[TeamManager]

>2. Does anyone think that the disciples were unable to
>orchestrate a drama festival or a play, to preach the Word?
>

The Acts of the Apostles records the preching of the Word being accompained by signs and wonders. The Holy Spirit enable frighten and mostly uneduacted men, stand and declare the good news Bodly.

>4. Mel Gibbson is a devout RCC and he is preaching
>Catholicism which is not in harmony with the Bible at all.
>For John Paul to endorse the movie is correct because he is
>endorsing Catholicism and not Christianity. It does not
>depict Biblical truth. Anything that has even a grain of
>untruth is not worth its salt! It is either the truth and
>nothing but the truth or nothing at all. What say ye?

Totally Agree

>
>5. There are scenes in Christ's life that the Scriptures is
>silent about and should be left thus for the Lord's ways are
>not our ways. His thoughts are higher than ours. Imagination
>cannot express the sufferings of Christ for our salvation.
>Words or pictures cannot express because it has never been
>coined. Only eternity will tell when the books will be
>opened. Until then, seek the Lord's will in your life during
>this period of probation - this earth's history is up!

Words and pictures can*t truely express the burden and shame of sin that Jesus had to bear for me and you.

Comment; If Jesus being God could cry out because of sin and seperation from God, how much painful will it be for us who don*t accept His salvation

[Dem Gal]

Paul Harvey Comments on "The Passion" by Mel Gibson

Paul Harvey's words:

I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have been
invited to a private viewing of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion,"
but I had also read all the cautious articles and spin. I grew up
in a Jewish town and owe much of my own faith journey to the
influence. I have a life long, deeply held aversion to anything
that might even indirectly encourage any form of anti-Semitic
thought, language or actions.

I arrived at the private viewing for "The Passion," held in
Washington, DC and greeted some familiar faces. The environment
was typically Washingtonian, with people greeting you with a smile
but seeming to look beyond you, having an agenda beyond the words.
The film was very briefly introduced, without fanfare, and then
the room darkened. From the gripping opening scene in the Garden
of Gethsemane, to the very human and tender portrayal of the
earthly ministry of Jesus, through the betrayal, the arrest, the
scourging, the way of the cross, the encounter with the thieves,
the surrender on the Cross, until the final scene in the empty
tomb, this was not simply a movie; it was an encounter, unlike
anything I have ever experienced.

In addition to being a masterpiece of film-making and an artistic
triumph, "The Passion" evoked more deep reflection, sorrow and
emotional reaction within me than anything since my wedding, my
ordination or the birth of my children. Frankly, I will never be
the same. When the film concluded, this "invitation only"
gathering of "movers and shakers" in Washington, DC were shaking
indeed, but this time from sobbing. I am not sure there was a dry
eye in the place. The crowd that had been glad-handing before the
film was now eerily silent. No one could speak because words were
woefully inadequate. We had experienced a kind of art that is a
rarity in life, the kind that makes heaven touch earth.

One scene in the film has now been forever etched in my mind. A
brutalized, wounded Jesus was soon to fall again under the weight
of the cross. His mother had made her way along the Via Della
Rosa. As she ran to him, she flashed back to a memory of Jesus as
a child, falling in the dirt road outside of their home. Just as
she reached to protect him from the fall, she was now reaching to
touch his wounded adult face. Jesus looked at her with intensely
probing and passionately loving eyes (and at all of us through the
screen) and said "Behold I make all things new." These are words
taken from the last Book of the New Testament, the Book of
Revelations. Suddenly, the purpose of the pain was so clear and
the wounds, that earlier in the film had been so difficult to see
in His face, His back, indeed all over His body, became intensely
beautiful. They had been borne voluntarily for love.

At the end of the film, after we had all had a chance to recover,
a question and answer period ensued. The unanimous praise for the
film, from a rather diverse crowd, was as astounding as the
compliments were effusive. The questions included the one question
that seems to follow this film, even though it has not yet even
been released. "Why is this film considered by some to be 'anti-
Semitic?" Frankly, having now experienced (you do not "view" this
film) "the Passion" it is a question that is impossible to answer.
A law professor whom I admire sat in front of me. He raised his
hand and responded "After watching this film, I do not understand
how anyone can insinuate that it even remotely presents that the
Jews killed Jesus. It doesn't." He continued "It made me realize
that my sins killed Jesus" I agree. There is not a scintilla of
anti-Semitism to be found anywhere in this powerful film. If there
were, I would be among the first to decry it. It faithfully tells
the Gospel story in a dramatically beautiful, sensitive and
profoundly engaging way. Those who are alleging otherwise have
either not seen the film or have another agenda behind their
protestations. This is not a "Christian" film, in the sense that
it will appeal only to those who identify themselves as followers
of Jesus Christ. It is a deeply human, beautiful story that will
deeply touch all men and women. It is a profound work of art. Yes,
its producer is a Catholic Christian and thankfully has remained
faithful to the Gospel text; if that is no longer acceptable
behavior than we are all in trouble. History demands that we
remain faithful to the story and Christians have a right to tell
it. After all, we believe that it is the greatest story ever told
and that its message is for all men and women. The greatest right
is the right to hear the truth.

