Mel's Movie: Preview vs Final Cut

LOL! Oops. Okay, I see now, his "bum". No there was no bum in the film. He also didn't walk out of the cave. It ended with a shot of his hand with the spike hole in it.

I don't recall seeing the pose with Mary and the body of Christ, I'm going to have to see it again.

I recall Strobel citing evidence that the cross would be flipped in order to have the nails secured in the cross so the person would not fall from the cross and they would have to nail them in all over again. That is why I say it is probable. Either way, it is just art.

As far as the personification of satan- this was purely artistic in nature. The child that satan is holding reflects Genesis 3:15

 

an interesting review:

http://www.SeekGod.ca/gibson.htm

 

FSiH,

I have to wonder if different versions were not released in different areas. I know of one account on the radio that said there were no credits on the movie. It ended with Christ in the cave and that was it. We had credits at the end of the film, but the words they said would flash at the end of the movie never did.

I remember seeing his legs, but there was definitely no bum.

 

I remember the scene with Mary...and if I were her, nothing would take me away from my baby until he had been burried.

As for the "bum"..I saw no backside. I saw legs, and a nail pierced hand. There may have been a "bum" in the preview, but I didn't see one. I do admit to thinking..ok..they don't need to raise that camera any higher.

 

I think it's a non-issue, but hey, there'a reason Veggie Tales has yet to do a story about Jesus... too many people object to Jesus being played by a fruit or vegetable.

And in more real terms, I was once scolded by a church elder for even suggesting that Jesus might have to a bathroom. Heaven forbid!!!

 

Would that be a ...bummer???? DOH!!!!

 

LOl

 

The camera faded...the last thing before the credits was the nail pierced hand.

*Edited for clarity

 

Johnv, man, you're making me laugh too much. Now I've got to dig around for something funny to toss at you bro.

For your elder to get upset about Jesus being human is weird. I guess it depends on what you said and how you said it, but I know you well enough to believe you were totally respectful about yr statement.

Bible says Jesus got tired. That's still sometimes hard for me to really grasp. It's easier to imagine Him walking on water, than Him saying, "Boy, I'm exhausted. I need a nap."

You gotta love His replies to the Pharisees tho. He is a Spiritual Genius, the Wisdom & Power of God.

 

Some of the comments on here are a downright sacrilege. They make me want to throw up.

 

Johnv, Run to the nearest Lifeway and purchase Veggie Tales, 'An Easter Carol'. It's about JESUS!! Finally!! Rebecca St. James sings a wonderful song about His birth, death and ressurection. Jesus is NOT played by any veggie but much like a Christmas Carol, the candy making miser learns the true reason for Easter.

BUT.... I'm sure our resident dissidents will find something wrong with it! Those veggies dont' speak Greek!

Diane

 

I just watched it, but can't exactly remember, but I think it was dated at 800 BC.

2. did "his blood be on our heads n our children's" get deleted, either in subtitles or in Aramaic/entire scene (for those who can understsand the Aramaic)?[/QUOTE]

It was deleted from sub-titles. I don't know Aramaic, so don't know for sure. But, I think I heard Gibson say in an interview that it was still there and you might be able to hear it in the crowd scene if you listen really close and know Aramaic.

3. the androgynous Satan, fr male-ish hood in Gethsemane to ugly madonna at the crucifixion[/QUOTE]

Didn't see this.

4. the Emmerich insertions: Jesus falling off the overpass,[/QUOTE]

He was pushed by the Roman Guard.

Mary mopping up the blood,[/QUOTE]

After the scourging, Mary mopped up the blood in the courtyard.

falling again n again n again, Veronica[/QUOTE]


He did not fall again and again off the bridge. There was a childhood flashback scene where Jesus as a young child fell and Mary came to help him. This is in the context of him falling under the weight of the cross, and Mary runs to him and tells him that she is here, much like one would probably expect a mother to do when their child is hurt.

5. Mel's extra: the freshly crucified Jesus flipped like a burger, face up, face down, then face up again[/QUOTE]

Yeah I guess so. Except, I didn't see a big ole spatula in the Roman Soldier's hands while they were doing this. This also occured at the beginning of the crucificion scene and not at the end, so it probably would not be correct to say that he was freshly crucified.

6. the Pieta tableau[/QUOTE]

Huh? English please?

7. the adult naked male bum leaving the tomb in the final, resurrection scene[/QUOTE]

I saw an actor portraying Jesus leaving the tomb at the end. Didn't see a bum with a sign around his neck that said "Will work for food". Perhaps, you saw a different movie?

Hope this helps,

Joseph Botwinick

 

Forever settled in heaven, I read the link you gave, and I was shocked to see a big portion of the movie came straight from this womans writtings(or rather she seems to have spoken it someone wrote it, not uncommon) of her 'vision'. Even the name of the Roman guard and the two thieves came from her. All in all, as much of the movie came from this catholic nun's 'vision' as it did from the scripture.
I think if some people would go and read this they'd be as sickened as I was.

http://www.emmerich1.com/THE_PASSION3.htm

 

I shared with our folks on Wed. night, after our Bible study, that I have not seen the movie and do not plan to. I firmly do not believe that Christians should be attending the movie houses.
Yet, I expressed the fact that the movie will get folks to talking; at work; school; among family & friends etc. That will give us an open door to share Christ with folks.

