Question about a Catholic Movie?

Question

Do you believe the movie "Passion of the Christ" is just a summary of the Catholic faith? I mean think about it, 3 hours all about Jesus death, and almost nothing about His resurection....

I don't think a true Christian would see this movie, and I did not go see it. The reason, it breaks a few commandments. The first, do not make idols. Second, it makes a false witness about Jesus, because no one really knows what he looked like.

Mel Gibson also let us know his mind, when he ranted about Jewish people. I know many think that Only the Jews killed Jesus, but the real truth is Jesus died for all of us, willingly.

Do you find it Ironic, that this movie is just like the Catholic Church? Only Focusing on His death and maybe even His Physical Birth (Christmas). In fact we are NEVER told to celebrate Jesus Birthday anywhere in the Bible.

Why doesn't the Catholic Church ever talk about Paul's epistles? Why do they thing the Catholic Church is the author of Grace, and not God?

Wow, no answers. Perhaps I am right?

The Bible says even Satan believe in God, what makes you any different?

I never said Jesus didn't suffer. Most non-Catholics know the Bible, and it says that Jesus took on Hell for us true believers.

But do you know the exact amount of suffering? No, you don't. That is why we do not add or subtract anything from the Bible.

There are many pictures of Jesus around peoples houses, and everywhere. All are different, how can they all be Jesus? they can not. This is bearing a false witness.

Of course we do not riot about the pictures, we also do not riot about when people burn a flag (usually) in this country. You are free to have anything you want for the most part. But it doesnt make it Biblical.

Answer 1

I am not Catholic but I will tell you that without the DEATH, suffering and pain of Jesus Christ, His resurrection means nothing.

I have to say that I don't agree with much of the Catholic teaching, but they are one of the few that has and still teach about the pain and suffering that Jesus went through. (I can not argue with that, and on that one subject I stand with them 100%)

Most Non-Catholic will tell you He was God, He did not suffer, and that is 100% unbiblical....A lie!

I have seen the "Passion" at least 12 times and I will see it and show it every chance I get.

It is one of the few Movies that shows what Jesus "son of Man" went through, and that He did have a choice whether or not He would die on the cross.

I have seen just about all the so called "Bible Movies" that has been put out and not one of them comes as close to the Truth as the "Passion" does....BUT! You have to know what the truth is to know it when you see it.

Answer 2

The film is not an idol nor does it promote worship of idols, so I don't see how you could say it was breaking that commandment.

Secondly, the filmmakers and producers do NOT claim that the actor hired to portray Jesus looks EXACTLY like Jesus. It is simply a portray -- it's not supposed to be historic in any way. We know there are no photographs of Jesus so nobody knows exactly what He looks like. (LOOKS, by the way, not "looked" as you said, because He was resurrected and still lives -- bodily -- in heaven. The Bible says so.)

Mel Gibson, when drunk, did rant about Jews and did a very horrible thing. However, many Jewish people were part of the production, both in the cast and on the crew, so I think it's rather ridiculous to assume that Mr. Giblson hates Jews and won't work with them. Even his agent is Jewish. Plus, he has apologized and attempted to make amends, so I think we ought to be as merciful to him as God would be, don't you agree?

I don't know why you believe "many think that Only the Jews killed Jesus," because this is a blatent falsehood. I know of absolutely NO Catholics who think that way.

I don't think the movie is "just like the Catholic Church." It tells a few chapters of Jesus' life -- but the Catholic Church tells the whole story. Again, you post a blatant falsehood that the Church is only about His death and birth -- we celebrate the whole of Jesus' life and our Rosary meditations focus specifically on 20 events of His life.

Whether or not the Bible says to celebrate Jesus' birth, you must admit that it's pretty awesome that God Incarnate was born of a virgin, right? So that makes it worth celebrating (even though we don't know the exact date).

A THIRD blatant falsehood in your question is that you assume the Church never talks about Paul's epistles. What a ridiculous thing to say! Obviously, you know very, very little about the Catholic Church. Paul's epistles are read, verse by verse, in their entirety during Mass at various times of the year. We also read John's epistles, Peter's epistles, the letter to the Hebrews, etc. In fact, the ENTIRE Bible is read in the Catholic Church over a three-year period. If you had ever once bothered to find out what the Catholic Liturgy of the Word is all about, you would know that.

