It shouldn't be a mystery or surprise to at least some that a
film such as Mel
Gibson's "The Passion of Christ" will leave some leaving the
theatres weeping, and others shaking their heads, muttering what
the overall 'point' was in the whole exercise.
Kudos to the National Post for your tripartite coverage of how
various segments of our society have perceived the purpose of
this film. By having the literal priest, rabbi, and movie critic
giving their own 'take' on what they saw, you managed to squeeze
into one tiny box, or 'boxing ring', perhaps, the heart of the
matter. Good job. Keep it up.
That the priest 'got it', whereas the rabbi and the movie critic
did not, should also come as no great surprise, either. What is
the essential difference, at heart, between the three? Figure
that out, and you have not only figured out the 'point' of the
film, but the very 'point' of Jesus' existence in the first
place.
The good Rabbi from Toronto did not understand it, or get the
'point' because he doesn't 'believe' that God actually made
Himself a human being named Jesus, who's sole purpose was to
become the Ultimate Sacrifice for us ALL, the sacrificial Lamb of
God, shedding His blood for every single one of us, throughout
time.
He sees the betrayal and abandonment by 'Jewish' friends, the
hypocisy of the 'Jewish' religious establishment, of this
'supposed' historical personage named Jesus of Nazareth, and wags
his head, wondering how a film depicting his alleged torments and
sufferings, and ultimate death at the apparent instigation of
'Jews' could possibly further modern dialogue between Jews and
'Christians'.
By putting the word 'Christians' in such quotation marks, I make
a distinct distinction between two very separate groups of those
who call themselves 'His followers'. And it is a very vital
distinction indeed.
There are many, who while calling themselves 'Christians'
nonetheless do non-Christian things, Anti-Christian things even.
Just as I would imagine there are 'bad' Jews , and 'good' ones as
well, it is no different with us. Sometimes the distinction blurs
so badly, and is so hard to tell any difference at all, that the
temptation to write us all off as being basically the same type
can hardly be faulted.
Cutting to the heart of the matter, I can give you a really quick
rundown on how to distinguish between the two groups. Those
coming out of the theatre with tears, and snot running down their
faces, weeping silently to their cars, well those are the 'good'
Christians. Those, albeit with crucifixes on chains around their
necks, muttering to their mate or mates what the 'point' was,
watching such bloody brutality, flesh-ripping gore of some
'Jewish' dude, and his being pinned to a cross, etc. Well, those
are our 'other' brothers in our Christology faith.
The film is not about hate, brutality, and death, for those who
go to see it with eyes that SEE. They need not actually see a
'real-time' 'you are there' version of the story of how an
obscure carpenter from Nazareth, claiming to be the Son of God,
experienced the final twelve hours of his life. They have seen it
already, although through a dark glass fleetingly, but just as
unmistakably clear and equally horrific as it would be to be
pinned to a seat in a theatre for two hours, and see it 'again'.
They already 'believed' its truth well before stepping onto the
cinema's steps.
What Gibson was endeavouring to do, and succeeded in doing,
probably, obviously from what I hear from all quarters, was to
put the moviegoer 'there' as much as possible. For those who
believed already, no explanation is necessary. For those who
never believed in the first place, no amount of explanation is
possible.
On behalf of those who believed already, I can look the good
Rabbi in the eyes and shake his hand, and say 'Shalom, man,
chill, eh?' He need not worry about the effect that the film
will have on the 'likes of us' true Christians. Indeed, he ought
to be heartened and delighted by what we truly think, believe and
feel about many, many matters.
Soon, I too will have to make that lonely trek to the cinemas,
down my own Via Dolorosa, and watch actors on a screen do
unspeakable things to my brother, my friend, my Lord Jesus. You
can tell who I am after it ends, by seeing the tears and snot
running down my face, uncontrollably. The film is about life, and
love, about hope for us all. Any segment of Jesus' life, 12
hours, two minutes, or whatever, so long as it is factually
based, is only bound to do as much.
Dan Millar
#378 9480 128 Street
Surrey, B.C., Canada V3V 6H2
Daytime Phone# (604) 588-2136
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| User: "naming el" |
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| Title: Re: What I did on my Winter Vacation, Part Duh |
26 Feb 2004 08:00:42 AM |
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"Dan" <twotrickpony@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:<uL8%b.619765$ts4.350539@pd7tw3no>...
Soon, I too will have to make that lonely trek to the cinemas,
down my own Via Dolorosa, and watch actors on a screen do
unspeakable things to my brother, my friend, my Lord Jesus. You
can tell who I am after it ends, by seeing the tears and snot
running down my face, uncontrollably. The film is about life, and
love, about hope for us all. Any segment of Jesus' life, 12
hours, two minutes, or whatever, so long as it is factually
based, is only bound to do as much.
Well, Dan, if you love Jesus i understand the movie will be like
watching a snuff film starring a loved one. That can't be very
pleasant and could make many folks angry. Could very well become a
"cult" film. ;)
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| User: "Dan" |
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| Title: Re: What I did on my Winter Vacation, Part Duh |
26 Feb 2004 10:50:44 AM |
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"naming el" wrote;
Well, Dan, if you love Jesus i understand the movie will be like
watching a snuff film starring a loved one. That can't be very
pleasant and could make many folks angry. Could very well
become a
"cult" film. ;)
I get your point, except this snuff film has a much better script
and plot, and is based on a true story. By NOT reminding myself
how He died for me, for us, the chance exists that I will forget
why as well, and continue to drive those thorns, nails and spears
into the Man even now.
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