The Passion Of The Christ, your opinion

I honestly believe The Passion of the Christ was a wonderful film, don't get me wrong! My wife cried all the way through it; meanwhile, I was just mesmerized by the story. I feel that is a monumental film.

I was so disappointed that I didn't get to see this movie! I heard recently that its set to come out on video at the end of this month! Beleive you me, I WILL have a copy of it in my library! I can't wait to see it!

For one thing, I thought the Passion of the Christ was not scriptural in parts. For one, to answer everyone's questions, the scene where the proposed being of Satan holding the baby at Christ's flogging is not in the Bible;neither is the scene at the beginning where Christ stomped his foot down on the head of the serpent. These are all artistic "additives" that Mel obviously added in, which given they are powerful, but sadly are not scriptural.
The construction of Jesus' cross was also not scriptural and the crow pecking at the thief's eye was totally unnecessary, besides being...you guessed it, non-scriptural. For anyone that has at least skimmed through the Gospels (I have read them most of my life) "The Passion of the Christ" is not a historical or Biblical representation of the Truth of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. I hope to not ruffle anyone's feathers on this; read the Bible closely, analyze its every word and you'll see what I mean! I believe that someone could have done a better job (and may some day, hopefully!). I feel it was a great movie for movies' sake, but not a true Christian or scriptural rendering of the most important event in the history of the world.

I know I am joining this discussion late, but I'd like to follow up on a few of Haldur's points.

First of all, we really don't have an extensive amount of historical detail on the life of Christ, so we use the Bible as our base and build from there. Of course the devil elements were added for dramatic effect, and you need to expect this in a movie. It certainly was a great metaphor for showing how Satan (evil) is at work very subtly in society. The crow wasn't unnecessary, I don't think, because there are lots of animal scavengers who take advantage of "free lunches" in nature, and certainly the Romans left dead people on crosses along their roads to discourage people from defying their power.

I am not sure how you can say that the movie wasn't a true Christian rendering of the event. Even the gospels disagree on details, so if Gibson's movie adds a few inconsequential details, you have to ask "Does this contradict or take away from the significance of the event?", obviously, there is nothing in the movie that gives us false information regarding Christ's death at Calvary.

Finally, the scene where Christ crushes the serpent's head in the garden is, in fact, in the Bible. It is a reference to the prophecy made in Genesis chapter 3.

I don't mean to sound argumentative here, but I just thought that one more viewpoint might be useful in this thread.

Good night,
Rory MacA

Rory! I hear what you are saying. While I thought the movie was very powerful and emotional, but my hubby who is a very strong Christian did not like the film at all because he just found all the violence unnecessary..............such as the baby with Satan and the vultures at the crucifixion scene. While certain things you metioned were not in the Bible, maybe there was some things that Mel Gibson was trying to say himself through the creation of his movie as well. All artists take artitistic liberties as they have something to say via their crafts. I took it to be just that.

Still a powerful film and I hope you get to see it soon Allen and anxious to hear your comments on it.

I didn't get to see this movie, so I am just asking for info's sake. I have heard many people say that this was a Christian movie. Others say it is not biblically sound.

As to that, I agree that minor differences are really incosequential, but tell me. Did this movie portray the reason for Christ's death? Or did it just portray the death itself. If it does not make clear that God sent His Son as a substitute payment for the penalty of death that we have all inflicted onourselves by sinning against God's commands, what is the point in making the movie? It can only be a witnessing tool, if it is biblically correct in this way. Otherwise, it's just another Hollywood film.


Just my opinion.
Leslie

Cori, that is an interesting and valid point you raise. I can't recall if there was much talk in the movie as to "why" Christ had to die. I guess part of the problem is that the movie is in English subtitles. However, if you are familiar with Christianity, as are most who will see this movie, then you easily get the point. I wouldn't take someone to see it if they didn't know a thing about Christ, that's for sure. But once someone has been introduced to the basics of Christianity, then this becomes a powerful tool to help drive the point home.

Many people seem to be taking pot shots at Gibson's artistic liberty. That, too, is an interesting issue, but I can't personally see what the fuss is about. He tried to make it graphic and gruesome because crucifixion was indeed that. Just like the burning at the stake of so-called heretics and witches during the Middle Ages. His scene with the Devil and the baby are also in keeping with what we know of Satan's character. If he tried to go on just the "facts" as stated in the Bible, he would not have been able to make a full length film, but a "short". Regardless, I think it was a fabulous film.

Rory

I have to agree with you totally, Rory!

Rory,

Thanks for your input. I am definitely going to watch it, but I wasn't sure what to expect. Some of my family watched it and, even though they are Christian, they saw only the "cool" film. Then others watched it and grasped what they said were some awesome truths that had not occured to them before. It should prove a memorable movie.

I look forward to hearing your response, Cori.

Rory

I have to agree with you Leslie (coming in late here I know).

However, in spite of the dodgy theology, it did bring home Christ's suffering for me more vividly, and for that I am grateful to Mel.

It's like most films, powerful, but the Book is better.

BTW, the Gospels are in perfect harmony with each other, they present four accurate views of events from a differing angle. God has given us in the four views a complete and perfect picture.

I just finished watching the film last night. And to echo everyone it was a great artistic film.

But each person who watches it will find their own meaning for it and I think that's the way Gibson wanted. To find in yourself the meaning of God's sacrifice of his only son.

I haven't seen this movie yet. I didn't think I wanted to watch it at the theater, but in the privacy of my own home. My daughter bought the DVD last week and now my son has it. I'm next on the list

I finally got to see it

That was the most intense and moving film I've ever seen.