Daniel Amos Message Board | Print: The Passion Of The Christ

Posted by dorfsmith on 03-07-2004 at22:12:

I just have a hard time jumping into the pool of hype. Churches are turning Mel Gibson into a saint and it's just sick. Did anyone ever stop to think that this movie, along with american christianity, and christian hype, might be doing more harm than good for the cause of Christ???

Posted by audiori on 03-07-2004 at22:44:

Yeah and what if it's doing more good than harm?

It's true some people may be too set in accepting it, but
it's also true some people are set on not liking it that they will find
any reason not to.

Personally, I think if you make an honest effort to tell the Gospel
to people.. it won't do harm. It does more harm not to.

The song the Twist, by Terry and the gang tells the Gospel with
artistic liberties, using emotion.... do you think it does more harm
than good? The film, or a song is just a means to tell the story,
both are subject to art and emotional triggers, but that doesn't
necessarily make them bad or harmful. Sometimes thats what it takes
to get through to people.

I also don't think Churches are turning mel Gibson into anything,
I couldnt care less about Mel Gibson. Our Church took 500 members
to see the film, I have not once heard anyone mention Mel. A lot
of mention of Christ though.

Posted by TattooBob on 03-07-2004 at23:40:

Selling this message to the people in what ever form cannot do any harm. I think it can only do good in the long run!

Posted by DwDunphy on 03-08-2004 at09:09:

Kinda where I'm at...

Anything that promotes Christ is ultimately good. To keep this thread relevant, I'll equate it all with "Bibleland", that something beautiful and clean, the purity of intention, might ultimately shine through. I can't fault the movie at all for intention.

It was stated that people have been going to see the movie for themselves, for their reaffirmation, and that is cool, and pretty much what I believe the intention was. For my reaffirmation, I need to searh my heart and figure out why I'm put off by this. Is it the commericialty of it? Is that chafing me? Or is it that I see God escaping into the mainstream culture in a way that I haven't seen before and I can't cope with it?

I remember reading in Vertigo how "Kalhoun" was going to be distributed through Epic Records (like The Choir's "Circle Slide" was) and I had that same feeling. DA are gonna be rock stars! Awesome! Wait a minute, what if fame changes them? Rather than an expansion of message, it struck me momentarily as an opportunity to abandon the loyal fanbase... And I've been convicted by the stupidity of that thought.

That this movie would ask me to consider the same question: am I strong enough to stand in my faith with a light shining so bright on the marquee that I won't be able to hedge it? Shouldn't I have been this strong long ago? Have I wasted my time being wishy-washy?

Thoughts.

Posted by jiminy on 03-08-2004 at09:13:

Have to agree- though it is Hype-
it is the truth of the sacrifice of Christ. (I'm speaking here as someone who has not seen it yet)

Truth is what it is-
We see people who (fer instance) write or sing a beautful "tribute" to God- that affects many- (me included) and then get busted for cocaine. more than once.
(fill in the blank)
It does not take away from the truth of what was sung or said-

God uses dolts like you, me and Mel every day-What is expressed is infallible- not the bonehead who carries it.

Posted by PuP on 03-08-2004 at09:40:

I scanned the previous few posts and am probably reiterating them here, but:

I think this is a very good movie. It is just a movie, not a religious experience. But I wouldn't rule out someone having a religious experience during the movie (a la "Evangeline".) God will use whatever he wants.

I guess what I'm saying is, yes it is over-hyped but on the same hand it's a really good movie. It's artistic and it doesn't dumb down or sanitize the Passion.

It's sad that people will raise this movie up as some sort of false idol, but I think that people would worship the tablets the Ten Commandments were written on if they were on display somewhere. The Ten Commandements wouldn't be a bad idea because of that though.

Posted by DwDunphy on 03-08-2004 at10:00:

"It's sad that people will raise this movie up as some sort of false idol, but I think that people would worship the tablets the Ten Commandments were written on if they were on display somewhere. The Ten Commandements wouldn't be a bad idea because of that though."

Yeah, well, just don't display them in a courthouse!

Actually, I agreed with the removal of that statue, as it was rather insensitive to install it without also considering the Torah, Q'uran and the other religious documents that were not being thought of. I put my trust in the validity of the commandments, but I think you can see what I'm saying.

DwD

Posted by jiminy on 03-08-2004 at10:25:

I'm still cranked that they removed the Rocky Statue-
but I guess he was my little gawd for a while

-Yo Adrian!

they are in a battle right now to remove the Commandments off our City Hall Lawn.
the only thing I wanna do is take my picture with me and my grandson by it- just to show his kids maybe...it was eracted there the year I was born- or thereabouts.