I do not see thousands - millions etc. getting saved by watching this movie....
I do not believe it is an out reach to win folks ...
I do think that it will give us opportunity to share what Christ has done for us when we got saved. etc.

Just like when 9-11 happened; earthquakes etc. & the such .... it gets folks to thinking and to talking and that is where we can listen and then tell them about the Christ of the Bible .... simply ... the plan of salvation.


Should Bible-believing Christians support the movie The Passion of The Christ?

Is it The best evangelical opportunity we’ve had since the death of Christ, as has been proclaimed by so many evangelical preachers?

Some Observations/Objections:

1. The Movie’s Origin & Medium

· It is a Roman Catholic movie – represents a very different doctrine of salvation

· Its stated purposes are to increase Catholic Conversions & Devotion

· Gibson, a conservative dedicated Catholic, It reflects my beliefs

· Pope, It is as it was

· Daily mass was held on the set during filming & resulted in many conversions to
Catholicism

· Yet, it has been called a new & better way to spread the gospel by many
evangelicals

· A popular evangelical preacher: People don’t interact with the lecture on Sunday
morning anymore—modern day techniques are needed to communicate the Bible

What does the Bible say about our responsibility as preachers?

2 Tim. 4.2-4 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

· We must preach the Word—this cannot be replaced by any other medium

· 1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe

· It is a sad day indeed when Bible-believing Christians turn to Hollywood and Roman Catholicism to help evangelize a lost world

2. The Script of the Movie

· Said to have been Based entirely on gospel of John — yet, has much extra-
BIBLE dialogue

· If it is an evangelical tool, it should not contain anything not recorded in Bible, or
would be confusing to the seeker

· Languages of Latin & Aramaic are said to give it a feel of authenticity

· BUT, language of Jesus day w/ Hebrew & Greek

· Latin & Aramaic were used for theological reasons: to urge a return to 16th
Century Latin Mass

· Gibson, I wanted to combine the sacrifice of cross with the sacrifice of altar
(Catholic Mass) and languages are part of this for me

This brings us to the theology of the movie:

3. Theology

· Gibson, This movie reflects my beliefs like nothing I’ve ever done before (the
traditional Catholic Latin Mass)

· Basic Catholic belief is that the intense physical suffering of Christ is the most important part of the crucifixion, thus the heavy violence in the movie

· Christian theology places primary importance on Redemption through the Propitiation of the blood of Christ — the blood sacrifice paying for our redemption ONCE FOR ALL

· In Catholic theology—the suffering is repeated constantly—in the Mass, Christ is crucified over and over again (displayed in the crucifix and Catholic icons)

· Catholic theology of salvation is totally dolorous (grief, sorrow, dismal) The emphasis is on physical agony of Christ and is repeated in all the masses, prayers & devotions - again, therefore the movie is very graphically violent

· Paul said, I glory in the cross because of its redemptive power and victory over sin and the grave - Resurrection is the focus, not suffering

· Christ did certainly suffer the agony of the beatings & crucifixion, but those pains are not to be compared with His suffering by becoming SIN for me.

Some Closing Notes

1. The film is not designed to bring people to saving faith in Christ, but for
entertainment & to promote Catholic theology

2. The film is given to express the faith of dedicated conservative Catholic (Mel Gibson) & bring people in touch again with sacrifice of the altar in the Catholic Mass

3. The film has a good deal of artistic additions, so should not be considered totally faithful to gospel account

4. If anything, the film portrays the great NEED for salvation (my sin did crucify Christ)

5. We must follow up with those who are seeing it and give them the complete gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ which includes: Repentance & Faith in the shed blood (not in the physical suffering) of the Lord Jesus Christ.

6. God did use pagan kings in OT to do His work (used a donkey once, too) and, if He so chooses, God can use Mel Gibson and a Hollywood film to bring attention to His Son (as unlikely as it may seem)

7. Sadly, there is a great danger that Christians may now make a habit of going to a theatre for their theology & inspiration (Gibson speaks of other follow-up movies about the Bible) and they may become numb or lethargic to the preaching of the cross by a Spirit-filled preacher.

Will I go see the movie?

No — I think I’ll stay home & read The Book & pray the God will open doors to reach some of the lost people who will see it. May God help us to seize the opportunity to witness for Him these next few weeks while millions are watching a portrayal of our Savior's love for them. To God be the Glory!


Charles Bonner
Pastor
Bible Baptist Church
Selah, Wa. 98942
BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH SELAH, WA.

Annual "Soul Winning" Conference
Where: Bible Baptist Church of Selah, Washington
Dates: March 9-10-11, 2004. (Tues. - Wed. - Thurs.)