Posted on 02/06/2004 1:42:49 AM PST by nickcarraway
Protestant and Catholic churches nationwide have stepped up an unprecedented effort to promote and benefit from Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ."
"Churches are reserving entire theaters for opening day. A national evangelical organization is helping sell tickets from its Web site. Pastors are planning sermons timed to the movie's Ash Wednesday release," the Associated Press reported today.
'Best Evangelization Opportunity Since the Death of Jesus'
"It's the best evangelization opportunity we've had since the actual death of Jesus," Lisa Wheeler, associate editor of Catholic Exchange, a Web portal dedicated to Internet evangelism, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"This is a window of opportunity we have. Here's a guy who's putting his money into a movie that has everything to do with what we do," said pastor Cory Engel of Harvest Springs Community Church in Great Falls, Mont.
"Churches used to communicate by having a little lecture time on Sunday morning. People don't interact that way anymore. Here's a chance for us to use a modern-day technique to communicate the truth of the Bible," the Rev. Engel said.
Arch Bonnema, the insurance executive and Southern Baptist from Plano, Texas, who spent $42,000 to reserve all 20 screens of a cineplex for Ash Wednesday after seeing the movie weeks ago, told AP: "As a Christian, you hear the term 'Jesus sacrificed his life for us.' We say it so many times that it's routine. I walked out of the theater and thought, 'This is incredible.' I thought, 'Man, this really puts it in perspective.'"
In the Atlanta area, when St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church and St. Brigid Catholic Church reserved 1,500 seats for two showings Feb. 23, they were told that 40 other churches had competed for the same time slot. The Rev. Frank McNamee, pastor of St. Peter Chanel, told the Journal-Constitution: "Our tickets just went like that. It was unbelievable."
'They Attack Millions'
An attempt by foes to "mute" Gibson's movie has backfired and only increased interest. "When they attack him, they attack millions of people in middle America," said Jennifer Giroux, a Cincinnati nurse and Roman Catholic who created seethepassion.com.
"They're going to bus them to theaters. They will give assignments in many churches: Go to the movie, we're going to talk about it," said Josh Baran, a New York public relations executive who promoted another controversial movie, "The Last Temptation of Christ."
"I think it's going to be one of the big movies of the year," Baran said.
From 'Dismal' to 'Stunning'
AP reported, "The groundswell is stunning considering the once-dismal expectations for the film, which is in Latin, Hebrew and Aramaic with English subtitles and is rated R for violence."
Outreach Ministry Inc. says it sent DVDs with a trailer for the movie to "most churches in the United States."
"National Association of Evangelicals, which represents more than 50 denominations with 43,000 congregations, has posted a link on its Web site for buying tickets," AP reported.
Christian Booksellers Association has asked its 2,500 U.S. retailers to consider selling tickets and posting displays.
"Religious broadcasters and publishers have put discussion of the movie in heavy rotation on television, in magazines and on Web sites. Leaders from the Rev. Billy Graham to movie reviewer Michael Medved have given 'The Passion' two thumbs up," the Atlanta paper reported.
Norm Miller, chairman of Interstate Batteries, replaced his company's hood-sized logo with an ad for "The Passion" on NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte's Chevrolet. The car will carry the ad during the Daytona 500 race Feb. 15.
"It's probably the highest demand that we have seen for group sales this early," said Dick Westerling of Regal Entertainment Group, which owns 555 theaters. Callers trying to place orders on Regal's toll-free number have been put on hold for up to 10 minutes.
Well, I'm planning to see the movie when it comes out -- mostly out of curiosity -- but please don't expect me to convert from Judaism! :)
Paul spoke in continuous PRESENT tense when he said "I AM crucified with Christ, nevertheless (at the same time) I live, yet not I but Christ..." or similar translations.
Speaking of communion:"by this {act of communion} show ye the Lord's death TILL HE COME..."
Until HE comes, we are stuck with the present tense celebration of Christ's DEATH... not just the joyful celebration of his being risen.
I think it is good for individual Christians to remember, Jesus WAS CRUCIFIED for ME. It helps us concentrate on killing the sinful nature we all still struggle with. It reminds us the natural results of sin.
I think this is one area where the Catholics, are hitting the nail on the head... and where those of us from Protestant backgrounds, might be missing it a little.
Kudos MEL, on the film.
I hope it rocks the world!
I guess Christ using a Catholic to make this film means we have it all wrong?
Of course the resurrection is joyous and immense, but his crucifixion shows us all how he drastically he suffered, was humiliated, tortured and executed for our sins.
It all has great meaning. No need to scowl.
Stunningly bad taste, in my opinion.
What would you consider good taste?
Candy coating the death of Christ to save mankind as some pretty gold plated crucifix sold in the jewelry store?
Jesus said when He was raised up on the cross that He would draw men to him.
I wouldn't call this a bad taste in evangelism on the part of Jesus.
There will always be arguments over issues of Biblical doctrine when it comes to the Catholic vs Protestant debate.
Big deal.
In a greater sense I see this movie as bringing all demoninations together behind a common experience..that is meeting Christ and seeing what He has done for us.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Me: Stunningly bad taste, in my opinion.
You: What would you consider good taste?
Me again: Not considering the dramatization of the Passion of Christ as some collosal marketing opportunity.
There should be plenty of common ground. I used to do some work with a CPC here in Massachusetts that was run mostly by Catholics and Evangelicals. I met a lot of wonderful Evangelicals.
Of course, YMMV.
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