The city is scheming ways to keep it there- but I dont think it will happen.

Posted by beatlenut on 03-08-2004 at11:55:

We saw the movie on friday night at 7pm. Arrived 15 minutes early and the theater was 50% full. By showtime it was 80% full. They are showing it on 4 different screens to accomodate us in the Bible belt.

We are Methodist and when my wife heard that Mel based it more on the 14 stations of the cross (never heard of it), she borrowed a book from a Catholic friend to help her understand, Veronica, etc.

I thought that the violence might have been so extreme since maybe Mel was trying to prove a point. All other Jesus movies have been "pretty". Or maybe he did think it was that violent? The devil scenes seemed a bit Hollywood and a little out of place for me also.

My 12 year old daughter is bummed that we are not letting her go, but I think it would be too much for her at this age.

Posted by Mark on 03-08-2004 at12:03:

I saw it yesterday. It was my second time.

Posted by carl on 03-08-2004 at12:07:

Cool

quote:

Originally posted by DwDunphy
"It's sad that people will raise this movie up as some sort of false idol, but I think that people would worship the tablets the Ten Commandments were written on if they were on display somewhere. The Ten Commandements wouldn't be a bad idea because of that though."

Yeah, well, just don't display them in a courthouse!

Actually, I agreed with the removal of that statue, as it was rather insensitive to install it without also considering the Torah, Q'uran and the other religious documents that were not being thought of. I put my trust in the validity of the commandments, but I think you can see what I'm saying.

Ummmm.... wait a minute.... The Ten Commandments were installed without consideration of the Torah??? Shocked

(& I thought Muslims considered the OT a holy book as well.... I'll admit we screwed the Buddhists big-time, though.... Evil

)

Posted by dorfsmith on 03-08-2004 at12:15:

quote:

Originally posted by jiminy
Have to agree- though it is Hype-
it is the truth of the sacrifice of Christ. (I'm speaking here as someone who has not seen it yet)

Truth is what it is-
We see people who (fer instance) write or sing a beautful "tribute" to God- that affects many- (me included) and then get busted for cocaine. more than once.
(fill in the blank)
It does not take away from the truth of what was sung or said-

God uses dolts like you, me and Mel every day-What is expressed is infallible- not the bonehead who carries it.

You are right. You all have good points. Here's my concern. Right now this movie is cool to go see. My local newspaper did an article on the front page saying it was the best thing in the world. Ironically, they did the same for The Matrix. My fear is that people will see it, put it in the back of their heads and say "hey, I'm saved, I saw the movie." Why is it that my friends who are very involved in witchcraft and new age philosophy are loving this movie so much and yet showing no change or conviction in their lives? Why is everyone I know rushing to see this movie like it's the long awaited Star Wars? Why is everyone coming out happy as can be saying "that movie kicked ass?" My brother-in-law runs our theaters up here and so I have an inside source into what goes on. He says that everyone loves the movie. Now find me a non-Christian who goes in there and comes out loving the movie. That in itself shows something is wrong. If this movie was doing what everyone says it is doing people would be coming our crying. People would be on their knees praying. At the very least, people would come out with a serious expression on their face.

A good question was stated earlier: "what if the movie does more good than harm?"

It might and if it does then I'm sorry for attacking it. On the other hand, if I go and see the lighthearted crowds I'm gonna get Mountain Dewed so I guess I'm not going to see it.

On TBN they are saying that the guy who played Jesus was unsaved until he was on the cross and then he was transformed. It all hit him so hard. Sounds like the old TBN bull if you ask me.

In time, this movie will be burried in people minds like The Jesus Movie and people will be freaking out about the next Star Wars or something.

Posted by beatlenut on 03-08-2004 at12:28:

I don't like the commercialism either. We are using stills from the movie in our PowerPoint at church and I asked where they got them. I was told they BOUGHT them from a website. Unbelievable! Remember the Prayer of Jabez craze and the marketing that went with it. Anything to make a buck. Frown

Posted by JR88 on 03-08-2004 at12:28:

quote:

Originally posted by dorfsmith

quote:

Originally posted by jiminy
Have to agree- though it is Hype-
it is the truth of the sacrifice of Christ. (I'm speaking here as someone who has not seen it yet)

Truth is what it is-
We see people who (fer instance) write or sing a beautful "tribute" to God- that affects many- (me included) and then get busted for cocaine. more than once.
(fill in the blank)
It does not take away from the truth of what was sung or said-

God uses dolts like you, me and Mel every day-What is expressed is infallible- not the bonehead who carries it.

