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todd
Member



Joined: 2003/5/12
Posts: 573
California

 Mel Gibson's "The Passion"

I got this in an email the other day. I can't verify it's accuracy. But here it is.
__________________________________________________
MEL GIBSON'S THE PASSION

This is a commentary by DAVID LIMBAUGH about Mel Gibson's very controversial
movie regarding Christ's crucifixion. It's very worth reading.

MEL GIBSON'S passion for "THE PASSION"

How ironic that when a movie producer takes artistic license with historical
events, he is lionized as artistic, creative and brilliant, but when another
takes special care to be true to the real-life story, he is vilified.
Actor-producer Mel Gibson is discovering these truths the hard way as he is
having difficulty finding a United States studio or distributor for his
upcoming film, "The Passion," which depicts the last 12 hours of the life of
Jesus Christ.

Gibson co-wrote the script and financed, directed and produced the movie.
For the script, he and his co-author relied on the New Testament Gospels of
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as the diaries of St. Anne Catherine
Emmerich (1774-1824) and Mary of Agreda's "The City of God."

Gibson doesn't want this to be like other sterilized religious epics. "I'm
trying to access the story on a very personal level and trying to be very
real about it." So committed to realistically portraying what many would
consider the most important half-day in the history of the universe, Gibson
even shot the film in the Aramaic language of the period. In response to
objections that viewers will not be able to understand that language, Gibson
said, "Hopefully, I'll be able to transcend the language barriers with my
visual storytelling; if I fail, I fail, but at least it'll be a monumental
failure."

To further insure the accuracy of the work, Gibson has enlisted the counsel
of pastors and theologians, and has received rave reviews. Don Hodel,
president of Focus on the Family, said, "I was very impressed. The movie is
historically and theologically accurate." Ted Haggard, pastor of New Life
Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., and president of the National Evangelical
Association, glowed: "It conveys, more accurately than any other film, who
Jesus was."

Gibson is a devout Christian. From Gibson's perspective, this movie is not
about Mel Gibson. It's bigger than he is. "I'm not a preacher, and I'm not a
pastor," he said. "But I really feel my career was leading me to make this.
The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directing
traffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize."

Even before the release of the movie, scheduled for March 2004, Gibson is
getting his wish. "Everyone who worked on this movie was changed. There were
agnostics and Muslims on set converting to Christianity...[and] people being
healed of diseases." Gibson wants people to understand through the movie, if
they don't already, the incalculable influence Christ has had on the world.

And he grasps that Christ is controversial precisely because of WHO HE IS -
GOD incarnate. "And that's the point of my film really, to show all that
turmoil around him politically and with religious leaders and the people,
all because He is Who He is."

Gibson is beginning to experience first hand just how controversial Christ
is. Critics have not only speciously challenged the movie's authenticity,
but have charged that it is disparaging to Jews, which Gibson vehemently
denies. "This is not a Christian vs. Jewish thing. '[Jesus] came into the
world, and it knew him not.' Looking at Christ's crucifixion, I look first
at my own culpability in that." Jesuit Father William J. Fulco, who
translated the script into Aramaic and Latin, said he saw no hint of
anti-Semitism in the movie. Fulco added, "I would be aghast at any
suggestion that Mel Gibson is anti-Semitic." Nevertheless, certain groups

and some in the mainstream press have been very critical of Gibson's
"Passion."

The New York Post's Andrea Peyser chided him: "There is still time, Mel, to
tell the truth." Boston Glove columnist James Carroll denounced Gibson's
literal reading of the biblical accounts. "Even a faithful repetition of the
Gospel stories of the death of Jesus can do damage exactly because those
sacred texts themselves carry the virus of Jew hatred," wrote Carroll. A
group of Jewish and Christian academics has issued an 18-page report
slamming all aspects of the film, including its undue emphasis on Christ's
passion rather than "a broader vision." The report disapproves of the
movie's treatment of Christ's passion as historical fact.

The moral is that if you want the popular culture to laud your work on
Christ, make sure it either depicts Him as a homosexual or as an everyday
sinner with no particular redeeming value (literally). In our anti-Christian
culture, the blasphemous "The Last Temptation of Christ" is celebrated, and
"The Passion" is condemned. But if this movie continues to affect people the
way it is now, no amount of cultural opposition will suppress its force and
its positive impact on lives everywhere. Mel Gibson is a model of faith and
courage.