The fourth falsehood in your question is the assumption that we think the Catholic Church is the author of Grace. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We believe God is the sole Author of Grace -- always has been and always will be. The Church is here to assist us in receiving that Grace through the Sacraments.

You have been seriously misled by somebody who spouts lies about the Catholic Church. Consider who the father of lies is and please GET THE FACTS before you participate.

Answer 3

So you haven't seen the movie, yet you're an expert on it?

I suppose you didn't like the mini-series "Jesus of Nazareth", either; it ended the same way, with the empty tomb. Which is sort of the point of both.

If a movie constitutes idolatry, though, then you probably should stay away from them all. And perhaps TV, too.

Catholics focus on the Resurrection for more than just one day; we have an entire Easter season, which is even longer than the Lenten season that precedes it.

Why wouldn't you celebrate the birth of Christ, without which the crucifixion and resurrection -- and therefore your salvation -- would not have occurred? Your comment about this is just about as legalistic as it gets, unless you're a Jehovah's Witness, the tenets of which proscribe any such celebrations across the board (at least they're consistent). I'm beginning to think that perhaps you are, except that the JWs I know would never be as as openly and abrasively antagonistic to Catholicism as your questions have been -- at least to our faces.

Answer 4

I am a true Christian, in that I know Jesus as my Lord & Savior. Some questions & observations:

1) Where are the "idols" you mentioned?

2) Unless you take the Islamic approach of not showing Mohamed but letting the camera be him, then someone must, by necessity, portray Him. The make up work on Mr. Caviezel was some of the best I've seen for a movie about Christ.

3) Mel Gibson's unfortunate drunk driving incident does not, necessarily, show his true mind in relationship to the Jews. If you've ever had to deal with drunks, they don't always speak their minds. Many times, they will say something deliberately hurtful, because the normal inhibitions are thrown off by the alcohol. What they say doesn't have to be true, just pointed.

4) As to your "observations" about the Catholic Church: Where I might agree with the basic sentiment of some of what you say, I also know that people in the Catholic church are not unsaved just because of their association with that particular denomination, as you seem to imply. In this same manner, they are not saved just because they are Catholic. In other words, there are Catholics who are saved through their acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in their lives. There are also some in other denominations, like Pentecostal or Baptist, who are not saved because they don't make this acknowledgment.

The Passion of the Christ is a powerful and useful film, even with its stark presentation of the scourging and crucifixion of Christ. The poetic license that was taken, particularly with Christ's walking to Golgotha, and his mother on one side of the crowd, and Satan on the other side delighting in her anguish, is insightful, though not Scriptural.

To close, this movie communicates, more than any other before it, what Jesus endured for our sakes. And yet, it didn't show it fully. If it had, none would have been able to endure it. The documented cruelty of the Roman soldiers, alone, would have been unbearable to present day sensibilities.

Answer 5

Let me respond like a man to a man.

I am not a fan of Mel Gibson, but the passion of Christ is beleived to be the centerpoint of all human history. Why on earth do we think that?

It was then that the incredible rift between man and God, which no sacrificial lamb could mend, was repaired by the perfect sacrificial lamb - the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

It was then that the curtain was torn. From then on, we no longer approach a sacrificial altar to meet God, but rather, we aproach a festive table where the King Jesus is present during each mass.

We do in fact suspect what Jesus looked like, based on the Shroud of Turin, the single most studied artifact in the history of humanity. It was repeatedly shown by numerous reliable, peer-reviewed scientific studies (like forensic analysis, pollen sampling, blood typing, chemical analyis) to be of a crucified person from Israel, specifically during the time of Poncius Pilatus (the evidence is unlistable and incredible). I don´t know if it resembles the Mel Gibson movie, but it does exactly match certain ancient icons from around 500BC.

Finally, Paul´s Epistles (and the revelations) are read, the same chapter and verse in every single Catholic Parish throughout the world, every single day.

I hope you will see the Church in a little better light.


ps: The Church has no official stance on the Shroud of Turin, allowing beleivers to draw their own conclusions, focusing on the importance of the events of the passion instead. It was John Paul II who had it publically displayed.

Answer 6

Yes, the Catholic Church focuses on the death of Jesus Christ. Jesus' obedience to teh Father even though it meant His death is what reconciled us to the Father. Jesus dying on the cross is what redeemed us.