We would all be well advised to remember that the Gospel
narratives to which "The Passion" is so faithful were written by
Jewish men who followed a Jewish Rabbi whose life and teaching
have forever changed the history of the world. The problem is not
the message but those who have distorted it and used it for hate
rather than love. The solution is not to censor the message, but
rather to promote the kind of gift of love that is Mel Gibson's
filmmaking masterpiece, "The Passion." It should be seen by as
many people as possible. I intend to do everything I can to
make sure that is the case. I am passionate about "The Passion."

Please copy this and send it on to all your friends to let them
know about this film so that all go see it when it comes out.

P.S. Mel Gilbson stated he did not appear in his own movie, by
his choice, with one exception: It is Gibson's hands seen nailing
Jesus to the cross. Gibson said he wanted to do that because it
was indeed his own hands that nailed Jesus to the cross (along
with all of ours.)

[Mi$$ Thang]

This was written by Jody Dean, a Dallas, Texas, broadcaster


There've been a ton of emails and forwards floating around recently from those who've had the privilege of seeing Mel Gibson's "The Passion Of The Christ" prior to its actual release. I thought I'd give you my reaction after seeing it last night.

The screening was on the first night of "Elevate!", a weekend-long seminar for young people at Preston wood Baptist Church in Plano. There were about 2,000 people there, and the movie was shown after several speakers had taken the podium. It started around 9 and finished around 11...so I reckon the film is about two hours in length. Frankly, I lost complete track of time - so I can't be sure.

I want you to know that I started in broadcasting when I was 13-years-old. I've been in the business of writing, performing, production, and broadcasting for a long time. I've been a part of movies, radio, television, stage and other productions - so I know how things are done. I know about soundtracks and special effects and make-up and screenplays. I think I've seen just about every kind of movie or TV show ever made - from extremely inspirational to extremely gory. I read a lot, too - and have covered stories and scenes that still make me wince. I also have a vivid imagination, and have the ability to picture things as they must have happened - or to anticipate things as they will be portrayed. I've also seen an enormous amount of footage from Gibson's film, so I thought I knew what was coming.

But there is nothing in my existence - nothing I could have read, seen, heard, thought, or known - that could have prepared me for what I saw on screen last night.

This is not a movie that anyone will "like". I don't think it's a movie anyone will "love". It certainly doesn't "entertain". There isn't even the sense that one has just watched a movie. What it is, is an experience - on a level of primary emotion that is scarcely comprehensible. Every shred of human preconception or predisposition is utterly stripped away. No one will eat popcorn during this film. Some may not eat for days after they've seen it. Quite honestly, I wanted to vomit. It hits that hard.

I can see why some people are worried about how the film portrays the Jews. They should be worried. No, it's not anti-Semitic. What it is, is entirely shattering. There are no "winners". No one comes off looking "good" - except Jesus. Even His own mother hesitates. As depicted, the Jewish leaders of Jesus' day merely do what any of us would have done – and still do. They protected their perceived "place" - their sense of safety and security, and the satisfaction of their own "rightness". But everyone falters. Caiphus judges. Peter denies. Judas betrays. Simon the Cyrene balks. Mark runs away. Pilate equivocates. The crowd mocks. The soldiers laugh. Longinus still stabs with his pilus. The centurion still carries out his orders. And as Jesus fixes them all with a glance, they still turn away. The Jews, the Romans, Jesus' friends - they all fall. Everyone, except the Principal Figure. Heaven sheds a single, mighty tear - and as blood and water spew from His side, the complacency of all creation is eternally shattered.

