on a BIG screen suffer for 2 1/2 to 3 hrs.

It was TRUTH...all of it. But I rated it as "it's okay" because although it was well done, factual & will reach many unsaved or unknowledgeable people who don't know the truth about Jesus, & I really commend Mel Gibson for making & producing the movie, it also reminded me of how cruel, cold & mean mankind & life can really be sometimes.

I didn't enjoy the suffering, but it was a well made movie & it did bring Jesus to the limelight if even for a few short months into the minds of non-Christians who might have never otherwise have known anything about Him.

I was also more than happy to purchase a couple of tickets just to support Mel's work & would have done the same for any well-made Christian film.

[~Lynn~]

never seen the movie but not because I won't watch it, simply because I haven't bothered yet.. this post reminded me that I want to see it.

[Touring3D]

It was a very moving experience to watch The Passion of the Christ. I knew before I went, that I must be spiritually prepared. I was, and it made it that much better. :)

I was also excited by the amount of coverage the movie got on the news channels. Many people were speaking about Jesus and His death on the cross. I'm sure people were saved due to this movie, and I am so thankful for that. :pray:

[Sacrifice]

Great way to spread the word of what Christ did. I personally loved it and I wept like a baby all throughout.

[meg324]

I wish it had focused a little bit more on his miracles and WHY they were crucifying. My hubby is a non-believer (used to go to church) and he didn't understand a lot of the movie because of the lack of background. I do know that this was Mel Gibson's work to help him sort through his own demons in the way that he found helped him, and I'm cool with that. I just didn't like that it was hyped up so much to bring people to Christ, when it was hard for a non-believer to understand.

[AdJesumPerMariam]

I cried thru it, also. Took my daughter & my grandson!

[_Zap_]

Uh... well, I haven't watched it yet. I might watch it, but since that wasn't an option I went with I won't watch it.

[The "J"]

I liked it.

[Nevada77]

I loved the movie. It was so moving. It made communion so much more meaningful to me.

Nevada :angel:

[Kristi1]

I did not vote. I have not seen the moive as of yet. When it came out last year, I couldn't go see it at all. Now the DVD is at my Post Office Box and my room-mate is running some errands and will pick up my mail for me. I still don't have any income at all ZERO since July 21st, 2003, this is why I couldn't go see the movie when it came out.



Blessings, \o/ :clap:

KristiAnn
AKA
MsGuidedAngel

[k]

Given that it is understood that God will use the movie (as in all things) for God's Glory, this does not mean we should ignore some obvious problems. Opus Dei is the very institution that Jesus preached against, and this movie seriously helped the financial end of Gibson's work. Does anyone know what Gibson has done with the $325+ million dollars the movie took in? This is an extremely important question to answer because Christians, regardless of denomination, need to put their money where there Faith is. Btw, Opus Dei built their headquarters in NYC at the cost of $47 million dollars. Does anyone actually, prayerfully, believe God would have us spend this kind of money on brick, mortar, wood, and paint when there are so many starving children in America alone? Just some thoughts...

Peace

[Zackmeister]

I thought it was a great movie. I don't often cry in the theater, and when everyone in the theater cries with you... Pretty special.

[Venus13]

Well, I will watch the DVD next week! I look forward to it!

[Khrissy78]

I waited in line at midnight when the dvd went on sale...I could not wait to watch it...I was left nearly speechless...the only thing i could say is "I love you Lord, I Believe in you, I wont let you down"...I cried from start to finish my eyes were swollen shut the next moring..extremly powerful movie...Mel Gibson did an amazing job as did John ? who played the Christ...Everyone should see this movie, He died for you...

God Bless,
Khrissy

[churchgoer38850]

i went 2 the theater and watch it all i could do was thank him 4 doing that for me ..I think Jim Cathizl or somthing like that played Jesus:)

[Kristi1]

I did not vote. I have not seen the moive as of yet. When it came out last year, I couldn't go see it at all. Now the DVD is at my Post Office Box and my room-mate is running some errands and will pick up my mail for me. I still don't have any income at all ZERO since July 21st, 2003, this is why I couldn't go see the movie when it came out.



Blessings, \o/ :clap:

KristiAnn
AKA
MsGuidedAngel


Okay I seen it and Voted ~> I loved it!

It made me cry!!

[Infernal Freak]

Loved it...it was awesome, it did have the parts that made you want to cry, but really, it was awesome so I bought it! I think it brings you to more of a realization of what Christ really did for us...
-Heather

[Russebby]

Cried like a baby watching it. I was the only one in my family who watched it in the theaters. I told everyone that watching it was like watching the most beautiful and innocent person you know brutally raped and murdered. I also told everyone the violence was over the top--it was necessary, but far beyond good taste, and I likened it to another beautiful and graphic movie, SCHINDLER'S LIST; in the scene at Auschwitz, when the women are huddled into the showers thinking they were going to be gassed, Speilberg halts just short by having water come from the shower heads; imagine the scene if they were gassed. To me, that is how I felt watching chunks of Jesus's flesh being pulled out by the cat-of-nine-tails.