Please copy this and send it on to all your friends to let them know about
this film so that we'll all go see it when it comes out.

 2003/9/26 12:01Profile
crsschk
Member



Joined: 2003/6/11
Posts: 9192
Santa Clara, CA

 Re: Mel Gibson's "The Passion"

Thanks Todd,

Did some digging and found this site:
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/davidlimbaugh/dl20030709.shtml

It appears what you had recieved was accurate except for one small part:

"During the filming, Gibson, a devout Catholic, attended Mass every morning because "we had to be squeaky clean just working on this." From Gibson's perspective, this movie is not about Mel Gibson. It's bigger than he is."

Apparently someone decided to do a little editing, perhaps a bit apprehensive of that title "Catholic".

Personally, I have heard all kinds of 'rumors' that he is getting a lot of pressure to change aspects of the movie to appease his opponents, I pray that he hold's fast...looking forward to seeing it.


_________________
Mike Balog

 2003/9/26 13:13Profile
crsschk
Member



Joined: 2003/6/11
Posts: 9192
Santa Clara, CA

 Re:

Here is a Bio on David Limbaugh.
Considering I used to be a huge Rush Limbaugh fan,(For those who may not have heard of him, he is a conservative radio talk-show host)to find out he was "Rush's brother....
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/BIOS/cblimbaugh.htm

Better yet, since I had 'converted' my parents to Rush Limbaugh a number of years ago (Before coming to Christ), the fact that they are still practicing Catholic's (As I was also raised)and still haven't totally broached the whole subject of concerns in regards to Catholic/Christian dialogue...What I am trying to say is, I have yet to solidify that my parents are truely saved.

This may be just the bridge that the Lord uses to resolve the questions that have been plaguing me for some time.

Bless you Todd, you may have done much more than share a post with us.

Mike


_________________
Mike Balog

 2003/9/26 13:42Profile
5nva
Member



Joined: 2003/8/15
Posts: 179


 Re:

My question is how can someone truly be born again / saved if they still hold to and practice the Catholic doctrines and beliefs. Would such a one not be an idolater?

I have met several Christians who say they know Catholics who are saved. This always bothers me but I am open to any thoughts on the matter.

Sincerly in Christ,

Mike


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Mike

 2003/9/26 13:58Profile
5nva
Member



Joined: 2003/8/15
Posts: 179


 Re: Mel Gibson's "The Passion"

Todd wrote:

Gibson is a devout Christian. From Gibson's perspective, this movie is not
about Mel Gibson. It's bigger than he is. "I'm not a preacher, and I'm not a
pastor," he said. "But I really feel my career was leading me to make this.
The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directing
traffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize."

Even before the release of the movie, scheduled for March 2004, Gibson is
getting his wish. "Everyone who worked on this movie was changed. There were
agnostics and Muslims on set converting to Christianity...[and] people being
healed of diseases." Gibson wants people to understand through the movie, if
they don't already, the incalculable influence Christ has had on the world.

My question concerning this is, is Mel Gibson a devout Christian or Catholic. There is a huge difference. How can a Christian be part of entertainment industry that is ruled by the power of satan. When did Mel become a Christian?
Are the people on the set being converted to Christinaity or Catholicism?

Maybe I am out on a limb with this but I don't agree with Catholics being Christians nor this so called hollywood actors claiming to be saved but never coming out and being separate.

Mike


_________________
Mike

 2003/9/26 14:41Profile
crsschk
Member



Joined: 2003/6/11
Posts: 9192
Santa Clara, CA

 Re:

Hi Mike,

Wanted to clarify a few things;
Where you had

Quote:
Todd wrote:


Those are not his words, but those of the columnist David Limbaugh. This may be a small point and perhaps you realize this already, but it makes it look as if those were Todd's words as opposed to those he is quoting.

Quote:
My question concerning this is, is Mel Gibson a devout Christian or Catholic


Devout Catholic from everything I know about him.
Quote:
How can a Christian be part of entertainment industry that is ruled by the power of satan.