You are right. You all have good points. Here's my concern. Right now this movie is cool to go see. My local newspaper did an article on the front page saying it was the best thing in the world. Ironically, they did the same for The Matrix. My fear is that people will see it, put it in the back of their heads and say "hey, I'm saved, I saw the movie." Why is it that my friends who are very involved in witchcraft and new age philosophy are loving this movie so much and yet showing no change or conviction in their lives? Why is everyone I know rushing to see this movie like it's the long awaited Star Wars? Why is everyone coming out happy as can be saying "that movie kicked ass?" My brother-in-law runs our theaters up here and so I have an inside source into what goes on. He says that everyone loves the movie. Now find me a non-Christian who goes in there and comes out loving the movie. That in itself shows something is wrong. If this movie was doing what everyone says it is doing people would be coming our crying. People would be on their knees praying. At the very least, people would come out with a serious expression on their face.

A good question was stated earlier: "what if the movie does more good than harm?"

It might and if it does then I'm sorry for attacking it. On the other hand, if I go and see the lighthearted crowds I'm gonna get Mountain Dewed so I guess I'm not going to see it.

On TBN they are saying that the guy who played Jesus was unsaved until he was on the cross and then he was transformed. It all hit him so hard. Sounds like the old TBN bull if you ask me.

In time, this movie will be burried in people minds like The Jesus Movie and people will be freaking out about the next Star Wars or something.

I went to see the movie Saturday. Thought I was prepared to view it. Every blow that struck him made me flinch. I wept. I screamed in my mind STOP IT! Then I realized I have taken the cross for granted. The cross (since Saturday) has come to represent to me something I wasn't taught. Yes it represents God's Love for us, but more so it represents the horrible price of sin, and the fact it is MY sin that put him there. Never complaining, but forgiving. The audience that was at the showing I went to never said a word. No one stood up to leave as the credits rolled, it was at least 5 minutes before people finally got up. I looked around, some people we're crying, some people we're praying. The reaction was far from the reaction people gave at the end of Lord Of The Rings. This is only my experiance and I don't expect anyone to except it. I do know that what I experianced has brought me onto a new path in my Christian walk.

Posted by Mark on 03-08-2004 at12:34:

When I went yesterday, they were passing out kleenex tissue packets to people before the movie. I heard many people crying. When I left there were kleenexes all over the floor.

Posted by dorfsmith on 03-08-2004 at12:37:

That is good to hear!

Posted by Mark on 03-08-2004 at12:40:

Yeah, Christians like to litter.

Roll Eyes

Posted by jiminy on 03-08-2004 at12:40:

On TBN they are saying that the guy who played Jesus was unsaved until he was on the cross and then he was transformed. It all hit him so hard. Sounds like the old TBN bull if you ask me.

It is - I read an article about the man when he did the Count of Monte Cristo (which I thought was an excellent film)- and he spoke openly of his faith then.
Now whether something more has happened to him since I cannot say.

Interesting- thats the first bit of baloney I've heard out of TBN......

And dorf- all your points are very well understood (I think) - and I see what you mean, wait 6 months (or till the day after Easter)- if that, and we will for the most part have moved on.

Posted by JR88 on 03-08-2004 at12:47:

quote:

Originally posted by jiminy
On TBN they are saying that the guy who played Jesus was unsaved until he was on the cross and then he was transformed. It all hit him so hard. Sounds like the old TBN bull if you ask me.

It is - I read an article about the man when he did the Count of Monte Cristo (which I thought was an excellent film)- and he spoke openly of his faith then.
Now whether something more has happened to him since I cannot say.

Interesting- thats the first bit of baloney I've heard out of TBN......

And dorf- all your points are very well understood (I think) - and I see what you mean, wait 6 months (or till the day after Easter)- if that, and we will for the most part have moved on.

I watched an interview that Jim Caviezel (Jesus in the movie) gave to ABC and he said that he grew up Catholic but never went to church. He said that during this movie he rededicated his life to Christ and now he said (paraphrased) "I love my Lord Jesus more than I ever did". So don't go throwing stones at TBN just cause you don't like them.

Posted by dorfsmith on 03-08-2004 at12:51:

The way my Grandma explained it to me, "he was transformed!!!"