When the Romans were panning over the table considering the tools for scourging Jesus, I was shifting in my seat, saying through tears, please, Mel, don't do it, don't pull out the cat-of-nine-tails. And he did it. And he took it so far over the edge. The most brutal thing I think I will ever see in the movies. Hopefully no one ever tries to top it.

Unless my grandkids have a want to watch it, I probably will never watch it again. It's been a few months, and it's still making me shiver to think of.

[Russebby]

I found this post, written when the movie first came out. It got a few smarmy responses, and I felt it deserved better. So I am resuscitating it and giving it the serious consideration it originally deserved but never got.

If your mother had to sacrifice herself to gang of thugs to save your life, and she was brutally raped and mutilated in so doing, would you honor her memory by annually viewing a videotape of the whole event?

Say your father died rescuing you from a terrorist attack, and in the process was beaten, tortured and beheaded to save you. Would you feel you were honoring him by viewing a tape of it every year, and do you think thats what he would want you to do?

There is a reason that the families of the victims of Paul Bernardo do not watch that videotape of their daughters being mutilated and raped. Why does God's children feel a need to watch a tape of His Son being mtuilated?
First of all, I would never tell anyone to watch this movie unless they had the temperament for it. And I certainly would not include it for annual viewing every Easter. I also would never say that you are a bad Christian for not watching it.

The death of Jesus is at the core of the belief system of Christianity, that this man died for our sins. This is a person who knew when He was born that He would die this way. I believe part of the reason why these analogies do not work is because the mother and father are acting in the heat of the moment. Jesus knew from day one what His destiny was.

As for the Bernardo analogy, I don't think the rape and mutilation of the girls fit into their parents' belief system as would the death of Jesus. I hardly think the world is at all better by their suffering. The world IS saved, however, because of the suffering of Christ.

Now, let's say the mother did die at the hand of thugs, and the father died at the hand of terrorists, and their children did somehow come away with a better life as a result of it. Let's say that happened. If after several years those kids grow up and take their parents' actions for granted, I don't think it at all negligent to remind them of what was at stake. And as such, I think it may be even pertinent if, should they completely denigrate their sacrifices, to pop in a VHS tape and show them, once and for all, what brutality they had to endure for the kids to prosper.

In this way, when we read scripture in a skimming fashion, yes, we note Jesus died for our sins, but there is no connection between the vague descriptions in the book and how we can use this information in our daily lives. As such, it becomes easy to take it all for granted.

For many of us, including me at times, we need a very vivid display to remind us of the very real things of other times and places. I don't think we can get a true sense of a spike being nailed through our hands until we actually hold a spike in one hand and press the point to the other palm and wince when it pokes, and we start to imagine it actually being pounded through the skin and bone, through a wooden beam. Pressing the point to our skin is painful enough. It goes beyond comprehension to think of being held down and having it pounded through the flesh and bone all the way through, and then still having it pounded maybe several dozens times until the spike went through the beam.

If we are ever going to start having serious discussions about the horrors of human history--the dehumanizing effects of slavery and genocide, the brutal nature of all war, the cruel impotence poverty imposes on many around the world--we have to start with putting ourselves in the position of others. This is empathy. And empathy ought to replace hindsight as the real motivation of historical pursuits.

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST is not just a glorified snuff film, as one might think. Jesus is presented as a very human entity, frightened beyond belief, feeling every sting, every blow, just as you and I would. As such, we can put ourselves in His place, and we can guess how much of this pain we could tolerate, which would be incredibly little. Knowing our limitations ought to breed a deeper appreciation for someone who did endure it, who felt the pain just as we would, yet He took it all.

It is that appreciation that compels us to watch this movie. If we have that appreciation already, maybe this movie is not necessary. But in a society of declining morals, in a civilization with dimming hopes, it becomes imperative to nurture appreciation for the things that ought to matter the most. In the end, our money is futile, our bodies will fail us, and everyone we love will leave us either through betrayal or death, but our relationship with Jesus, after all this, is the only thing that not only survives, but remains sterling.

It is a sad state of affairs to think it takes a movie like this to remind us of this. Unfortunately, we don't tack the Book of Ecclesiastes to our refrigerator door--we reserve that for Doonesbury and Dear Abby. When we as Christians return to reading the Gospels with the same zeal as when we read the latest John Grisham novel, our appreciation for Jesus's sacrifice will deepen. It's one thing to watch other similar movies, and in comparison to this movie, watching THE GREATEST STORY EVERY TOLD and seeing Max Von Sydow's grimaces and hearing his gasps almost seems comic compared to the Gibson telling. It is entirely another to take not only the fairly brief story from the Gospels, but from all the prophecies and the Talmud and Catholic dogma, and form it into something that makes us feel every single step. Perhaps this is just a sign of the times, proof of the growing power of the media to influence our emotions.

The reason why this is not just a snuff film is because the story is central to th