Well, how is it that we all live in the world, the ruler of being "the prince of the power of the air"? Aren't we to be "In the world, not of the world"? Is all the "entertainment industry" under the sway of the devil?
Better question, would Jesus go there to save sinners?
Would it be better that this movie not be made?
If it holds up to the true scriptual description that it [i]seems[/i] to imply that it will and for the amount of heat coming from those opposing it, ([b]not[/b] from Christians) should we not then be applauding it? Surely it's a bit premature to be making judgements one way or the other, since it hasn't been released yet. But I like what I am hearing so far. Sounds like a lot of people are squirming because of it.

Your point about
Quote:
Catholics being Christians

Precisely my point in regards to my parents. I believe there are some essentials that need to be agreed upon, that there is much that is outside the pale of orthodoxy and quite a bit that can be debated but not divided over. I am not a theologian, and still need to study much in this area. But, I don't think that all Catholics are lost, mislead likely. All the doctine in the world can be argued till the cows come home, the bottom line is are they saved or not.


_________________
Mike Balog

 2003/9/26 15:49Profile
5nva
Member



Joined: 2003/8/15
Posts: 179


 Re:

I'm sorry. Yes, I didn't think Todd said that and should have been more careful.

Yes we are in the world, but it is my "OPINION" I guess, that to be making movies full of foul language, violence, sex, etc. is being of the world not in it. I am not saying that about this movie but about the normal activity of the entertainment industry. This movie may be very accurate but that does not mean a person is a christian nor does it mean one should continue to be making movies in hollywood. The Bible series movies from Ted Turner are every biblical and I enjoy watching them but it doesn't mean that Christians are making them or are in them.

God can definitly use this movie to save people and yes Jesus wants to save hollywood actors.

I guess the point of my responses was not to put down the movie or others like it but rather to address the issues of Cathlolics being Christians and Christians being Hollywood stars making ungodly movies (Not refering to this one).

Hope that clears up confusion on what I was trying to convey.

Mike


_________________
Mike

 2003/9/26 16:30Profile
laholmes
Member



Joined: 2003/7/8
Posts: 58


 Re:

I came across this article via another website, and I wanted to bring it to your attention.

[url=http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/980753/posts]Mel Gibson: The Passion[/url]

The article is very long, but I wanted to bring this part to your attention.



Quote:
We talked of the nature of Gibson's faith, and I asked him about an aspect of Vatican II which has not been much discussed in the debate over his film. One of the council's most significant acts was its Decree on Ecumenism, which declared that all Christians, even those outside the Catholic Church, “have the right to be called Christian; the children of the Catholic Church accept them as brothers.” This effectively overturned the Catholic notion that the only true course to salvation was through the Catholic Church.
I told Gibson that I am a Protestant, and asked whether his pre-Vatican II world view disqualified me from eternal salvation. He paused. “There is no salvation for those outside the Church,” he said. “I believe it.” He explained, “Put it this way. My wife is a saint. She's a much better person than I am. Honestly. She's, like, Episcopalian, Church of England. She prays, she believes in God, she knows Jesus, she believes in that stuff. And it's just not fair if she doesn't make it, she's better than I am. But that is a pronouncement from the chair. I go with it.”



This article is long but interesting. Gibson is definitley a devout catholic.

 2003/9/26 18:30Profile
Chosen7Stone
Member



Joined: 2003/7/21
Posts: 268
FL, USA

 Re:

If anyone is interested in seeing a preview for the movie, I have a link here from HollywoodJesus.com. This site isn't a favorite of mine, I've lost a lot of respect for it, but it has previews of both The Gospel of John and The Passion.

[url=http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/passion.htm]Watch the Preview for "The Passion"[/url]


_________________
Mary M.

 2003/9/26 21:34Profile
crsschk
Member



Joined: 2003/6/11
Posts: 9192
Santa Clara, CA

 Re:

Hi Mike (5nva)
By the way, what does '5nva' relate to? Just curious.

I agree with your points and I guess what I was getting at as well is how do we go about reaching other industries like Hollywood for instance. It does bring up a number of questions. How do you stay within the faith in the midst of a situation like that? Do you just leave it all together or try and stay to be an agent for change? Surely there are quite a few Christians there, how do they manage?

Also glad that you did bring up the Catholic/ Christian issue. It's something that I have put on the backburner for far to long. Might start up a new thread in this regards. I have a lot of questions and have always wanted to research it back to it's orgins, in fact even broader than that, for instance, how did the church start to splinter off after the apostoles all went on to their rewards?


_________________
Mike Balog

 2003/9/26 23:59Profile





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