Mel Gibson's "The Passion"

I got this in an email the other day. I can't verify it's accuracy. But here it is. __________________________________________________MEL GIBSON'S THE PASSIONThis is a commentary by DAVID LIMBAUGH about Mel Gibson's very controversialmovie regarding Christ's crucifixion. It's very worth reading. MEL GIBSON'S passion for "THE PASSION" How ironic that when a movie producer takes artistic license with historicalevents, he is lionized as artistic, creative and brilliant, but when anothertakes special care to be true to the real-life story, he is vilified.Actor-producer Mel Gibson is discovering these truths the hard way as he ishaving difficulty finding a United States studio or distributor for hisupcoming film, "The Passion," which depicts the last 12 hours of the life ofJesus Christ. Gibson co-wrote the script and financed, directed and produced the movie.For the script, he and his co-author relied on the New Testament Gospels ofMatthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as the diaries of St. Anne CatherineEmmerich (1774-1824) and Mary of Agreda's "The City of God." Gibson doesn't want this to be like other sterilized religious epics. "I'mtrying to access the story on a very personal level and trying to be veryreal about it." So committed to realistically portraying what many wouldconsider the most important half-day in the history of the universe, Gibsoneven shot the film in the Aramaic language of the period. In response toobjections that viewers will not be able to understand that language, Gibsonsaid, "Hopefully, I'll be able to transcend the language barriers with myvisual storytelling; if I fail, I fail, but at least it'll be a monumentalfailure." To further insure the accuracy of the work, Gibson has enlisted the counselof pastors and theologians, and has received rave reviews. Don Hodel,president of Focus on the Family, said, "I was very impressed. The movie ishistorically and theologically accurate." Ted Haggard, pastor of New LifeChurch in Colorado Springs, Colo., and president of the National EvangelicalAssociation, glowed: "It conveys, more accurately than any other film, whoJesus was." Gibson is a devout Christian. From Gibson's perspective, this movie is notabout Mel Gibson. It's bigger than he is. "I'm not a preacher, and I'm not apastor," he said. "But I really feel my career was leading me to make this.The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directingtraffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize." Even before the release of the movie, scheduled for March 2004, Gibson isgetting his wish. "Everyone who worked on this movie was changed. There wereagnostics and Muslims on set converting to Christianity...[and] people beinghealed of diseases." Gibson wants people to understand through the movie, ifthey don't already, the incalculable influence Christ has had on the world. And he grasps that Christ is controversial precisely because of WHO HE IS -GOD incarnate. "And that's the point of my film really, to show all thatturmoil around him politically and with religious leaders and the people,all because He is Who He is." Gibson is beginning to experience first hand just how controversial Christis. Critics have not only speciously challenged the movie's authenticity,but have charged that it is disparaging to Jews, which Gibson vehementlydenies. "This is not a Christian vs. Jewish thing. '[Jesus] came into theworld, and it knew him not.' Looking at Christ's crucifixion, I look firstat my own culpability in that." Jesuit Father William J. Fulco, whotranslated the script into Aramaic and Latin, said he saw no hint ofanti-Semitism in the movie. Fulco added, "I would be aghast at anysuggestion that Mel Gibson is anti-Semitic." Nevertheless, certain groups and some in the mainstream press have been very critical of Gibson's"Passion." The New York Post's Andrea Peyser chided him: "There is still time, Mel, totell the truth." Boston Glove columnist James Carroll denounced Gibson'sliteral reading of the biblical accounts. "Even a faithful repetition of theGospel stories of the death of Jesus can do damage exactly because thosesacred texts themselves carry the virus of Jew hatred," wrote Carroll. Agroup of Jewish and Christian academics has issued an 18-page reportslamming all aspects of the film, including its undue emphasis on Christ'spassion rather than "a broader vision." The report disapproves of themovie's treatment of Christ's passion as historical fact. The moral is that if you want the popular culture to laud your work onChrist, make sure it either depicts Him as a homosexual or as an everydaysinner with no particular redeeming value (literally). In our anti-Christianculture, the blasphemous "The Last Temptation of Christ" is celebrated, and"The Passion" is condemned. But if this movie continues to affect people theway it is now, no amount of cultural opposition will suppress its force andits positive impact on lives everywhere. Mel Gibson is a model of faith andcourage. Please copy this and send it on to all your friends to let them know aboutthis film so that we'll all go see it when it comes out.

