Finally, the day has arrived. While I won't see The Passion of Christ until Sunday, I have watched the Primetime Live interview with Mel Gibson as well as The Making of the Passion which showed on PAX TV this evening. It's not like the ending can be spoiled.
The reviewers are beginning to chime in, and sure enough, the folks at The New York Times just don't get it. But who expected they would? As for the rest of the reviewers, the film is averaging a "B" grade. Pretty darned good for a film that may "ruin" Mel Gibson's career, if you can believe that absurb mantra.
I am eager to see the response from NON-churched people. As for me, I am looking forward to experiencing the film for myself on Sunday. Our rather large church has bought out two showings of the film, so it should be an interesting viewing.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
February 25, 2004 01:35 AM
Hey, if you have a call out there for the non-churched :-p
If I get to see it in the next little while, and if you want to know, I'll let you know what I thought for sure and/or do my own review on my site. *she says like her review would make all the difference in the world*
February 25, 2004 12:51 PM
Well, personally, I have no plans to see this film. If it were a film about the teachings of Christ or even something that was more metaphysical and less aggressively bloody (like The Last Temptation of Christ, which I thought was quite interesting and engaging) then I might think differently...
February 25, 2004 09:17 PM
A Review of the Passion:
Monday February 23,2004
It’s late but I feel a strong need to write to my friends and family. Earlier this evening, a group of approximately 300 Presbyterians and some of their close friends gathered in a theater for a special screening of The Passion of the Christ.
I’m writing because my prayer is that very soon you will in some way feel what I am feeling right now. Standing on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee made me feel this way. Walking the same cobbled streets of Jerusalem made me feel this way. Crouching down to enter the empty tomb made me feel this way. I’m struggling to find the words and these won’t do it justice, but the feeling inside is the mixture of joy and sadness over the reality of the Sacrifice. It really happened! It’s not a myth or a fairytale. Neither is it a flannel-graph or a Sunday School coloring assignment. The sacrifice of the Incarnate One was as real as the flesh that was bruised and bloodied and torn open. I want you to see this film because I believe that God can use it to bring you even closer unto Himself.
When was the last time you felt so much love for Jesus that you wept for two hours? Whether you cry tears that run down your cheeks or cry deep down inside while appearing stoic, if you love Jesus at all, you will cry somehow. Every person I know could benefit from a little more emotional connection with Jesus. Please don’t avoid this film because you’re afraid of your own reaction. Don’t deprive yourself a moment of spiritual growth because of fear.
I’m writing as well, because right now there are people in this world who really don’t want you to see this film. They’re raising flimsy objections. “It’s too graphic,” they whine. Well, I can honestly say this was the most graphic film I’ve ever seen. But I would bet you my bottom dollar that had we been there at Golgotha 2000 years ago, we’d say it was infinitely more gruesome. It is visceral and gut-wrenching and anything less would not be true to the Gospel.
Should your kids see it? You need to see it first, then make that decision. If you are in touch with the growing faith of your children, you will know. My 12 year old son is mature enough to see this movie. I’m not sure what his reaction will be, but I want him to see it because it will help a young boy know with greater depth what it means to call Jesus, “my Savior.” My 10 year old daughter will see it too, but when the time is right. Not now.
Others are objecting that the film is anti-Semitic. That’s an accusation that they have the right to raise, but I find no truth in it whatsoever. If the same objectors are intellectually honest, they’d have to raise identical objections about the whole of the New Testament. Just because someone raises an objection doesn’t make them right. Just because Diane Sawyer refers to someone as a “Bible scholar” doesn’t make them one. Too many people today want to reduce Jesus to a mild mannered non-gendered person who came to teach us how to be nice; a more user-friendly kind of Jesus who is a way, a truth, and a life, among many others of our individual choosing.
Hear this: Jesus did not die a politically correct death! The Almighty didn’t need to consult with sensors before He charted the Master Plan of Redemption. He didn’t seek the theological approval of a multi-cultural inter-faith focus group. And He has never once changed the details in order to satisfy His critics.
This film isn’t about what the Jews did to Jesus. Nor is it about what the Roman soldiers did. It’s about what Jesus did for the whole world. “He became obedient to the point of death, even death upon a cross.” Of course, we can’t expect all non-believers to understand that. Some people won’t get the point. Some don’t want to get the point. But many will, and I am convinced that God will work through this faithful adaptation of the Gospel to bring millions of new people into the fold.
Here’s something else I’m convinced of: I know the Biblical account better than the critics of this movie. In my opinion, Mel Gibson has made a film that is true to the Gospel. It is not the Word of God. It is not a substitute or an alternative to sacred Scripture. Not every detail and every line of dialogue will be found in the Gospel, but you can find nothing in this film that contradicts anything Biblical. Mel Gibson’s inspired artistry gets to the heart of the Gospel: It isn’t about what the Jews did to Jesus. The Gospel is about what Jesus has done for the whole world. He paid the awful gory price. Our sin whipped every inch of His sinless body. Our hatefulness and wickedness drove the spikes through His hands and feet. Our self-centeredness raised the cross, and our darkness snuffed out the Light of the World....for a little while, but not long.
Tonight, I could hear lots of weeping. Why did they weep? Because a theater full of Presbyterians knew they were seeing their truest love on the big screen. And do you know what I kept hearing in my mind, through the interminable lashing? Above the crack of the whip, the mocking masses, the laughter of drunken executioners and the soundtrack orchestra, I could hear the voice of children singing “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak but He is strong.”
On the way home, my sweet Iranian friend Shala, whom I had the privilege of baptizing several years ago, said in her beautiful middle-eastern accent, “I love Him all the more, I love Him all the more.”
By all means, please go see this film and you too will love Him more.
February 25, 2004 10:49 PM
A beautifully stated review, my Brother. I look forward to seeing the film on Sunday.
February 26, 2004 09:46 PM
Rev. Stephen Bryant, thank you for this brilliant review. You echo my thoughts through and through... The violence in the movie is not gratuitous; it just shows us the intensity of suffering the Christ went through in obedience to the Father to atone for humanity's sins. I gladly and joyfully accept Him as my personal saviour.
February 29, 2004 04:11 PM
I was compelled to see this movie. My heart mourns for his suffering yet rejoices that he loves me so. It was difficult to watch as his suffering was made so real. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Now all I can say is Thank you Jesus! Because of this, death has lost it's sting and one day I will come home to you my precious Lord.
March 3, 2004 03:49 PM
A sad day for Jews around the world. This movie will generate even more ignorance among the non-Jewish community. Lack of awareness of Jewish issues in this country, such as America's history of Semitic discrimination, the Islamic violence toward Jews in Israel, and the Holocaust, will lead to an increase in antisemitic behavior around the world. The fact that this horrible film was even able to be published and distributed in theatres is indicative of a growing lack of concern for Jews and our struggles. I hope there are at least some Gentiles out there that won't be brainwashed by Gibson's "Passion of Hatred".
March 3, 2004 04:14 PM
Pure nonsense, Harry. Anyone predisposed to bigotry is not going to be changed by this film. Nor are those predisposed to love going to be turned into racist bigots. I recommend reading the words of Jewish leaders such as Rabbi Daniel Lapin and movie critic Michael Medved.
March 3, 2004 05:51 PM
I would recommend that all see this very worthwhile movie. It may open up your eyes to what Jesus really went through for us.
February 10, 2006 03:21 AM
PASSION OF CHRIST IS SOOO SAD IT MADE ME AND EVERYONE CRY WHEN JESUS WAS TORTURED :'(