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Reasons I am in opposition to the Passion

Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by Frogman, Mar 11, 2004.

  1. Frogman

    Frogman <img src="http://www.churches.net/churches/fubc/Fr

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    Dear Brothers and Sisters,
    I attempted to post this a few minutes ago, and my computer went into a tantrum and I lost the post, I was nearly finished with it too. [​IMG]

    In the topic threads concerning the recent movie Passion of the Christ we have witnessed each other (myself included) take on the appearance and mind of children, but not in the likeness of the mind of Christ. IMHO, this is the greatest problem with boards, emails and other internet communication mediums. WE quickly degenerate into a coldness I don't believe we would always exhibit were we together in person.

    Now, I am still in opposition to the movie. But I wanted to write to each of you the reasons I am in opposition. If my position offends any of you please feel free to inform me of this and I promise you I will search my motives to determine by the witness of the Spirit that I trust is in me whether or not I had any intentions of being offensive.

    In the thread seeking reasons to oppose this film and also in others I have made the statement that I do not beleive God will nor that he can use this film. This statement has caused some to assign to me an attitude of pride seemingly to build myself up in wisdom above the throne of God. This is far from the truth.

    If any of you hold that opinion of me that is your individual freedom to do so. My position is as it is regardless of popularity. I first heard discussion of this film on the car radio. I have since forgotten where I was going, but I remember this event even though it was about 1 year ago. I distinctly remember thinking and saying to my oldest son who was with me that this was a great idea. I have always thought Mel Gibson is a great actor and I was glad to see he too had reason to give answer for the hope that was in him. I am honest in this. I believe that any man coming to Christ shall not be ashamed. But I do believe that men can be decieved by both their own heart and by satan as to the full recognition or acknowledgement of the truth. I do not believe this will alter their eternal position as it is secure and sealed by the same eternal Spirit through which thier personal redeemer offered himself unto God. However, I see no error in standing in accordance to what I believe to be my duty as a Christian and perhaps even as a Baptist.

    We each know enough history to know the true purpose for our freedom of religion. That purpose imho is and was never intended to remove God from the public eye nor to deny the need of a personal relationship and knowledge of God. Instead, I believe the purpose of that inclusion in our Constitution was to insure to you and to me as well as to those who are not Baptist that our national government can not enforce upon us a body of doctrinal belief which we must subscribe to at least openly. Because of this Mel has every right available to him and guaranteed to be protected under the same provision that permits me to worship without fear in the place of my choosing or to not worship in accordance to lack of interest or whatever reason I may present to you.

    It hurts me above everything to hear folks say they can be closer to God by being in nature than what they can be by worshipping in an assembly of believers somewhere. And I believe this is a result of holding our God given right of freedom of conscious above the word of God.

    And there is the problem I see with this film. It is not that I deny Mel Gibson as possessing the heavenly calling, but in the way this film is presented I see the same subtilty as used against Eve. I see in the end of it a basic denial of the inspiration of the word of God to the extent that I believe that rather than to be useful to the cause of Christ in this world it is going to further erode the belief that the word of God is complete in its record of what He has revealed to created man regarding himself and his work of redemption in the world through his only Begotten Son.

    Seeing this, I further believe it is my responsibility to speak to that effect. I do desire to rely fully upon the Grace of God to speak from an attitude of love instilled in me by Christ Jesus.

    It hurts me to read that people would imagine that I am pretending to be wiser than God. And in the end were this true I would find myself opposing God and that I myself am part of the spirit of antichrist. That may or may not be your opinion of me I don't know. I do care. But I cannot change my conviction merely because of it.

    If the above statement is true of myself, what is true of the things found in this film regarding Catholic doctrine or superstition?

    If by an honest attempt to pray and study the word of God that I might be found a workman rightly dividing that word I am made to be built up to a position of pride that I have considered my knowledge to surpass the eternal wisdom of God, would this accusation further lead a non-believer away from the things of God? Is this why people seldom engage in Bible study privately? For fear of being accused of seeking to put themselves not only in the place of God but above him even? Is this then not found in the fall of Lucifer the beginning and end of the spirit of antichrist?

    I have not seen this film. Because of this it then is assumed I cannot speak against it. I initially had the desire that I would see this film. When I heard the admission of Mel Gibson concerning his surprise that evangelicals had embraced the film and that it seems to hold a sway over even Christians such that this one film has changed their lives I wonder why an honest prayerful study of the word of God is not praised more often as the source of drawing us toward God more and more and giving reason for praising him. I am not perfect in this, I am a man, bound by my grave clothes as well as any other. However, I cannot bring myself to place this film in a position that by conviction Baptists have held the word of God since having that word given to them.

    In considering these things I have thought upon Fox's Book of Martyrs. Many of you perhaps have read that book, some perhaps not. Can you recall how many beleivers are recorded in that book as giving their life because they dared to read the word of God, as if they could understand it?

    Dear Brethren and Sisters, I have written enough. Please consider what I have written. I am honest in my heart there is no ill will toward either Mel nor anyone of you regarding this issue. There are fellow members in my church who have gone and seen this film and I have not made an issue of disfellowship out of it. I simply believe the overall message of this film is that of the persecutors of true believers to portray to them even the least confusion concerning their ability to read and understand these things according to the gift of the Spirit. And this is inmho error.

    This is my purpose in opposing this film and this first error I believe is enough grounds to oppose it on. This is the start of satan's deception to first deny the faithfulness of the word of God and once that is set into place other errors are quick in coming.

    May God richly bless each of you in this day he has given to us.

    Bro. Dallas Eaton
     
  2. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    Amen Bro Dallas.

    Well written and expressing the thoughts of many of us.
     
  3. uhdum

    uhdum New Member

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    Bro Dallas,

    I appreciate your faithfulness and love for the Lord. Thank you for sharing your heart-felt convictions. May God bless you richly!

    The only thing I may say is this: be careful about using the phrase "God cannot use this film." If it is your conviction that God will not use this film for His glory, then great. But I'd be careful about saying God can't do something.

    God bless!
     
  4. uhdum

    uhdum New Member

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    edit: sorry about quoting myself :D Not thinking clearly this mroning.
     
  5. Frogman

    Frogman <img src="http://www.churches.net/churches/fubc/Fr

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    Thank you Uhdum, your point is taken and understood. I mean to say God cannot use this film because it departs from his ordained means and includes so much superstition.

    I am in no way limiting God any more than any other Baptist would call me to account were I to claim new light on any topic of scripture.

    The Holy Spirit never teaches so that the result is in opposition to the word of God.

    This is simply my meaning.

    Bro. Dallas
     
  6. onestand

    onestand New Member

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    Frog, you are entitled to your thoughts and opinion on this film. I still believe God already has used this movie in drastic ways, I know He did with me.
     
  7. Kathy

    Kathy New Member

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    Ditto onestand!!

    Kathy
    &lt;&gt;&lt;
     
  8. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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  9. Frogman

    Frogman <img src="http://www.churches.net/churches/fubc/Fr

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    Thanks for being so gracious :rolleyes:

    Bro. Dallas
     
  10. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    And another movie scene that raises a flag---and I know that its probably been touched on here already---is the cross scene

    In the movie--Jesus is on the cross---and one of those ladies kissed his feet---got blood all over her mouth and face---

    Compare that movie scene with what the word from the Word says---that the women stood "afar off"--

    And besides---mother or no mother----Mary was a Jew---and what would a Jew be doing touching a cursed man---for the word from the Word says "Cursed is the man who hangs from a tree."

    Hold the word from the Word up against the movie---and I guarantee--the movie will melt before it like it were in the hot Mississippi summer sun!
     
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