I am sorry if Jesus dying on the cross makes you feel uncomfortable. Is that why you do not have a figure of Jesus on the cross? Do you not want to be reminded that you may have to suffer for your faith?

You comment about the Catholic Church never talking about Paul's epistles is ludicrous. There is a reading from one of Paul's epistles at EVERY Sunday Mass. Most of the Masses during the week contain a reading from his letters.

Answer 7

Great question.

I saw the "Passion of the Christ" twice when it first came out. I was a bit nervous because I really don't like gorey movies. I viewed the film as a way to understand the suffering Our Lord endured for us. I don't view it as an exact representation of what Christ looked like. (I doubt if he was as white as the actor!) but as a theatrical image I thought it was very well done. I don't think most of us who saw and appreciated the film thought of it as an "idol," i.e. we didn't worship the film, but Jesus Christ, whom the film is about.

In a similar vein, I have pictures of my loved ones in albums and on my wall. I don't love the images, but the ones who are represented in those images. I think the same is true for representations of Our Lord.

As for Mel Gibson's personal life, unfortunately, it just shows how imperfect we all are and in need of redemption..."All we like sheep have gone astray..."

The Bible doesn't claim to tell us what to celebrate and what not to celebrate. We'd be pretty much God's little robots if we could only do what was mentioned in the Bible. (Isn't there a lot of bloodshed, sacrifice and sex in the Bible?)

Finally, I think if you study what the Catholic Church "talks about," you'd find they do read and preach Paul's Epistles. But pre-eminence is certainly given to the Gospels. After all, those four books have words given to us directly from Jesus.

The Bible says the "pillar and bulwark of truth" isn't the Bible...it's the Church...1 Timoty 3:15. And if you study where the canon of scripture came from, you'd find it was the Catholic Church that gave us the Bible we have today. Talk about ironic.

Answer 8

I am a Catholic and have been offered free thickets to see that movie and have always declined to see it. The mystery of the incarnation is awesome enough for me and the Crucifixion heart wrenching enough. However, I will not want to go and see a movie that aims at glorifying violence - as a form of entertainment of all things. I am not squeamish but the 'Passion of the Christ' the movie does not do it for me.

As far as characterising the Catholic Church in your posting I like to say that it is not like you suggest. The greatest feast that the Catholic Church celebrates is Easter - the Resurrection of Christ. And although the Church has many weaknesses it has also great strengths and formidable ambassadors.

Peace

Answer 9

I appreciate some of what you are saying and agree with it to an extint but the reason why I also appreciate the movie is because it portrays just the horrific anguish that crucifixion entailed and the brutality of what people were subjected to back then...not just Jesus but anyone considered a criminal. His death was a statement that brought some reprieve to that...along with the forgiveness of sins, redemption, the overwhelming message of love, his lesson was that we should love one another and not mistreat one another..I think He brought about huge change to the way civilization treats criminals to this day compared to ancient times although there are cultures today that practise torture and inhumane acts. So, if nothing else...this movie takes it to the extreme and shows anyone what He suffered for us. As well, the movie was beautifully done. Also, you must understand that every culture had their depictions of Christ from as early as the 2nd century so even though we can't now what He looked like while alive on this earth...and we should never rely on symbols, icons or graven images...after all for all we know, the standard anglo depiction of Christ might be in fact what Satan appears like in human form or as an "angel of light"...the image is so wide spread that seeing it rendered once again in a movie is only par for the course. A person just has to separate in his/her mind that Jesus prolly didn't look like Jim Caveezel....er however you spell his name. Men in Christs time weren't supposed to have long hair even I don't think. So, anyhoo...if you are going to have a problem with the movie at all...have an issue with the dramatic liberty it took with regard to the demonic possession of Judas and the depiction of Satan as well...gotta go! You really should watch it though. Interesting and formidable. Love in Christ, ~J~

Answer 10

I think you need to step back from equating Gibson with Catholicism. His father was part of a ultra conservative sect, and Gibson as well has said he is not a Roman Catholic, he rejected Vatican 2.

The Catholic Church doesn't focus only on his death - that's only during Lent! I think you might benefit from a conversation with a Priest to clear up the folklore from the reality. I always was taught that Grace was restored to mankind (after the Original Sin) by Christ dying for our sins, and is conveyed to us symbolically and actually through the sacraments.