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

I have not seen the movie so I can not comment on how the movie portrays the crucifition of Christ. However, I do worry that this could be seen as a case of idolatry. Some may worship the Jesus portrayed in the movie rather the biblical Jesus.

 

I will judge after I see the movie.

 

Same here. Not sure I really "want" to see the gruesomeness of Christ's treatment, but I think we often sanitize it. It will most likely be an excellent remnder of the severity of His sacrifice for us.

 

To those who are concerned that this "Hollywood" production of the "Passion" is being produced to line the pockets of an "un-saved Catholic"....I only want to say please be careful not to assume whether someone is saved or not even if you DON'T agree with that person's faith. I'm a Catholic and I don't agree with all of Mel Gibson's views either, but I don't know his heart any more than the rest of you. As for the "gruesomeness" of this movie, I have heard it is brutal. I like to think of it to all Christian and non-Christians alike as a potential wake-up call. I have tickets to see this movie. After I view it, I'll re-read again Christ's passion as portrayed in the Bible and only be able to offer an opinion, but what the hey? If it puts any fears aside, great! But let's wait and see, ok? God bless! - Meercat

 

Gibson himself is judging the hearts of all who are not Catholics, including his own wife!

My problem is the "bandwagon" effect. If we are at the stage where God must use ungodly Hollywood to present His gospel then we are in sad shape.

 

Well....What about this?
"God's method's are as important as His message." Does God need and would He use Chase Manhatten, Hollywood and the romanists to declare and preach the Gospel?
The old addage, "If one soul gets saved then it must be worth it" (or righteous?) This old phrase has been used in the largest "blue steel gun barrel straight, heaven high, hell deep, fundamental independant Baptist Churches" in America. They used Madison Ave. techniques, Barnum and Baily advertising and shows, got millions and millions of dollars in debt and where are they today?
Now this is what I am personally dealing with: A new family came to our church last night and ask me right before they went out the door, "Preacher, what do you think of Mel's new movie, don't you think it will bring world revival?"
"Heaven and earth will pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Luke 21:33
Thanks -------Bart

 

So nobody has seen the film yet. I notice on msnbc they are going way out of thier way to do a hatchet job on Mel and this movie.When they can't get anything out of Mel they go pick on his father.Had they not found anything they liked to pick on about his father ,I suspect they would have worked until they found a 14th or 15th cousin or something equally rediculous.
Let's wait until the film comes out and then judge it.Nobody knows what effect it will have.But I do have to say anything the liberal media hates so much can't be all bad.

 

I humbly disagree. I don't have to see a Hollywood movie made by a pre-Vatican II member of a grace denying organisation to be opposed to it. Mel will make MILLIONS on this as well as actors who may very well be starring in the semi-porn trash that Hollywood pumps out on a regular basis.

The word of God is plenty descriptive in its accounts of the brutality of the crucifixion. Why do we need Hollywood when we have God's Word?

All MSNBC wants is a story.

 

First, let me "unqualify" myself before I make the following observations about why I am "skeptical" about this movie. I have not seen it. My pastor has.

1. It is reported to be about the last 12 hours of Jesus' life. My first "concern" is what in the last 12 hours of Jesus' life would indicate to non-believers exactly who He was? Is it just a "blood and guts", violent movie about the horrors of crucifixion? Or is there a way for non-believers to make the connection as to who Jesus is and why this happened to Him?

2. Does the movie allow any time for the resurrection such that one who doesn't know would understand it? To me, the crucifixion story is validated by the resurrection.

When I asked my pastor about concern #1, he didn't/couldn't give me a definitive answer. For HIM, he said he was moved to tears and had a new and fresh understanding of just exactly what Jesus endured for us and the sacrifice He made for us.

When I asked him if the movie addressed the resurrection, he said it did...about 2 minutes at the very end. For him, it was very powerful, but he knows about the resurrection. For a non-believer, he said it was rather "abstract", and they might not understand what had happened...if they didn't know.

I have heard about people buying "blocks" of tickets; I saw the article about the man in Dallas who bought out the entire theater. What I HAVEN'T heard is that they are giving the tickets to non-believers. The article about the man in Dallas said he would offer half the tickets to his church family, and he would give the others to pastors and seminary students. Generous, but doesn't sound too "evangelistic" to me.