The film grabs you in the first five seconds, and never lets go. The brutality, humiliation, and gore is almost inconceivable - and still probably doesn't go far enough. The scourging alone seems to never end, and you cringe at the sound and splatter of every blow - no matter how steely your nerves. Even those who have known combat or prison will have trouble, no matter their experience - because this Man was not conscripted. He went willingly, laying down His entirety for all. It is one thing for a soldier to die for his countrymen. It's something else entirely to think of even a common man dying for those who hate and wish to kill him. But this is no common man. This is the King of the Universe. The idea that anyone could or would have gone through such punishment is unthinkable - but this Man was completely innocent, completely holy – and paying the price for others. He screams as He is laid upon the cross, "Father, they don't know. They don't know..."

What Gibson has done is to use all of his considerable skill to portray the most dramatic moment of the most dramatic events since the dawn of time. There is no escape. It's a punch to the gut that puts you on the canvas, and you don't get up. You are simply confronted by the horror of what was done - what had to be done - and why. Throughout the entire film, I found myself apologizing.

What you've heard about how audiences have reacted is true. There was no sound after the film's conclusion. No noise at all. No one got up. No one moved. The only sound one could hear was sobbing. In all my years of public life, I have never heard anything like that.

I told many of you that Gibson had reportedly re-shot the ending to include more "hope" through the Resurrection? That's not true. The Resurrection scene is perhaps the shortest in the entire movie - and yet it packs a punch that can't be quantified. It is perfect. There is no way to negotiate the meaning out of it. It simply asks, "Now, what will you do?"

I'll leave the details to you, in the hope that you will see the film - but one thing above all stands out, and I have to tell you about it. It comes from the end of Jesus' temptations in the wilderness - where the Bible says Satan left him "until a more opportune time". I imagine Satan never quit tempting Christ, but this film captures beyond words the most opportune time. At every step of the way, Satan is there at Jesus' side - imploring Him to quit, reasoning with Him to give up, and seducing Him to surrender. For the first time, one gets an heart-stopping idea of the sense of madness that must have enveloped Jesus - a sense of the evil that was at His very elbow. The physical punishment is relentless - but it's the sense of psychological torture that is most overwhelming. He should have quit. He should have opened His mouth. He should have called 10,000 angels. No one would have blamed Him. What we deserve is obvious. But He couldn't do that. He wouldn't do that. He didn't do that. He doesn't do that. It was not and is not His character. He was obedient, all the way to the cross - and you feel the real meaning of that phrase in a place the human heart usually doesn't dare to go. You understand that we are called to that same level of obedience. With Jesus' humanity so irresistibly on display, you understand that we have no excuse. There is no place to hide.

The truth is this: Is it just a "movie"? In a way, yes. But it goes far beyond that, in a fashion I've never felt - in any forum. We may think we "know". We know nothing. We've gone 2,000 years - used to the idea of a pleasant story, and a sanitized Christ. We expect the ending, because we've heard it so many times. God forgive us. This film tears that all away. It's is as close as any of us will ever get to knowing, until we fully know. Paul understood. "Be urgent, in and out of season."

Luke wrote that Jesus reveals Himself in the breaking of the bread. Exactly. "The Passion Of The Christ" shows that Bread being broken.

Go see this movie.

[ATLian]

Why is there any controversy about who killed Jesus? It wasn't the Jews, or the Romans, or even everybody who has ever lived collectively as some people have commented - it was god who killed Jesus, and only god who is directly responsible for Christ's death.

If you believe in the Christian god, then you must also believe that from eternity, god knew that on that one day he'd send his son to the cross to die for our sins. Since god planned this, there is nothing that those people directly involved with the killing could have done to avoid killing him - they HAD to kill him. There's no way Ciaphas could have had a change of heart or mind, there's no way those riotous mobs could have turned rational and there's no way Pilate would have ordered the unconditional release of Christ. Those who killed him had to kill him in order to fulfill god's word. Even Judas Iscariot was a mere pawn in god's plan for the murder of his (god's) son. If anything, the people that killed Christ should be revered as heroes since they allowed god's greatest mission to be fulfilled. If they hadn't done what they did, and Jesus had died at, say, 59 years old of amoebic dysentry, there would be no christianity as we know it.

Also, seeing that this Christian god is meant to be all-powerful, it says a lot about him that he chose to have his son savagely killed instead of, say, snapping his finger and cleansing us of our sins. In fact to go deeper, since god planned from them days to send his son to die for our sins, this means that we HAD TO sin. If man never sinned, then the crucifixion of Christ would have been unnecessary, which was clearly against god's perfect plan of sending his son to die for our sins. Therefore it can be argued that god planned for us to sin so he could send his son to die a horrible death for our sins, which is sick and twisted.

