Am I The Only Baptist Not Thrilled By Mel's Passion?

Nope, I agree with you 110%.

God needs a pre-Vatican II Catholic who denies the salvation of everyone outside the Church including his wife to declare the glorious gospel of Christ???

I may see it, but I WILL NOT PROMOTE IT!!!!

 

I haven't seen a movie in years & I'm not seeing this one either. (Here's one preacher's thoughts on it)---
1. Christians who before had a little conscience left, and were convicted about R-rated movies will now feel justified, since their pastor recommended the R-rated "Jesus" movie.

2. Thousands of preachers' wives and daughters will gaze upon a Catholic "movie star," who will be half-naked, as he pretends to be Jesus. They
will view this half-naked "star" CLOSE UP, in gory violence, with the smiling approval of their pastor (husband, father, etc.), even though the Christian women in the Bible viewed most of the crucifixion event(concerning the real Jesus) AFAR OFF:

Matthew 27:55 And many women were there BEHOLDING AFAR OFF, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

Mark 15:40 There were also women LOOKING ON AFAR OFF...

3. Thousands of Christian pastors are embracing Mel Gibson as a "great evangelist," yet Gibson is a traditionalist Catholic who believes that
everyone who is NOT A ROMAN CATHOLIC is damned to eternal fire. Has a single evangelical preacher asked the man whether or not he thinks ROME was in ERROR for killing millions of Christians? Does he believe that people should be put to death for doctrinal reasons? His movie is meant to win people to CATHOLICISM, not Christianity:

"Despite its R rating - for gruesome scenes of Christ's scourging and crucifixion - youth ministers say they plan to take classes of teenagers to screenings of the film....'It's the best evangelization opportunity we've had since the actual death of Jesus,' said Lisa Wheeler of Atlanta, associate editor of Catholic Exchange, a Web portal dedicated to Internet evangelism....When St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church of Roswell and St.Brigid Catholic Church of Alpharetta reserved 1,500 seats for two Feb. 23showings, they were told that 40 other churches had competed for the same time slot....Catholic Exchange has prepared a book-length guide to 'The Passion' and is printing 100,000 copies, along with an 'evangelization'
plan that will be offered to the 100 churches of the Atlanta Archdiocese. Eventually it will be used nationwide, expects editor Tom Allen." (AtlantaJournal Constitution, Feb. 5th, 2004)

4. The movie will possibly contain doctrines of devils, and likely much that is false:

"According to Mel Gibson, he was partly inspired to create this epic movie because of the book, 'The Dolorous Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.' The book is based on the visions of a Catholic mystic - Venerable AnneCatherine Emmerich and tells the story of the Passion in much more detail than that found in the Bible. The book also contains a brief life of this
mystic who will be beatified by the Pope in the near future."(aquinasandmore.com)

 

Not that I agree with your ability to discern that which is only known by Mel Gibson and God (Mel's relationship with God), but by the above logic, you should also be rejecting the KJV. Why not see the good that can come of something, despite your personal disagreement with the personal beliefs of the person(s) involved in its production?

 

It' not the movie it is the evangelistic opertuinty that it presents, unsaved people will see it witness to them.

 

It' not the movie it is the evangelistic opertuinty that it presents, unsaved people will see it witness to them.

 

Why not see the good that can come of something

Well, I do agree folks can be saved "IN SPITE OF" something, not "BECAUSE OF" it.

 

"Am I The Only Baptist Not Thrilled By Mel's Passion?"

No, you're not.

 

If one soul comes to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior...

I'm really looking forward to this movie and believe many people will be touched. God can and will use even the rocks, even a Catholic, even you and me, to bring His children to their knees.

Diane

 

Not me!

 

Diane, I too am looking forward to seeing the movie.Mk

 

I have always been skeptical of the religious messages that come out of Hollywood's films. They are mostly slanted toward the RCC doctrine as it pertains to the plan of salvation. Why should I expect any thing different from this one? I have been an admirer of Mel Gibson's acting in some of his movies and have shuddered at his language in others.In those he didn't sound very christian. Now folks, don't try to tell me it was the character of his role. If he is such a great christian he didn't have to make those "Lethal Weapon" movies. Would any of you gone on screen and said those words?

 

It continually amazes me to see such concrete conclusions drawn by people who haven't seen the movie, and have received so-called "conclusive" information second hand.

Move beyond what you heard about it. I saw the interview yesterday where his only claim as to where the story came from is the four gospels. I have a Catholic bible on my shelf, and last I looked at it, the gospels read the same in it as they do in my KJV. If he remains true to the Text, he being Catholic or not, God will use this - if he remains true to the Word.

I must point out that only those who have actually seen the movie should comment on this point - otherwise it's just pure gossip on your part.

I haven't seen the movie - so I refuse to pass judgement on it like so many of you are doing now. If you are convicted not to see the movie - fine. Speak only of what you know for fact - not what "so-and-so" is saying lately (whoever's opinion you are following).

 

I agree with USN2Pulpit. I have not seen movie yet so I cannot judge it nor do any of us know the status of Mel Gibson's eternal salvation. I hope to see Movie in the next 2 weeks...Then I will comment.

 

After seeing the trailer for this film, I know that my teen daughter will NOT be going to see this film with her youth group. After I see it, then maybe I will let her. R rated movies are always a no-no at this point, and I can't make an exception without seeing it for myself first.

It would be a true blessing if this film was a strong evangelistic tool, but my spirit is uneasy about it. Could be my cautious nature !

 

I am almost worried about who I find myself agreeing with on this issue

I am seriously bothered by the rush to embrace a Hollywood film produced by a grace-denying man. God can use ANYTHING, but that does not excuse our pragmatism. When I was in college a knew a professing Christian girl who claimed she got here opportunity to witness to young men by sleeping with them, then sharing Christ after their intimacy. Could God use that? Yes, He is sovereign.

I may see this film, but cannot agree that this is the greatest evangelistic tool in years. It is a Hollywood film, my many lost friends will see it as they. None of my dear catholic friends doubt what happened on the church. If anything they will show more gratitude to Mother Church for bringing salvation to them.

Major disagreement with those whom I normally agree with and vice versa on this issue.

 

"Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham, but if an unsaved Catholic would produce a very emotional movie about the crucifixion, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."

 

Christ4Kildare: see my posts under General Baptist Discussions. I agree with you. In fact, although I've just read all the glowing reviews by everyone from Youth Specialties to National Council of Churches, Chuck Colson, Pat Robertson, etc. I wonder what John Hagee thinks. I think Mel is maybe trying to make a bundle of money off the sadistic treatment of Christ. Doesn't anyone feel concerned about the excessive morbid focus on the violence of this film? Graphic Violence is okay if it's directed against the Saviour, otherwise it is sinful and wrong? I question this film as a sick production.

 

I don't think anyone here has the ability to look at Gibson's heart. He has probably hurt his career with this film and from his on mouth wants to show how much Christ suffered through His loving sacrifice. Christians often forget that Psalms 22 describes the crucifiction in a very graphic way. I would prefer a film that is realistic rather than a sanitized version. I will give my critique of the film once I have seen it and not before I have.

 

Me, neither. But there seem to be a lot of people on here who are quick to judge him when they haven't even seen the film.

Sad.