I saw someone on this board post somewhere (sorry, don't remember who or where) that their congregation was going to see the movie together in place of a Sunday night service...or that would BE the Sunday night service.

So for those who think this movie is a witnessing tool, I'm not sure I see it yet.

The "hype" about this movie has been no different than the "hype" surrounding other movies. Almost every day, my pastor receives promos about the movie from all kinds of organizations offering flyers, booklets, videos, and other evangelistic tools, all for purchase, of course.

So far, from my own personal perspective, this is a huge money-making event for a lot of people, not the least of whom is Hollywood. It is R-rated which will probably make people see it who would not ordinarily be interested. (And I pray they will understand the significance of what they have seen.) But for Christians who don't ordinarily view R-rated movies and don't let their children see R-rated movies, is it OK in this circumstance to see an R-rated movie?

I truly hope this movie helps many, many people understand who Jesus was, the significance of what He did for us on the cross, and the powerful promise as evidenced by the resurrection. I hope through seeing this movie, many come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

I realize it is early, and the movie hasn't even been released to the general public yet. Am I going to see it? At this point, I don't think I am. I understand what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross and the significance of it; I have understood and believed since I was a small child. I don't know that sitting through 2 hours of an R-rated, violent movie depicting Hollywood's reenactment of what happened is necessary to make me understand better.

Just my 2 cents...
CJ

 

There is a lot of discussion on here about us critics of the film being against something we have not seen.

How many went to see "Jesus Christ Superstar?"
How many went to see "The Last Temptation Of Christ?"
Now, why didn't you?
It was because of what you heard beforehand.
I went to see, and endorsed The Gospel of John when it came out. It stuck to the scriptures, exactly to the scriptures and I felt the violence depicted in it was accurate, without being gorey.
It is clear that this picture adds some extra-biblical content and is overly concentrated on the violence. It IS R rated.
As I posted elsewhere on this subject, I don't condemn my fellow believers who want to see it, but, IMHO, not me.

 

CJ,

That was the best articulation of my views on the film that I have read. Thank you for making such a clear presentation of what I have been so ineloquently been trying to say.

Thank you,
Roger

 

I just know that the "world" hated Jesus, even now. Why would the "world" love Jesus enough to see this? It's not about the Real Jesus.

 

The "world" isn't going to see this because they love Jesus, but hopefully some of them will come to love Jesus after seeing the movie.

 

Dearest BrianT~I'd rather them come to love the REAL Jesus and the REAL Bible.

 

Brian, everywhere we go, people are talking about the movie. I just wonder how many might begin to think about what the Lord has done for them and either surrender fully to HIM or come to church to find out more.

We're going to have a problem even getting in! Some nights are completely sold out! I'm going with a girlfriend (age 27 and my best church friend) and also with my husband, so twice.

Granny, the remark about the 'real Bible' belongs in the versions forum and not here.

Diane

 

I'm not all that thrilled about it either. My church is, and has bought a number of tickets and reserved showings.
But, people will go. I plan on being at the theater AFTER the movie to help our church pass out tracts.
I'll be interested in seeing the reaction of the public after this movie is released and viewed.
Gina

 

I'm reserving judgement on the movie until I see it. Our church (Baptist) will be viewing the movie next Sunday afternoon. I hope that it will be an accurate portrayal, and that it will draw others to Christ. At the very least, it is a hot topic of conversation and hopefully will offer us opportunities to let others know about the reality of a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

I for one can't wait to see it. My church will be viewing the movie on Saturday. I know that it is going to be violent, but we will see what Jesus did for us. He died so we could live.

 

Paul even said in Colosians that some people were spreading the gospel out of evny and competition while others spread it by a pure desire. He said, either way, the message is getting out and I REJOICE!

If it can lead others to Christ, it will. I believe that he truly did follow the gospels in the making of this film. He did NOT display how to be saved, he didn't show Christ's resurrection or whatever came before the Garden of Gethsemane. He left it OPEN for unbelieves to question about the "why"s.

You just have to be the one who can answer their question!

Think about it. I'll look up the passage and give it to you tommorrow.

-CubeX

 

It's not an either/or situation. I hope and pray that for some people, seeing this movie will be the catalyst that brings causes them to seek further, and find a real relationship with the Saviour.