Thanks Todd,Did some digging and found this site:http://www.townhall.com/columnists/davidlimbaugh/dl20030709.shtmlIt appears what you had recieved was accurate except for one small part:"During the filming, Gibson, a devout Catholic, attended Mass every morning because "we had to be squeaky clean just working on this." From Gibson's perspective, this movie is not about Mel Gibson. It's bigger than he is."Apparently someone decided to do a little editing, perhaps a bit apprehensive of that title "Catholic".Personally, I have heard all kinds of 'rumors' that he is getting a lot of pressure to change aspects of the movie to appease his opponents, I pray that he hold's fast...looking forward to seeing it.

Here is a Bio on David Limbaugh.Considering I used to be a huge Rush Limbaugh fan,(For those who may not have heard of him, he is a conservative radio talk-show host)to find out he was "Rush's brother....http://www.townhall.com/columnists/BIOS/cblimbaugh.htmBetter yet, since I had 'converted' my parents to Rush Limbaugh a number of years ago (Before coming to Christ), the fact that they are still practicing Catholic's (As I was also raised)and still haven't totally broached the whole subject of concerns in regards to Catholic/Christian dialogue...What I am trying to say is, I have yet to solidify that my parents are truely saved.This may be just the bridge that the Lord uses to resolve the questions that have been plaguing me for some time.Bless you Todd, you may have done much more than share a post with us.Mike

My question is how can someone truly be born again / saved if they still hold to and practice the Catholic doctrines and beliefs. Would such a one not be an idolater?I have met several Christians who say they know Catholics who are saved. This always bothers me but I am open to any thoughts on the matter.Sincerly in Christ,Mike

Todd wrote:Gibson is a devout Christian. From Gibson's perspective, this movie is notabout Mel Gibson. It's bigger than he is. "I'm not a preacher, and I'm not apastor," he said. "But I really feel my career was leading me to make this.The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directingtraffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize." Even before the release of the movie, scheduled for March 2004, Gibson isgetting his wish. "Everyone who worked on this movie was changed. There wereagnostics and Muslims on set converting to Christianity...[and] people beinghealed of diseases." Gibson wants people to understand through the movie, ifthey don't already, the incalculable influence Christ has had on the world.My question concerning this is, is Mel Gibson a devout Christian or Catholic. There is a huge difference. How can a Christian be part of entertainment industry that is ruled by the power of satan. When did Mel become a Christian?Are the people on the set being converted to Christinaity or Catholicism? Maybe I am out on a limb with this but I don't agree with Catholics being Christians nor this so called hollywood actors claiming to be saved but never coming out and being separate.Mike

Hi Mike,Wanted to clarify a few things;Where you had Todd wrote:Those are not his words, but those of the columnist David Limbaugh. This may be a small point and perhaps you realize this already, but it makes it look as if those were Todd's words as opposed to those he is quoting. My question concerning this is, is Mel Gibson a devout Christian or CatholicDevout Catholic from everything I know about him.How can a Christian be part of entertainment industry that is ruled by the power of satan.Well, how is it that we all live in the world, the ruler of being "the prince of the power of the air"? Aren't we to be "In the world, not of the world"? Is all the "entertainment industry" under the sway of the devil?Better question, would Jesus go there to save sinners?Would it be better that this movie not be made?If it holds up to the true scriptual description that it seems to imply that it will and for the amount of heat coming from those opposing it, (not from Christians) should we not then be applauding it? Surely it's a bit premature to be making judgements one way or the other, since it hasn't been released yet. But I like what I am hearing so far. Sounds like a lot of people are squirming because of it.Your point about Catholics being Christians Precisely my point in regards to my parents. I believe there are some essentials that need to be agreed upon, that there is much that is outside the pale of orthodoxy and quite a bit that can be debated but not divided over. I am not a theologian, and still need to study much in this area. But, I don't think that all Catholics are lost, mislead likely. All the doctine in the world can be argued till the cows come home, the bottom line is are they saved or not.

