Writing Checks to Mel Gibson

sifilings
Society & Culture
Passion of Christ

2004: It is hard to overestimate the buzz, the excitement, and the anticipation prior to The Passion. Do you remember it? I do.

Discussion

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dcbii
Tue, 02/18/14 10:37 am

I mostly agree with Tim here, and I don’t think the Passion changed the world for God, but as for giving *opportunities* to witness, it most certainly did do that. I had unsaved friends asking about what was happening in the film, and it made for great opportunities for witness. I didn’t see anyone accept Christ as a result, but it certainly got my friends talking, and they opened up about this topic in ways they hadn’t before. I can only hope the same will happen with this new film. I’m not saying we should create films to fulfill the great commission, but we certainly can use the opportunities presented if we get them.

Dave Barnhart

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John E.
Wed, 02/19/14 10:32 pm

for the movie. A Christian friend of mine invited me to see the movie with him. Before I went, I told my roommates that I was going to laugh and clap at inappropriate times. Once the movie started, I couldn’t, and was mad at myself for the overwhelming visceral response I had to the movie. Later that night, getting high couldn’t erase the image of Jesus Christ suffering, bruised, and dying for my wickedness. Five months later, at the age of 29, I bowed my knee to King Jesus. The Passion of the Christ was one thing among many that the Holy Spirit used to reveal the Father to me, bring me to the end of myself, and cause me to realize my guilt before my Holy Creator. For all its flaws, I’m thankful for the movie.

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Lee
Thu, 02/20/14 4:22 pm

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing…” Ex. 20:4

”Little children, keep yourselves from idols [images]. Amen.” I Jn. 5:21

These were revealed under inspiration for a purpose. I think in this video-crazed age churches/elders need to take a serious look at the incursion of imagery into the evangelism and corporate worship of the body before running pell-mell after Passion, Son of God, or whatever the next most spiritually influential piece of techno-babble happens to be.

Idolatry, idols/images, and their accompanying pollutions are serious threats to the Church of Jesus Christ and deserve serious attention.

Lee

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Jim
Thu, 02/20/14 5:10 pm

[John E.]

for the movie. A Christian friend of mine invited me to see the movie with him. Before I went, I told my roommates that I was going to laugh and clap at inappropriate times. Once the movie started, I couldn’t, and was mad at myself for the overwhelming visceral response I had to the movie. Later that night, getting high couldn’t erase the image of Jesus Christ suffering, bruised, and dying for my wickedness. Five months later, at the age of 29, I bowed my knee to King Jesus. The Passion of the Christ was one thing among many that the Holy Spirit used to reveal the Father to me, bring me to the end of myself, and cause me to realize my guilt before my Holy Creator. For all its flaws, I’m thankful for the movie.

Great testimony. Thanks

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Larry Nelson
Fri, 02/21/14 8:48 am

[John E.]

for the movie. A Christian friend of mine invited me to see the movie with him. Before I went, I told my roommates that I was going to laugh and clap at inappropriate times. Once the movie started, I couldn’t, and was mad at myself for the overwhelming visceral response I had to the movie. Later that night, getting high couldn’t erase the image of Jesus Christ suffering, bruised, and dying for my wickedness. Five months later, at the age of 29, I bowed my knee to King Jesus. The Passion of the Christ was one thing among many that the Holy Spirit used to reveal the Father to me, bring me to the end of myself, and cause me to realize my guilt before my Holy Creator. For all its flaws, I’m thankful for the movie.

I am still bewildered by Christians who refused to see the film based solely on it’s “R” rating. There may be several valid reasons to not see it, such as theological flaws, etc.; but its “R” rating should not be the deterrent. The beatings and crucifixion that my Savior suffered, honestly depicted, were horrific and brutal. A realistic portrayal on film could get no less than an “R” rating.