"CB" <CB@prayforme.com> wrote in message

news:c5rku5$l7o$1@ngspool-d02.news.aol.com...

[...]


Is Mel Gibbson's Passion of the Christ "evil?"
a.. It's not really based on the Bible as it's thematic elements are
taken from the "Dolorous Passion" - a work of 18th century Catholic
mysticism (Gibson carries relics of the author of "Dolorous Passion, "
ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH, with him at all times).

b.. Claims that it is a literal rendition of the Bible are dangerous
sophistry that "adds to" or "takes away" from the scriptures.
Furthermore, the visual images and themes you are shown on screen have a
tendency to replace the images in your mind that God helped you develop
as you read the actual scripture. The "stations of the cross," Satan's
appearances in the Garden and elsewhere, Mary's role in the events, a
weak Pilate, angry hooked-nose Jews, these are all extrabiblical notions
that will be implanted in your mind and merged with what you've read in
the actual Bible. Would you really want a lost soul to begin his or her
walk with Christ with these extrabiblical elements grafted into their
minds before they have time to grow defenses against them? How can that
be a useful evangelical tool? It's like sowing tares with the wheat -
it's very difficult to separate them once planted.

c.. It iconifies Christ and Mary - placing Mary as a central
protagonist, which is in alignment with Vatican theology that places
Mary as your intercessor to Christ. Gibson's film company, Icon, uses a
painted eye of Mary as it's logo. Go figure.
The actor who portrays Christ in this film was struck by lightening
twice as they were filming the selection from the "Sermon on the Mount."
Some people think that is a sign of God's pleasure with or anointing of
this film. I wouldn't be so sure.

Here are alternative views from people I tend to agree with...

The Passion of Christ": Mel Gibson's Vivid Deception
By Richard Bennett, a former Roman Catholic Priest
http://bereanbeacon.org/articles/mel gibsons vivid deception.htm
Listen - Download Audio MP3 (6.4 MB)

Why I Will Not See "The Passion of the Christ"
http://www.informedchristians.com/articles/ART-why i will not see 2.htm

The Passion of the Christ:
Firebrand for ecumenicalism and a universal religion?
http://www.informedchristians.com/articles/ART-thoughts passion.htm

Mel Gibson's "Passion"
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/04/passion.htm
"...7 basic concerns"
1. What does Mel Gibson believe?

2. How might the intense emotional experience of seeing such brutality
affect viewers?

3. Will the stirring images speed today's shift from written words to
visual images?

4. What's wrong with marketing this message through popular media?

5. Might its Roman Catholic roots distort our view of the gospel facts?

6. How great an evangelistic tool is Mel Gibson's Passion?

7. Bottom line: What does the Bible tell us about man-made images of
God?

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