I'm sorry. Yes, I didn't think Todd said that and should have been more careful.Yes we are in the world, but it is my "OPINION" I guess, that to be making movies full of foul language, violence, sex, etc. is being of the world not in it. I am not saying that about this movie but about the normal activity of the entertainment industry. This movie may be very accurate but that does not mean a person is a christian nor does it mean one should continue to be making movies in hollywood. The Bible series movies from Ted Turner are every biblical and I enjoy watching them but it doesn't mean that Christians are making them or are in them.God can definitly use this movie to save people and yes Jesus wants to save hollywood actors.I guess the point of my responses was not to put down the movie or others like it but rather to address the issues of Cathlolics being Christians and Christians being Hollywood stars making ungodly movies (Not refering to this one).Hope that clears up confusion on what I was trying to convey.Mike

I came across this article via another website, and I wanted to bring it to your attention. Mel Gibson: The PassionThe article is very long, but I wanted to bring this part to your attention.We talked of the nature of Gibson's faith, and I asked him about an aspect of Vatican II which has not been much discussed in the debate over his film. One of the council's most significant acts was its Decree on Ecumenism, which declared that all Christians, even those outside the Catholic Church, “have the right to be called Christian; the children of the Catholic Church accept them as brothers.” This effectively overturned the Catholic notion that the only true course to salvation was through the Catholic Church. I told Gibson that I am a Protestant, and asked whether his pre-Vatican II world view disqualified me from eternal salvation. He paused. “There is no salvation for those outside the Church,” he said. “I believe it.” He explained, “Put it this way. My wife is a saint. She's a much better person than I am. Honestly. She's, like, Episcopalian, Church of England. She prays, she believes in God, she knows Jesus, she believes in that stuff. And it's just not fair if she doesn't make it, she's better than I am. But that is a pronouncement from the chair. I go with it.” This article is long but interesting. Gibson is definitley a devout catholic.

If anyone is interested in seeing a preview for the movie, I have a link here from HollywoodJesus.com. This site isn't a favorite of mine, I've lost a lot of respect for it, but it has previews of both The Gospel of John and The Passion.Watch the Preview for "The Passion"

Hi Mike (5nva)By the way, what does '5nva' relate to? Just curious.I agree with your points and I guess what I was getting at as well is how do we go about reaching other industries like Hollywood for instance. It does bring up a number of questions. How do you stay within the faith in the midst of a situation like that? Do you just leave it all together or try and stay to be an agent for change? Surely there are quite a few Christians there, how do they manage?Also glad that you did bring up the Catholic/ Christian issue. It's something that I have put on the backburner for far to long. Might start up a new thread in this regards. I have a lot of questions and have always wanted to research it back to it's orgins, in fact even broader than that, for instance, how did the church start to splinter off after the apostoles all went on to their rewards?

Well first then is 5nva relates to myself, my wife and three children who live in Virginia. I had to come up with something I could remember so that's what I came up with. Five in Virginia (5nva).First thing is I'm not convinced ther are quite a few Christians in the Hollywood scene so how they may manage I do not know.To me being a witness does not mean you have to be part of something and be a bit different than what you are part of. Coming out and being separate is being more of a witness. An example would be Michael St Gerard. Michael was an actor who was Elvis in some show, was on 90210 and starred in Hairspray. He is now not acting but is a Pastor at Harlem Square Church which is under the leadership of David Wilkerson and TSC. I see more of a witness by him saying I'm not acting anymore because I am a Christian.Another example is a Lisa Welchel who was in facts of life. My wife heard her say she became a Christian and seaid there are no movies, parts, scripts in Hollywood that are fitting for her as a Christian. That is being a witness. It seems to me that leaving something all together make more people take notice than staying and trying to fit in.When my boss takes my work group out for drinks after a meeting and I say I'm not going, I think that is being more of a witness than me going and not drinking. Remember the bible says that bad company currupts good morals not good company corrupts bad morals.I think we all need to examine what being a witness really is and means. These are just some thoughts to ponder.In Christ,Mike