Finally, why does anyone feel sorry for Jesus for what he went through on the cross? He is god and he chose to go through that. Again, as god, he’d have chosen any other alternative to cleanse us of our sins, but that’s the one his perfect all knowing mind chose. Therefore, he deserved it. He/Jesus/God intentionally made those Romans whip Jesus until he nearly died, then nail him on the cross, so it can also be argued that god is a masochist. In fact, since Christ is god and god is Christ, we can also argue that god sent himself to earth to be killed - which means god committed suicide.

These are just some of the many reasons why I cannot and do not believe in god, especially the Christian god. My $0.02...

[O_D_D]

No comments from this here agnostic...for I know no better! Reason being that, any rebuttal would be backed by belief unadulterated and a tinge of borrowed "wisdom" from the Bible(which might be fake for all we know).

[lillkibz]

And when they speak, they speak their minds, not that that has been fed with ignominious excessiveness into their youthful minds for all the ages they have known it as the only absolute truth. When does such a mind get liberated from the "Noahs of the old", to embrace life with skinned eyes, to get engulfed, not by the wisdom that I see my life and my world with, but with the little enlightenment that has encircled my entire thinking sphere, but not by the fear left to those "damned" to belong to the jaws of "hell"?

He speaks, he who speaks his mind, not his god's, nor his peers', but his own reasoned out thoughts.

Welcome to my world, pal; or am I the guest here?

[kigeto]

Mel's Passion

Confusion (at best) seems to be swirling around "The Passion of the
Christ." An email was forwarded to me (and probably thousands of other
believers) months ago asking for prayer for the cast and crew of "The
Passion of the Christ," who, at the time, were undergoing "heavy
spiritual warfare." The email originator, Ron Handley, said he was in
contact with the film's star, James Caviesel, whom he had "discipled"
when Jim was a student at the University of Wash. He noted Jim's prayer
request: "This movie has the potential to bring the entire world,
including the nonreligious, to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ."
Handley then exhorts the reader to "pray right now for the people you
need to invite to see the movie with you."



So where's the "confusion"? The email gives the distinct impression that
Caviesel is a fellow believer. Really? Does Caviesel have a "saving
knowledge of Jesus Christ?" His subsequent interviews reveal him to be
an extraordinarily devout Roman Catholic. There's not even a hint of
that in the email. Yet Caviesel in other places proclaims his zeal for
his Catholic faith, his taking the Eucharist daily during the film's
production, his spiritually arming himself with relics of dead saints
and "a splinter from Christ's cross," his praying the Rosary throughout
the shooting of the film, his devotion to the Marian apparition of
Medjugorje, and his belief that "The Passion of the Christ" was "made by
Mary for her Son." Pray for James Caviesel's true salvation, and
especially for discernment for the believers, shepherds, and the sheep
flocking to this extremely Catholic motion picture.

[jaijay]

From a movie fanatic stand point. I have to say that this is one of the best well told stories. Did you notice that you really only paid attention to the subtitles only at the beginning of the movie? Somewhere along the way I forgot about reading them. I felt that I understood all that was happening and being said.
From a religious stand point I also thought the movie was great. I believe nearly all Christian denominations have embraced this movie, from Billy Graham to the pope. I dont think it slanted toward one way or another.
As for the so called violence....remember every blood drop is representative of sins we have committed. Blood was shed so that our sins were forgiven. No need to reduce the blood by having a few drops here and there. It would diminish the significance of this turning point. Lets face it, sin is ugly!

[stupak]

Guys......the Passion of Christ is a Movie....just a movie..based on true events yes....but just a movie. It is not like the bible that was written by people inspired by God, it is a movie made by man and biased by man. However, I recognize that it was very accurate (in my opinion) and although the blood might have been too much for some people to take in, it was meant to deliver a certain message and it did.

I am not catholic, I am currently looking for a church, I went to very many inter-denimonational churches before this movie was released and that was all they talked about. Most churches bought out a whole viewing of the movie for it's congregation. Not just the Catholic churches.

About it being anti-jews, I disagree. According to the bible, Pirate did indeed ask teh people if he should release Barnabas or Jesus. And the people choose the former, he also did wash his hands. Maybe it was the little things that Mel adds like the sympathetic woman or an impression that Pirate really wanted to release Jesus but I don't think that in itself is enuff to say that the movie was pro-romans and anti-jews. It is indeed true that the Pharasees wanted Jesus gone.

Stu's 2 cents

[lolla]

l