I have read with much interest the different threads regarding Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ", and the various debates, pro & con, regarding seeing this movie.
I just wanted to, first, thank all my brothers and sisters on this board for your insights in this matter. They have been thought provoking to say the least.
Secondly, I just wanted to express why I have finally decided, personally, not to see this movie. Some of you may be surprised that it isn't based on a 2nd commandment priniciple, although I do have to tell you that the many arguments that way have been impressive. The main reason I will not see this movie is really a protest against what I have heard out of the mouths of not only Roman Catholics, but also so called "Evangelicals". It goes something like this, "This movie allows us to understand the story of Jesus' passion in a way that we cannot get from reading the Scripture." or, and this one really ticks me off "This movie will do more for evangelism than the last 2000 years of preaching!" I have heard that very statement during 'man on the street' type interviews of people who have seen this movie.
I just see it as necessary that as a minister of the gospel, I cannot endorse anything that further errodes the proper role of the preaching of the gospel as the ordained means of God to call sinners to repentance, and the sufficiency of the Scriptures to reveal to us all things that are necessary for life and salvation.
Just my :wr50: , for what it is worth!
Grace,
Dwayne
I just wanted to, first, thank all my brothers and sisters on this board for your insights in this matter. They have been thought provoking to say the least.
Secondly, I just wanted to express why I have finally decided, personally, not to see this movie. Some of you may be surprised that it isn't based on a 2nd commandment priniciple, although I do have to tell you that the many arguments that way have been impressive. The main reason I will not see this movie is really a protest against what I have heard out of the mouths of not only Roman Catholics, but also so called "Evangelicals". It goes something like this, "This movie allows us to understand the story of Jesus' passion in a way that we cannot get from reading the Scripture." or, and this one really ticks me off "This movie will do more for evangelism than the last 2000 years of preaching!" I have heard that very statement during 'man on the street' type interviews of people who have seen this movie.
I just see it as necessary that as a minister of the gospel, I cannot endorse anything that further errodes the proper role of the preaching of the gospel as the ordained means of God to call sinners to repentance, and the sufficiency of the Scriptures to reveal to us all things that are necessary for life and salvation.
Just my :wr50: , for what it is worth!
Grace,
Dwayne