I came across this on a website http://bible.com/jesus/passion.html

And I can’t wait to see this film, I am excited and hopeful that more people will enter the kingdom of God because of it. Anglicans, pray, use it to gather for the harvest. It is Jesus’command friends!!

The description of the characters seems to agree with scripture, which I am thankful for. Praise the Lord!!

I was luke warm about this film at first readings, but now....... thrilled.
I hope I am not disappointed.

Ken

I hope I can get a sans-subtitle viewing somewhere: I was hoping to let the story speak for itself [or else have an Assyrian friend who knows bits of Aramaic and a knowledgeable friend who can speak Latin on either side of me! ;-)]

I’m really looking forward to it as well :) Not very often we get a movie about Jesus arriving on the big screen!

Ian, I am sure the DVD will have a no subtitles feature :)

Add my name to the list of people looking forward to the film… Apparently whole church groups have been booking out cinemas. I think I will book early…

Film - The Passion of the Christ

I was thinking about the language used in the film, namely Latin and Aramaic. I believe we have Pontius Pilate speaking Latin, from what I have discerned.

I wondered, why would Pilate use Latin? Not many in the crowd (apart from upper class Romans) would be familiar with that language.

My suspicions were supported by this website:
http://www.bc.edu/publications/bcm/winter_2003/ft_special.html

An excerpt:

When Jesus and Pontius Pilate talked to each other, they spoke in Koine Greek, because Pilate didn’t understand Aramaic and Jesus did not understand Latin.

Apparently Latin was not used in the Roman rites until the 6th century, and it was also spoken inaudibly, by the priest, during some period of time.
See: http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/koine.htm

I refer especially to John McKenzie, the third contributor on the list.

The Canon of Mass, the central eucharistic formula, for centuries was recited by the celebrant inaudibly; this was a kind of verbal “sanctuary” that the laity were not even supposed to hear.

So my suspicions about the innacuracy of the languages used in the film may may have been confirmed.

This detail will not dull my keenness to see “The Passion of the Christ”.

Ken

Film - The Passion of the Christ

Here’s how one film critic sees the film:
Jesus film

Ken

Thanks for that Ken.

I can understand that view.  I think we are at times so “hung up” on the Cross that we forget what came 3 days later, which to me is just as wondrous and just as important [as is Jesus’ whole life]. 

Does anyone know if the film ends with the Cross; or is there a view of the empty tomb [at least]? [I hope...]

Ian.

To my understanding there it does do the resurrection. Yay!!

I do soooo understand Jason.  Jesus is safe and forgettable as long as He stays in the manger all meek and mild as the Christmas carol declares.  Our popular culture is very comfortable with this Jesus.  The Jesus who dies and rises again is something else, for here God’s power and glory are reaching a pinnacle that the Old Testament was hinting at.

Yep, I’m going to see it.  I want to see what a popular Hollywood actor/director/producer does with the Jesus of the cross and resurrection.  After all, Paul said if the resurrection didn’t happen we are worse than fools (or a sentiment close to that effect).

Also, if my non-Christian friends see it then I can contribute to the conversation and may God use that for His glory.

I thought I would post a copy of a message “Chuck Colson” said re the passion.

Who Killed Jesus?
Setting the Record Straight

The cover of the latest Newsweek magazine asks the right question: “Who killed Jesus?” This has been a raging debate for a year, since Mel Gibson started his remarkable film project The Passion of the Christ. He immediately ran into a buzz saw of opposition from the liberal media and Jewish groups who were afraid the film would rekindle anti-Semitism.

Now, Jews have a legitimate concern about this. During the Middle Ages, Christians treated Jews terribly. In Russia there were pogroms against the Jews. And of course some of the maniacs around Hitler professed that they were killing Jews to purify the Christian race.

But is this sensitivity today well-founded? If we would look at history alone, we would have to say that Pontius Pilate certainly was guilty. Legend has it that years after the crucifixion he was frantically washing his hands trying to cleanse himself from the blood of Christ. And, of course, Caiphus the High Priest certainly bears his share of responsibility. So do the crowds who yelled, “Crucify him.” So was it the Romans or the Jews, the venality of Pontius Pilate or the passion of the mob?

It was both and neither. The Jews didn’t cause the death of Jesus, nor did the Romans. They were merely instruments carrying out what God had decreed. He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross so that the sins of mankind might be forgiven. And those who take Scripture seriously have always known who killed Jesus: You and I and all other sinful human beings did so.

Mel Gibson understands this. In his movie, The Passion of the Christ, the hand holding the spike being nailed through Christ’s wrist is Gibson’s. Who killed Jesus? Mel Gibson knows. And he made the very point with his own hand that he was responsible, not the Jews.

Similarly the Dutch painter, Rembrandt painted The Raising of the Cross as a self-portrait. As Christ hangs on the cross while it is being lifted into place, the soldier pulling it up is Rembrandt. Who killed Jesus? Rembrandt knew. He did. And I did. And you did. We’re the ones who sent Jesus to the cross loaded down with our sins.

So enough of this foolish controversy. My advice to Christians is that you make it abundantly clear to your friends and neighbors that we are the ones responsible and then take them to see the film. Let them experience the passion and explain to them why it was necessary for Jesus to go to the cross. And be ready with a biblical answer for your Jewish friends who hear all of this propaganda, most of it stirred up by professional activists.

Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, says that it is not who is to blame that really has everybody up in arms. The media elite know that if people see this film, the right answer to the haunting question “Who Killed Jesus?” will be clear. What strikes terror into the hearts of the media elite is that people might once again be convicted of sin, repent, and come to faith in Christ.