Hi Mike, Thanks for your reply.Again we are in agreement in principal.Remember that there are more than actors in Hollywood, directors, writers,laborers, etc.It wouldn't seem fair to lump them all together into one stereotype and my hunch is that there is probably quite a few Christians among them.I don't disagree with you in the slightest in regards to conduct, but wanted to point out a different way of looking at it.For instance, you said When my boss takes my work group out for drinks after a meeting and I say I'm not going, I think that is being more of a witness than me going and not drinking. Absolutely, but does their conduct therefore make you quit your job? Or It seems to me that leaving something all together make more people take notice than staying and trying to fit in. Not trying to be flippant here at all, but do you see what I am getting at?Another possibilty, this is an assumption based on limited knowledge of what I have picked up here and there, what if what little Christian influence exsists there was to up and leave? Believe me, in no way am I making a defense for what comes out of there, or for television as a whole, neither of which I personally spend much time watching. When something like this upcoming movie starts making waves and the stumbling stone is causing many to trip over, the critics are not the Christians for a change, all I can say is, Praise God, may it be used for His glory!

Thanks Laholmes,Read the entire it was very long but I couldn't put it down :-) Regardless of where his theology is skewed, and yes his language may be offensive to some, I will be praying that he resist's any attempts to water down or compromise on what he has set out to do. This is a great article, it has only served to whet my appetite for this movie...Here are a few quips from the article:"But in his middle thirties Gibson slipped into a despair so enveloping that he thought he would not emerge. “You can get pretty wounded along the way, and I was kind of out there,” he says. “I got to a very desperate place. Very desperate. Kind of jump-out-of-a-window kind of desperate. And I didn't want to hang around here, but I didn't want to check out. The other side was kind of scary. And I don't like heights, anyway. But when you get to that point where you don't want to live, and you don't want to die -- it's a desperate, horrible place to be. And I just hit my knees. And I had to use the Passion of Christ and wounds to heal my wounds. And I've just been meditating on it for twelve years.” When Gibson is trying to understand the antagonism that his project has excited, he characteristically conjures his scenario of the great spiritual realms, unseen but ever warring over humankind. “I didn't realize it would be so vicious,” he says of the criticism. “The acts against this film started early. As soon as I announced I was doing it, it was 'This is a dangerous thing.' There is vehement anti-Christian sentiment out there, and they don't want it. It's vicious. I mean, I think we're just a little part of it, we're just the meat in the sandwich here. There's huge things out there, and they're belting it out -- we don't see this stuff. Imagine: There's a huge war raging, and it's over us! This is the weird thing. For some reason, we're important in this thing. I don't understand it. We're a bunch of _______ and idiots and failures and creeps. But we're called to the divine, we're called to be better than our nature would have us be. And those big realms that are warring and battling are going to manifest themselves very clearly, seemingly without reason, here -- a realm that we can see. And you stick your head up and you get knocked.” When Gibson was in Rome shooting the film, he told an Italian interviewer that he had felt moved by God's spirit to undertake the project. I asked him what he'd meant by that. How did he know that God wanted him to make “The Passion”? “There are signals,” he said. “You get signals. Signs. ‘Signal graces,’ they're called. It's like traffic lights. It's as clear as a traffic light. Bing! I mean, it just grabs you and you know you have to listen to that and you have to follow it. Like last night, you know?” He reminded me of an incident that had occurred the night before, as we were driving to Anaheim. Gibson was behind the wheel of his silver Lexus, negotiating the nightmarish traffic on the Santa Ana Freeway, when a car pulled in front of him and immediately hit the brakes. Gibson had seemed ready to unleash some invective, when he stopped and stared at the offending car's license plate. “Look! Look at what it says!” The car's license-plate holder bore the inscription “Psalm 91.” Gibson said that on that very morning, after he'd been vexed by the Los Angeles Times column, one of his associates had urged him to read the ninety-first Psalm, and that he'd been moved to tears by it. (“A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. . . . For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”) “It was weird,” Gibson said. “Those are signals, alright?” .