While not a fan of the Catholic Church, this news regarding Mel Gibson's The Passion is interesting. This just in from the Drudge Report.
VATICAN THUMBS UP ON MEL GIBSON'S CHRIST MOVIEAn influential Vatican cardinal is about to endorse Mel Gibson's PASSION, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.
The controversial Mel Gibson-directed drama about the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ will be praised -- unconditionally -- by Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, the prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, who speaks for the Vatican on issues of faith.
The endorsement may pit the Vatican against the Anti-Defamation League, which expressed concerns that scenes depicting Jesus' crucifixion at the hands of Jews and others will fuel anti-Semitism.
“Gibson’s artistic choices make the film faithful to the meaning of the Gospels, as understood by the Church,” says Cardinal Hoyos in an interview set for release in Italy.
This just gets more and more interesting as those who would seek to revise history fight against the release of this film.
As a sidebar, I agree with this guy regarding the Catholic church as a whole.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
September 10, 2003 01:40 PM
Joel,
I will watch Mel Gibson's film. I'm certainly not going to judge the work without seeing it. In general, I think many of the films Gibson has starred in contain too much gratuitous violence. However, the actor Gibson cast for the lead role seems to be a very faithful Christian.
Based on some of the pre-release comments, I might be concerned whether or not the film places too much emphasis on the death of Jesus and not enough on the resurrection.
Regarding your reference to the Catholic Church, while I might find too much emphasis there on works and the sacraments as related to salvation, I would also have to say that much of the Protestant movement effectively treats the Book of James with contempt and too little connects works and sacraments with the faith.
Joel Thomas
September 11, 2003 06:57 AM
oel Comm, it's a shame you agree with this guy (Mike Gendron) so much regarding the Roman Catholic Church. I would bet that he is included in the more than 75% of people who left the Catholic Church due to his wanting a divorce while that is against Catholic Doctrine. You shoud read articles by the People like Dr. Scott Hahn, he and his wife once in the Protestant Semenaries and he a Protestant Minister coverting to Catholism only after working dilligently to disprove the Catholic Church and her teachings. I trying to destroy the Catholic Church he realized why it was and is the church that Jesus Christ said "The gates of Hell will not orevail against her". Joel, what has changed since Jesus made that statement! Jesus doesn't lie...
Check out my friend Dr. Scott Hahn at:
http://www.scotthahn.com
Simpler yet, just click my name and I will take you there...
September 11, 2003 07:10 AM
Joel Comm,
One more thing, perhaps you feel I should not be talking or promoting the Catholic Church, but I am actually responding to you and all the People who make little comments of something they know little about. I don't put down your faith and beliefs, so I would ask you not to single out mine everytime and put it down. Remember in Holy Scripture when the deciples came back to Jesus and said, "Lord, Lord they are casting out deamons and they are not of our company", Jesus replied, "Leave them alone, if they are not against us then they are for us" Jesus was talking about various denominations... And you of all people should realize that all denominations of the Christians faiths were departs from the Holy Roman Catholic Church, all for various reasons, some kings thought that Divorce was a bit stringent and tough for the church to decree, actually the church didn't decree it, the Bible did, many broke off for other feel good theology reasons and some like Martin Luther broke off for very legitimate reasons. The Catholic Church needed changing due to corruption. He didn't leave on his own, he wanted to stay and make good changes in the church but his followers forced him out to start the Lutheran Church. I for one among many Catholics look to Martin Luther as a Saint.
As far was Faith without Works, well if we really are people of Faith, then works come naturally, that is our Liberal side. The Beatitudes, preaching the Gospels, helping all who need help.
Gods Blessings
Francis Xavier
September 11, 2003 07:18 PM
You are entitled to your opinion, my friend. But the "church" is not an organization, least of one which has twisted the Word of God, placed men as mediators between God and man (other than Christ Himself), elevated the sinner known as Mary to be equal with the Godhead, and led so many down the road of deception as the Catholic church. I have read long and deep about this organization and I believe everything Mr. Gendron says. I have no respect for Mr. Hahn's teaching as I believe he has been deceived as well.
I appreciate your comments greatly though and pray God's richest blessings on you and yours.
Joel C.
September 11, 2003 08:25 PM
Joel C.
I seem to recall in the Bible where Jesus said to Peter, Who's sins you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and who's sins release on earth shall be released in heaven. Now as I recall Peter was a Tax Collector, a sinner. He denied Jesus three times, that means he was a traitor to the Christ he served and yet Jesus forgave him unconditionally. Joel, just what was Jesus referring to when He gave peter the keys to the church, then He told him to bind or release. to bind is to hold agsinst and to release is to let go to forgive. I don't think Jesus was just blowing Hot Air....
And Mary.... If I called your mother a sinner, if I insulted the woman who bore you in her womb a nothing you might get pretty upset with me... Well... What do you thing Jesus is feeling right now... Watch out who you pick on, As I stand before God now, mark my words, Mary will bring Jesus back into the world again, she will act as Redemptorous and be the forerunner of Jesus when He returns again... Prepare and attempt to have something nice to say to Jesus's Mother at that time. You see Joel, I believe, correct me if I am wrong (you seem to do pretty good at that) that the Roman Catholic Church was the first Christain Church after Jesus gave out the Keys... Now that isd the same church that Jesus promissed that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against! So who is Joel that he can JUDGE, the church that Jesus formed. I think I would be worried about your own Judgement, as Jesus said "JUDGE NOT... LEST YE BE JUDGED" Remember the prayer the Our Father... Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive thise that trespass against us... Just what is it Joel that you don't understand about that prayer? Is there anything that you do understand about what Jesus said, If you have specifics to deal with me on about the Catholic church then do so.... but don't make general statements, that's not very creative.... I thought you were far more creative than that. Finally the one you should put your belief in is Jesus... Not man... Not I, nor Chic, oh there's a piece of art.... Not any man but put your beliefe in God!
God's Blessing from a Sinner....
Francis Xavier
September 11, 2003 09:29 PM
"In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things, charity."
I guess we can all at least agree on the charity part! (I have to work on that last one a little sometimes.)
Joel
September 12, 2003 05:28 AM
Oh that Jesus hastens His return and finds us all in love (on a spiritual level) with one another. That He finds us not asleep or caught up in what is not important...
Come Lord Jesus Come....
Always Gods Blessings...
Francis Xavier
February 25, 2004 08:00 AM
I don't think this is an antisematic film. It is a history film. The violence shown is only describing what happened to Jesus, so that we can understand the pain he endured for us. If you don't believe in Jesus and don't agree with the subject line, don't watch it. However, let everyone who is interested in it watch it peacefully.
Has everyone forgotten about Schindler's list? It is a very violent movie also, however, it is also a history film that we should all learn from or at least respect. I didn't see anyone complaining about this film. Is it because the ones who suffered were the jews? Remember, the one suffering in this film is also a jew and he also has the right to share his story.
I just wanted to defend this film since I believe we all have a right to express ourselves.