Satan and the Passion of the Christ

REPEATEDLY you have accused your pastor of demon possession, vile words, having a 'bad demon', preaching perversion. Paul forbids an elder to be even discussed on such evidence, his reputation being of more importance than that of others. Respectfully, I ask you to not do that anymore. It's not scriptural to do so.

 

Good observations!

 

So did Andy Rooney.

 

This movie is unscriptural, but you would imagine this picture of how Jesus suffered and died on the cross for you.

 

Thank you Spirit and Truth,

I looked forward with eager anticipation to see the film. But throughout the movie I was more aware of the departures from the Biblical accounts than anything else. I felt neither moved nor edified.

In fact, in my heart and mind, I was at war with it, my spirit being agitated and uncomfortable. It seemed to me that the baseless sentimentality of the cult of Mary corrupted the story line. Other subtle and obvious twists from truth made it throughly objectionable.

To be certain of my judgment, I went to see it once more. This time, I came away from it throughly convinced of my first impression. What a sad state of affairs it is, when the evangelical church places its hope for revival in such a travesty as this, instead of in the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.

May God help us!
SpiritWalker

 

From what I have read on this thread, Gibson’s film is a spiritual horror movie to gratify the spiritual thrill-seeker with the graphic and gory details of our Lord’s physical suffering. What I am reading is much like the ambulance chaser who arrives at the terrible accident to see the blood and gory and with exaggerated concern says, “Oh my, isn’t that awful?” Clucking and shaking his head, the religious experience seeker piously intones, “I can’t believe He did that for me—I never realized it until now.” The problem is that he doesn’t know. Man cannot graphically show or know the extent of Christ’s sufferings. This was more than just a man being brutally beaten and crucified. Remember there were two thieves crucified with Christ. They experienced the same physical agony. Also, Christ’s suffering did not last as long as most crucifixions. Remember how they were surprised that He dead when they came to break His legs.

It seems that many gullible, although well-intentioned, people are swept away by their emotions to the denial of their good sense and Bible doctrine. May God help Christians to come to their senses.

 

Actually, what is illustrated in every single Passion thread on every forum that has one is that some peoples irrational, bitter hatred of Catholics leads to them lie and distort what is actually in the movie simply to try and spread their hate and bitterness. Admit it, you guys are just eat up with the fact a catholic made this movie and it's driving you over the edge. And not a single one of you has seen it. Your one true prophet act is getting old.

 

Well...welcome to the discussion, Shag! Thanks for so clearly sharing your opinion! Have you met vaspers?

 

I have said many good things about Catholics, John Michael Talbot (listening to his CD rite now), Teresa of Avila, Fulton Sheen, Fenelon, monasteries, desert monks, I even watch EWTN now and then, isn't that Mother Angelica a dear!

I have a problem with exalting Mary too high, praying to saints, rosaries, few other things.

 

This movie did not exalt Mary even once.

 

So did Andy Rooney. </font>[/QUOTE]I don't get your connection. What did Andy Rooney do? Sorry.

 

I watched the movie on Friday. I thought it was good. I didnt understand the serpent till Jim Caveitto(could be mispelled) crushed his head and then i remembered the Scripture verse. I thought the baby might have been the anti-Christ and then I heard what someone said here about that verse. I think the part of Mary in this movue was a little much. I mean, other than Christ she was the only other to see the "Satan or "evil force" what ever it was. She mopped up the blood of Christ, the soldiers seemed to have a special reverence for her. I know that we none know what she did and did not do but Gibson put alot in there for her. I think his portrayal of Christ was excellent. Another thing I liked, he didn't put alot of emphasis on Peter, Gibson being a Catholic and all. I thought the "Satan" character should have been a man but you cant have everything. I believe may have had a similar trial with the Devil ,since Christ was about to die for our sins. I had heard before the movie that in the movie there was no resurrection at the end, but I am glad someone was misinformed because there was a resurrection scene at the end. I thought the movie was a very good and closer than most movies if not all to the real passion of Christ. I heard some early teen guy say coming out of the theater "How could they do that to somebody?"
I almost said(and maybe I should have) "That's why He came."

 

Actually, what is illustrated in every single Passion thread on every forum that has one is that some peoples irrational, bitter hatred of Catholics leads to them lie and distort what is actually in the movie simply to try and spread their hate and bitterness. Admit it, you guys are just eat up with the fact a catholic made this movie and it's driving you over the edge. And not a single one of you has seen it. Your one true prophet act is getting old. </font>[/QUOTE]Thanks Shaggy for beautifully illustrating my thesis that Mel's defenders are long on emotion and short on ratiocination. Fact is that I don't believe or accept Roman Catholic doctrine. Do you? Furthermore, would you recognize RC heresy if you saw it on the silver screen? If you can't find it in ole Mel's flick, then you're missing something. I suppose you really don't see.

BTW, read my posts and point out a single distortion of fact or lie. That's a challenge and I'll bet that you're not up to it. I have posted no lies and you show your poor manners and lack of breeding in insinuating that I have. I assume your childish innuendo is against me since you are replying to my post. Argue with me and debate any points but don't question my integrity or character.

I notice that you attack people when you can't refute their arguments. Why don't you take my challenge and repudiate my assertions one by one. Your silence will be revealing.

 

Oh yeah? Read CDG's post who thought the movie was good.

 

Originally posted by ShagNappy:

And not a single one of you has seen it.

Pardon me ShagNappy. Are you calling me a liar too? If you had bothered to look and read, perhaps you might have a little bit more truth in what you are posting with such anger.

SpiritWalker

 

((Just wanted to correct some editorial errors in my previous post.))

 

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.)

 

I count at least four times you've posted this. Isn't this spam?

 

long posts are a pain to read.

The Passion is flat out heresy, ignorant fantasy, excessive brutality, tasteless irreverence.

People seem to rave about this film and Mel, more than about Jesus and the Bible, unaided by Hellywood.

Shame on them.