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Executive Director Andrea Lafferty and Founder Rev. Louis P. Sheldon
The Traditional Values Coalition is an inter-denominational public policy organization speaking on behalf of over 43,000 churches. |
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'Passion Of Christ' Premieres February 25th
Summary: Mel Gibson's film brings in an estimated $26 million in the first day
of its release to packed theaters nationwide. Rev. Sheldon previewed this film
before it hit the theaters and believes every Christian should see it.
Reviewed by TVC Editorial Director Frank York
"The Passion Of The Christ" has earned Mel Gibson up to $26 million
on its first day of release in 3,000 theaters nationwide.
The film, which has been widely criticized by secularists for being "too
violent" or inflammatory against Jews, has also been supported by Christians
and conservative Jewish leaders.
I went to see the film during a matinee and learned that later showings were already
sold out.
The film is very intense, but no more so than "Saving Private Ryan."
The images depicting Christ's scourging by Roman soldiers, his carrying of the
cross on the way to Calvary, and his graphic crucifixion are the most brutal I
have ever seen.
But, I believe these images accurately portray the suffering that Christ endured
for each of us as He took upon himself the sins of the world. We are accustomed
to the sanitized images of Jesus Christ being questioned by the Jewish and Roman
authorities and have been spared the hideous realities of what actually occurred
on that day.
One of the most fascinating elements of "Passion," was Gibson's portrayal
of Satan throughout the movie. In scene after scene, we can see him in the background
watching-and by implication-orchestrating the events as they unfold among Jesus,
the Jewish leaders, and the Roman authorities.
Gibson has said that he deliberately kept himself out of the movie-except to show
his hands as those nailing Jesus to the cross. He has rightly observed that all
of us are responsible for the crucifixion because of our sins.
In an interview with Bill O'Reilly over his film, O'Reilly said that he had become
numb to the violence in it. Gibson responded that he realized that each person
will have a different emotional reaction to the movie-but that he had created
escape mechanisms in the film to give viewers moments of peace.
I'm relieved that he used flash backs and cut aways during the scourging and crucifixion
or these scenes might have been unbearable to watch. They will still be unbearable
for many people unaccustomed to graphic realism. I would certainly not take a
pre-teenager to see this film-although many kids are already jaded from movie
and TV violence.
If Gibson's goal was to show the intense suffering that Christ endured for us,
he succeeded.
The film also confronts the viewer to consider why Jesus was tortured, died, and
rose again.
At the end of the film, many in the audience cheered. Others sat in silence as
the lengthy credits rolled. I could also see at least three people crying uncontrollably
in the darkened theater. One of them was a boy who was probably 10 years old being
comforted by his mother and sister as they left the theater.
Should Christians see this movie? Yes, and they should bring non-Christian friends
as well.
Do not expect to be entertained, however. Expect to be troubled and challenged
by what you see.
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