Five Reasons Not to Go See The Passion of Christ

The Banner of Truth: Biblical Christianity through Literature ^ | February 19, 2004 | Andrew J. Webb

[killjoy]

Incredible. Please give us an example that supports your claim.

I am not religious although I was brought up Protestant. I went in to the movie keeping an open mind as much as possible. I wanted to see if it 'made me believe'. I was also curious how someone who knows nothing of Christianity would view the movie.

From the non-Christian point of view, you have a guy, who believes that he is in some way divinity. In most cultures, that right there is a red flag. Numerous times, he shows utter disrespect for the Romans as well as the Jews. Rather than taking a diplomatic approach to things, he is very confrontational. I found it very hard to be sympathetic when it is obvious he is bringing most of the things that happen down on himself and is doing it willingly.

Again, I don't mean to insult anyone by saying these things, this is just the impression I got watching it. I highly doubt anyone from a non-Christian culture, who watches this movie is going to get much out of it besides Christians like to watch their 'God' being tortured to death.

[formerDem]

"As a result of seeing this film James Caviezel, the "Jesus" of The Passion of Christ, will become the figure countless thousands if not millions of people think of when they worship Jesus Christ. To do this is to fall into the trap of changing "the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man" (Romans 1:23) and to violate the Second Commandment..."

What?? Like people don't already have an image of a 'man' in their head when they pray?? If not, what do they have in their head? A vague, ephemeral, ghostly idea of Christ? Like it or not, we humans need visual images as a 'jump start' to deeper contemplation (which is one of the reasons that I think Mel Gibson's movie is a work of genius).

And, regarding this guy's other complaint:

Puh-leese. No mere mortal is capable of 'changing the glory of the incorruptible God...'

[jolie560]

..."had Gibson cast Danny DeVito and not James Caviezel in the leading role."...

[rwfromkansas]

"As for you Weirdad, YOU OWE US ALL an apology for even posting this sort of despicable crap. The Free Republic is not the place to post evangelical hit pieces on the Catholic Church. It is in especially bad taste since every single evangelical leader in the nation, from Billy Graham to Dr. Dobson, enthusiastically supports this film--and for very good reasons I might add, having seen the movie myself this past Wednesday."

So FreeRepublic is no longer a place for discussion?

I will be posting another article along these lines I guess since you would like to see this place become a place where viewpoints are not aired.

Thanks for giving me the inspiration to post this article...from a mainline denomination saying the Passion violates the 2nd commandment.

I disagree that it violates the 2nd commandment; I saw the movie and it was incredible.

But I be danged if I am going to let some modern touchy-feely so-called "evangelical" try to stifle the criticsm of Catholic heresies.

[Mel Gibson]

The author did not present a case for NOT seeing the movie.

[Flightdeck]

I am a firm believer in the afterlife and the general message that Jesus gave in the bible: love your neighbor. I am suspicious of anybody who claims to know the details of God's work on earth, which includes you judging from your post #24. What makes me laugh is the fact that is was so obviously disseminated in the bible how beyond our comprehension God and heaven are, yet people try to tell the rest of us just how it is. The next thing that makes me laugh is how some people take the bible so literally. Actually it makes me cringe; the bible is as fraught with errors as are the rest of us humans that write anything down on paper.

[suzyq5558]

My husband and i went and saw the passion this afternoon. Iam still in awe,I disagree with the article,go see it or not but do think about it. it was the most powerful movie i have ever seen and it really gave me pause. Ive been thinking about my salvation and what our Lord Jesus suffered for all of us to be free. the movie wasn't going to convert me to a catholic,it reinforced my reasons for accepting Christ as my Saviour.

[Ronzo]

"Even the worst physical torments inflicted by the Sanhedrin and the Romans upon Jesus were nothing by comparison to the anguish of having the sins of all the elect imputed to Him and making full satisfaction for them. "

And exactly how do you show that in a film??????

And exactly which of the Gospel accounts tells us about this particular fact in the course of their passion narratives?

_{This should be good...}

[rwfromkansas]

I agree on your first point. That is why I do not see the Passion a graven image in part.

As for your second point, we can't change the glory of God one jot or tittle, but we can the amount of glory people give him less by making images, worshipping as we want instead of as he does, etc. So, I think you are wrong there.

[drlevy88]

The script for The Passion of Christ not only adds things that didn't occur in the Bible, it cuts out other things that did. The most widely known example of this being the important declaration, "His blood be on us and on our children." (Matthew 27:25)

How does something get on the list of things-that-must-not-be-left-out-of-a-Jesus-movie?

[rbmillerjr]

It's not a history movie to be viewed with attorney like objectivity.

It's a Christian film. Christ is at the center of it. Btw, yes you are correct he brings everything down on himself. That is his mission...he's got the whole worlds sins in his hands.

It's rather silly to view it from a secular perspective.

[rwfromkansas]

There is no way to visualize that in a film.

What Gibson does is bring up lots of Scriptures in the film where Jesus explains what his death does.

What I found interesting is that the verses he chose were very Calvinistic (speaking about a limited atonement....dying for his sheep, his friends etc).

Gibson did not use universalistic passages, which I must admit I found quite refreshing and wonderful. He may not know it, but he is spreading the truth of limited atonement with this movie.

[narses]

I understand. If you accept the Great Commandment, you are doing His Work. May I suggest you study His Words and pray for His guidance? You denigrate, no doubt with good intentions, His Words, His Book. I hope you find your way Home - I look forward to being with you and all of His Elect in Heaven. Pray for me as I will pray for you that such a meeting is possible.

[Amelia]

Did you read this?

[rwfromkansas]

It is theological in nature, not just a dislike of church authority. But, that is for the religion forum.

[claudiustg]

---YOU OWE US ALL an apology for even posting this sort of despicable crap.---

That one is out here, way out there! :^)

A lot of people take their scriptures srtaight up.

[avenir]

"Do us a favor, and when you see any articles like this in the future, leave it where you found it."

Why? It has generated a lively discussion. Old-fashioned Protestantism (like the author's) DOES view with suspicion the Roman Catholic Church. And the Roman Catholic Church DOES view old-fashioned Protestantism as apostate and in need of returning to the "one true church".

How can discussion of a film like this not reveal the clash?

[Jorge]

From the non-Christian point of view, you have a guy, who believes that he is in some way divinity. In most cultures, that right there is a red flag. Numerous times, he shows utter disrespect for the Romans as well as the Jews. Rather than taking a diplomatic approach to things, he is very confrontational. I found it very hard to be sympathetic when it is obvious he is bringing most of the things that happen down on himself and is doing it willingly.

And from the Christian point of view, this is Christ, the very image of God incarnate on earth. He is the Creator, Lord and future Judge of these very people who want to kill Him for claiming to be the Messiah.

The fact that He even subjected Himself to them, and prayed that they be forgiven shows a grace and humility that is astounding considering who He really is.

[Zechariah11]

I am already a believer, plus one that believes and reads scripture, so its not like I would miss anything.

For those same reasons I was tempted not to go view it. It is always best to dig deep in the Word for the faith. However, I did watch the movie and I must admit it was an artistic masterpiece,

[drlevy88]

The point seems to be that "the bible should be placed before everything, including Christ himself." This is a kind of intellect-worship, because Christ makes Himself known in very important ways that transcend words.