Churches Make 'Stunning' Show of Support for Gibson's 'Passion'

Newsmax.com ^ | Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004

[Taliesan]

This thread is the worst thing about FR. A discussion of the magnificent level of support for this movie turns into a Catholic / Protestant debate and an argument over the scriptures.

I fully expect the unbelievers in the movie audience to look up from theirs tears only to see the "christians" throwing popcorn and screaming "heretic" at one another.

You people don't want to see others turn to Christ. You want to win arguments. Shame.

[Dataman]

You people don't want to see others turn to Christ. You want to win arguments. Shame.

Amen. Seems to me Catholic Mel is doing his Protestant friends a great favor for which they should be grateful. His movie has given them a reason to unite; the message a dying culture needs desperately to hear.

[GatorGirl]

I'm glad you're excited, and from what I have seen from your posts, I wouldn't count you in those I consider "attackers". You obviously are not Roman Catholic, but you express your differences in a respectful way.

It will be very interesting to participate on Passion threads after we have seen the movie.

[cpprfld]

I agree, we spend to much time arguing about trivial matters, when we could be spending that energy on evangelism.

[rwfromkansas]

Of course he was victorious, even on that Cross. But, your posts indicate you don't get the significance of the Resurrection, that Paul said our faith would be in VAIN without it. Perhaps I am wrong that you don't understand this. If so, just say so instead of pussyfooting around with these half responses to the core of the matter.

If you would have read my posts, you would ahve realized that I very plainly and explicitly state that the Crucifixion and Resurrection go hand in hand.

[rwfromkansas]

The essence of the Cross is a trivial matter? Whether you are saved by grace or by your own works is a trivial matter?

Man, this liberal "non-thinking man's" Christianity has infiltrated even FR.

This will be a great movie, but I won't stand by an play Mr. nice "let's get along" when I believe God's truth is at risk on any level. The question is not why do I fight so hard for what I believe, but why you don't.

[rwfromkansas]

Should be a good experience. I am in the student government office at college, and there is a huge check for Passion tickets. It looks like they may have bought one for every student or something.

[Texas2step]

You see, both the Cross and the Resurrection are essential. To ignore either one, and no doubt some Protestants neglect the Cross in kneejerk reactions to Catholicism, is to totally miss the total wonder and beaty of what Christ did, what God had His Son do.

Well said! Bump!

[Texas2step]

I find it fascinating that many of our fellow Christians who love to attack the Roman Catholic Church are excited about seeing this film made by a very orthodox Roman Catholic.

A big protestant bump! While I do not agree or believe everything that is taught in the Roman Catholic Church, I'm not sure this movie could have been made by a protestant to portray our Saviour's love for us, the way I think this one will.

[Neenah]

Churches Make 'Stunning' Show of Support for Gibson's 'Passion'

That headline is like saying :

Green Bay Packer fans show support for the Green Bay Packers ! HAR !

[TonyM]

Knowing the story of the Passion I am sure that I will be able to get a general idea of what is being said and I know Mel Gibson was adamant about filming in the actual language. However, I don’t think the masses will accept the fact that they are watching a film in a language very few people understand and there are no subtitles. I think Mel should reconsider the subtitles. Sure, you should be able to get a general idea of what is being said but many of the people who this film needs to reach won’t put in the effort needed to do so.

[Snoopers-868th]

Maybe this will get people back to the church AND the church back to the business of taking care of their congregations (as in off the welfare rolls) and take their minds off of building their big beautiful empty kingdoms for show!! Now that would be and exceptional thing for society as a whole.

[Dataman]

Man, this liberal "non-thinking man's" Christianity has infiltrated even FR.

Careful,RW. I am neither liberal nor non-thinking. As an ex-Catholic I recognize many of the straw man arguments made against the RCC. The use of a crucifix as a symbol is one of them. (If the crucifix keeps Christ on the cross, a creche keeps Him in the manger).

The role of works in the Christian life is a discussion that doesn't seem to relate to the posted topic.

As far as the woman's comment in question about the evangelistic opportunity, she is not a theologian, only an editor of a web site. She was obviously speaking as a layman, not in an official capacity representing the RCC.

If you stop and think about it, the Resurrection could not have happened without the Crucifixion which could not have happened without the Incarnation. Trying to parse the events to determine which one is more important is (to be polite) futile.

[Theo]

Scripture says there's one thing we Christians are to "boast" in....

I'm an evangelical with Reformed leanings, not Roman Catholic, for what it's worth. And I consider (as did Paul) the cross of Christ to be the one thing in which we are free to boast. The cross, after all, is the place where Christ most dramatically demonstrated His love....

[rwfromkansas]

"If you stop and think about it, the Resurrection could not have happened without the Crucifixion which could not have happened without the Incarnation. Trying to parse the events to determine which one is more important is (to be polite) futile."

Which is what I have said...

[nickcarraway]

He did add subtitles. But I don't think he needed to. I saw the trailers, and it doesn't need it.

[freebilly]

I'm not sure this movie could have been made by a protestant to portray our Saviour's love for us, the way I think this one will.

???! Think about what you just said.

[Victoria Delsoul]

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.

This is great! There's no such thing as bad publicity as long as they spell the name right. :-)

[Senator Pardek]

I'm not religious - but I plan on seeing this film, if for no other reason than to piss off the Religion haters!

[Victoria Delsoul]

You deserve a bump.