The Passion Of The Christ, your opinion

I never have understood the complaints about this film being Mel Gibson's personal view of the Gospels. So what? It is the prerogative of every filmmaker to infuse their sensibilities on their projects. It is up to us to determine whether that invalidates the message. In this instance, I (personally speaking) don't feel it does. I like the fact that he went out on a limb and let people see what he really believes. Is this film "Hollywood," no. When was the last time you watched a movie and were moved the way this film moves people? Hollywood wouldn't touch this film with a 3 meter casting couch (see, I am trying to use metric ).

Just my tuppence.

Andy

I highly appreciate that!

I agree with you. This film isn't Hollywood. I'm proud that Mel Gibson had the courage to realise the film. As you said it to go out and let people know what he believes in.

This is a no-no in society. Religion is a private matter; not to be dealt with in such a public way.
I read that it is a movie made by a man who really has everything and who didn't know with what to deal now. In the sense that Mel Gibson is one of those who first lived their life excessivly and now as there is nothing left and everything else had lost fascination for him he is remembering religion.

First of all it is not true as he has always been a devoted Catholic - and then, where did people get the right from to insult others this way?

What continually awes me is the amount of pre-release publicity movies usually release. Ads are everywhere.

Did The Passion advertise anywhere? Many say that the press played into Mel's diabolical schemes, doing his publicity for him. But to me it just shows that if God wants a message to be revealed it's gonna happen. And those who tried to vilify the film before it ever got off the ground instead only aided the overwhelming success in terms of numbers who have witnessed the message.

Elspeth,

I agree with you. Mel Gibson was in the middle of shooting The Passion of the Christ...when the attacks started. Just the mere mention of Jesus Christ in a literal sense sends the whooy flying. God indeed works in mysterious ways. I believe His hand was upon this project from the start, and everything that evolved was His perfect will. Just look at the title...it started out as "The Passion," but because Marimax films had already copyrighted the title for one of their upcoming movies, Mel had to change the movie title to "The Passion of the Christ!" God will get the glory for His ways are beyond finding out.

I went to see "The Passion of The Christ" today at the local megaplex. I have to agree with my dad when he said he liked The Book better. It was good, but some of the gore could've been saved for the "Director's Cut" DVD.

I finally went to see "The Passion of the Christ" last night. I walked to my car in stunned silence, then I broke down. I knew that Jesus died for us, I knew that He suffered. Being a visually oriented person, how badly He suffered was driven home for me. Knowing what little I know of Roman history, I believe that the scourging He endured and the cruelty with which He was treated was depicted accurately. For the Romans, compassion was considered a weakness, and I think that was also well depicted.

As many of you stated, I do not feel worthy of that kind of sacrifice. Would I have the strength and courage to go through what Jesus did? Not a chance. I sat through that "experience" not wishing to see what I was seeing, but not being able to look away; not wanting to look away.

Sure, there was a lot of blood, but we've all seen too many antiseptic treatments of this topic. I'm sure, 2000 years ago, when He was going through all that, he had to have been covered in blood. He would not have been accorded the chance to have been cleaned up and his wounds dressed.

I do feel closer to God and Jesus after seeing this film. However, I am deeply saddened. As much as I love Jesus and how many times I have thanked him for his sacrifice, I never really appreciated the magnitude of it. I'm still not sure why it was necessary, although I'm sure God had His reasons and Jesus accepted them.

Please forgive me for rambling on. This film affected me in a way I never expected and I'm still trying to sort it all out.

May our Heavenly Father bless you all.

Todd

Todd, when I went to see The Passion of the Christ, afterwards, I could not speak for an hour! I was so choked up. Such a powerful film, eh? And I agree with you, no way would I have been able to endure what He did .............for lil ole me!

Todd, I don't find that you were rambling at all. You expressed your thoughts and heart's emotions beautifully.

If you want to understand why God required Jesus to sacrafice His life for ours go and read the book of Romans and the book of Hebrews; then go and read Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 in the Bible. Pray before you read and ask God to reveal His truth to you. Remember Jesus said, "Knock and it shall be opened to you, seek and you shall find...You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

Peace,
Roisin

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 want to add that this movie is very powerful for a movie...but one should not be lead astray by believing that everything within it is the Truth. Only the Bible and your heart can show that!
God bless.

Haldur, Your not ruffling any feathers. You have every right to your opinion and it is welcomed here.

Mel Gibson never proclaimed that the movie was a rendering of a word for word of the New Testament account of the Bible, but it was strongly based on the Four Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. He has said many times this is his vision of what Christ went through "based" on the Four Gospel accounts and historical accounts of Roman crucifixions. I've studied at some length about Roman crucifixions and Gibson's rendition is very accurate. It is more than a movie it is an experience. It is the only one of its kind to portray Christ torture, crucifixion, and resurrection in an honest way. Mel Gibson has always proclaimed first and foremost that this movie is a piece of art then a spiritual expression second. Can it not be both? Can it not inspire, reveal, and point to the truth of Jesus Christ's sacrafice for the world? This movie is re-inactment of an expression of God's love to the world that took place over two thousand years ago. One thing that The Passion of the Christ (movie) did do is get people reading and wondering about the actual accounts written in the Bible of Christ's death and resurrection.

Jesus said, "If I be lifted up I will draw all men close to me." Mel Gibson did just that---He lifted Jesus up and used a vehicle of Hollywood to get Christ's message out..."For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Peace,
Roisin

I happen to agree with both Roisin and Haldur! I thought the crow plucking the guy's eye out was gross and unnecessary. gosh! We saw more than enough brutality, but maybe I am a wimp. I still feel it was an awesome movie and could see that Mel Gibson's heart was in this movie like any other I have seen of his. You could see and feel that in the movie. I especially loved seeing the relationship between Jesus and his mother. Not too much is written in the Bible about that relationship and I was glad to see that in this movie. I am sure she went through such pain and torment seeing her son go through all this, despite knowing who he was. but I loved it that Mel chose to make His mother a big part of the film as well. Oh, I could go on and on.

Thank you Roisin for encouraging me to see this wonderful film!

Hey, Rose that's what friends are for... to encourage , comfort, care, , and love oneanother

I know we are only Cyber friends...but the word of God says, "There is no time or distance in the spirit," so we are as close as friends and sister's in Christ as if I were physically there. If you ever need me just drop me a line, and I'll come typing!

Yours,
Roisin

Haldur,

Can anything that comes from Hollywood ever be accurate? My only thought is: If one person comes to Christ because of this Movie then wouldn't the inaccuracies and "artistic" liberties be worth putting up with?

Romans 8:28 (KJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

MacE

I agree wholeheartedly, MacE! If just one person comes to Christ because of this film, all the angels in heaven will have rejoiced and it would have all been worth it!


Roisin! thank you for being my friend and being there for me! I'm just fingers away from you too, my pal!