The Passion of the Christ

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[Innerlight]

New topic....

as we approach the Easter Holiday, curious as to everyone's opinions of the both the movie "The Passion", and it's use as a sermon, bible study or youth group topic.  full disclosure:  I never saw the movie, but the church I attended was caught up in the thrill of the moment, and all the hype, urging us all to see it.  So much in that movie is not accurate, I didn't bother watching.  Given Mel Gibson's behavior since, I feel vindicated.

The Gospels spend comparatively little time discussing the crucifixion, but, like all Christians, we all know the details surronding the event.  Point being:  sometimes the sermon or lesson goes into great lengths discussing the gory details, sometimes to a really bloody level, while the gospel accounts spend relatively little time on this, but focus on He is risen!  Sometimes it seems like they go for the "shock value".

Before I get beat up...I am very, very aware of what Christ went through for the world, to redeem it and mankind back to him.  It is an incredible awesome story.  What I'm getting at is when it used to shock, when as Christians we know the story. 
   

[Time2Write]

Why are you bringing up stuff people in Great Commission did years ago?

Oh wait....nevermind...my bad 

http://www.decorahlifehouse.org/  (check out the Good Friday event)

[EverAStudent]

Personally, if you want to view the movie as entertainment, fine.  But not as "Bible study" material.  You might want to use the movie to teach your students how to employ discernment by pointing out where the Bible and the movie do not match up.

What the movie most lacks is the explanation that Jesus was/is God and the death of God is of more value than all the human or animal life on the planet, yet, He intentionally died for us anyway.  The suffering was horrific, but the immense tragedy lies in the fact that God was killed instead of worshipped.  And yes, that is the great victory as well, for He triumphed over death and so brings us eternal life.

http://thefaithfulword.org/passionreview.html

[Innerlight]

Ever a Student,

We agree, and I do believe the movie may be a good entry or discussion point for new Christians or unbelievers, like you I agree the main point is the atoning sacrifice.  My daughters told me their youth group was going to watch it, and I had the chance to explain the incredible story behind the story.  Not sure how I feel about the youth pastor spending an hour going over the bloodly details of the event.  The Gospels spend very little time on this, and I am going to take the time to re-read this week.

I have read the article posted previously...good stuff! 

[Linda]

This thread brought to mind something very odd that happened to us while attending ECC. One year, our church was in the middle of a series. I think the topic was Islam. It was Easter Sunday, but we were in the middle of the series. That Sunday, there was no mention of Easter! Nothing. Not a song. Not a Scripture reading. Not a mention of the Lord's resurrection! Not a lily!

It was very bizarre. I guess the pastor felt the series was more important than celebrating a traditional "religious" holiday. We never learned the reason. The resurrection of our Lord is kind of a big deal. I have no idea why a church would not make mention of it. Plus, we were a seeker church. There are lots of guests and visitors who come just on Easter. I wonder what they thought. I do know people who left over that oversight.

[G_Prince]

This thread brought to mind something very odd that happened to us while attending ECC. One year, our church was in the middle of a series. I think the topic was Islam. It was Easter Sunday, but we were in the middle of the series. That Sunday, there was no mention of Easter! Nothing. Not a song. Not a Scripture reading. Not a mention of the Lord's resurrection! Not a lily!

It was very bizarre. I guess the pastor felt the series was more important than celebrating a traditional "religious" holiday. We never learned the reason. The resurrection of our Lord is kind of a big deal. I have no idea why a church would not make mention of it. Plus, we were a seeker church. There are lots of guests and visitors who come just on Easter. I wonder what they thought. I do know people who left over that oversight.

I remember this happened in my church too. They even made some kind of announcement that since we celebrate Christ's resurrection each week, then every Sunday is Easter. Needless to say it did NOT go over well. I still don't know what the exact logic behind ignoring Easter was but I would guess it was some kind of attack on "traditional" church. I also remember most Christmases being rather ho-hum. Strange.

Also does anyone remember the Banana sermon? Something about symbols don't matter and since God created bananas just like he created wood (i.e. the cross), a banana could just as easily serve as the symbol of Christianity. I can't remember who came up with this idea, but I do remember pastors at several churches giving it a go. I don't think the results were very good.

[ustawannabee]

The gospels didn't need to go into details about crucifixion (sp?) because their readers were pretty familiar with it, seeing it on a daily basis or at least routinely, weren't they? I think of the movie not as "shock value" but as "sobering" because as 21st century Christians we are so used to thinking about "He died and rose again" that we forget what agony He actually went through. what love and devotion to us and the Father!(not in that order?)
Certainly there is some Hollywood and Catholicism and that one strange thing in it but it is probably more realistic than anything I can just conjure up in my mind thinking about the suffering.

Actually my small group at church is going to meet Sun. night and watch it. I look forward to it as it will encourage me in my walk, He suffered so much for me, how would He just lose interest in my daily life, I need to cast more of my cares on Him!

Anyway, thanks for letting me "think out loud". Everyone have a glorious and blessed Easter. He is risen INDEED!!
What a Savior!!

[MarthaH]

Also does anyone remember the Banana sermon? Something about symbols don't matter and since God created bananas just like he created wood (i.e. the cross), a banana could just as easily serve as the symbol of Christianity. I can't remember who came up with this idea, but I do remember pastors at several churches giving it a go. I don't think the results were very good.

The "banana sermon" was by Steve Bush. Interesting concept because he was talking about how amazing a banana is and how it and how if you look at it closely and examine how amazing it was, it would cause you to worship. I think the point he was trying to make is that the world is so amazing that all of creation should cause us to worship. Coincidentally, I read a book by Erwin McManus a year later where he talked about worshipping God and the amazing banana that He created. As I said, coincidental since Mr. Bush never gave credit to McManus in his talk.

Pretty much every sermon I ever heard that didn't put me to sleep was borrowed from someone else. There is no formal training or education towards the proper handling of scripture, so there is a lot of borrowing and storytelling to get the impact. When I was there, other churches were often berated because they gave sermons that tickled the ears of others. The phrase, "tickling the ears" refers to playing to the senses. That is what the emotional testimonies and movie clips do.

[Innerlight]

I agree, there are those infamous sermons, quotes, or stories, which have almost become urban legend.  If you are a new believer, or new to a church, you think, wow, and then you hear it several more times in your life, and you wonder where it ever came from.

Back to the Passion...

I don't know Mel Gibson's motives, but it was a pretty effective ploy to market this movie through the evangelical church, where in essence it couldn't fail...Hey, he's one of us!  Pastors I know were invited to meetings with Mel, and soon were shilling this movie all throughout christendom. 

Our culture, which is now so heavily reliant on visual stimuli, ate it up.  What I find most revolting is his anti-semitism, which came through loud and clear, in the movie and in his personal life.  Mel would do well to read Romans, and think about God's plan for Jew and Gentille alike, united in Christ. 

He is Risen, He is Risen indeed is my take away!

If watching this movie deepens your walk, I am all for it.  However, I still think this movie went for shock value, not solid theology, which in the long term, would help you explain why Jesus went through what he did on that horrible cross.     

       

[MidnightRider]

...
I don't know Mel Gibson's motives, but it was a pretty effective ploy to market this movie through the evangelical church, where in essence it couldn't fail...Hey, he's one of us!  Pastors I know were invited to meetings with Mel, and soon were shilling this movie all throughout christendom. 
...

If any evangelicals thought he was "one of us", they were not paying much attention. Mel Gibson is known to hold to a strict traditionalist Roman Catholic religion.

[Innerlight]

Evangelicals have been known to not pay a lot of attention.  "Purpose Driven Life" anyone?