So, three cheers for Mel Gibson. And thanks to Newsweek for asking the right question, even if it does not have the right answer. But now it is up to us Christians to do our job to educate our neighbors and flood the movie theaters.

craig

Ian and Nunc

You are in luck (and not)...I am Aramaic (not Assyrian).

I speak bits of Aramaic with my parents, and am actually going to language school to learn it properly. 

Depending on what dialetic of Aramaic the movie uses, I will understand bits of it raw...otherwise I beg for subtitles.

I read a review a while back saying that Mel Gibson didn’t want subtitles because the raw nature of the visuals should do the talking.

I can’t wait to see it.

Hi Manny,

[quote author="Manny C"]You are in luck (and not)...I am Aramaic (not Assyrian).

I speak bits of Aramaic with my parents, and am actually going to language school to learn it properly. 

Can you provide a list of “errors” once you’ve seen it??? ;-)

Enjoy language school!  Let us know how it goes.  I’m considering learning Arabic for no good reason other than I think it’d be a challenge! 

God bless,
Ian.

Snippits of comments I heard on this movie – from Al Stewart at City Bible Forum and Paul Colman at the Paul Colman Trio concert, both on Thursday…

A friend asked Al if he was going to see “The Passion”, saying if so, he’d go with Al. Al presented this as a good opportunity to spend time with a friend in an activity that could lead to a conversation about Christianity. However, he also acknowledged that his mother would not go to see it (the talk was about the second commandment and idolatry).

I thought that those of us who intend to see it might want to consider going with non-Christian friends, rather than Christian ones only. It would be good also if non-Christians were not just invited to join the church groups either, but on a one-to-one basis which is more personal and probably less threatening.

Paul Colman’s comment was in relation to those people who raised questions about Mel Gibson’s faith. I thought it was worth considering, but please note that I am not being critical of anyone who has wondered/written/been concerned about it.

He reminded us that the movie provides many potential opportunities for sharing the good news about Jesus with our family, friends and colleagues. I can’t remember the exact words he used, but essentially he said that regardless of where Mel stands before God (and not only do we not know, we are not to judge), we should worry less about who makes the movie/sings the song, etc. (although the theological accuracy of the content is open to discussion) and more about how we can make and take opportunities for sharing with others as they arise.

I would be concerned if someone who had an unrepentant lifestyle, contrary to the Bible’s teachings, proclaimed their faith and brought shame to God. I don’t know about Mel Gibson – I don’t know much about him at all and I certainly don’t know him personally! But Paul Colman’s point was that it’s not my place to judge anyway, so I shouldn’t. Instead of pondering that, I can “remove the log from my own eye”, then use the time to read, pray and seek opportunities to minister to others.

Han :)

Found an interesting Bible verse pertinent to the controversy about “who killed Christ”.

Paul pins it on the Jews. And then kicks them while they’re down!

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

Film - the passion of the .......

Hi Adrian.
Hi Adrian.

You wrote:

Found an interesting Bible verse pertinent to the controversy about “who killed Christ”.

Paul pins it on the Jews. And then kicks them while they’re down!

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

That is only half the story.  Peter (also) accuses the assembled Jews in Acts 2:22-24

“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

He does so again in Acts 4:8-12

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!  If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed,
then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.  He is “`the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. ‘ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Here is the gospel going out first to Jerusalem as the risen Christ instructed in Acts 1:8.  The gospel never just presents our guilt before a holy and righteous God.  It always presents God’s wonderous mercy as triumphanting over the judgement (deserved by all sinners) on the cross of Christ.

Peter and Paul faithfully present God’s message of condemnation of sin and sinners followed by the only hope there is for being delivered - Jesus Christ.

Peter and Paul were quite right to point out to the assembled Jews’ their individual and corporate guilt - they had, in all likelines, attended the sentencing of Jesus befor Pilate and been witnesses to the crowd choosing Barabbas over Jesus (maybe even calling for Jesus’ crucifixion). Understanding their guilt, they rightly asked “what shall we do?”.  The remedy is the same now as then: “Repent...in the name if Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38)

Of course for a non-Jewish audience there is no point tying God’s condemnation of our guilt and sin solely to a Jewish audience (and I’m not suggesting this is what you said in your last post).  We know from what Scripture tells us that 1. it was God’s set plan that Jesus die on a cross (see the Acts 2: 22-24 reference above), 2. a number of his chosen people would be directly involved in the false witnessing, sentencing and death of His son 3. that all sinner’s sin nailed Jesus to the cross.  All three reasons give us an amazingly rich picture of what was REALLY happening at the time of Jesus’ sentencing and death.

As the book of James 2: 12-13 declares

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

God doesn’t JUST kick us when we are down.  He picks us up, spiritually heals us and then shows us things unimaginable to any human invention - His glorified, victorious Son and life forever with Him in the company of His chosen people etc etc.

God bless
Angela

Thanks for that sensitive and thoughtful reply Angela.  I agree with everything you say, and would only add that the last words of the verse Adrian quoted really helps us deal with any ongoing anti-semitism brought on by this film:

In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

So, whether or not the Jews did it, and whether or not God is angry, there is no room for us to add to “their sins” because they were at their limit in Paul’s day.  And likewise the wrath of God has already been metered out.  Therefore it’s not up to us to do any more meterin’ of our own.

Edit: I also meant to say that I think the specific context of this is talking about certain Jews persecuting the early church.  That’s the “heaping up”, not necessarily the crucifixion.